John Jay lost and I almost got arrested
-
- April
- 5
This blog posting comes about two hours later than I hoped.
Sometimes when discussing my job as a sports writer, a person will ask me, “What’s the toughest part?” Without hesitation, I will say, “Figuring out how I’m going to send my story late at night at a high school.”
For those interested, I’ll provide some details about what happened to me when I was trying to file my story last night from Manhasset at about 10 p.m.
But first, thoughts on the game and some get better wishes to Nick Savastano, the John Jay coach who couldn’t attend because he was ill. Chris Bocklet told me that Savastano called him during halftime to talk about the game, and that he was feeling better, so that’s great news.
The game: Manhasset 10, John Jay 8. Everyone knows John Jay is held to a different standard this season than any other team in Section 1. They’re the best chance for a state title, they had one of the greatest victories in the history of high school lacrosse last season against Huntington, and they return a lot of talent.
So all analysis of John Jay is with the premise that this is a team trying to win a state title. A team that has a legitmate chance of doing so. That’s a tough standard, but it’s also a fair one.
The phrase uttered by Vin Savastano and players after the game was “measuring stick.” Well, what did we find out? Honestly, I’m not sure. Sometimes you’d like open and shut answers. Most of the time, they aren’t provided.
In a 48-minute game, John Jay was absolutely fantastic for about 10 minutes. It was state-title good for those 10 minutes. No question about it. It fluctuated between average and poor for the other 38…and still lost by only two goals to the third-ranked team in the nation.
The offense had virtually no flow and the defense got caught in some transition goals. Chris Bocklet was shut down by Manhasset’s best defender, Paul Pate, and Chris Latino didn’t have one of his best games.
As for Bocklet, I’m sure some people will be surprised that he didn’t score a goal, but you really have to give a ton of credit to Manhasset’s game plan, scouting, and the 6-foot-3 Pate.
I ended up filing my story from Manhasset coach Bill Cherry’s office (more on that later) and when I sat down at his computer, he had Joe Lombardi’s preview article about Bocklet on his screen. Stopping Bocklet was Manhasset’s primary focus and Pate, a Harvard-bound defender, was excellent.
Ultimately though, to me, the fact that John Jay lost to the No. 3 team in the nation by only two goals when it really only played well for the second half of the third quarter and first half of the fourth is a very good sign. Does anyone honestly think Bocklet will go another game this season without a goal? I certainly don’t. He’s a star.
Here were some other good signs: The play of Kevin Drew and Tyler Granelli and the comeback. Drew’s back-to-back goals in the third quarter were just part of an overall strong game. He was fast, he created opportunities, and he was a threat at many points in this game. His 40-yard sprint up the field and goal that narrowed John Jay’s deficit to 8-7 at the end of the third quarter was awesome.
Granelli was excellent as well. His size—he’s listed as 6-4, 215—is a major factor, especially on faceoffs and in transition. I think he can really be a star player.
Regarding the comeback, it seemed like Manhasset was on the verge of blowing John Jay out when it was up 8-3.
I asked Vin Savasatano what he liked best about his team’s play in this game, he said, “The way they scrapped. The way they fought back.”
I’d call the cliché police on him, but it was true. They really did. A team with star talent and feistiness is going to win A LOT of games. Maybe even a state title.
Anyway, those are some leftover thoughts from the game.
(Warning, the following has nothing to do with lacrosse…only with what happened to me after the game.)
I had made arrangements with Manhasset’s AD and Cherry that I could file my story from Cherry’s office and wouldn’t be bothered. They couldn’t have been nicer. I was assured I wouldn’t be rushed, that all I would have to do was turn out the lights, and close the door behind me. Nice.
Yup, too good to be true.
I’m busy typing my story and the next thing I know, a custodian in the Manhasset school district is yelling at me, demanding I leave. I told him it was Bill Cherry’s office, that I had permission to be there. He didn’t care. Then he said he didn’t know me. Um, of course he doesn’t. Why would he?
And then came the words no one wants to hear: “I’m calling the cops,” he said.
WHAT???? ARE YOU CRAZY? I’m here typing an article, with my press pass, in the Manhasset coach’s office, who has given me permission, and the custodian says he’s calling the cops on me for trespassing. He leaves the office, and I have no idea what he’s about to do.
So I start typing as fast as I can, hurrying against the custodian’s 911 call. He comes back into the office 10 minutes later and says I have to talk to his boss. Um, fine. So I talked to some woman named Theresa. We agreed that I could have 10 more minutes—I stretched it to 20—and then I got out of there. No cops. The end.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, April 5th, 2008 at 11:31 pm by Jeff Gold.
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I was at last night's game and agree for the most part with the comments. If Latino was a bit more consistent Jay would have won. he gave up 3 goals he normally doesn't. Also Drew took a whole half to get going, once he did he was great. The coaches never figured a way to get Bocklet opportunities, more of a coaching issue than a Bocklet issue in my view. Finally, although Jay is deep at middie they used too many. They need to settle on 3-4 and let them play more o get into the flow of the game better.
that's scary
I still like JJ’s chances for a state title. GS, JJ’s top competition in B, also lost yesterday to WM. You cannot expect a team to run the table with a hard schedule and a 20+ game season. The positive side is that an early loss takes the bull’s eye off JJ’s back. As Jeff said above, there were glimpses of brilliance as well as obvious problems that need to be solved. JJ was somewhat exposed in two key areas: face offs and ground balls. There were many times when Granelli won the initial battle (direction and clamp) but the ensuing ground ball went to Manhasset. That has to do with ground ball technique and who wants it more. For 10 minutes JJ wanted it more and they showed they can play with any team in the country. If JJ can maintain that intensity for an entire game they would be difficult to beat. Finding Bocklet during one of the unsettled situations over that 10 minute stetch could have been the difference. It is clear the Savs are still trying out personnel and determining who will be their go-to players in June…when it matters.
Lightspeed,
Agree totally with you on Latino not being at his best, particularly shown on the go ahead 9-8 goal. As for Bocklet, even Chris said (classy kid) in post game comment that maybe he should have brought more of the other JJ guys into the offense since he was getting nowhere vs. Pate (full credit to Pate). To your point maybe the coaches could have helped him more to figure out how to exploit the coverage on him (perhaps they did and just didn't work?).
Offensive head coach savastano was in the hospital
I am glad Sav is feeling better….Joe, I always knew you were a trouble maker….you make me look normal..!
Ric!!!
There you are. I've been wondering where you have been hiding. Hope all is well and good to hear from you. But WAIT. Jeff Gold wrote this post not me. He's the troublemaker.