The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Saline wants more of same in 2008
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 20, 2008
In one sense, 2007 might have been the end of an era for the young Saline lacrosse program as the Hornets graduated their first four-year class and coach John Phillips resigned at season's end.
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But former Phillips assistant and now first-year head coach John Harris believes 2007 was just the beginning.
The Hornets finished the regular season undefeated and advanced to a regional final in their first year of Division 1 lacrosse, and while Harris isn't expecting to go undefeated again, he doesn't believe Saline is about to take a step back, either.
"We've got some holes that have to be filled, but we've also got players who are eager to step up and do that," Harris said. "One of our pre-season goals is to get back to that regional final and we've got a schedule that's going to definitely prepare us for the playoffs."
The Hornets' schedule promises to be the most challenging in the program's history, starting with a scrimmage against Division 2 power Detroit Country Day 1 p.m. Saturday. Saline will officially open its regular season with its first-ever match at Ann Arbor Pioneer Tuesday at 7 p.m. and also will face Farmington, Bloomfield Lahser, Northville and other top-quality programs.
"We're going to know much quicker this season where we stand," Harris said. "Top programs are anxious and excited to play us and we're very happy about that.
"People know Saline lacrosse now, they know that we're going to give a solid effort and compete every time."
The Hornets' efforts to survive the grueling campaign will start with senior captains Scott Harris, the team's leading scorer in 2007 and the program's first Division 1 commitment, and midfielder Nick Schineman.
But despite the loss of leading all-time scorer Grant Phillips, Harris won't be alone up front, thanks to returning players like Shane Jay-Garfein, who scored the game-winner in the Hornets' playoff victory over Ann Arbor Huron, and Bobby Bianchi.
"We've got a good corps of returning attackmen. They can all handle the ball and can score," Harris said. "Our scoring production should be well-distributed."
In defense, Dan Stevens will be missed, but Brad Perino, Mike Lahaszhow, Brad Crimmons and others should help hold the fort down.
"Defensively, our longsticks have a lot of experience and they've looked great, so far," Harris said.
Elsewhere, things are less settled, including at goalie, where Harris said it's a "wide-open race" between three "very good" candidates to replace the departed Kevin Borst in net.
Harris is also looking for help for Schineman in midfield.
"The question marks are in the middle, but we've got a lot of guys who are ready to step up," he said. "There's a lot of guys who are going to have the opportunity to contribute."
The long winter hasn't helped the Hornets' early-season practice efforts. Harris said that the team recently scraped away 6 inches of snow from "40 to 45 yards on the football field" for practice space and that time has been spent indoors, as well.
But Harris isn't about to look for excuses for his team, either.
"We've been trying to get outside as quick as we can, but we've emphasized that everyone has been in the same situation," he said. "We just have to take advantage of what we have."
Harris is also upbeat about other positive developments for the program, including the return of Saline's junior varsity team.
"We're really happy about that," he said. "They're playing just as competitive a schedule as the varsity and it's going to help us when they reach that next level."
Equally as important for the future will be continuing to build on the boost provided by the big season last year.
"It's a huge advantage," Harris said of 2007. "To get that deep into the playoffs and compete with and beat top-caliber teams like that gives us a lot of confidence and belief in ourselves."
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