| AK | AZ | CO | IA | KS | MN | MT | NE | NV | OR | TX | WA |
| AR | CA | HI | ID | LA | MO | ND | NM | OK | SD | UT | WY |
WSL Featured Story
 |
WSL California Girls Player of the YearLos Alamitos Senior Attack Francie Crowell
|
WSL Features
WSL California Boys Player of the Year
Coronado Senior Long-Stick Middie Jonny Poe
By James Joseph
WSL Senior Features Writer
Defense wins championships, and senior long-stick middie Jonny Poe was the key cog in the defense that helped Coronado win the 2009 CIF-San Diego Section title and finish the season ranked No. 2 in the West.
The Islanders allowed just 95 goals in 23 games (4.1 per game) en route to the first section crown in school history and the top spot in WSL’s California Top 20. Coronado allowed an opponent to score more than eight goals just once, and it held its last 10 opponents to 36 combined goals.
The Washington College-bound Poe was all over the place in leading the Islanders’ defense, scooping up 113 ground balls and averaging four strips per game. He is WSL’s 2009 California Boys Player of the Year.
WSL Texas Girls Player of the Year
Hockaday School Senior Middie Taylor Thornton
By James Joseph
WSL Senior Features Writer
In 2009, Hockaday School had the always tough task of defending a state title.
Making matters even more difficult, the Daisies had to do it without the coach who guided them to the 2008 crown and a talented and large class of seniors that helped make it possible.
What Hockaday did have, however, was Taylor Thornton.
WSL Texas Boys Player of the Year
Highland Park Senior Attackman Kevin Fritts
By James Joseph
WSL Senior Features Writer
Highland Park Coach Derek Thomson often puts his players in competitive, game-like situations during practices – not only to keep things interesting but to see who reacts well under pressure.
“There are definitely some kids that want the ball in their stick with that competition or game on the line,” Thomson said.
Senior attackman Kevin Fritts was one of those players.
During the 2009 campaign, Fritts set the Highland Park single-season scoring record with 66 points on 45 goals and 21 assists. And WSL’s Texas Boys Player of the Year was at his best when it mattered most, leading the Fighting Scots to an 18-1 mark, their second straight state title and the No. 1 ranking in the Western United States.
WSL Arizona Girls Player of the Year
Pinnacle Senior Defender Jenni Littleton
By James JosephWSL Senior Features Writer
Pinnacle senior Jenni Littleton laughed a bit at her own answer because it seemed too obvious.
Asked what she does best as a defender, Littleton responded: “Stay between my girl and the goal.”
That task is far more difficult than Littleton made it sound. Yet she seemed to do it with ease. Throughout the 2009 season, Littleton was charged with marking the best player on the opposing team. And she invariably came through – especially in the playoffs – with lock-down performances.
WSL Arizona Boys Player of the Year
Chaparral Senior Attackman Andre Haglund
By James Joseph
WSL Senior Features Writer
Chaparral senior attackman Andre Haglund led Arizona Youth Lacrosse League Division I players in scoring with 55 points on 34 goals and 21 assists in 2009.
But it was Haglund’s emphasis on team play – not personal statistical accomplishment – that keyed the Firebirds’ run to their first state title since 2006.
“He really matured a lot this year as a player and really became what I would call the stabilizing force for our offense, which was something we desperately needed,” Chaparral Coach John Silkey said.
