The 13th Annual Father Marco Cup 4:00 4/29 De Smet Jesuit
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Part 1 St. Louis University High School Preview
Well it is finally that time of the year again in St. Louis. The 13th Annual Father Marco Cup will be played on Saturday at DeSmet. Which also means it its time for the third annual Father Marco Cup preview. Different from this year we will be interviewing players from both schools as in years past it has been head coaches.
The Jr. Bills come in ranked #4 in the state (12-4) and are currently on a 6 game win streak. After some tough spots early in the season the Jr. Bills look to be back to their old selves. We sat down with Will Perryman, Jimmy Tramelli, John Sansone, Nolan Corker, Pat Howley and senior goalie Joe L'Hommedieu to get a read on this weekend.
PS:After having a rough start to the season how have you guys been able to pull it together?
JL: All our troubles and successes this season have come down to chemistry and drive. We've always had most of the skill, but at the beginning of the season we weren't communicating well or coming out strong in games.
NC: I wouldn’t consider our start to the season really rough, I would describe it more as inconsistent. Over the past few weeks, we have started focusing more on the little things during practices and also holding each other accountable, especially the seniors. Our seniors are now showing leadership and the underclassmen are stepping up into much needed roles so we can play more consistent as a team. I think the remainder of this season we will definitely have challenges, but we will be able to push through them together.
WP: It has had a lot to do with working hard at practice, and certain people stepping into leadership roles. Our offense as a unit has been producing well, and I feel like we are going to peak.
PH: It's always hard when you lose a bunch of seniors and you have a whole new group of people to work with. It just takes time to learn more about your teammates and figure out how to play as one group.
PS: Most of you seniors are with Coach Gilbert for the second year do you feel more comfortbale with his system now?
NC: I feel a lot more comfortable this year with Coach Gilbert’s style of coaching and his game plans. Coach Seyer really didn't use as many picks and off ball movement, so last year was very difficult to adjust to the off ball movement that Coach Gilbert likes in his offense.
JL: I feel like Coaches system has had to change throughout the season. The team this year is completely different so we've required different styles of coaching, but it seems that coach has really hit a rhythm and we're all settling in.
PS: Will and Jimmy you guys are also having a great year filling in for the polar bear him self Patrick Broughton. Coach Gilbert does a great job of rotating you guys. What are some things you have focused on and how do you stay in your rythym?
WP: Basically, as a pair we have been keeping things really scrappy. We win face offs when we need to, and we do whatever we can to win the ball. All-in-all, so far this year we really have met any opponents that have been able to dominate either of us. We feed off of each other, and work as a team to exploit our opponents weaknesses. We know each others strengths, and we know when to apply those strengths.
JT: we see ourselves as more of a scrappy pair of face off guys because we can disturb the rhythm of our opponents out of our aggression we show at the x
PS: Joe you're having a great year and you had some big shoes to fill after the graduation of Jack Perryman, how have you handled the pressure?
JL: I just came into the season knowing I had a job to do and knowing I had to do that job just as well or better than Jack. I handle the pressure by knowing that my teammates rely on me to make the saves.
PS: Some of you are playing in your final Fr Marco Cup. What are some of your favorite memories of years past?
NC: Fr. Marco Cup is a special day of being able to spend it with all my teammates and of course Fr. Marco. It’s a great day when all 3 teams (Freshmen, JV & Varsity) get to play and support one another. My favorite memory was last year putting up three goals and an assist in a winning effort to keep the Jesuit Cup at SLUH.
JL: My favorite memory from the cup is last year. It was such a close game, and you could really feel the competition.
PH: The absolute highlight of the Father Marco Cup is the man himself. Fr. Marco has been very influential to me at my time at SLUH. The event represents exactly what Fr. Marco stands for, good sportsmanship and service to others. It is always a highlight of my lacrosse season.
PS: SLUH stands by a "Men for Others" motto. What do you do each day to live by this?
NC: As I am finishing the last few weeks of my senior year, the motto “Men for Others” rings truer than ever. The friends that I have made at SLUH are like brothers to me and I would do anything for them and know they would do the same for me. I’m fortune to have my health, friends and family – each day I think back to my senior project at Sherwood Elementary - I was able to make a difference by just lending a helping hand. So as I move into the next chapter of my life, I intend to help out where ever needed and continue our motto of “Men for Others”.
JL: I live by the motto each day by coming to practice ready to work hard for my team. Everything that motivates me is the teammates playing with me.
PH: As it relates to lacrosse, I try to work for the guys around me instead of my personal glory.
JT: Helping the guys around me both in school and on the field. When I see a younger guy at practice or in a game who looks lost or isn't doing something right, I try to talk to them personally and try to pump them up for the next rep or play in a game
JS: On the field I help the guys that don't get a lot of playing time to improve. Whether that means nicely notifying them or straight up yelling if the problem persists.
PS: Lastly what are your personal and team goals as we roll into May with playoffs just around the Corner?
JS: We aim to reach our full potential. We have a ton, but some of us get heady and lose control.
WP: I think our goal is to take each game as it comes to us, and win all the games we can. Hopefully, with this mentality we will end up in state, and bring the third championship back to the U. High.
PH: Having had to sit out the first half of the season, for me personally, I just want to continue to work each day to improve my game, as it relates to the team, I want to be back in that state championship game.
JT: Despite some of our tough losses this season, the team is still set in our goal of going all the way. We've been on a roll the past few weeks and we are looking to keep that going and keep the cup on Oakland.
NC: As we move into May with playoffs just around the corner, my personal and team goals are one in the same. I want us to be the best we can be and play to our fullest potential. We are in a good position right now, we have players returning from injuries, the younger players are stepping up with more confidence and overall the team is starting to gel as we head into our final four games. I know a lot people have doubted us this season and nothing motivates my teammates and me more than to prove them wrong and make it back to the state finals with a different outcome this year.
Huge thank you to all the boys for taking time out of their busy schedules to make this happen. Check back tomorrow for a sit down the De Smet Spartans.
