While flashy goals often draw plenty of attention in boys lacrosse, few aspects of the game are more important than maintaining possession.
Generating turnovers are part of that equation, but winning the draw is often far more effective and thus makes having a standout faceoff specialist particularly valuable. Maranacook/Winthrop went 11-3 this season before falling to North Yarmouth Academy 11-7 in the Eastern Class B semifinals, and a big part of the Hawks’ success was a result of the play of senior Josh Murphy.
KENNEBEC JOURNAL/MORNING SENTINEL BOYS LACROSSE ALL STARS
GK: Elija Tuell, Messalonskee
D: Jake Truman, Gardiner
D: Levi Emery, Maranacook/Winthrop
D: Devin Pickett, Messalonskee
M: Josh Caldwell, Gardiner
M: Josh Murphy, Maranacook/Winthrop
M: Adrian Heath, Gardiner
M: Dylan Burton, Messalonskee
A: Denver Cram, Maranacook/Winthrop
A: Dylan Jones, Messalonskee
A: Connor Smith, Messalonskee
HONORABLE MENTION
Cony: Brett Sproul, Joel Bennett, Liam Stokes. Erskine: Trevor Browne. Gardiner: Chase Begin, Cam Bell, Wyatt Blair. Lawrence: Phil Gadway. Maranacook/Winthrop: Kyle Morand, Drew Davis, Peter Prescott, Ty Smith, Isaiah Weston. Messalonskee: Jack Bernatchez, Austin Pelletier, Will Weeks. Mt. Blue: Alex Gilbert. Oak Hill: Matty Martin, Kyle Flaherty, Alex Mace, Steven Gilbert, Matt Gilbert. Winslow: Jimmy Fowler, Nick Gurney
The recent graduate of Maranacook Community High School almost single-handedly assured extended possessions for his team this season, as he won 82 percent and a total of 266 faceoffs. He was also much more than just a specialist, though, as led the Hawks in ground balls with 187 and also had 17 goals and seven assists.
For his efforts, Murphy has been named the 2015 Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year. Messalonskee sophomore Connor Smith, as well as Gardiner seniors Jake Truman and Josh Caldwell were also considered for the honor.
“We were such a dynamic offense, but off the whistle we got four out of five tries compared to our opponents. (Murphy) was giving us that opportunity,” Maranacook/Winthrop coach Zach Stewart said. “Getting (the ball) back on offense is a very difficult thing and it all started with (Murphy).
“He has to be one of the best players in Maranacook/Winthrop history.”
Murphy was a solid player for the Hawks as a junior, but was used almost exclusively as a faceoff specialist. After the season, he dedicated himself to improving both his faceoff and field skills.
“I played pretty much year round from last year in to this year,” Murphy said.
Murphy credited playing for the MAINEiax travel lacrosse team in the offseason in helping him improve his overall game, but he also put the time in on his own as well. He said he worked on improving his hand speed and stick skills by doing drills he found on YouTube.
“I’d practice whenever I got a chance,” Murphy said. “If I couldn’t sleep at night, I’d just practice faceoffs.”
Murphy will look to continue to improve those skills at the next level as he intends to play collegiately at the University of Southern Maine. There, he will be reunited with former teammate Zach Bessette and his MAINEiax coach, Sam Lane, as well as a few former rivals in Gardiner graduates Seth Wing, Keegan Smith and Tyler Jamison.
“I’m really excited about it,” Murphy said. “Coach Lane was the coach on my travel team. I kind of already know him and it will be fun.”
Evan Crawley — 621-5640
ecrawley@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @Evan_Crawley
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