It's amazing what a difference a year and a little experience can make in a team.
Consider the Hazelwood Central boys lacrosse team. Last year, a green Hawks squad was beating on the door. This year it's knocking the door down.
The Hawks, who posted a 6-7 league mark in 2010, when they just missed the playoffs, are 11-3 overall and 11-0 in the American Conference heading into their Thursday game against Marquette.
"The big thing is the offense has been a lot more successful then it was last year," Central coach Brian Livingston said. "We scored in double digits in one game last year, and this year we've scored in double digits in seven games with two games left."
Senior Kasey Wade has led the way. An attacker, Wade has scored 37 goals and added 18 assists for 55 points, which put him tied for second with Eureka's Matt Ward in the metro area through Monday's play.
"Our offense goes through him all the time," Livingston said. "He's our No. 1 attacker. He and (junior attacker) Andy Thomas (35 goals, fifth in area) have worked well together."
The Hawks have also gotten great production from Joey Mirth. The senior midfielder has scored 28 goals and added 10 assists.
"He's real good, too," said Livingston of Mirth, the third brother from the Mirth family to play lacrosse at Central. "He played attacker last year. This year I moved him to midfield to balance the field."
On defense, senior Bryce Woods and goalkeeper Mason Goodwin have been key.
"He's doing a real good job in the cage," Livingston said of Goodwin. "He's got one shutout on the season. He has got a 60-percent save percentage. You shoot for the 50s, so he's on track."
Senior Scott Miller has excelled on faceoffs.
"We were on the fringe of being good last year and couldn't get it together," Livingston said. "This year, eight of our 10 starters are seniors, which has made a big difference."
The Hawks will open the playoffs at home on May 20. They hope to play Fort Zumwalt West, which knocked Central out of the playoffs in 2009.
"(Kasey) is keeping the guys motivated," Livingston said. "He's saying, ‘if we do face them again, we're not getting knocked out by them again.' "
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The Hazelwood West girls lacrosse team also is on a roll. After a 1-4 start, the Wildcats had won 11 straight through Monday and will be in the playoffs.
The Wildcats have been led offensively by Brittany Monroe (38 goals, nine assists), Lia Hanenburg (32 goals, 12 assists), Krysta Swalley (28 goals, four assists) and Rianne Holzmeyer (19 goals, two assists).
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Ritenour baseball player Glennon O'Leary had a solid effort during the week of May 1-7. He went 8 for 11 with two doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs. He also threw a 1-0 complete game and had a three-run walkoff home run in the same game.
