Boys' Latin's Bob Shriver (left), with athletic director Mike Thomas, is beginning his 29th year as the Lakers' head coach.
by Lem Satterfield
(See video interview below)Coach Bob Shriver enters this, his 29th year as head coach looking to guide Boys' Latin to a possible 13th title-game berth, as well as possible sixth league crown, having finished as Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference runners-up following last year's 18-2 mark.
Below is a glance at the Lakers' squad, which will leave on Friday for a trip to Florida and games against two programs from that state, as well as one from Texas.
SCHOOL:Boys' Latin
COACH: Bob Shriver, 33rd season overall, 29th as head coach (474 career wins, five league championships)
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 18-2 Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference runners-up
TOP RETURNERS: Charlie McComas, defense, Sr. (Head for North Carolina); Mark Feild, midfield, Sr. (Princeton);
Tom Thibeault, midfield, Sr. (Bucknell); John Davis, midfield, Sr. (Primarily faceoffs); Justin Radebaugh, midfield, Sr. (UMBC);
Aaron Verardi, defense, Sr. (UMBC); D.J. Rickels, attack, Sr. (McDaniel); Eric Smith, attack, Sr. (Ohio State); Matt Andes, midfield, Sr. (Randolph Macon); Jack Rice, attack, Jr.; Brad Weiss, midfield, Jr.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Christian Walsh, attack, Jr.; Patrick Foster, attack, Soph; Michael Kantz, defense, Soph.
SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lakers have a number of new faces, said Shriver.
"Kids who have played but not at key
moments other than Feild, McComas, Thibeault and our two faceoff guys," said Shriver.
"Rickels and
Smith played plently last year, but their roles will expand," Shriver added.
The Lakers' defense returns only two of its top eight defensemen, "and that included the graduation of three poles --guys
who played in the middle of the field."
In the goal, Shriver will have a contest between seniors Adam Scharff, who is headed for Bates College, and Eric Tillman, who will walk on to play at Loyola.