Redondo Union and Palos Verdes High Schools continued to be among the top lacrosse programs in the South Bay placing a combined 10 players to All-American and Academic teams for the 2018 season.
While St. Margaret’s Episcopal in San Juan Capistrano captured the LA/Orange County championship in both the boys and girls competitions, Palos Verdes also ranked among the top five teams in both divisions.
In girls competition, Redondo was led by All-American selections senior Alison Shafer, who was the Greater LA Area MVP, and junior Emma Hodges.
Shafer, who was also a 2017 All America, became targeted by the defense of opponents yet was able scored 85 points that included 43 goals and a team-leading 42 assists.
“I am humbled that all of the coaches in the area decided to vote for me for these awards,” Shafer said. “I went out on the field every game and played the best I could and I am happy that the coaches saw that. Lacrosse is a team sports though, so I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have without the support of my team on the field.”
Shafer will be a part-time coach at the Redondo Union lacrosse summer camp as well as giving private lessons to a few girls.
“I will not be continuing on to an NCAA Division team” Shafer explained. “I am on a pre-med track at Tulane University and I feel that my main focus should be on my studies. Tulane does however have a club lacrosse team that I will be looking into.”
Hodges, Redondo’s other All-American selection, scored 94 points with 53 goals and 41 assists.
Joining Hodges on the Greater LA first team were teammates Addison Bass, Lisa Diethelm and Brooke Tokushige.
Redondo (18-3) fell to St. Margaret’s 17-6 in the title game finishing 3rd in the LAX Power rankings and No. 2 in scoring with 14.86 goals per game, just behind St. Margaret’s (14.95).
Palos Verdes (13-5) finished 5th in the rankings and was led by All-Americans senior Zoe Puccia and junior Kelly Hoyt, whose sister Kendall was named to the Greater LA team.
Two girls from Peninsula High School earned Academic All-American honors as seniors Clara Deley and Sara Hata were noted for their scholastic accolades. Also named were Palos Verdes’ Ainsley Basic and Redondo’s Lisa Diethelm.
In boys competition, Palos Verdes placed 4th in the LAX Power rankings and No. 11 in scoring with 12.5 goals per game.
Sea King freshman Brad Sharp was named the Offensive Player of the Year in Greater LA joining teammate senior Kyle McBride on the All-American list.
McBride and teammates Beau Sabosky and Kyle McCann were selected to the Greater LA team as was Mira Costa’s Cole Garvey. Palos Verdes also had seniors Josh Park and Jack Nolls named to the Academic All-American team.
Mira Costa placed 18th in the rankings with senior Zach Horowitz earning Academic All-American honors.
