Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse: Our Top 10 rankings heading into county tournament seeding

Jane Havsy, Morristown Daily Record

There's been very little consistency in Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse so far. Perennial powers Delbarton and Mountain Lakes have in-state losses. West Morris is way up on LaxNumbers despite being winless.

The Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex boys lacrosse brackets will be released Thursday afternoon. Since HWS is based on LaxNumbers, with a dash of coach input, expect the unexpected. The Morris County coaches will meet on Tuesday night.

Until then, let our Morris/Sussex Top 10 start the debate.

10. Roxbury (5-4)

Last week: No. 6

Senior Anthony Skawinski (34g, 12a, 14gb) scored a career-high eight goals as Roxbury beat Newton, 13-6, on April 23 to snap a two-game losing streak. The Gaels visit division co-leader Sparta on Thursday.

Up next: Thursday at Sparta, Tuesday vs. Vernon

9. Kinnelon (6-1)

Last week: No. 7

Kinnelon rebounded from its lone loss to Montclair with three straight wins against Parsippany Regional, Hackettstown and Red Bank Catholic. The Colts remain unbeaten in the Pooley and are tied with Voorhees for the division lead.

Up next: Saturday at Montville, Monday at Pequannock, Wednesday vs. Lenape Valley

8. Pope John (4-4)

Last week: No. 10

Junior attack Travis Heller has 23 goals, nine assists and 21 ground balls. Junior Mike Ramirez has won 78% of his faceoffs, and also contributed six goals, four assists and 104 ground balls. The Lions can begin their HWS title defense as soon as Saturday – but are also in line for the coveted double bye awarded to the top two seeds.

7. Randolph (4-4)

Last week: Unranked

Randolph rebounded from back-to-back losses by beating Roxbury and Waterman rival Pope John. Junior midfielder Elliot McClendon (20g, 5a, 6gb) and senior attack Jake Weiner (13g, 9a, 10gb) guide the Rams, who host Mountain Lakes in an NJAC-American game on Saturday.

Up next: Saturday vs. Mountain Lakes

6. Jefferson (6-1)

Last week: No. 8

Head coach Scott Reid, who founded the Jefferson program 28 years ago, earned his 200th career victory 11-10 in double overtime against Madison on Tuesday. The Group 1 Falcons have won four straight road games with victories at Group 3 Mount Olive, Group 2 Montville and Roxbury, and Group 1 Madison.

Up next: Thursday vs. Jefferson, Saturday vs. Westwood, Tuesday at Mahwah

5. Sparta (7-1)

Last week: No. 5

Senior Hunter Takacs (14g, 10a, 10gb) and sophomore Eddie Brown (16g, 7a, 10gb) lead Sparta, which has won seven in a row since a season-opening shutout loss at Ramapo. Undefeated in the Rizk, the Spartans are tied with Morris Knolls for the division lead.

Up next: Thursday vs. Roxbury, Saturday at Blair, Tuesday vs. Morris Knolls

4. Morris Knolls (7-1)

Last week: No. 4

Seniors Kyle Hardie (19g, 19a, 33gb) and Jack Martinez (17g, 17a, 22gb) lead Morris Knolls, which has scored a Rizk-high 93 goals. The Golden Eagles suffered their first loss, 9-2, on the road against Christian Brothers on April 22. They have given up just 30 goals

Up next: Thursday vs. Mount Olive, Saturday at West Essex, Tuesday vs. Sparta

3. Chatham (5-2)

Last week: No. 3

Both the Cougars' losses are in the Fitch-Pitt: to Seton Hall Prep on April 6 and in double overtime at Montclair on April 17. Senior Henry Davenport, a first-time starter, has given up 6.7 goals per game – but both losses are by a total of four goals.

Up next: Saturday vs. Westfield

2. Mountain Lakes (5-2)

Last week: No. 2

Sophomore attack Holden Gillespie leads Mountain Lakes with 16 goals and five assists. The Lakers slipped, 11-3, at Don Bosco on April 17, also falling out of first place in the Gibbs.

Up next: Saturday at Randolph, Wednesday vs. St. Joseph (Montvale)

Morristown, NJ -- April 4, 2024 -- Willie Doyle celebrates a goal with Asher Testa of Delbarton as Delbarton edged Mt. Lakes 6-5 in their annual boys lacrosse rivalry game played at Delbarton.
Morristown, NJ -- April 4, 2024 -- Willie Doyle celebrates a goal with Asher Testa of Delbarton as Delbarton edged Mt. Lakes 6-5 in their annual boys lacrosse rivalry game played at Delbarton.

1. Delbarton (6-3)

Last week: No. 1

Senior Willie Doyle has 11 goals and eight assists. The Green Wave was upended by Westfield, 9-7, in a Fitch-Pitt game on April 19 – their first in-state loss – then edged Montclair, 7-6, in the division. Things get no easier for Delbarton, which visits Seton Hall Prep in another division game on Saturday.

Up next: Saturday at Seton Hall Prep, Tuesday vs. Brunswick (Greenwich, Connecticut)

More: Delbarton lacrosse adds new chapter to rivalry with Mountain Lakes

Also considered: Madison (4-3), Mount Olive (4-4), Newton (4-3).

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ boys lacrosse: Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings before county seeding

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