May 30, 1997|By Lem Satterfield
Player of The Year
John Glatzel, Boys' Latin, senior, defense: In a league considered to be the nation's best, it's difficult to play perfectly -- unless you're defender John Glatzel. "Looking back, I don't think he had one bad game," coach Bob Shriver said of the 6-foot, 180-pounder who is a high school All-American headed for Syracuse. "None of the top scorers in the league ever scored a goal against him one-on-one." Glatzel anchored a Lakers squad that allowed on average just over four goals during the regular season -- believed to be a school record. He was known for intercepting passes, mobility that allowed him to shadow any player and either running with the ball or passing it to key a counter-attack or transition. "He's just a tremendous defender -- a great take-away guy -- and he picks off passes like no one I've ever seen," said Loyola coach Joe McFadden, whose No. 2-ranked Dons were tournament runners-up to Boys' Latin. "He's already playing beyond the players on this level." St. Paul's Conor Gill, the league's top scorer with a single-season school record of 93 points, had just two assists with Glatzel on him. In a 13-4 victory over Calvert Hall, Glatzel (one goal, two assists) out-scored the Cardinals' top scorer, Tom Tamberrino. A legitimate check to Dons top scorer Chris Malone during the title game thwarted a Loyola rally. "He picks his spots wisely. His checks are always clean, timely and right on the money," said St. Paul's coach Rick Brocato. Glatzel, who had a goal and three assists this year, is an honor roll student, dean's list honoree and senior class secretary.
Coach of the Year
Brien McMurray, Chesapeake-Anne Arundel: With his no-nonsense ap proach, McMurray has transformed the Cougars in three short seasons from also-rans to Anne Arundel County champion. The Cougars had not had a winning season since 1988 (10-5) when, in 1996, McMurray, a focused physical education instructor at Chesapeake Bay Middle School, led them to a 9-7 record in his second season. They were 12-4 this spring. Chesapeake knocked off Class 3A-4A state champion Broadneck twice this season -- 10-9 in overtime during the regular season and 11-10 in the county championship game. "Our kids made a commitment to become better lacrosse players by hitting the weight room, going to summer camps -- all the little things it takes," said McMurray, an assistant coach at Severna Park and Broadneck whose first Chesapeake team was 5-7. A 20-year assistant in football and lacrosse in the county, McMurray and his Cougars came within one of the school record for victories set in 1987 (13-3) under then-coach Frank Murray. Faced with as tough a start as any team in the metro area with games against perennial powers C. Milton Wright of Harford County, Severna Park, Annapolis and Broadneck, the Cougars defeated the latter two after an 0-2 start, with a win over Queen Anne's sandwiched in between. Queen Anne's would later stun Annapolis in the playoffs.
The first team
Keith Baker, Gilman, senior, midfield: The Georgetown-bound Baker was one of only three seniors who were regular starters for the No. 3-ranked Greyhounds. In addition to scoring 25 goals with 11 assists, Baker unselfishly did the dirty work of getting ground balls and being the team's general workhorse. "He was solid all year and stepped up in big games," said coach John Tucker.
Adam Borcz, Calvert Hall, senior, midfield: Borcz, headed for Navy, was the Cardinals' top goal-scorer, with 32, plus nine assists. He was, perhaps, the team's best pure shooter. In the semifinal loss to Boys' Latin, he scored Calvert Hall's first three goals -- the first after sprinting more than 45 yards -- to give the Cardinals a one-goal lead each time. Borcz scored three goals and had one assist in each of the victories over St. Paul's and Gilman.
Kyle Campbell, Mount Hebron, junior, attack: He established school records for goals (74) and assists (37), including five goals in the Vikings' memorable 9-8 overtime victory against then No. 2-ranked Calvert Hall, four goals and an assist in the 9-8 overtime state-title-game loss to Broadneck, and six goals in a rout of Oakland Mills. "Kyle will dump the ball. He's an unselfish player," said first-year coach Jeff Doolan. Campbell, who is ambidextrous, was selected by the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Association as an All-American.
Beret Dickson, Calvert Hall, senior, goal: Dickson, headed for Brown Uni versity, had 256 saves compared to allowing 107 goals, coming through best in 10-9 victories over Gilman (22 saves) and St. Mary's (19). "He does a lot of things for them," said Boys' Latin coach Bob Shriver, who saw Dickson make 61 saves in his team's three games with Calvert Hall. "He'd come out of the goal and get the ground balls, made great clears, and helped their offense with his outlet passes." Dickson was the second-highest vote-getter on the coaches' All-Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A team.
