You have a direct connection to one of the leading lacrosse experts in the nation, Joe Lombardi, author of the LaxLessons.com “Lax with Joe” blog.

You can post your comments for Joe on this thread or email him at joe@laxlessons.com.

Joe is one of the most established, respected and versatile multimedia producers in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tri-state area. He has worked as an award-winning editor, columnist and reporter for daily and weekly newspapers; as a writer for national magazines; as a host, announcer and analyst on television and radio; and as publisher for two sports websites.

Joe is the primary author of the new edition of “Lacrosse for Dummies,” which mainly focuses on the field game. (The initial edition of “Lax for Dummies,” in which Joe was not involved and which published in 2003, focused on box lacrosse.)

You can also follow Joe on Twitter at @Joe_Lombardi.

Lacrosse Insider: College-by-college commitments by class

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24 Responses to “Ask Joe”

  1. Laxtime says:

    Who will be the best team in the tristate next year??

    • Joe Lombardi says:

      You have to start the conversation with Ward Melville after its unbeaten season and No. 1 national rankings. The Patriots also have a strong group of returnees, though they did lose plenty of talent to graduation, of course.

      Garden City, Chaminade, Delbarton and Ridge will all be very strong once again.

  2. Lax Watch says:

    Who do you think were the most impressive 3-4 players at Maverik Showtime Joe?

    • Joe Lombardi says:

      Rising juniors Brian Willetts (Smithtown East, NY/North Carolina) and Joseph Manown (La Salle Academy, RI/Duke) and rising sophomores Nigel Andrews (Deerfield Academy, MA/Uncommitted) Gerard Arceri (Smithtown East, NY/Uncommitted) would be the first names I’d throw out there. Overall, there were easily 12-15 kids who I was really impressed with and who I think have potential to be college stars. Then, plenty of others after that who I thought played very well, too.

  3. Lax Watch says:

    What colleges do you think have done the best job getting commits from underclassmen?

    • Joe Lombardi says:

      Right now, we don’t have any Class of 2017, so the term “underclassmen” means the Class of 2016 – rising sophomores. I don’t think there’s a clear frontrunner yet. Hopkins has the most tristate ’16 commits with three. But I’m expecting a flood of verbals for this class in the next month, so stay tuned.

  4. Laxline says:

    Joe, If you had to rank the top 5 players in classes of 2014, 15 and 16, who would you pick??

    • Joe Lombardi says:

      Actually, I wouldn’t.

      I’ve been asked by some national outlets to do this the way you describe and I’ve declined each time.

      I don’t think you can rank high school players in a reasonable and responsible way on a national basis. It’s just impossible.

      I have listed “Top 10 players to watch” or “Top 25 players to watch” in no particular order except maybe alphabetically. I think that’s fair and that’s fine to do. But it’s just to arbitrary to say one player is No. 1 at his position or in his graduating class, and someone else is No. 2 or No. 3 or 4, when 4 could easily be 1 or 2 and so on.

      I realize player rankings create debate and discussion, and like many things in sports, that’s part of the game. I just don’t think player rankings should be one of them — at the high school level, at least.

      • natas117 says:

        I agree with you not ranking HS players.I’ve seen it in other sports and it puts undo pressure on a YOUNG child. (That’s what they are – KIDS). Year after year, these kids get ranked and it turns out bad. Other sports should follow your lead…

  5. Lax man 9 says:

    Who do u think well win the class A section one title and who are the tope player at there passion

  6. Joe Lombardi says:

    Mamaroneck is the two-time champion. Despite losing Peter Conley, arguably the best all-around offensive player in the Hudson Valley last year, as well as goaltender Thomas Brill, the Tigers should contend for the title again.

    Sectional finalist North Rockland had a breakout year, and has a large group of returnees. Two of the Red Raiders’ best players were freshmen last year – Tyler Senatore and Kyle Michella.

    Traditional powers Lakeland/Panas and Mahopac will also be in the mix.

    With Brian Prunty (Siena) and Michael Zingaro (Manhattan) back for their senior seasons, and with Lakeland/Panas having not been in the title game since 2011, if I had to pick one team I’d give a slight edge to, it would be the Rebels.

    As always, it will be very interesting in a very competitive Section 1 Class A.

    • manute117@gmail.com says:

      Lakeland/Panas will be good. If rising freshmen Sean Makar gets minutes on faceoff could be game changer for L/P..

    • slacrosse says:

      Particularly if Greenberg is also not back I see Mamo taking a drop. Conley Brill and Greenberg were the dominant reason Mamo was so strong.

    • slacrosse says:

      Unfortunately Class A will be relatively weak again. Then they have to face Nisky. No more to be said.

  7. Lax man 9 says:

    I well say NorthRockland had a very good season and well be good the next couple of years in Rockland do u think tho Suffern and Clarktown south well get back to the team they once were ?

    • Joe Lombardi says:

      Yes. Both programs are in strong shape and, most importantly, have consistency at the head-coaching position in Dave McNally (Suffern) and Adam Chagares (South). I think this past spring was a transition year for both Suffern and Suffern.

  8. Snubbed says:

    Don’t sleep on Arlington! It is true the have some huge holes to fill after this years graduating class,but there is more depth there than you think.They also return their top offensive threat and will have him for the next two years. It will be interesting to see who steps up this spring

  9. All For One says:

    Anyone know the status of the Somers coaching staff, I heard there were some changes??

  10. Lax man 9 says:

    How is the Hudson valley looking for the empire cup

  11. Just sayin says:

    Who do you think is the best laxer now playing football in the Tri-State?

  12. Anonymous says:

    Cooper telesco-ridgewood hs

  13. Dan Burgmaster says:

    In response to Joe Lombardi question on top football lacrosse commits from Tri-state:

    Jack Burgmaster, Auburn HS 2015
    UAlbany lacrosse commit

    3rd year starter on Auburn NY HS V Football
    Junior – 2013 Team Captain
    Starting Safety, wide receiver, punt and kickoff return
    Ran back kickoff in Carrier Dome HS Kickoff Classic 2012
    Leads CNY in tackles after 1st weekend of play with 15

  14. Joe Lombardi says:

    Just sayin – Great question. I’m putting together a list of tristate lacrosse standouts who are the best at football and we will post it on Monday. In the meantime, keep the nominations coming both here and on Twitter @Joe_Lombardi.

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