All-America Game caps high school success for three from McDonogh
As No. 1 McDonogh boys lacrosse successfully defended its league title, game-changing plays were made by a special senior trio.
In the Eagles’ Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship campaign, AJ Marsh shut down opponents’ top scoring threats. Fellow defenseman Mac Christmas gobbled up ground balls and proved unstoppable in transition. And attackman McCabe Millon was dynamite when the ball was in his stick.
Marsh, who was named The Baltimore Sun’s All-Metro boys lacrosse Player of the Year, is set to play at Navy. Christmas, a first-team selection, is heading to Duke. And Millon, who despite missing significant time because of injury earned second-team honors, is Virginia-bound as the country’s No. 1 recruit in this year’s graduated class.
Before they play at the next level, the three have one final opportunity to wear the same uniform when they represent the South team at the 18th annual Senior All-America Lacrosse Game on Saturday at Johns Hopkins’ Homewood Field. They will be joined by fellow MIAA A Conference standout Kyle Foster, a Boys’ Latin defenseman and Ohio State commit, in a game set for 8 p.m. and broadcast live on ESPNU.
“It’s the best,” Marsh said. “The whole year we play and it’s always so competitive, every single game. So to get here and play in a fun game like this and have one last opportunity to step on the field with those guys — it’s the best feeling and something I’ll never forget.”
This spring, the Eagles had the daunting task of trying to repeat as champions in the
country’s top league. They did so emphatically, going 17-1 and beating No. 2 Calvert Hall, 14-5, in the final to become only the third program to win back-to-back titles since the league started in 1996.
The skills that Marsh, Christmas and Millon brought were vital, but equally important were the intangibles they shared: leadership, intensity and a teamfirst approach.
“They all play with super high motors, high energy and they love to have fun playing lacrosse,” McDonogh coach Andy Hilgartner said. “As intense and focused and as serious as they are, all that stuff, they just love making big plays on the field, and that translates to their style of play.”*
Another common trait is their desire to get better.
While Millon says playing in the summer showcase will be exciting and memorable, it also serves a purpose that he wants to make sure benefits him moving forward.
“What I really want to get out of this All-America Game is to continue to diversify my game and continue to improve myself all around,” he said. “Being able to play with such stars, like maybe the best off-ball guy in the country or the best lefty dodger and to work off of them and learn from them and enjoy the time will be great.”
While McDonogh stakes claim to the two straight MIAA A crowns, Christmas, who was a transfer from Washington-area power Georgetown Prep, also captured his second league championship, having won an Interstate Athletic Conference title for the Hoyas in his sophomore year.
How well he fit in at McDonogh played a major role in the team’s success. Playing alongside Millon and Marsh made the transition easier.
“Playing with McCabe was really cool. When we needed something to happen on attack, that’s the guy you want to have. And playing with AJ was awesome. I watched what he did defensively and it was fun pushing transition with him. It’s really cool getting to play with them again and I’m really excited. It’s going to be great lacrosse for sure,” Christmas said.
A winner of five league crowns, McDonogh has developed a method that breeds consistent success. It starts with the seniors setting a positive tone.
“You only go as far as your seniors and there’s no doubt last year’s graduation class rubbed off on AJ and McCabe, which helped them lead what was an otherwise young team,” said Ty Xanders, Inside Lacrosse’s director of recruiting and high school content who heads the committee that selects the boys rosters. “I thought it was really cool to see how they brought in a transfer like Mac, who led by example, and how well they all balanced each other out.”
One last reward for the trio comes Saturday as they wrap up their high school careers in the grandest fashion.
“To be recognized as one of those guys that can compete with some of the top guys in the country is so rewarding and feels so good and it kind of wraps up a lot of that hard work,” Marsh said.
“I think it’s going to be a very competitive game. They’re the best players in the country, so I think it will be such a fun opportunity to get up and down with guys you’re going to be playing against for years to come.”