Boys lacrosse hits the homestretch. Here's how Eric Rueb ranked the state's best this week
Normally for my softball and lacrosse power rankings, I try to have a unique intro with some sort of take for each so the reader isn’t getting the same recycled garbage.
Not going to happen this week – but it’s not my fault. A harsh reality hit this weekend, and that’s my weekends are no longer mine.
I try and write the power rankings Saturday evening or Sunday morning, depending on what my life schedule is like. This week, life kicked me in the teeth.
Thursday afternoon I covered tennis and happened upon East Providence’s Abigail Ellison. Friday morning I had to caddie and my boss wanted Ellison for Sunday’s paper, so that meant I had to write that Friday evening. Done.
Saturday and Sunday were spoken for. My daughter had soccer and basketball games and with my wife working, I was dadUber.
I slept in a little Saturday – in pain from the first loop of the year – and then decided to go to shoot Bay View-Smithfield softball. Got home, picked up Kid 2 and drove to Deerfield Park for soccer, then ripped north to Foxboro for basketball. Had dinner, got home, edited photos, missed David Pastrnak’s overtime goal because I decided to take my glasses off after the third period and fell asleep.
Sunday morning I posted my softball photos, wrote recaps on Saturday’s games, then realized that Wellsley, Mass., is farther away from Foster than I thought. Got in the car and got to the game on time, then had to jump in the car for another soccer game at Deerfield. Met my wife and oldest daughter out for dinner after the game and now I’m here, writing, instead of watching the Tom Brady roast like the rest of New England.
It was the fastest weekend in recorded history.
Sure, I would have loved to play 18 holes on Saturday morning. I could have answered the sports media group chat request for a meetup at Murphy’s Saturday night. Probably would have had a story or two to tell.
But instead I put a casual 200 miles or so on my car, talked all sorts of nonsense to my kid on the commute, pummeled through an O.A.R. live album and watched four games in two sports in two states without a single regret.
It was awesome.
Should be back on schedule next week. I’m not looking forward to the 6:30 wakeup call for our 8 a.m. lax game in North Kingstown Saturday, but the Allie’s Donuts should make it a Saturday to remember.
Here’s the spot where I remind coaches to send in scores and stats. It’s the home team’s responsibility, but if you win on the road and you want your kids to get a little publicity, you can guarantee coverage by emailing in yourself – PJSports@ProvidenceJournal.com.
Now that that’s done, let’s get on to the rankings:
Providence Journal Boys Lacrosse Power Rankings – Division I
1. La Salle (9-0 Division I)
The Rams are Kendrick Lamar. The rest of the state is Drake. If you don’t know what this means, you either a) missed a heck of a weekend; b) own too much OVO and Raptors’ gear; or c) are old. La Salle gets back to its winning ways when it hosts Hendricken Tuesday and travels to take on East Greenwich Wednesday.
2. Moses Brown (8-1 Division I)
Are the Quakers in danger of not making the state championship game? Moses Brown had to scratch and claw to get wins over Barrington and Hendricken earlier this season and this week is the rematch. The Quakers travel to the East Bay to take on the Eagles Tuesday and host Hendricken Friday afternoon in what should be the most exciting week of the lacrosse this season.
3. Hendricken (6-4 Division I)
Right now it’s tough to figure out the Hawks. They lost to Portsmouth last Monday, their second loss in three games, and while they beat East Greenwich on Thursday it still leaves one to wonder about their chances of competing for a title-game spot. Hendricken will get a chance to prove it can play with the best teams in the state when it travels to play La Salle Tuesday and Moses Brown on Friday.
4. Portsmouth (3-6 Division I)
Barrington and North Kingstown have better records, but make no mistake about it – right now the Patriots are playing better lacrosse. Winners of three of their last four – with victories over Barrington, Hendricken and Mount St. Charles – Portsmouth is suddenly a team that could find its way into the semifinals. The Patriots will keep plugging along Tuesday at home against East Greenwich before traveling to play North Kingstown Friday.
BAKING: Barrington (4-6 Division I), North Kingstown (4-6 Division I)
Providence Journal Boys Lacrosse Power Rankings – Division II
1. Cumberland (6-3 Division II)
Guess who owns the longest current win streak in D-II? It’s the Clippers and with the way they’ve been playing, the five-game run their on could hit double-digits. Cumberland won at Prout last Monday and took care of Chariho three days later. This week the Clippers get two winnable games with Coventry (at home Monday, at Coventry Saturday) but Thursday’s road game at Cranston West could be pivotal for playoff seeding.
2. Prout (8-2 Division II)
Yes, the Crusaders can still be the favorite to win D-II despite their current position here. Prout is in control of its own destiny as far as the top seed for the D-II playoffs go, but things could change quick this week. Tuesday’s home game against Pilgrim is a must-win, because a loss would end hope at being the No. 1 seed. Two days later, the Crusaders have another tough matchup, hosting the same South Kingstown team that beat them earlier this season.
3. Pilgrim (7-3 Division II)
The Patriots don’t quite control their destiny for the top seed in D-II, but after beating Middletown and South Kingstown last week, a win Tuesday at Prout would give them a chance. There hasn’t been a tougher team in D-II than Pilgrim and you can expect that matchup to be like all its others – close and down to the wire. The Patriots close the week Wednesday with a home game vs. Chariho.
4. Cranston West (7-3 Division II)
Saturday’s loss to Prout snapped the Falcons’ three-game win streak, but its clear Cranston West is still in the thick of the D-II race. Cranston West is going to finish the season playing three of the top five teams and needs to pile on wins to improve its seeding. The Falcons start Tuesday at South Kingstown and host Cumberland Wednesday night.
BAKING: South Kingstown (6-4 Division II)
Providence Journal Boys Lacrosse Power Rankings – Division III
1. Westerly (9-1 Division III)
If there was any lingering pain from the Bulldogs’ loss to Smithfield, they took it out on Mt. Hope and Ponaganset last week. This week, Westerly will play a semifinal preview – we’re just not sure which team it will be. The Bulldogs can’t be complacent as they host Narragansett Tuesday and travel to take on Toll Gate Friday.
2. Smithfield (8-1 Division III)
The Sentinels rode the high of the previous week’s win over Smithfield with a blowout over Burrillville, but Smithfield has to buckle down this week. While Ponaganset shouldn’t be an issue – the Sentinels beat them by 14 earlier this season – Monday the matchup at Toll Gate Wednesday should be treated as a playoff game and could be a semifinal preview.
3. Narragansett (6-4 Division III)
After losing four of five, the Mariners are now on a three-game win streak and have all the momentum needed to finish the season strong. If Narragansett can put on a show Tuesday at Westerly, it could change the outlook for the postseason. The Mariners finish the week Thursday at home against Ponaganset.
4. Toll Gate (6-4 Division III)
If not for a triple overtime loss, the Titans would be on a six-game win streak. Toll Gate will have to settle for five of its last six after beating Ponaganset and Providence Country Day last week. If it adds to it this week, it will turn D-III upside down. The Titans host Smithfield Wednesday and Westerly Friday.
Providence Journal Boys Lacrosse Power Rankings – Division IV
1. North Smithfield (10-1 Division IV)
Since getting blown out by Scituate, the Northmen have won five straight and came up with two big ones last week, getting revenge over the Spartans and downing Tiverton. North Smithfield knows where it’s going next week, but it can’t overlook this week’s opponents. The Northmen host Classical – a playoff team – Monday before traveling to play Cranston East/Johnston on Wednesday.
2. Scituate (8-2 Division IV)
Last Monday’s loss dropped the Spartans in the standings, but it hardly affected their hopes at winning the D-IV title. Scituate responded justly with a win over Rogers to give it a touch of momentum heading into what is a huge week. The Spartans host Lincoln on Tuesday before traveling to play Tiverton Wednesday. Scituate wraps up the week with another playoff team, hosting Classical Friday.
3. Lincoln (5-2 Division IV)
The Lions have as good a chance as any to win the D-IV title, but there is one huge question – and that’s if they’re going to have the energy to do it. Lincoln plays four games this week and three games next week they’re all going to matter. The Lions start Monday hosting East Providence, travel to play Scituate Tuesday, hosting Tiverton Thursday and playing at North Providence Friday. Then they get to breath.
4. Tiverton (6-3 Division IV)
If there’s a team that’s going to be more tired than Lincoln, it’s Tiverton, which has the smallest roster in the state and is about to play seven games in 12 days to close the year. The Tigers can compete with every team in D-IV, but it should be interesting to see how this stretch plays out. Tiverton travels to play Rogers Monday, hosts Scituate Wednesday, travels to Lincoln Thursday and then hosts Rogers on Saturday morning. What a week.
BAKING: Classical (5-3 Division IV), Rogers (5-4 Division IV).
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island high school boys lacrosse power rankings RIIL May 6
