Granby Memorial Boys Lax Routs Canton 14-1

The boys lacrosse team improved to 5-1 on the year with a 14-1 victory over Canton High Friday afternoon in Canton.

Zach Quinn led a balanced attack with two goals, while the following players each scored once for the Bears: David Gollenberg, Zach Brown, Ryan Kertanis, Gerry Maroney, Jesse Freedman, Jared Cooper, Jesse Parker, Ian Stevens, Dylan Ferriera, Austin Santopietro, Brendan Leonardi, Josh Ferriera.

“We’ve got a fine group of players,” Bears head coach Dave Emery said in a telephone interview. “Many of them played extensively for me as sophomores and struggled. They came on strong as juniors and now they are reaping the rewards as seniors. They’re athletic, fast and good competitors.””

Included in that group are returning all-conference attackman Freedman (who will most likely play next year at Springfield College), goalie Nick Burgio, top long-pole defender Ethan Lang (who is on his way to play at Western New England College), midfielders Zach Brown and Brendan Leonardi and attackman Gerry Maroney.

Despite being a talented, experienced bunch, Emery also said that for his team to challenge Avon and Somers for NCCC supremacy, it will have to curtail its bouts of impulsiveness.

“We need to work on settling down at times,” Emery said.

Still, when things break down, the Bears can also rely on Burgio, a terrific athlete who is an All-State hockey goalie and an excellent soccer player, to protect the cage.

“He’s just the complete package,” Emery said. “He’s an old-school competitor who doesn’t worry about who he’s playing. He just wants to play.”

And while the Bears’ lone loss this season was to Avon, Emery said that he believes that the Granby Memorial, along with Somers and the Falcons, will challenge for the conference title.

“We’re right in the mix of things,” Emery said. “I feel very good at this point of the season.”

Granby Memorial’s next two games will be challenges, as it is scheduled to face Tolland today at home at 11 a.m. and undefeated Somers on Tuesday, also at home, at 4 p.m.