Notre Dame’s Sellers is our Player of the Year
Of the 13 CVC boys lacrosse teams, four won more games this season than last year. Ten made the NJSIAA State Tournament. Five won a playoff game. Two qualified for a sectional semifinal.
Only one school, Hightstown, checked off all of those boxes.
For his efforts guiding the Rams to 11 wins and the first South Jersey Group III semifinal in school history, third-year head coach Mike Zapicchi is The Trentonian’s CVC Boys Lacrosse Coach of the Year.
Hightstown began the year as a young team after graduating only one senior, and it was coming off an 8-11 season. But three returning starting attackmen led by junior Ryan Daunt, who topped the Valley Division with 42 goals, propelled the Rams to a 7-1 start. They scored at least nine goals in six of those games, opening the year with a 9-8 win at East Brunswick.
Despite a rough patch midseason, Zapicchi’s staff steered the Rams back on course and emphasized keys to maximizing every possession. Hightstown responded in states with victories against Brick Township and Clearview before the magical run ended versus Moorestown — one game shy of the sectional final. Moorestown, for what it’s worth, won the section, the Group III state title and played in the Tournament of Champions final.
Over in Lawrenceville, senior attackman Matt Sellers dominated all season for Notre Dame (9-9), another program that continued to grow under third-year coach Michael Andersen.
Sellers, who rounded out a stellar career with 263 points in four seasons, is The Trentonian’s CVC Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year. Sellers scored in all 18 of the Irish’s games, and he finished his senior campaign with 52 goals and 80 points — good for second in the CVC.
Recently named a US Lacrosse AllAmerican, Sellers was the leader and facilitator for a sophomore-laden offense featuring budding underclassmen Erik Henig, Patrick Larkin and Joey Lippincott. Sellers’ most productive game of the season came on May 4 when he exploded for five goals and five assists against West Windsor North.
Sellers will play Division I lacrosse next year at High Point University.
Here is our All-CVC team:
Attack — Matt Sellers, Sr, Notre Dame
>> As skilled offensively as anyone in the conference while leading one of the area’s stronger teams. Notched 12 hat tricks and recorded at least one assist in all but four games.
Attack — Johnny Lopez-Ona, Sr, Princeton
>> Scored 25 goals and 21 assists to lead the Little Tigers to 10 wins and berths in the Mercer County Tournament final and North Jersey Group III semifinals. Made US Lacrosse’s All-Academic list. Attending Princeton University next year.
Attack — Ryan Daunt, Jr, Hightstown
>> Led the Valley Division with 42 goals and tacked on 27 assists as the best player on a Rams team that surprised many in the county this year.
Attack — Conner Braddock, Sr, Steinert
>> Notched area bests of 58 goals and 90 points to guide the Spartans to a Patriot Division title in their first season under new head coach Bob Ziegler.
>> His 49 assists were the most in the area, and his 74 points ranked second in the Valley Division. Also totaled 54 ground balls.
Attack — Nicolas Tello, Jr, WW-P South Midfield — Corey Kale, Sr, Robbinsville
>>AUS Lacrosse All-American along with Sellers. Netted 32 goals and scooped 40 ground balls for a seniorladen Ravens squad which won 13 games and the Valley Division title for the second straight season. Attending Hofstra next year.
Midfield — Sean Haddock, Jr, Hightstown
>> Came on strong late in the season with eight goals and two assists in three state tournament games. Also corralled 77 ground balls on the year.
Midfield — Nick DeGennaro, Sr, Hopewell
>> Bulldogs’ leading scorer and steady midfield presence with 35 goals and 18 assists. Going to Lynchburg College next year.
Midfield — Bobby Hendry, So, WW-P North
>> Proved to be one of the best young players in the conference with 49 points and 74 ground balls despite the Knights’ struggles.
Long Stick Midfield — Aaron Smilow, Sr, Robbinsville
>> Steady senior leader that played sound defense and scooped 34 ground balls. Heading to Stockton University.
Defense — Vinny Scarlatella, Sr, Hopewell
>> Leader of Bulldogs’ defense against a tough schedule. Finished with 64 ground balls and 12 points. Going to Montclair State University.
>> 48 ground balls for a unit that held opponents to single-digit goals in 15 of 19 games and eight straight contests to end the season.
Defense — Ian Jacobs, Jr, Princeton Defense — Jason Rider, Sr, Allentown
>> 69 ground balls as the Redbirds’ top player on the back end. Set to attend Pace University.
Defense — Ian Winn, Sr, Robbinsville
>> Emerged as a stingy force for a Ravens defense that improved as the season went on. Going to Catholic University.
Faceoff — Bobby Stewart, Sr, Robbinsville
>> Won about 78 percent of faceoffs along with 188 ground balls. Finished his high school career with 71 points and 594 ground balls before playing at High Point University next year with Sellers. Made US Lacrosse’s All-Academic list.
Faceoff — Sam Stephan, Sr, Notre Dame
>> Won about 80 percent of faceoffs and recorded a conference-best 218 ground balls. Will play for Mount St. Mary’s University. One of US Lacrosse’s Bob Scott Award winners for those who go above and beyond in service to his team, school, and community.
Goalie — Zach Powdermaker, Sr, Allentown
>> Tallied a conference-best 219 saves, including at least 15 in nine of 16 games. Helped the Redbirds flirt with an upset against Princeton in the MCT semis. Going to Pace University.
Player of the Year
Matt Sellers, Notre Dame
Coach of the Year
Mike Zapicchi, Hightstown
Honorable Mentions ALLENTOWN: EWING:
Connor Provost, James Neebling, Mike Surace. Connor Delaney. Michael Carbone, Dylan Ritchkoff.
Ryan Daunt, Jake Haug, Tyler Paul, Luke Nagy, John Ely. Nolan Crognale, Isaac Lieboff, Harry Meredith. William Bidle, Justin Krisak. Jaiiden Spence.
Erik Henig, Patrick Larkin, Daniel Brady.
Eamonn McDonald, Tooker Callaway, Justin Marciano, Dylan Westerman.
Jake Veres, Kyle Twamley, Jared Twamley, Taylor Twamley, Brandon Sankey. Anthony Cacase, Jared Dudich. Andrew Lenart, Tyrell Williams. David Mattia, AJ Austin.
HOPEWELL: LAWRENCE: NOTTINGHAM: DAME: PRINCETON: HAMILTON: HIGHTSTOWN: ROBBINSVILLE: STEINERT: WW-P NORTH: WW-P SOUTH: NOTRE