Blue Devil Lax Future on Field at Camp

The future of the Huntington High School lacrosse program was on the field during a recent summer camp sponsored by the Huntington Booster Club. Dozens of incoming second through ninth graders engaged in a variety of drills and scrimmage activities over a four day period.

Boys in grades 2-6 participated in daily sessions that ran from 4:15 to 8 p.m. Those in grades 7-9 trained in an advanced clinic from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m.

Veteran Blue Devil varsity head coach Paul McDermott coordinated the camp and taught the older players concepts involving team offense and team defense. Huntington physical education teacher and longtime lacrosse coach Eric Triolo worked with younger players, focusing on skills such as catching, dodging, shooting and scooping up ground balls.

“We had about 45 boys in attendance at the camp,” McDermott said. “We had fastest shot, longest shot and face-off contests. We ended each night with an instructional game. The players seemed to really enjoy themselves.”

Assisting McDermott and Triolo was former Blue Devil star Dan Plant, who recently completed his freshman year at Rutgers University, new Huntington alum Connor McCartney, who is headed to SUNY College at Brockport and incoming seniors Ben Kocis and Tom Plant.

The Huntington lacrosse program expects to be among the finest in Suffolk every season. The sport has always been popular in the community, which has seen many young players go on to become college stars. The Huntington Village Lacrosse Club has also helped create a pipeline of talent into the middle school and high school programs.

Huntington Booster Club officials hope participation in the summer boys’ lacrosse camp continues to grow. “This is a convenient summer camp experience for youngsters interested in advancing their lacrosse skills,” Booster Club President Timothy Pillion said. “We are already looking forward to next year’s camp.”