Howell lacrosse team powered by attackers

BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff Howell's Eric Feehan is checked by Toms RIver East's Luke Monte during a game in Howell on Friday. If this were hockey, Rob King, Brenden McCarthy and Mike Maccia would be called the High Octane Line.

The trio of attackers has powered the Howell High School lacrosse team to a 11-2 record this spring, turning the offense into one of the most potent in the Shore.

King leads all scorers in the Shore Conference with 43 goals and 25 assists. McCarthy ranks fifth with 30 goals and 16 assists, and Maccia has 26 goals and seven assists, which puts him near the top 10. That's 99 goals between them in just 13 games.

According to coach Derek Reichenbecher, what is unique about King, McCarthy and Maccia, who are all seniors, is the way they blend their unique talents.

"What has helped them has been that they all bring something a little different to our offense," he said. "Rob King is the best one-on-one player. Brenden McCarthy is our best pure shooter. Rob's ability to draw help defenders often leaves McCarthy open for the quick catch and shoot.

"Mike Maccia brings great effort to the offense," the coach added. "He is constantly moving. Most of his goals are in the crease. Once again, Rob's ability draw help often leaves King open in the crease. They have chemistry."

Their play doesn't start and stop in the offensive zone. They are two-way players who create many of their scoring chances by working hard in transition."

The High Octane Line has the Rebels flying high this year. Their only losses have been to the Shore's best teams, Christian Brothers Academy and Rumson-Fair Haven. Coming on the heels of last year's 13-7 team, the challenge of the '06 Rebels was to build on that, and they have. They are already assured of state and conference tournament berths, where Reichenbecher said the real success of this year's club will be determined.

"We avoided the letdown so far," said Reichenbecher. "We have talked all year about how we will be judged this year not on the regular season, but on the postseason."

The Rebels' focus is to get a second shot at the Colts and Bulldogs in the conference tournament.

"We know it won't be easy, but that is our motivation," Reichenbecher said.

Along with the offensive production (Eric Feehan with six goals and eight assists is among the leading scorers in the conference), the Rebels have gotten outstanding play in the cage from goalie Cody Turner. He ranks among the Shore's top goalies in save percentage (69.0).

Turner has had plenty of help in front of him with senior Bob Ennis, a four-year starter, assuming the role of defensive leader and bringing newcomers Ryan Loughlin and Keith Duffy turning the defense into a solid unit.

Steve Hering, a long-stick midfielder leads by the intensity he brings on defense.

Midfielders Feehan, Mike Krol, Rick Wood and Erik Jones, are superb two-way players. The are fast and have good ball-handling skills. They are the players who get in going in transition.

The Rebels wrap up their regular season today down at Southern Regional before starting tournament play next week.