Film Study and '24 Preview: Boys' Latin (Md.)

The Tuesday after President's Day marks the start of practice in the MIAA, a tradition-rich league that always draws a lot of eyeballs and anticipation given how many teams are realistically in the hunt for a title on an annual basis. That being said, one of the programs you can almost always count on being in the mix is Boys' Latin. After winning a championship in 2021 and making semifinal appearances in each of the past two seasons, many expect the Lakers to be one of the last teams standing in mid-May. While breaking down the film, it is clear they are not looking to rebuild but instead reload after graduating some key figures. In this article, I'll be breaking down what I saw on tape at the summer NHSLS event, as well as what to expect from this 2024 team, a group <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/01/2024-schedule-rundown-boys-latin-md-and-mcdonogh-md/">set to face another challenging schedule</a>. As usual, the offense is the unit that pops off the screen when watching Boys' Latin, a program that has produced gobs of elite attackmen over the years. With talent all over the field and a high-paced offense, this is going to be a dangerous group once again. Led by Top 25 recruits Spencer Ford, Matt Higgins, and Liam White, there's a plethora of returning talent on the offensive end, but what makes this offense so special is not the talent alone. This is a college-style offense with constant ball movement that makes it very difficult for defenses to stop. Rarely do we see them allow the ball to get stagnant, instead, it's constantly moving. With a principle of dodge, pass, and cut, the Lakers can leave the opposition's heads spinning. Carrying a mix of great off-ball players and good dodgers, they don't want to score off of 1-on-1 matchups, but instead draw the slide and hit the cut to make you pay. If this unit commits to playing selflessly, then it'll continue to be dangerous.   Offensively, it all starts with No. 5 senior Spencer Ford, a Maryland commit who is complemented by No. 16 junior and fellow Terp commit Matt Higgins, as well as Air Force-bound Connor Sydnor. After spending the 2022 season as an off-ball player alongside Dom Pietramala (UNC), Ford transitioned to more of a ball-carrying and initiating role for the Lakers in 2023. As a dodger, Ford is most effective when getting separation off of picks, but if BL can find a way to get him back into a more off-ball role while also utilizing his feeding ability, he will be most effective. In terms of dodging attackmen, Higgins is the guy. The shifty junior from Northern California had a standout sophomore season and is a do-it-all-all threat bound to take another step forward in his second year in the program. With quick feet and the ability to score off the dodge or draw the slide and get an assist, he will create many different looks for this group. Rounding off this attack is Sydnor, a sneaky lefty who is dangerous off-ball and will hurt you if left unattended. With great hands and the ability to cut at the perfect time and find gaps, he will be the perfect third attackman for this team.   Moving up to the midfield, No. 22 senior Liam White is expected to carry the load after the Lakers graduated a handful of multi-year starters. The future Buckeye is a do-it-all midfielder who will hurt you off the initial dodge as a passer or as a shooter if you let him get his hands free with a hammer of a shot on the run. The Lakers will sort out their lineup during the preseason, but at NHSLS, fellow seniors George Insley and Colin Kenney ran alongside White on the first midfield. After playing attack for the Crabs alongside Ford, Insley brings a different presence to this midfield. With good shooting mechanics and eyes, expect him to be an off-ball player who can also feed into this system. Rounding out the first line during the summer was another dodger with a big shot in Kenney, who can serve as an initiator from up top.   Senior John Stubbs (Monmouth) and junior Yale commit Lincoln Herring provided depth on the second line this summer. Stubbs is a big lefty with a hammer of a shot and the ability to get downhill. Expect Stubbs to be used as a mix of a dodger from up top and a lefty shooter in regular offense and man-up. Herring, a three-star recruit from California, is another former attackman with a very quick first step who can be used inverting or sweeping across the top while also being an off-ball threat. With the third spot open, expect either a young guy to make a push for the spot or an experienced upperclassman to lock it down.   As I continued to watch the film, far more stood out than just the offense, particularly its catalyst. Despite being one of the smallest players on the field, Parker Hoffman has a giant impact. The UNC commit has some of the quickest hands you'll find at the face-off X. This was demonstrated during the summer when Hoffman took over games and showed out on ESPN. His ability does not just stop at the X though. To go along with his face-off skills is great athleticism that can make him just as dangerous causing face breaks and unsettled situations leading to layups. Another thing you can always expect from a Brian Farrell-coached team is an aggressive and organized defense. New Balance All-American and shutdown defender Kyle Foster (Ohio State) was a big loss, but this unit still has plenty of experience and depth with several upperclassmen hungry for one last championship push. Michael Meredith (Jacksonville), Andrew Wehberg (UMBC), Desi Arrup (Tampa), and Cole Quenzer (Mt. St. Mary's) stepped in as seniors on close defense and together looked organized as a unit, rarely making off-ball mistakes and forcing the opponent to dodge. However, when BL ran into faster attackmen, a weakness seemed to get exploited. Like any defense, the Lakers have the goal of making you win your 1-on-1 matchup. As long as this group continues to play true team defense, it will be a tough group to score on as it has been in the past. The SSDM unit is a strength due to a pair of very smart and physical seniors in Duncan Barnes (Delaware) and Connor Schoenwetter (Marquette). Although Barnes isn't the fastest player, his physicality and smarts make up for it and he's regularly getting in players' hands off the initial dodge, often forcing them to move the ball. In Schoenwetter, there's another physical and athletic player who like Barnes, makes opposing midfielders move the ball elsewhere. Senior Nick Chan, a Towson signee, is the all-around LSM that completes this line, and he's backed up by Queens-bound Marcus Acevedo. Although smaller in stature, Chan is a true cover man who will pressure and run with you. With an active and smooth stick, he is a difficult player to escape, and like his head coach did during his career, loves to push transition and make a play on the offensive end.   Replacing graduated senior Dylan Cadigan (Monmouth), the Lakers will have a new starter in between the pipes, where senior Will Ohnmacht (Notre Dame) has waited three years for his turn. There are very few goalies in the country with the skill set Ohnmacht has, and his 6'2, 200-pound frame alone makes him an asset along with his hands and composure. Seemingly always calm and collected, he tracks shots with ease and rarely guesses, showcasing extremely quick hands and a flair for the dramatic doorstep save. Junior Garrett Held, who is committed to play at Navy as a 2026, is plenty capable as well.   Now that the season is almost here, who's going to win the MIAA crown? Although there may be favorites, the MIAA is always anyone's to take. After coming close in each of the past two seasons, this senior-led team is tired of being the bridesmaid. Many teams are loaded with talent, but what could separate this team is how well they play together. Showing early signs of good chemistry and a willingness to play unselfish could be the difference maker for the Lakers in 2024.

The Tuesday after President's Day marks the start of practice in the MIAA, a tradition-rich league that always draws a lot of eyeballs and anticipation given how many teams are realistically in the hunt for a title on an annual basis. That being said, one of the programs you can almost always count on being in the mix is Boys' Latin.

After winning a championship in 2021 and making semifinal appearances in each of the past two seasons, many expect the Lakers to be one of the last teams standing in mid-May. While breaking down the film, it is clear they are not looking to rebuild but instead reload after graduating some key figures. In this article, I'll be breaking down what I saw on tape at the summer NHSLS event, as well as what to expect from this 2024 team, a group set to face another challenging schedule.

As usual, the offense is the unit that pops off the screen when watching Boys' Latin, a program that has produced gobs of elite attackmen over the years. With talent all over the field and a high-paced offense, this is going to be a dangerous group once again. Led by Top 25 recruits Spencer Ford, Matt Higgins, and Liam White, there's a plethora of returning talent on the offensive end, but what makes this offense so special is not the talent alone. This is a college-style offense with constant ball movement that makes it very difficult for defenses to stop. Rarely do we see them allow the ball to get stagnant, instead, it's constantly moving. With a principle of dodge, pass, and cut, the Lakers can leave the opposition's heads spinning. Carrying a mix of great off-ball players and good dodgers, they don't want to score off of 1-on-1 matchups, but instead draw the slide and hit the cut to make you pay. If this unit commits to playing selflessly, then it'll continue to be dangerous.