By BUTCH HARMON
DIVISION 1
Brother Rice has won 12 straight state championships, and the Warriors are the premier team in Michigan again this year. Senior John Lockwood leads the offense, while fellow senior Bo Pickens paces the defense. The Warriors also boast talented junior standouts in defenders Brian Cosgrove and James Scane and attacker Morgan Macko.
Detroit Country Day, the Division 2 state champion a year ago, has moved up to Division 1 this season. The Yellowjackets have one of the top players in the state in senior midfielder Nick Martin. Martin, who has committed to Syracuse University, tallied 25 goals last year. Devon Callaghan and Emilio Sosa are two more talented senior attackers. Junior defender Jonathon Boos is a returning all-state pick as is senior long stick Jack Hartje.
Detroit Catholic Central was hit hard by graduation, but, as usual, boasts some talented players. Senior Dan Diederich is back to anchor the defense. Juniors Alex Jarzembowski and Andrew Caris are a pair of returning all-state players who patrol the midfield.
Clarkston has another solid team this season. The Wolves are led by a pair of Michigan State University recruits in senior attacker Andrew Williamson and senior defender Dayne Rogers.
Brighton is paced by senior standout Connor Konas, who has committed to the University of Indianapolis. Junior attackers Dylan Mercier and Jake Desrosiers lead the offense.
Novi has a solid defensive team, paced by returning all-stater Tommy McMaster. Lucas Buck and Brendan Bollinger also return to the defense.
Hartland is led this spring by midfielders Nathan Lipon and Eric Shenck and defender Nolan Mince.
Holt has one of the top defensive players in mid Michigan in senior Logan Monroe, who has committed to Canisius College. Senior Connor Webster and junior Levi Peterson are a pair of all-staters who return in the midfield.
DIVISION 2
With Detroit Country Day in Division 1 this season, a new champion will be crowned in Division 2. Cranbrook-Kingswood, last year’s runner-up and the 2013 state champion, is poised to regain the top spot. The Cranes have one of the premier defenders in the state in University of Notre Dame recruit Michael Langdon. Senior Johnny Wagner, who scored 55 goals a year ago, leads the offense. Junior all-stater Jack Staab also returns.
Forest Hills Central is one of the top teams in the state. The Rangers are led by defenseman J.T. Hudson, who is headed to Michigan State University.
Okemos is the premier team in the Lansing area this spring. The Chieftains have an outstanding defense, led by goalkeeper Cole Jamieson and defenders Sam Horton and Cam Usiak. Blake Turner, a University of Detroit recruit, heads up the offense.
Notre Dame Preparatory is another team with a strong defense. Juniors Joe Kalas and Ian Genord head up the Notre Dame defense.