Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse: Preseason Top 10 rankings and players to watch in 2024
Who's No. 1, Delbarton or Mountain Lakes? That question will be answered – at least temporarily – on April 4, when the Lakers visit the Green Wave for their annual regular-season game.
As for the rest of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference, there'll be plenty of shakeups. Teams that come together quickly can leap up to the top of the Top 10.
But before anyone gets a chance to play, let's see how the rankings all came together on paper.
Preseason previews: 2024 Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse team-by-team preview capsules
10. Pequannock
Graduation was not kind to the Golden Panthers. But they've still got six potential scorers returning, plus freshmen Gavin Visscher and Ryan Tripp. Senior LSM Dylan DeNaples will lead the rebuilding defense in front of junior Mason Cheff.
9. Kinnelon
Group I Kinnelon's schedule is a bit of a maze, with mostly small schools from the Pooley and larger NJAC-Colonial opponents. After graduating most of the defense, the Colts will rely on returning faceoff man Lex Lucas (136gb) and offense from senior attack Ben Papendick (21g, 29a) and juniors Jon Papendick (26g, 14a) and Matt Goldstein (36g, 28a).
8. Mount Olive
Senior midfielder Adam DeChristofaro (108g, 76a, 98gb) is closing in on Mount Olive's career goals and points records. The Marauders are determined to control the pace of play against its Rizk and NJAC-National foes.
7. Pope John
Pope John went undefeated (7-0) in the Waterman and reclaimed the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex title in overtime. HWS heroes Travis Heller (27g, 24a, 53gb) and MVP Michael Ramirez (2g, 5a, 108gb) are both back for their junior seasons.
6. Jefferson
Jefferson had the best winning percentage of any Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference team last spring, finishing 17-3 (.850). But the Falcons only reached a Group 1 North quarterfinal. Led by junior twins Jamison Reid and Chubb Reid and sophomore midfielder Matt Leppard, Jefferson will have tough challenges in the Rizk and smaller-school NJAC-United.
5. Morris Knolls
Morris Knolls also suffered graduation losses, but there's another large, experienced senior class waiting to take over. With Jack Martinez, Kyle Hardie, Sean Hogan and Patrick Bershefski all back, offense shouldn't be a problem. The Golden Eagles have familiar foes in the Rizk, and Mount Olive and Sparta both cross over to the NJAC-National.
4. Randolph
Veteran coach Bill Rentiers has taken the helm at Randolph. He's got a defense-first squad in front of new varsity goalkeeper Ryan Potanovich. Midfielders Connor Cuonzo, Elliot McClendon and Jake Miller combined for 65 points last spring, and are expected to contribute much more.
3. Chatham
The Cougars are coming off a solid season, reaching a Morris County Tournament semifinal and the Group 3 final for the third time in five years. Three of Chatham's seven losses last spring came against Fitch-Pitt foes, including Delbarton, with the only other local loss to Mountain Lakes in the MCT. Look out for Virginia-bound senior midfielder J.P. Lagunowich (35g, 10a).
2. Mountain Lakes
Looking at the crowd on the Mountain Lakes sideline, it's easy to forget this is a Group 1 school. Though Mountain Lakes graduated a dozen, there is a new senior class ready to take their place as leaders. The Lakers get a tough test at longtime rival Delbarton on April 4.
1. Delbarton
The Green Wave doesn't rebuild. They reload. Winning both the Morris County Tournament and Non-Public A – in triple overtime after an improbable comeback – has made Delbarton hungry for even more.
Also considered: Madison, Parsippany Regional, West Morris
More: 2024 Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse team-by-team preview capsules
Morris/Sussex Boys Lacrosse Players to Watch
James Amorosi, Madison senior attack
Giacomo Bevacqua, Mountain Lakes senior attack
Colin Bostrom, Boonton junior midfielder
Dylan DeNaples, Pequannock senior long-stick midfielder
J.P. Lagunowich, Chatham senior midfielder
Greg Peters, Sparta senior long-stick midfielder
Jamison and Chubb Reid, Jefferson juniors
Ryan Trafford, Delbarton senior faceoff
Nick Violante, Montville freshman faceoff/midfield
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ boys lacrosse: Morris/Sussex rankings, players to watch
