WSL Texas Boys Player of the Year

By James Joseph
WSL Senior Features Writer

Highland Park senior defenseman Chris Hipps was a marquee attraction during the 2010 season.

“I can’t tell you how many people, having watched him play, tell me, ‘Hey, there’s times I come to your games just to watch Chris play or have my kids watch him play,’” Highland Park head coach Derek Thomson said.

There was plenty to watch.

An imposing and dominating force, Hipps led Highland Park to its third straight state championship by playing lock-down defense, inhaling ground balls, sparking the Fighting Scots’ transition game and helping them win possession with his work coming off the wing on faceoffs.

In short, even without scoring tons of goals (he had nine, with two assists), he controlled games.

A U.S. Lacrosse High School All-American who will play for Duke next season, Hipps is WSL’s 2010 Texas Boys Player of the Year.

“As a defenseman, he impacts the game more than any defenseman in my 15 years coaching in Texas,” Thomson said. “Not just him shutting down a team’s top offensive threat. It’s, hey, once the ball gets down, even if he’s away from the ball, he finds a way to pick it up. He’s the best I’ve seen in terms of getting a ground ball and transitioning from defense to offense. … Everyone game plans for Chris. And I don’t think you say that too often about a defenseman.”

Hipps combines a prototypical frame (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) with what Thomson called an “ultra-competitive” nature and freakish athleticism. Hipps was an all-area receiver for Highland Park’s football team, making 86 catches – most in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Duke asked him to play football in addition to lacrosse.

At least right now, however, Hipps will concentrate on lacrosse. And bring the Blue Devils a marquee attraction and talent.

“I have a feeling he’s going to make a major impact at the next level,” Thomson said.