Legislative Resolution Honors Garden City Lax Champs

To recognize the Garden City boys lacrosse team and its coaches on capturing their fifth New York State Class B championship, the New York State Senate adopted a legislative resolution June 19.

In part, the resolution reads:

"LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Garden City Boys Lacrosse Team and Coach Steve Finnell upon the occasion of capturing their fifth New York State Class B Championship along with their superb National No. 1 ranking..."

The boys went undefeated on the season, besting Irondequoit 11-4 to take home their fifth state New York State Class B championship. 2012 also marked the team's third straight Long Island championship and seventh straight Nassau County Class B title.

The boys also attained another major milestone this year: earning a No. 1 ranking among all high schools throughout the United States.

Coach Finnell, head coach for the past six seasons, says he and the staff are proud of the team, especially the seniors who had played in the state finals the two previous years and showed great determination in returning to the state finals for a third year.

"Behind the senior leadership the team was able to win our elusive 5th state title," he said.

The resolution goes on to read, in part:

"The hallmarks of the Garden City Boys Lacrosse Team, from the opening game of the season to participation in the championship, were a brotherhood of athletic ability, of good sportsmanship, of honor and of scholarship, demonstrating that these team players are second to none; and

"WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the team members have proven themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favorably on their school; and

"WHEREAS, Coach Steve Finnell and Assistant Coaches Dave Ettinger and Joe Jacovina have done a superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring the team members toward their goals; and

"WHEREAS Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and accomplishment, and Coach Steve Finnell and the outstanding athletes on the Garden City Boys Lacrosse Team have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school..."

The resolution included the name of each Garden City varsity lacrosse team player, Coach Steve Finnell, Assistant Coaches Dave Ettinger and Joe Jacovina and Athletic Director Nancy Kalafus:

Justin Guterding

Devin Dwyer

Liam Kennedy

Lucas Clay

Anton Dobrolezhin

Dan Marino

Cody George

Jack Worstell

Rob Savage

Ryan Norton

Brian Badgett

Mike Comiskey

Ed Blatz

P.J. McGovern

Kiernan Byrnes

Conor McDonnell

Thomas Holbrook

Connor Marrone

Jack Metzler

Mike Lofrese

Brian Defliese

Mark Ellis

Skye MacLeod

Matt Schmelzinger

Patric Berkery

Eugene Berkery

Chris Harder

Matt Leto

James Sullivan

Scott D'Antonio

Elias Georgas

Tim McDonagh

Sean Digan

Connor Byrnes

Pat Niebler

Andre Stone

Tom Wright

Matt Ventre

Matt Borges

Dan Dolan

Pat Finneran

Kyle Skramko

Matt Cortese