Must-see midfielders and more: 56 South Shore Boys Lacrosse Players to Watch this season

The South Shore once again will be a place to watch elite-level high school boys lacrosse this spring.

This area traditionally has produced some of the state's top talent, and last year was no exception as local teams made it to all four MIAA divisional state finals. Norwell (Div. 3) and Cohasset (Div. 4) won crowns, while BC High (Div. 1) and Duxbury (Div. 2) were runners-up.

It was BC High's third straight trip to the state championship game and Duxbury's first since 2012.

Elsewhere, Hingham advanced to the Div. 1 semifinals, losing to eventual champ St. John's Prep. In Div. 2, Scituate, Plymouth South, Milton and Silver Lake got to the Round of 16. In Div. 3, Hanover made the Round of 16, while Abington was a quarterfinalist in Div. 4.

If you want to brush up on your knowledge of the 2023 season before the 2024 gets into full swing, here's our final Top 10 ranking of the year, along with our All-Scholastic team.

These are the players to keep an eye on this spring:

Hunter Grafton, Abington

In the span three days this spring, the senior midfielder scored his 200th career goal and registered his 300th career point for the Green Wave. Second-year captain is a faceoff specialist who led Abington to the Div. 4 quarterfinals last spring.

Jonathan Halpin, Abington

Senior captain is coming off a standout junior campaign in which had 40 goals and 68 assists. One of the Green Wave's top playmakers, he's also skilled defensively.

Evan St. Martin, Abington

Senior has converted from attack to defense this season. Coach Michael Grafton said the switch "gives Abington a strong shutdown presence as well as creating an offensive threat in transition."

Henri Barriere, Archbishop Williams

Sophomore attack is expected to lead the Bishops' offense.

Luke Allen, BC High

Junior attack/midfielder had 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points last season as the Eagles made it to the Div. 1 state final.

Nick Emsing, BC High

The younger brother of graduated All-Scholastic Will Emsing (68 goals for the Eagles last season), this junior attack is coming off a promising 2023 campaign of his own when he scored 15 goals and added 9 assists.

Charlie McCullough, BC High

Senior goalie is committed to Div. 1 Rutgers University. He'll be key to the Eagles' chances of claiming the Div. 1 state crown.

Aiden Landers, Blue Hills

This starting longstick middie has three years of varsity experience for the Warriors, who are coming off a Div. 4 playoff appearance.

Michael Repucci, Blue Hills

Senior attack has 93 career goals over three varsity seasons. He was an All-Scholastic in hockey this winter.

Jayson Kelleher, Bridgewater-Raynham

Junior attack had a big sophomore season, earning Second Team All-Scholastic honors with 43 goals and 26 assists.

Anthony Mussari, Bridgewater-Raynham

Senior defenseman/captain is an "all-around leader" who will anchor the Trojans' back line, according to coach Matt Connolly.

Matt O'Donnell, Cardinal Spellman

Senior midfielder led the Cardinals with 68 goals and was second with 22 assists last spring. Catholic Central League All-Star had a 9-goal game vs. St. Mary's and scored at least twice in every game. He'll play at Div. 2 St. Michael's College.

Liam Appleton, Cohasset

Senior midfielder had 47 goals and 23 assists last season as the second-leading scorer for the Div. 4 state champs. Returning All-Scholastic "creates mismatches for our offense," said coach Steve Rotondi.

Henry Burke, Cohasset

Senior faceoff specialist returns after missing all of the 2023 season due to injury. Said coach Steve Rotondi, "He's hoping to fill a major void for us (at the faceoff X) over the last two seasons."

Declan Lee, Cohasset

Senior defensman is a four-year starter and the anchor of the Skippers' defense. Coach Steve Rotondi says of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County commit, "He plays with a chip on his shoulder and seeks out the challenge of covering each team's top offensive player."

Zach Falls, Duxbury

This 6-4 senior midfielder starred in football and basketball and had 28 goals in lacrosse last spring. He's already had a 6-goal game (vs. St. Joseph's) this season, and coach Chris Sweet says, "He has developed a scoring touch with an ability to shoot on the run."

Sam Wien, Duxbury

Senior midfielder had 42 goals and 16 assists last spring in the Dragons' run to the Div. 2 state final. Said coach Chris Sweet: "He’s picked up where he left off last season. Has speed, quickness, and a knack for scoring big goals in big moments."

Ryan Butzbach, Hanover

Senior midfielder is only in his second season of lacrosse, but he's excelled in a defensive role and recently scored his first varsity goal. Said coach Shawn Tierney: "His commitment to the game is second to none."

Thomas Cronan, Hanover

Senior midfield/attack is a four-year varsity player who was a Patriot League All-Star last season. Coach Shawn Tierney calls the Saint Anselm College commit "the leader of our team on offense."

Matt Desilva, Hanover

Senior defenseman is a three-year varsity player and the leader of the Hawks' back line. Said coach Shawn Tierney: "Matt’s leadership on the field with our younger defenseman and team is outstanding."

Rocco Egan, Hingham

Senior faceoff specialist is a four-year starter who is key to the Harbormen's attack.

Nate Hoffman, Hingham

Senior goaltender helped Hingham allow just 5.45 goals per game last season when he was a Patriot League All-Star.

Sean Walsh, Hull

Senior goalie, a Providence College commit, was a standout as a junior, stopping 66.2 percent of the shots he faced. He averaged 15.6 saves per game and had a 7.93 goals-against average while being voted the South Shore League Tobin Division Player of the Year.

Charlie Carroll, Marshfield

Junior came into the season with 110 career points already. Coach Kevin Orcutt called him the Rams' best offensive player last year.

Scott MacKinnon, Marshfield

Senior was the Rams' top defender last spring as a junior. Marshfield coach Kevin Orcutt called him an "absolute stud in the back."

Will Rand, Marshfield

Senior is an "explosive midfielder who shows up big in big games for us," said coach Kevin Orcutt.

Jake Calogero, Middleboro

Senior defender led the team's D poles in ground balls and caused turnovers last spring. Three-year starter is a two-time captain. Said coach Joe Barry: "He plays with consistent fundamentals and intensity. Jake is truly a goalkeeper's best friend."

Jack Kavaleski, Middleboro

Senior attack had 30 goals and 30 assists last spring. Three-year starter is a two-time captain. Said coach Joe Barry: "Jack is a fearless leader that accepts all challenges."

Luke Haley, Milton

Returning First Team Bay State Conference midfielder is looking to build off a strong junior season. Won a state title with the football team in the fall.

Luke Hartford, Milton

Coach Dennis Lynch calls him the "heart and soul of the team," noting, "He does it all and gives everything he has on and off the field." Running back on the state-championship football team in the fall.

Will Morse, Norwell

Senior defender had 4 goals and 3 assists last season. Said coach Josh Stolp: "Will is a quick, agile defender whose aggressive style and athleticism makes him a perfect matchup for covering an opponent's best attackman or midfielder."

Oliver Rice, Norwell

Junior attack had 44 goals and 18 assists last season. Said coach Josh Stolp: "Oliver's understanding of how to move on the field, coupled with strong stick skills, makes him a well-rounded attack-man operating from the crease or the X."

Ryan Jaco, Oliver Ames

Captain and three-year starter is an athletic two-way midfielder who was the Tigers' second-leading scorer last year.

Alex McAndrew, Oliver Ames

Captain and three-year starting attack "brings grit and leadership," according to coach Ben Devlin, who says the Tigers are "looking for him to continue to add scoring punch."

Brenden Kanya, Pembroke

This versatile two-way midfielder has three years of starting experience for the Titans, who are coming off a Div. 3 playoff appearance.

Brandon Perry, Pembroke

Senior attack is a creative scorer who led the Titans in points a year ago.

Cole Jenkins, Plymouth North

Senior captain will take the majority of faceoffs for the Blue Eagles.

Pat Keep, Plymouth North

Returning senior captain projects to once again be a leader on defense for the Blue Eagles.

Quin Hall, Plymouth South

Returning Patriot League All-Star will anchor the Panthers' defense along with Cam Webber and Zack Adams.

Nick Kendall, Plymouth South

Senior is "one of the best goalies in our league," according to coach John Jardin. He will be playing behind a defense that returns three starters.

Jesse Hanson, Quincy/North Quincy

Senior captain is a third-year defender for the co-op program.

Teddy Lynch, Quincy/North Quincy

Senior attackman has four seasons of varsity experience. He'll be one of the captains for the co-op program.

Joe Earner, Rockland

Senior midfielder is a faceoff specialist for the Bulldogs. Three-year starter will serve as a captain this spring.

Tyler Boehner, Rockland

This senior attack/middie came into the season with 120 career goals and 112 career assists. Captain is a three-year starter for the Bulldogs.

Alex Burrill, Scituate

Senior longstick middle will continue his lacrosse career at Div. 3 Roger Williams University. Sailors coach Mark Puzzangara calls him a "tremendous athlete."

Johnnie Donahue, Scituate

Senior might be the Sailors' top defender. He missed all of last season with a shoulder injury but was a two-year starter prior to that.

Will Robinson, Scituate

Junior attack had a standout sophomore season with 77 goals and 22 assists. Sailors coach Mark Puzzangara calls the Army commit "one of the top players in the area." Had 9 goals in a recent win over Hanover.

Colton Pentecost, Southeastern

Senior midfield is a four-year varsity player and this year's co-captain.

Peyton Volz, Southeastern

Junior midfielder is looking to build on a standout sophomore campaign in which he led the team in goals and was a Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star. Three-sport star also excels at football and track.

Todd Egan, South Shore Tech

Returning senior captain and four-year starter will lead the Vikings offense. He had 71 goals and 39 assists last spring when he was a Second Team All-Scholastic.

Brady Hofeman, South Shore Tech

Junior captain is a three-year starter who leads the defense for the Vikings.

Bo Carly, Weymouth

Senior goalkeeper made a big splash last spring in his first varsity season. He was an All-Scholastic soccer goalie in the fall, allowing 17 goals over 23 games.

Aaron McDonald, Weymouth

Junior is expected to provide scoring punch this spring for the Wildcats.

Jeff Gomes, Whitman-Hanson

Senior middie won 70 percent of his faceoffs last season. Coach Tyler Sabens says the Endicott College commit is "a pivotal part of the possession game," adding, "He's also a pitbull on ground balls, on-ball defense and unsettled situations."

David MacNeil, Whitman-Hanson

Senior captain/goaltender was a Patriot League All-Star last spring. Coach Tyler Sabens calls the Dean College commit "our hardest worker and best player," adding, "A true team player and a great example of what genuine grit and believing in yourself can do."

Ryan Nash, Whitman-Hanson

Senior captain stars at longstick middie/defense. Averaged 8 ground balls per game last season while scoring 3 goals. Said coach Tyler Sabens: "Ryan is incredibly reliable anywhere you put him on the field. He's like having a coach playing in the game."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: South Shore high school boys lacrosse players to watch this spring