The McCallie lacrosse team enters the 2015 season with high expectations. Especially after Lacrosse Magazine recently listed the Blue Tornado as one of the top 10 teams in the South.
McCallie is listed No. 4 on the magazine’s ranking of southern prep teams and has this to say about this year’s squad:
“The Blue Tornado (18-5) are loaded this season and expect to make a run at the state title that narrowly escaped them last year. Among the nine returning starters are top scorers Braiden Davis (45 goals, 14 assists) and Tyler Wilks (33 goals, 36 assists) and goalkeeper Tate Boyce (4.80 GAA) — not to mention the three standout transfers McCallie added.”
Lake Highland Prep in Florida leads the list.
The Highlanders have won three Florida state titles in four years. No. 2 is Episcopal School in Dallas followed by Charlotte Latin of North Carolina.
Memphis University School is No. 5 and is the only other team from Tennessee in the top 10. McCallie and MUS are scheduled to face off March 21 in Memphis.
“We are a mature team,” says Head Coach Troy Kemp, entering his 23rd year directing the McCallie program. “We expect to make it to the championship. We are seasoned and have been to the semifinals and the finals. This is the year for us to turn the corner.
“This is probably the toughest schedule we’ve had since I’ve been here. This is the hottest fire we have been in, but we will use it as a process to get the team to where it needs to be. The key will be if our newcomers and returning players can bond quickly.”
In addition to the three players mentioned by Lacrosse Magazine, the Blue Tornado has several key returning members including seniors Paul Silverblatt, Zach Stephenson, Sam Viscomi, Drew Lukacs, Blake Center, Ryan McRae, Patrick Way, Jake Adams and Hayden Brown. Juniors and sophomores also figuring into the rotation are Jeff Durden, Nick Najjar, Charles Dumas and Sage Reith as well as team newcomers Zach Hutchko, Mick Upchurch and Dalton Kirby.
The Blue Tornado, which advanced to the State Championship game last season, opens its season March 7 at home with a 3:00 pm match versus Knoxville West.