Season Preview: Pieces In Place For Successful Boys Lax Season

Despite back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances for the Whaler boys lacrosse team, the best for this group may still be ahead. The talent on this year’s team is plentiful across the roster and head coach Sam Aloisi is excited to see how it all comes together.

"There's two solid middy lines which we haven't really had in a long time,” Aloisi said. “Our three starting middies are always good but this year they're all kind of interchangeable. Most of them could actually play attack.”

Seniors Paddy Carroll, Michael Culkins, Ryan Davis, Jack Halik, and sophomore Arann Hanlon lead the way for the Whaler’s midfielders. Aloisi said Culkins was the team’s best player last year as their faceoff man but also playing the full length of the field. He said he is hoping junior David Cirillo can help with faceoffs to free up Culkins for other responsibilities.

Halik is also considered to be one of the x-factors for this team – displaying over the past two years his ability to take over a game when he chooses to do so.

“Jack will definitely play some attack too. He wants to play middy I am just not convinced yet because I don't know if he will be good enough defensively,” Aloisi said. “He is probably our best dodger so he will move around.”

On defense, the Whalers will be very experienced. Senior captains Griffin Starr and Hunter Strojny will lead the way with sophomores Owen Sullivan and Oliver Marrero also contributing.

Sophomore Canton Jenkinson will begin as a long pole to provide more depth but should be able to contribute and play a variety of roles as the season progresses.

“We just gave Canton a long stick and it looks like he has been playing it his whole life,” Aloisi said.

Seniors Colton Chambers and Colby O’Keefe will be joined by sophomore Nolen Mosscrop as the team’s primary attackers.

“Nolen hasn’t played for us since he was hurt last year but he is really good,” Aloisi said. “By the second half of the year, he will be nasty. He is a lefty attacker too, which we haven’t had. Most of our middies could play attack so with Colton, I really want to get him playing some middy too because he is a really good defender. Maybe some faceoffs on the wing because he is probably the best ground ball guy on the team. He or Arann.”

In net, sophomore goalie Jeremy Jenkinson is expected to carry his superb play last year into the upcoming season. He should be one of the strengths of this Nantucket team.

“He was on fire Monday and just played great,” Aloisi said. “He is going to be really good. He likes the pain (of playing goalie). Something is wrong with him. Last year towards the end of the year I saw him get drilled with a shot, heard it, and immediately ran out there to ask if he was alright and he kept saying he was fine. Then I said no you are not I saw it hit you and the area where he was hit was raised an inch and a half. Both Jeremy and Canton are just tough as nails.”

The Whalers will begin their season on Saturday, March 30 on the road against Martha’s Vineyard at 12:45 p.m. You can view the full boys lacrosse schedule by clicking here.