Here are your 2008 all-Americans
-
- June
- 3
We have a brand-new group of all-Americans, folks.
Somers’ Joe Marasco, a junior attackman who has committed to Ohio State, is among seven first-time all-Americans. (Photo by Matthew Brown/The Journal News)
The following players who were nominated by their coaches were just selected by approximately 20 coaches at tonight’s all-America/all-section meeting at White Plains High School.
Chris Bocklet is the lone repeat honoree. The others are all first-time AAs.
Here are this year’s all-Americans:
Zach Badalucco, Brewster, sr., defense
Chris Bocklet, John Jay, sr., attack
Rocky Bonitatibus, Yorktown, sr., midfield
Jack Doherty, Lakeland/Panas, jr., attack
Kevin Drew, John Jay, sr., midfield
Kevin Gordon, Rye, sr., midfield
Joe Marasco, Somers, jr., attack/midfield
John Ranagan, Yorktown, jr., attack/midfield
• For all-Americans from previous years, click here.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 at 8:05 pm by Joe Lombardi.
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I'm seriously happy for Jack Doherty of L/P. Good for him. ...
I could sit here all night and disagree with the omissions of Mike Bonitatibus and Tyler Granelli, but, seriously folks, can anyone honestly say the eight they did name are not deserving?
Special congrats to John Ranagan of Yorktown.
When are all section named
I am sure a lot of people will have a lot to say about the choices, with a lot of disappointments, But most of all lets CONGRATULATE THESE 8 GREAT PLAYERS on a terrific accomplishment. Fantastic Job by all of them.
Congrats to Jack Dohery a class kid with a class family
Im a tad bit surprised by the selections. Thought a goalie would be selected, instead of maybe ranagan or Gordon who both didnt put up ridiculous numbers
section one – Stats really are not a big factor — or much of a factor at all — in AA selections, especially for midfielders.
Really? Thanks for that clarification Joe…Seems kind of counter-intuiative, i guess the reputation and school you attend precedes you. Also joe, any information on when the All-Section portion of the meeting will be completed?
Ranagan is about as good as they come guys … plus, he's a beast
"SECTION 1"You being surprised isnt going to change any of the picks. They clearly are all deserving. CONGRATS K G
Stats can be very misleading and really aren't the best barometer to decide who the top players are, especially at midfield.
All-section meeting is being held now but those names need to be reviewed and processed before the list is released. It will likely be a couple of days until I get it.
Congratulations to these 8 players, they are all deserving. There's no goalie but I guess there doesn't have to be, Mike B is a lock next year in my opinion. I thought Tyler should have made it being one of the leaders in the nation in assists, 5th in the section in points, and can face-off as well but there are so many other deserving kids. Doherty is a junior and looking at his dominating stats (only 9 points behind Bocklet) on L/P I'm surprised not many people put him on their lists he definitely deserves it and will be a repeat. Yorktown being the only undefeated team in the section deserves more than 1, I thought Mike B would make it over Ranagan but they'll both make it next year. JJ's two AAs are UA AAs as well of course I hope to see them on ESPN soon. 3 juniors making the list is pretty impressive.
section one
according to max preps…
drew – 33 goals, 63 points
ranagan – 37 goals, 60 points
gordon – 30 goals, 52 points
seems close enough to me
Yorktown may have as many as 4 next year, especially if they have a very dominant season.
wut about the catholic league?
Amazing, it took somebody from Town exactly 1 hr from the time Joe posted this until they started talking about how many they will have next year. Ya think you could let the ink dry on this years announcement before you start talking about next year.
Laxwatcher – What I find more amazing is it took just a couple of minutes for someone to post a statistical comparison after I just got done saying stats are not a big part — at all — in the AA selection process.
1. I'm from JJ
2. Calm down, I'm just making observations
Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think kids from the catholic league can be on this list.
wow im very suprised that granelli got it over ranagan. Granelli was more of a star to me than ranagan this year. Correct me if i'm wrong, but Tyler Granelli has more assists than Ranagan has total points and granelli dominated him on face off's. Just something that was very un-suspected to me.
sorry, i mean ranagan over granelli*
When are all-section selections made
LAX-
Agree 100%, Town will have several next year…don't get any ink on your shirt Laxwatcher.
Congrats to all on the honor.
All great players, i thought there would be a goalie but guess not (mikey B. will most likely get one next year). A little surprised that Ranagan got picked over Granelli, after watching the town JJ game i thought Granelli would be the more deserving one. But Ranagan is still a good player (and a junior!). None the less congratulations to everyone who was selected!
Laxwatcher—If LAX is who I think he is he is definitely not from Yorktown.
Sorry if I jumped to any conclusions, but it would have been nice for the kids who made it this year to bask in the honor for a few minutes before somebody pulled it away to someone else
I was very surprised with some of these picks..especially ranagan and doherty since they still have next year..would have thought a goalie and another defenseman would have made it
Fair enough, I was just stating an observation not trying to brag or anything I'm not even a Yorktown fan. I'm not trying to take away anything from the winners this year.
It's hard to ignore what Ranagan and Doherty have done. I think Granelli is the only real snub. Mike Bonitatibus does have next year.
This is just my opinion, but I think Granelli deserved it over Drew. I'm just not that impressed with him. I don't care what magazine ranked him where in the preseason. He's a tremendous athlete no question, but Granelli, Ranagan and Doherty, I believe, are better players.
hey joe even though this is a little off topic do you have any idea when the exceptional senior game will be held?
I think these are pretty solid picks, The one spot i could see would be kevin gordon..don't get me wrong i just was not blown away by him watching him play i would have picked keogh (spelling) considering he was the leader of a great defense. But overall, there was just far to many great players having big years that could have been up there too (I.e. Granelli, Mike B, Perrelle, King etc).3 Juniors making AA is good to see Empire team is going to do damage this summer just watch.
Congrats to all these guys!
Just for fun.. 2009 AA's
Marasco
Ranagan
Doherty
Mike Bonitonibus
Perrelle
Keough
Haggerty
(Brandofino or Interlichio)
I would put ranagan over granelli. Tyler is a great player and has done alot of great things but when i've seen some games he ahs made some great plays but sometimes takes 18 yard shots underhand taht seem to waste possetions. Ranagan has played well and has been both an emotional and statistical leader for his team. Both players are great but i give the edge to ranagan. Tyler will show his stuff at cuse and have a great career.
I personally think that section one would lose a lot of credibility if they did not give Kevin Drew (an under armour all american and top 15 ranked player in the country) AA. You also can't put him in over Ranagan for the simple fact that Jay could not get 3 times as many AA's as Town. There might be a question mark here or there but overall I think it is a very good list, no egregious omissions like Jake Delillo from two years ago.
Hey Joseph,
Any other Kudos, All-sections/Leagues. Coaches awards, Honorable mentions??
Great congrats to all the AA's. You all are special and represent Section 1 well.
Thanks to all their team mates whose efforts contributed GREATLY to the AAs' selections.
P.S. I like Keough from Rye as an AA next yr (that is if Town doesn't grab all the spots—*PLEASE JUST KIDDING EVERYONE*).
Not JL – I wish I was Not Joe Lombardi today. It's been one of those hectic kind of days.
But anyway, whenever I get the list from the coaches, I will post it. It still needs to be reviewed, etc. Hopefully in a couple of days but I can't say for sure.
Too bad Shane Ferguson couldn't shake that 4-15 anchor around his neck, but I can't really argue with any of the picks. Congratulations to all.
According to US Lax AA selection rules – AA nominees must be a member of the area all-star team. How can AA's be selected before the all-section teams?
hmm… maybe you put the AA's on the all-section team after they win?
Congrats to Badalucco, Zach
Syracuse You might want to change your moniker. fortunately the syracuse coaches (and every other major college coach) are more impressed with Drew than you are. I think most people will go with their opinions over yours. Not sure what else you want from the kid. he is the leading scorer of all the middies in section 1. he is a one man clear for john jay and gets most of their transition goals started. he is arguably the best middie defender in the state if not country. He will see time as a ssdm on the defending national championship team right away.
he is the most athletic player in the section. now maybe you are holding his athletic abilty against him. would i like to see him with a better shot…sure i would but you can say that about every player…would i like to see his stick skills better …sure but who's couldn't be. but if it's the last minute of a game and i need to come up with a turnover, clear the ball or create an opportunity he's the middie i'm giving the ball too.
I also believe Grannelli should have made it but drew is not the one i would have left off.
GRANELLI and RANAGAN, put them in blank white uniform and see them perform, who would you take?
Give me GRANELLI any day of the week.
I debated on whether to jump into the fray, and join the "Granelli got robbed" crowd.
Seeing what he did this year, taking 90% of the faceoffs, leading the area in assists (the Jay settled offense runs through him), scoring big goals in big games – I am disappointed for him. What's a guy gotta do, I wonder.
With that said – IF Jay beat Rye and Yorktown, I think he makes it. I saw Ranagan – the real deal (although I think Granelli had a better year), haven't seen Gordon – so I can't comment. But to the victors go the spoils – I don't like it but thats the way it works.
FWIW – Matt Bocklet didn't make AA his senior year under similar circumstances (Collucini and Carrozza did) – as Jay lost to Ytown in the finals. And you know what, he turned out OK ;>))
AA really does not mean that much..you could make a long list of guys who did not make it and were great in college and guys who made it and were not good at all in college…congrats to everyone…whats done is done and it honestly does not mean that much at all…a little plaque for you boys..now that this garbage is over, lets get to the games that matter…good luck to all tomorrow….hope we get some great games…
Joe,
Just wanted to know how all-section and all-league players are picked? Your coach nominates you and then a panel agrees or disagrees? Also, who decides on the players for the exceptional seniors game?
section one, you're a wreck… KG is a work horse. Stats are mentioned but are a small part of what makes an AA, heart, determination, will not be denied in big games, elevates team play to the next level, team player, leader.
Rye desreved another with the year they're having. For some reason Dooley doesn't get the picks he deserves. 1 sectional loss.
The coaches fight it out for all awards. They do it backwards and automatically give the AA's All section.
Doe's every player in rockland stink. Maybe this is one sided, not to take away or put down any one who was picked.
Stevo,
Not that you should care but you cant expect anyone reading your "congrats to everyone" comment above to take it as being AT ALL sincere when coupled with your other comments like , "now that the "garbage" is over", "a little plaque for you boys", "whats done is done", "honestly does not mean that much at all".
These "boys" did not select themselves and dont deserve the "garbage" your throwing at them.
Dont take it the wrong way but AA is given out by coaches who may have seen a player play once, maybe…how many coaches saw gordon play more than once, or doherty…etc…I would hope the players understand it is nice and move on from that…talk to anyone who has won that award, myself included…coaches always preach awards are secondary, team if first…congrats to the kids..i say 'garbage' for there is no perfect way to pick AA's…there have been so many who have not gotten it in the past, then done well…my words are directed at those who did not receive it, for it does not mean they are any less of a player…
Congrats to all AA's and lax season players. I agree to much negative chat on this blog.To all the teams playing Thursday good luck and have a great game….......
Agreed Jim .Bring kids up not down .Every body is a critic but how many are players and coaches.Congrats to all.
Stevo,
Thanx for reply. Sounds like you were a heck of a player!!
Absolutely agree with your concerns that the process is not perfect and that those not selected should not be discouraged in any way per the post high school experience you point out. As was pointed out for example Cuse is getting a great one in Granelli and he's sure to have a super college lacrosse career!
The AA's are decent kids who've played closely with and against kids who were high in the running to be selected. I'm sure the AA's and those not selected understand that the process is not perfect and I never had feeling that they were "dwelling in" (or worse, flaunting)their selection. Sure that in all cases, while they loved their selection and should be proud of their accomplishments, they felt awkward around teammates who were high in the running but were not selected.
As for your comment on Gordon, he's very well known and observed in Section 1 lacrosse. Made the Empire team last yr and has played varsity since his soph yr (maybe as a Freshman). Aside from his ability and stats which are close enough to Ranagan and Drew, he's a great leader and motivator for Rye's team. Also great 3 sport athelete. Key player on Rye's State Champion Football team and a Co-Captain of the hockey team which got to the State semi-finals last yr and the State quarter finals this year.
The internet has given people a safe place to hide behind. This blog is a perfect example of that. I laugh when I hear people talk about kids they dont know or make comments on kids who they "heard" something about. Perception is not reality.
First, agree to all the comments about the blog, much of the fun that originally surrounded it has gone away. Second, I have had the chance to watch most these kids, they all deserve it, and I am sure it is something that they will remember for the rest of their lives. No commentary on a blog will disrupt that.
But Joe, on a more mundane note, I could have sworn that the Section gets one AA for every five teams, and since we have 45, shouldn't there be 9?
i thought there were supposed to be 9 AA's this year? and how are the all league awards done? are there 3 A's 3 M's 3 D's 1 G and a long stick middie or are there more than that?
Bear – it's one for every six teams. So eight is the correct allotment.
As far as the comments, I understand plenty of folks care deeply about AA selections, but that is no excuse to be critical of a player who was or wasn't selected. The same goes for ESG selection process.
I asked in the past that readers point out positives about certain players and not negatives about others in trying to make your point.
Fortunately the overwhelming majority of the folks who visit here do.
Any player who is being discussed is a very good. It's that simple. And the same goes with anyone who made the ESG team. Please don't lose sight of that fact. These are also not professional athletes. They're putting in a lot of time, effort and energy into representing the Hudson Valley. Please treat them with the respect they deserve.
There are a few exceptions from time to time unfortunately. I hope my comment above makes it clear what is acceptable and what is not.
Joe,
Well lets keep our fingers crossed. We have 3 big games tomorrow and all bloggers will have a chance to play by these decent, common sense rules.
BRIAN KOCH should have gotten it his senior year. HE IS GOD. KOCH KOCH KOCH KOCH
Joe any chance you can list all-section? I know it was announced.
I know this has been cleared up but stats don't mean anything. Gordon is the team leader, helps the younger kids after practice plays defense offense gets ground balls, and scores; does everything a coach could ask. Definately deserved the honor. I also know that there has been alot of negative comments made about players and what im about to say is not meant to be negative. I have been to every rye game this year and keough, though proably the best player on defense for rye would be far behind rix, whiston and kindler as "the leader of the defense." and im not knocking him but the other three are seniors and more mature. and rye did have a great defense being able to adjust to anything that the other team threw at them. but keough definately could have been all american, but all of the players selected deserved it too. Im hoping that the entire defense including Daniel Marchesani(LSM)gets all section.
How was King possibly left off?
all section list??
When we start talking about intangibles (helps little kids after practice) and not observable performance, things are starting to get a little stretched. When "trying to be supportive" defines leadership and fails to mention that the BEST defender on the team for the BEST defensive team in the Section was Keough, things have gone too far.
The fact is Rye and Town had great TEAM seasons. Just because they played well as a team, does not mean they deserve more/less AAs. AA is for outstanding individual performance. Granelli should be on the list. I can't suggest who should be removed, but, he was one of the top individual performers this year.
Fact of the matter is they are all deserving and represent our Section well. When a 'Cuse Recruit doesn't make AA in your Section, the talent pool is a getting bigger!
Sec 1 Lax fan, read the blog. It says helps younger kids after practice. I take that to mean that he's working with and leading the younger players so that they can contribute down the stretch.
Who do you take off the list? Rhetorical question…
We'll see who takes care of their post season business. I believe that this award should be done as late in the season as possible. What if Kinger steps up and smashes JJ? Granelli dominates throughout the state tourney? Keough shuts big time LI guys down? Maybe someone falls apart… Playoffs would tell another big piece to this one.
I agree that Donald keough is the best long pole in the section. His athletic ability and stick skills qualify him to be an All American. Good thing he is a junior, because he will have another season to prove his skill.
Class C – same deal – who cares from an individual performance perspective if he helps younger players after practice – that should not influence if he makes AA. I think it is great he does that and that's why he is one of the captains. Someone else brought up other sports he plays, again, who cares?
I personally think he is great and played a critical role in Rye's (so far) dream season. I just get concerned when we bring in the off-the-field stuff which is subjective at best and irrelevant for this discussion.
I believe AA is one place where quality of competition should factor in as JJ went up against some heavy competition out of section and Granelli was a beast.
Question guys .If you are nominated for all section and not make it can you still be considered for all league?
Laxer 6 – Yeah, all-league is a lower honor than all-section, so a kid could be all-league player but not make all-section.
Laxwatcher
If you are nominated for all section and not make and not nominated for all league who decides all league
All league selections are made by the coach of each team. Each team is given a number of all league selections and the coach can then pick whoever he wants. All section and all section honorable mention requires coaches to first nominate a player (or players) then all the coaches in that league will vote to see who gets them. Each league is given a set amount of All section and all section honorable mentions.
when are all section and all league announced
The selections have been made
Coaches can announce whenever they want. Awards dinner is June 19.
Correct. The coaches will be typing in all the names and forwarding it to me once it is complete. When I have it, you'll have it.
this year all-league and all-section are exactly the same. section1 has 60 spots for all-league and all-section and to get all-section you must get all league. section 1 decided to give 30 players both honors, so all-league is exactly the same as all-section
lax?
huh?
not quite… there are tons of leagues but only 1 section – our school (better not say which) had several all leaguers, but only 1 all sectioner and 2 honorable mentions (if these are nouns…)
I'm not sure if those numbers are accurate but what he means is that there are 60 spots total, 30 will be all league AND all section, and 30 will be just all-league.
Those 30 all sections includes honorable mentions I'm assuming.
Joe can you tell me the awards given and what each one is. Is AA better than Section and Section better than League? As I try to decipher the facts from the crying in the blogs I am trying to learn what each award is. Thanks.
Joe
when are all section and all league coming out?
Section was actually eligible for 9 AA and Tyler Granelli has been added to the list of All-Americans in section 1
congratulations to tyler and all the other AA's
good luck next year and beyond
Joe:
never doubt the Bear
According to the JJ website this is true, congratulations to the 9 AAs and to Tyler, I really thought he deserved it so I'm happy.