Huntley High hosting region’s top lacross players for all-star game
Huntley High School will host Tuesday’s Northern Illinois Lacrosse Association’s All-Star Game that will feature some of the best boys varsity players from about a dozen area high schools.
“Top talent from this entire area will take the field for this game, which caps off the 2012 competitive season, and scouts from all over the region will be watching for future recruiting prospects,” said Tony Nigro, the Huntley Raiders Lacrosse Club president.
About 50 players — all nominated by their coaches — are expected to take part in the 7 p.m. contest.
The association represents about a dozen high schools that are sending their best to compete. They include Huntley, Jacobs, Cary-Grove and Prairie Ridge high schools — the top four teams in the NILAX league.
Todd Meyer, one of the five players representing Huntley High School, said it will be great to see all his friends and rivals on such a big stage.
“I actually had the opportunity to play in last year’s game, and it was a blast,” he said. “It was the first time we got to play under the lights. We actually got to play on a football field, and it was awesome.”
This marks the second consecutive year Huntley has hosted the all-star game. Last year’s match attracted between 300 and 400 spectators and college recruiters, said Cheryl Meyer, who runs the club’s publicity and is Todd’s mother.
The head coaches from the top four NILAX teams will be the game’s coaches. They include John Bigler of Jacobs, whose team was undefeated in the regular season, and Dylan Weber of Cary-Grove, which finished 12-5.
The assistant coaches will be Phil Ryan of Huntley, whose team finished 10-4-1 and Dana Neilsen of Prairie Ridge, which finished 7-5.
The game isn’t just for lacrosse junkies. There will be things to do for younger players and children who want to try their hand at lacrosse, such as a speed shot competition, a shooting accuracy contest and stations for kids that show them how to shoot and throw.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Tuesday. For more information on the league, visit nilaxleague.com.