Boys Lacrosse Team Looking for a Turnaround Season

It was not a defining season last year for the Huron Valley boys lacrosse team, composed of players from both Lakeland and Milford high schools. But a focus on leadership and fundamentals could help the Titans improve upon last year's 7-11 regular season record. 

Huron Valley will be led by seniors Eric Tamm and Evan Ronayne, both Lakeland students. Tamm is an attacker who has played extremely well in the second halves of the past two seasons. Ronayne is a top defenseman who will be counted on to lead a young back line. 

Head coach Greg Ristau is confident that both Tamm and Ronayne will provide the leadership that last year’s team was lacking at times. 

“We did play better at the end of last season and won our first-round game,” said Ristau, whose team fell in the second round of the state playoffs to a ranked Birmingham Brother Rice team. “I think we will be entering this season thinking that we can win every game.” 

Yet the Titans may still have an uphill battle within the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association. Teams such as Brighton and Hartland are expected to return strong teams. Howell, Walled Lake Central, Walled Lake Northern and a combined Waterford team comprise the rest of the KLAA Lakes Conference. 

“You typically will see some of the private school teams have some of the better teams (in the area), but the level of competition we see keeps getting better,” Ristau said. “There are more (feeder programs) that allow players to be more experienced in the fundamentals of lacrosse coming in to high school.” 

Yet not all of the middle school lacrosse players from the Huron Valley School District will go to Lakeland or Milford. Several from last year alone attended such schools as Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Redford Catholic Central.  

In fact, the improved level of  competition is why Huron Valley has changed some of its strategy in an attempt to score more goals and be more consistent, Tamm said. 

“Right now we’re focusing on the fundamentals of passing and catching and things like that which hurt us at times last year,” Tamm said. “Too many of our players were out of position at times last year. We put in some new plays, so I hope that will work for us.” 

One example was that defensive players would often help others as opponents attacked the Huron Valley goal. That double-teaming would leave opponents with wide-open opportunities. Players such as senior Gary Schell will be counted on to help secure the midfield position and prevent teammates from being out of place. 

“That’s why we have been focusing on basic positioning,” Tamm said. “We can’t afford to give up easy goals.” 

Another issue last year was a generally passive nature on the field, which needs to change, Ristau said. He is looking for a more aggressive offense that could feature such players as Milford junior Doyle Williams, who has shown the ability and willingness to push forward offensively in practice. 

“I hope that carries over to the games, because we do need to be more aggressive as a way to score goals,” Ristau said. “I tell the guys that there is a fine line between being a ball hog and creating scoring opportunities.” 

Huron Valley started its season last week with a 16-3 loss at home against Northville. They will take on Walled Lake Northern next on April 15.

“It’s going to be up to our seniors to lead this team and be more prepared,” Tamm said. “We have good talent now. We just need to perform.”