The top 50 boys lacrosse juniors in the Shore Conference, ranked

For sports teams, having a good junior on a boys lacrosse team is the ultimate upside.

Enough experience to be a leader, yet still another year to play and lead the younger guys. This spring, juniors have been playing at a high level in the Shore Conference. Some have gotten the ultimate praise from their coaches, some already committed to play in college after high school, others with impressive numbers and defensive stops are going to benefit with another year of high school development.

Here's the top 20 juniors this season with rankings plus 30 more who are on the All-Shore Watch List. Statistics are through May 5.

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1. Quinn Kelly, CBA, LSM/Defense

CBA head coach Dave Santos praised the Harvard commit in saying he was the “most talented” long poll he’s seen in his 25 years of coaching. An offensive weapon at all times who collected 12 goals and 14 assists through May 5. Athletically gifted, accurate passing, disrupts other teams' offenses, can lead the fast break, and can be placed anywhere on the field. No question Kelly is gifted and already one of the best players in the Shore Conference.

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2. Brandon Kunz, Manasquan, Attack

On the offense, the Lehigh University commit has been leading the team in points with 27 goals and 14 assists to total 41. He leads the team in assists and is second in scoring. Kunz is a big reason for the Warriors winning their first nine games. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands as he has a cannon of a shot, but an even better passer.

3. Brady Kirk, Point Pleasant Boro, Attack

The Marist College commit has been a high-volume scorer since his freshman year and has done the same this season. He's scored 40 goals to pass 100 total in his career. His season-high was six goals in a win over St. Rose last month. He also has 32 assists to go over 100 in his career. He also had a season-high 11 points against Lacey when he had five goals and six assists.

4. Parker Harms, Manasquan, LSM

Harms is one of Manasquan’s top defenders and the reason why only one team through the first nine games has been able to score double-digits against the Warriors. From the back he's still managed to score seven goals and have an assist on the season. He’ll be playing at Villanova when his high school career is over.

5. David Campbell, CBA, Midfield

Second leading scorer on the CBA team behind Villanova commit Ryan Martin. Campbell has had 23 goals and seven assists. He had a season-high four goals against Wall and Holmdel last month which were both for wins. He’s committed to play at Holy Cross when his high school career is done. One of the top midfielders in the Shore Conference already as a junior.

6. Luke Krebs, CBA, Defense

An Elite defenseman heading to Bryant University after high school. He has scored six goals and had an assist. A high-level player that’s been effective on both ends of the field for CBA.

7. Matt Schneider, Manasquan, Midfield

The six-foot-two Monmouth University commit has scored seven goals and had four assists. As a midfielder, he’s played effective on both ends of the field.

8. Liam Griffin, Southern, Midfield

A scorer for the Rams with a season-high six goals in the season opener against Jackson Memorial. He’s had 28 goals and four assists. The Saint Joseph University commit likely to hit his 100th career point this season.

9. Jackson Gervais, CBA, LSM

Air Force commit and defenseman has been a big help for CBA being one of the top teams in the Shore Conference.

10. Corey Smith, Lacey, Attack

The consistent scorer may continue to climb up the ladder by the time his high school career is done. He had a season-high eight goals against St. Rose last week. He's scored 47 goals and had 32 assists. About to hit 200 career points, and already a 100+ goal scorer.

11. Matt Avivi, Manalapan, Midfield

He's scored 31 goals and had six assists to go with 17 ground balls. He’s been a big reason for the Braves being at the top of their devision.

12. Jakob Jason, Barnegat, Attack

He’s leading the team in goals with 22 total points (12 goals and 10 assists) with a season-high four goals against Lacey. He also leads the team in ground balls with 53 this season. He’s on track to hit 100 ground balls in his career.

13. Teague Hibbard, Donovan Catholic, Midfield

He’s been helping keep his team at the top of the Freedom Division this season. He’s the leading scorer with 49 goals and 21 assists to go with 50 ground balls.

14. Matt Hillin, Brick Memorial, Goalie

He’s made 136 saves on the season and has let up 68 goals through 12 games. He had a clean sheet against St. Rose last week in a 14-0 win. Had a season-high 18 goals against Donovan Catholic.

15. Ethan Galvan, Brick Township, Midfield

The Bryn Athyn College commit leads the Dragons in total points with 25 (17 goals, 8 assists). He has 19 ground balls through nine games this season. An effective player on both ends of the field.

16. Nate Cummins, Toms River East, Midfield

Has cooled down a bit from his hot start at the start of the season, but Cummins is still a solid scorer. He had a season-high five goals against Ocean Township to start the season. Through 11 games he’s scored 34 goals and had 17 assists to go with 67 ground balls.

17. Brady Etzkorn, Central Regional, Goalie

The junior has been putting up a lot of saves so far this season. His season-high was 28 saves against Marlboro in early April. He’s made 205 saves and allowed 99 goals in 12 games.

18. Junior Alvarado, Freehold Township, Goalie

He made 74 saves in six games and allowed 33 goals for the Patriots. He made a season-high 18 saves against St. John Vianney.

19. Colin Finnegan, Howell, Defense

The defenseman leads the team in ground balls with 42 through 11 games. He also has two assists and has won five face-offs.

20. Michael Hoarle, Wall, Midfield/FO

A season-ending injury in the start of the spring has sidelined the Bryant University commit. In two games this season he got 29 ground balls, had an assist and goal.

More players on the All-Shore Watch List

American Division

Carter McGuire, CBA

Michael Poskay, CBA

Ryan Aldi, Manasquan

Kelly Mulligan, Manasquan

Frank Agilagos, Rumson-Fair Haven

Britt Lumsden, Rumson-Fair Haven

Jack Powers, Holmdel

Brian Colpe, Holmdel

Braden Miller, Shore

Lukas Villa, Shore

Tucker Mafia, Shore

Colonial Division

Jake Piedrahita, Manalapan

Jake Schatz, Manalapan

Tyler Godlesky, Toms River East

Ethan Kelly, Toms River East

David Walter, Jackson Memorial

Jayden Devino, Howell

Adam Baker, Howell

Constitution Division

Graham Kennedy, Middletown North

Mario Schettino, Middletown North

Tyler Bowden, Colts Neck

Brenden Carfagno, Freehold Township

Ryan Rowolt, Freehold Township

Brendan Allen, St. John Vianney

Matt Doherty, St. John Vianney

Freedom Division

Elijah Ravenell, Donovan Catholic

Austin Edwards, Brick Memorial

Nicholas Vetter, Lacey

Nolen Mahoney, Toms River South

Nicholas Mueller, Toms River South

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ Shore boys lacrosse Top 50 juniors ranked