Blue Devil Lax Stats are Simply Amazing
As Blue Devil boys’ lacrosse fans turn their focus to the future, a glance at the recent past still produces amazement at some of the eye-popping statistics compiled by many of Huntington’s best players. A group of talented athletes graduated in June, many of whom had never tasted a high school defeat until this year’s heartbreaking overtime loss in the state semifinals to John Jay.
Zach Howell led the 2007 team with 98 points (54 goals, 44 assists). Over his career, the Duke-bound Howell scored 146 goals and tallied 123 assists, for an all-time Huntington record 269 points. The star attack was complemented on the field by a talented cast at every position.
Twin brothers Rhamel and Shamel Bratton both enjoyed big senior seasons. Rhamel netted 60 goals and added 36 assists for 96 points. Shamel scored 58 times and had 20 assists for 78 points. The pair will attend the University of Virginia in the fall.
Fred Catanese, who is headed to Hofstra, notched 25 goals and 15 assists from his midfield position. Fellow midfielder Brett Olson, who will attend Tufts University, had 23 goals and six assists. Duke-bound goalie Sean Brady stepped 74 percent of all shots on goal.
The Blue Devils also had an exceptionally talented defensive unit who by the very nature of their positions can’t compile impressive statistics, instead being measured by the team’s perfect 14-0 record in Suffolk Division II play (20-1 overall).
Despite the disappointment of not being able to win their third consecutive state crown, the Huntington players still had to take at least some comfort in the program’s unprecedented run of success. Post-season honors poured in for Blue Devils, including the Long Island Player of the Year Award for Shamel Bratton.
Although it is losing many top players, Huntington will return a talented corps, including Steve Mock, who is coming off a superb sophomore season that saw him score 38 goals and assist on 17 others from his attack position. Attack returnees also include Pat Wright and John McCallen. Kevin Marek and Zach Moss will be back at midfield. Steve Nigro, Pat Coffey, Liam Jones, Chris Potter and Keith Marman will return on defense. Derrick Northcote is coming back at goalie.
The 2007 season saw the Blue Devils rise to the top of the national rankings and stay there throughout the spring until the loss to John Jay, which itself was upset in the state finals. It was a year that no Huntington player will ever forget.
Huntington head coach Paul McDermott earned Suffolk Division II and overall Suffolk Coach of the Year Awards. He was also picked to coach the North team in this year’s Under Armour All-Star Classic.
During its magnificent three year run, the Blue Devil program won three Suffolk and Long Island titles and two regional and state championships. It’s a stretch of greatness that will be hard to match in future years.
Blue Devil Notes: Rhamel Bratton finished his career with 163 goals and 60 assists for 223 points . . . Shamel Bratton also compiled impressive totals with 149 goals and 47 assists for 196 points . . . McDermott described Quinnipiac College-bound Brian Straub as “the heart of our defense”. . . Long-stick defensive star Sam Cutrone is headed to Providence . . . Ryan Askerberg, another defensive standout will attend St. Leo’s in the fall.
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