Team of the Year

Mountain Lakes

After a couple of years battling with Kinnelon for local supremacy, Mountain Lakes was once again clearly the best team in the Jersey Sports Now coverage area this season. The Lakers won 14 games while playing a very challenging schedule. But by their own extremely high standards, the year ended up at least partially a disappointment.

The Lakers did enjoy some satisfying moments, including a solid win over Kinnelon and a dramatic county semifinal triumph against Chatham. They were competitive in nearly every game; the only team to beat them in convincing style was eventual Tournament of Champions winner Bridgewater-Raritan. Mountain Lakes returned to both the Morris County tournament final and the Group I state final this year after a one-year absence. But the Lakers suffered tough one-goal defeats in both games, falling to Delbarton in the county final and coming up short to Glen Ridge in the states.

The Lakers are still looking for the path back to the very top of the state rankings. But there's no doubt that Mountain Lakes is the Jersey Sports Now Boys' Lacrosse Team of the Year.

Player of the Year

Jeff Chang, Mountain Lakes

A tenacious defender who plays bigger than his size, Chang was a critical part of a Lakers' team that relied on its defense more than in the past. Mountain Lakes allowed less than six goals per game during this boys' lacrosse season.

Chang, who was named an All-American, picked up about 60 ground balls during the course of the season and was a key in his team's ability to clear. He also scored two goals with the long pole and had two assists.

Chang will continue his career at Tufts, which lost in the Division III national championship game this season. The Jumbos will be getting a player who excels in many of the less-appreciated aspects of the game, skills that made Jeff Chang the JSN Boys' Lacrosse Players of the Year.

Coach of the Year

Josh Danziger, Pequannock

Few high school teams confront the kind of tragedy the Pequannock boys' lacrosse squad had to face this year. Yet the Panthers still managed to put together their finest season while paying tribute to two fallen friends.

Two Pequannock lacrosse players, junior Michael Coppola and 2009 graduate Daniel Donlon, both lost their battles with cancer during the lead-up to this year's season. An emotionally raw team somehow managed to beat Wayne Hills in its season opener, and that seemed to set the tone for the year. Pequannock ended up going 13-5 and won its first division title as well as a state tournament game.

Danziger was a steady hand during a tough time for his squad. He kept the memories of the two young men alive, making Coppola an honorary captain and referring to them during his pregame speeches prior to each game. Yet he was able to channel his team's emotion into their play, and thereby ensured this would be a season they would always remember.

In just four varsity seasons, Pequannock has made major strides and appears to be poised for more success. For his role in that rise, and in recognition of his handling of this unique season, Josh Danziger is our JSN Boys' Lacrosse Coach of the Year.

Boys' Lax Notes

MOST EXCITING FINISH: Mountain Lakes literally beat the clock in its Morris County semifinal against Chatham. After the Cougars failed on a shot with just seconds left, the Lakers rushed the ball upfield, getting it to Jon Broome with mere seconds left. Broome fired a tough-angle shot, which beat the goalie and hit the net as the horn sounded. A review of the tape shows the ball hit the net with about two-tenths of a second left.

STRANGEST FINISH: In its Senior Night win over Wayne Valley, Pequannock had a comfortable lead with about two minutes left when the Panthers turned the ball over. As the Indians moved in for a good chance to score, suddenly the lights at the Pequannock field flickered and went out--thanks to a local blackout. After a couple of minutes, the referees and coaches agreed to end the game.

ON THE RISE: Besides Pequannock, another young local program is showing a great deal of promise. In just its second year on the varsity level, Lakeland went 14-4 and won its first-ever state tournament game in a rout over River Dell. The first group of seniors who played four years within the program is graduating, but now that the team is established, the future looks bright for the Lancers.

-- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now