TOP 10 SCORERS IN THE YAIAA MIDSEASON:

PLAYER                     POINTS                  GOALS                ASSISTS                GP 

ETHAN PICKET                      53                                  39                                   14                             8 

DALLASTOWN 

DOMINIC CORTO                   50                                   32                                  18                             9

SUBURBAN 

TANNER HAINES                     44                                  28                                   16                            8 

DALLASTOWN 

ELIJAH WORKINGER               37                                  25                                   12                            7 

RED LION 

COLE WITMAN                          36                                 27                                      9                            6 

YORK CATHOLIC 

AUSTIN SIPES                           36                                 26                                     10                           9 

SUBURBAN 

BRAVEN MORRIS                      33                                 16                                     17                            8 

DALLASTOWN 

BRYCE HENISE                          27                                  22                                    5                              7 

EASTERN 

JORDAN BILLET                          26                                 15                                    11                             7 

WEST YORK 

RYAN KILGOUR                           26                                  16                                    10                            7 

CENTRAL YORK 

MIDSEASON REVIEW:

As the season is about half way over, its time to look back and then forward and give a quick assessment of each team in the YAIAA. 

Delone Catholic - Congratulations on getting your first win in YAIAA history.  The team is young and hungry and they are doing things right. 

Kennard Dale - I have not seen them play and based on box scores it looks like a long season so far for KD

New Oxford- I haven't seen them play yet but they are super young and coach Cross is committed to getting them up to speed with the York County teams

Dover -  its been a long season so far, I do see some talent but its hard catching up to York's best teams 

Eastern-  they have a handful of good players that try to do too much, tough to compete against the better York teams with a 20 man squad

West York - this team has some young talent in Jordan Billett and Brady Halloran and with Licthy on defense I look forward to watching them play in the next weeks

 Southwestern-  this team has some high motor athletes that play as fast and as tough as anyone, they just can't get over that hump, losing a lot of close games this season 

York Suburban-  I have watched  this team more than any other team and there is talent everywhere but they just can't get out of their own way, they are 5-13 against the top 5 teams in York county over the last 4 years with 3 of those wins against Dallastown. 

Spring Grove- Zeb Hollinger is a beast and Scott Toman is doing the most with a smaller roster and has them contending for counties.  Toman is doing the best coaching job in the YAIAA. 

Red Lion-  this team is a work in progress, I like what coach Stafford has implemented on offense getting everyone involved and using Workinger as your workhorse when its needed, they will be vying for that last spot in counties with a few others.   

Susquehannock - as I have said from early Spring their coach will have them prepared for every game, and with Connor Kernan in the cage they will compete with anybody.  As one coach said to me, Kernan is a game changer. 

Dallastown-  As I took my medicine early on for not mentioning Dallastown in the preseason they have proven me wrong and will be right there for competing for the County title.  They have both high octane offense with probably the best poles in the area.  

York Catholic- with Drew Snelbaker dominating at the faceoff and the combo of Witman, Amalfitano, Hake and Cassidy they have enough fire power to blow teams out.  They will do some damage in districts after counites. 

Central York-  I know coach Muller doesn't like me putting a bullseye on his teams back but when you are undefeated in league play for over 20 plus games its not my doing.  Kollin Vaught is the difference maker more than any other player in the YAIAA.  If the offense can learn to play team lacrosse versus looking to get their name in the paper,  they will do a lot of damage in districts and possibly make their first state playoff appearance. 

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: YORK SUBURBAN, SOUTHWESTERN & WEST YORK 

Top 6 for the YAIAA 04/11/2018

6.) Spring Grove: Coach Toman has this team believing they can compete and are doing just that, he also has a horse in Zeb Hollinger and he's going to ride that horse hard and often.  Hollinger completely dominated in the Suburban game. 

5.) RED LION it looks like Elijah Workinger is doing exactly what is expected of him, 7 goals against Central York helps solidify his place as one of the best in the area.  They will be a tough out for anyone who plays them. 

4.) Susquehannock : as I said in my preseason write up I know the coach will always have them prepared and they have balance on the offense/defense and with Kernan in the goal they will always be in every game. 

3.) York Catholic: the two losses they have this season have come to Central York and Hempfield, those are two teams nobody wants to face, they should be one of the teams to challenge Central York when May comes around, Drew Snellbaker is dominating like Vaught does for Central. 

2.) Dallastown:  I hate to say it but I  overlooked this team in the preseason but when you look at its roster,  I don't have a good reason why I didn't have them higher.  Offensively they have 3 of the top 5  scorers in the YAIAA and I'm not sure yet but there defense may be their better unit with Werner, Brown, Downey and Eckert anchoring the D.  Huge matchup against Central against two unbeatens. 

1.) Central York : This top seed is Central's until someone knocks them off their  pedestal.  They have a complete team and a dominant FOGO is Kollin Vaught.  At this point of the season, Vaught is the most dominant player in the YAIAA but its the depth of Central that should help them stay unblemish this regular season.  They can throw players after player at you offensively and defensively without much drop off, no other team in the YAIAA has this type of depth.  

With Spring finally arriving and the Varsity Lacrosse season on its way, it's time to readjust our preseason rankings and feature the top scorers YTD. 

Top 10 Points in the YAIAA                   POINTS              GOALS           ASSISTS          GP 

1.) ETHAN PICKETT                                   41                      32                     9                      6 

            DALLASTOWN 

2.) TANNER HAINES                                   33                      21                     12                    6

            DALLASTOWN 

3.) ELIJAH WORKINGER                      31                   21                  12                   6 

         RED LION 

4.) DOMINIC CORTO                             24                   16                    8                  4   

       YORK SUBURBAN 

5.) BRAVEN MORRIS                             22                   11                  11                  6

        DALLASTOWN 

6.) TREVOR RIDER                                21                    10                  11                  7 

        RED LION 

7.) RYAN FAHS                                      17                     13                   4                   4 

      CENTRAL YORK 

8.) AUSTIN SIPES                                  16                     10                  6                   4 

      YORK SUBURBAN 

9.) BRADY HALLORAN                          16                      15                   1                   5 

       WEST YORK 

10.) CONNOR HOCH                              15                      13                  2                    4 

TOTAL POINTS :

Dominic Corto- 2020       93   York Suburban 

Eli Workinger- 2019        77    Red Lion 

Ethan Pickett  2018        75     Dallastown 

Chandler Hake 2019      74     York Catholic 

Cole Witman    2019       73    York Catholic 

Matthew Cassidy  2019  71  York Catholic 

Dimitri Amalfitano 2018  71 York Catholic 

Adam Rebich   2018      60   Susquehannock 

Tanner Haines  2019     59   Dallastown 

Austin Sipes    2020      57    York Suburban 

GOALS :

Ethan Pickett             51     Dallastown 

Dimitri Amalfitano     50       York Catholic 

Chandler Hake         50       York Catholic 

Cole Witman            46       York Catholic 

Adam Rebich           43       Susquehannock 

ASSISTS:

Dominic Corto         53       York Suburban 

Eli Workinger          43        Red Lion 

Zach Mentzer         38       Red Lion 

Matthew Cassidy    36       York Catholic 

Alex Kilgour            30        Central York 

TEAM LACROSSE: THIS WEEK IN  LACROSSE  

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH:   

KOLLIN VAUGHT  2019 CENTRAL YORK FOGO  No one in York/Adams County can dominate a lacrosse game like KOLLIN VAUGHT.  He can take over a  game (winning 90 to 100% of the faceoffs), it becomes make it take it.   Now that he can also play offense,  I say watch out.  If VAUGHT stays focused on the prize, I see him with a lot of hardware at the end of this  Spring.     

ALEX KILGOUR  2018 CENTRAL YORK  A/M  Kilgour is the best all around lacrosse player in York County.  He can clear, he can score with both hands,  he can play attack/middle or any other position the coach may ask him to play.  He could be seen this  Spring  playing man up and man down in the same game, he’s that versatile.  Kilgour has all tools to play  at the next level.     

ELI WORKINGER  2019 RED LION  A/M  The big question will be where does Workinger play?  He has the size to play attack and with the loss of  Sam Emig it makes sense for him to make the switch.  He played midfield last year and for his club team  but good things happen when the ball is in his stick.  It will be fun to see what first year coach Stafford  does with this workhorse.     

COLE WITMAN 2019 YORK CATHOLIC MIDFIELD   Transfer from Eastern to York Catholic, Witman has the physical tools to be a great player, size speed and  just runs like a gazelle.  How he mixes into the York Catholic offense will be something to watch all  Spring.  The Johns Hopkins commit has the athletic ability to dominate a game if he wants to do it.     

DIMITRI AMALFITANO  2018 YORK CATHOLIC MIDFIELD    Miti is a slick lefty that can play the game of lacrosse.  When he gets the ball in his stick good things  always happen.  Add him and Witman to the same midfield and its pick your poison.  I expect a lot of  Amalfitano this Spring,  the biggest thing his team will need is leadership and I think he’s up for the task.     

DOMINIC CORTO  2020 YORK SUBURBAN  A/M  Corto is a dynamic and powerful dodger and has the vision to find the open man while still dodging at full  speed.  His vision on the field and making the no look pass anywhere on the field is at another level.  He’s  the top returning scorer in York County with 93 points during his freshman season at Suburban.  He  should look to add to those stats and help put Suburban into counties and districts.     

ZEB HOLLINGER 2018  SPRING GROVE  MIDFIELD   Hollinger is an athletic lefty that can dodge around or over his defensemen.  Hollinger has the tools to  dominate a game,  not sure he has the supporting cast to help him when he gets double and triple teamed.  When he gets one on one not sure many can hold him down.  Look for a big season from Hollinger.     

RYAN McGUINNESS  2020 RED LAND  ATTACK   Ryan is a fantastic player to watch. He can dodge from X or the wing and has great vision.  His outside  shot is hard and accurate, big things coming from McGUINESS at Red Land.     

ETHAN PICKETT  2018 DALLASTOWN  ATTACK  Pickett has a knack for finding the goal, when he gets his hands free he will score.  Pickett is the top goal  scorer returning from 2017 with 51, and he should pick up right where he left off last year.     

AUSTIN SIPES  2020 YORK SUBURBAN  ATTACK   Sipes has the best hands in York County and his off ball skills are as good as advertised.  Team him up  with Corto and you have the most potent attack around.  Sipes will have a breakout year this year and will  be hard to stop.         

OTHER OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS SPRING: 

ADAM REBICH    2018  SUSQUEHANNOCK  MIDFIELD 

TANNER HAINES    2018  DALLASTOWN  MIDFIELD   

COLIN KERNAN    2018  SUSQUEHANNOCK  MIDFIELD   

CONNOR HOCH   2018  CENTRAL YORK MIDFIELD   

CHANDLER HAKE    2019  YORK CATHOLIC ATTACK 

DREW SNELLBAKER  2019  YORK CATHOLIC  FOGO 

RYAN KILGOUR    2019  CENTRAL YORK ATTACK 

MATT HAWKSWORTH 2019 CENTRAL YORK MIDFIELD   

ZACH MENTZER   2019 RED LION          MIDFIELD 

EVAN LECATES   2020 YORK SUBURBAN  MIDFIELD             

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

CHRIS BRANDSTEDTER  2018 CENTRAL YORK DEFENSE   Brandstedter is the quarterback and leader of Central’s defense.  He plays solid man to man defense and is  deceptively quick for a big guy.  Central’s in good hands with Brandstedter’s leadership.     

PAT LICHTY  2018 WEST YORK  DEFENSE   Lichty may be the best defenseman in York, when he wants to be.  If motivated he can shut a player down,  and will wreak havoc on anyone he wants to shut down.  Lichty should have a great senior season.     

RICKY POKRIVKA 2019 YORK CATHOLIC  DEFENSE   Pokrivka is the prototypical football player turned lacrosse player.  He loves contact, will slide early to  initiate contact and can play solid man to man D.  The anchor for York Catholic’s defense.     

NATE DOWNEY  2018 DALLASTOWN  LSM / D   Downey is a quick LSM who can run up and down the field.  He is a definite offensive threat with the ball  and has great stick work, consistently grabbing passes out of the air.     

JAY NAZARENUS  2019 RED LION  LSM / D  Nazarenus is the most athletic defenseman in York/Adams County.  I wouldn’t let him leave the field and  I wonder where he ultimately ends up playing, does he guard the best player on the other team or does he  stick with LSM?  Time will tell but he will give fits to whoever he guards this Spring.     

CONNOR KERNAN 2020 SUSQUEHANNOCK  GOALIE  Kernan is one of the best goalies I have seen in a long time. He doesn’t give up the cheap goal and always  makes the saves he suppose to make.  He can make the clearing pass to all outlets.  Kernan is a difference  maker, Susky is set for the next 3 years.     

BLAKE WALLACE  2018 YORK SUBURBAN  GOALIE  Wallace took more shots than any other goalie in 2017.  He took 339 shots on goal in just 17 games.  If he’s  not a human piñata this Spring, he should help lead Suburban back to the playoffs in May.     

BLAZE HAKE/ERIC MIRKOVICH 2019  CENTRAL YORK GOALIE  Not sure if they platoon this year or if coach Muller goes with a definite starter for the season?  Both  goalie’s will benefit from the deepest defensive unit in the York and Adams County.     

OTHER DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

NICK SERRANO  2018 RED LION  GOALIE   

AARON CZECH 2019 CENTRAL YORK DEFENSE   

JUSTIN SHOCKER  2019 YORK SUBURBAN  DEFENSE 

ETHAN ECKERT 2020 DALLASTOWN  DEFENSE 

IAN MCNAUGHTON 2020 CENTRAL YORK DEFENSE   

QUENTIN LYONS  2020 RED LION  GOALIE  

    TOP 5 YAIAA HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE RANKINGS :   

5.  YORK SUBURBAN - until they beat the best teams in the counties they  will be on the outside looking in, they have the talent to compete with  anyone.  Big question is, can they put it all together?  Time will tell.     

4. RED LION - Red Lion has talent and should be a tough out for every  team, how quick coach Stafford can get them focused and replace Sam  Emig will be where they end up this season.   

3.SUSQUEHANNOCK - Susky has enough talent to make counties,  districts and states, their coach will have them prepared, add in Kernan  and I think they will be a team no one wants to face.     

2. YORK CATHOLIC - Catholic has talent all over the field, how they  groom that talent and get them to play together will be how far they go.  No shortage for offensive talent on this team.     

1 CENTRAL YORK- the future is now and it is bright.  Central should be  able to keep this top spot most of the season.  They have talent  everywhere and have the best FOGO around.  When you get the ball more  than any other team,  you have a good chance of winning.  If they don’t  lose focus and start thinking ahead they should have a really successful  season.           

Prepared by Frank D. Corto:  Corto played lacrosse at St. Paul’s High School in MD and at Johns Hopkins University in  the 90’s and has been coaching lacrosse for the last 25 years for several teams.  Most recently he has coached the York  County Keystone High School team and his club program TEAM Lacrosse.  To contact Frank email him at 

frankcorto4@gmail.com   Www.teamlacrosseclub.com