SJM_SpringAthletes_0424FINAL_Reg1 . qxp_Feature 4 / 26 / 24 12 : 16 PM Page 8 self scoring . I love how fast it is and how it’s SJM : How do you get ready for a big game ? a team game . It’s kind of like football , where CH : I have a lot of rituals — I like to keep everything the same everybody is so close and you’re kind of going CHASEHUGGARD and not throw myself off before a game . I listen to music and to war with the other team . get locked in . I’ll joke around with the guys , but 20 minutes E a s t e r n b o y s l a c r o s s e before the game I’m getting locked in and ready . SJM : You were part of a great season in basketball this year as well . Which sport is first for you ? SJM : Who’s the funniest guy on the team ? A junior attackman , Huggard has been a CH : I absolutely love basketball and I love the guys on that CH : Sam Zak always has a smile on his face and Thomas prolific playmaker for Eastern since his team , but I’m better at lacrosse and I have a bigger role on Keating knows how to make anybody freshman year , when he burst onto the this team . laugh at any time . Our team is scene with 32 goals and 16 assists . Last funny in general — we have a season , the St . John’s commit recorded 48 SJM : And you’re going to play lacrosse in college ? good dynamic . CH:Yes , at St . John’s . goals and 48 assists to help the Vikings reach the South Jersey , Group 4 final . SJM : What made you want to commit there ? CH : I loved the coaches when I got on campus . From the South Jersey Magazine : Last year was a memorable one start of the recruiting window , they were always reaching out for you and the team . Are you excited to build on that and checking in on me . I loved the campus , how it’s close to momentum ? the city but doesn’t feel like it’s in the city . Chase Huggard : Definitely . We return a lot of guys so it will be fun to see how far we can make it again . SJM : Do you think about last year’s sectional champi - onship a lot , coming up just short against Cherokee in a 10 - 9 loss ? CH : Oh yeah , and I feel like a lot of the guys do . It’s moti - vating us for this year . SJM : How did you first get into lacrosse ? CH : Funny story : I was 4 years old at my brother’s practice and a kid came off the field because he didn’t want to play . SJM : What do you like about So the parent asked me if I wanted to try the gear on and I going to school at Eastern ? did , and I ended up practicing with the older kids . I loved it CH : I love how diverse it is . It’s a big school and stayed with it . and I love getting to experience playing other SJM : What’s your favorite part of the game ? big schools . We get a loaded schedule every CH : I love passing and assisting because you have another year being in the Olympic Conference . As for person to celebrate with and you’re not just celebrating your - the school itself , I love all the teachers . with 56 hits as a junior . The speedy , on - base GIRLS LACROSSE machine is committed to North Carolina State . BellaCalvanese , Shawnee : Calvanese , a STAR WATCH senior , scored 41 goals and handed out 23 as - HannahWeismer , Kingsway:A junior in - sists last year to help the Renegades reach fielder who hits for average as well as power , their third straight sectional final and claim Weismer is a key piece of the lineup for one of their first title in that stretch . She will continue the premier teams in the state . her career at Sacred Heart . BOYS LACROSSE More Athletes We’re Keeping Our Eye On This Season EmmaGreer , Moorestown:This senior NathanBialy , Cherokee:A senior attack - forms a dangerous duo with junior Katie Bian - man , Bialy had a team - high 72 points ( 38 co on attack for a team with state champi - way players , contributing at both shortstop and goals , 34 assists ) as the Chiefs captured the BASEBALL onship aspirations.Greer , a Lafayette recruit , pitcher.After hitting . 372 as a junior , the Rut - first sectional title in program history last year . TateDeRias , Gloucester Catholic:A hard - scored 55 goals last year and recently netted gers commit has increased his power numbers throwing senior hurler , DeRias was unable to the 100th of her career . this spring . BlaiseColey , Haddonfield : Coley , a senior , pitch last year because of a sprained UCL but has finished with 35 goals each of the past two contributed at first base for the Non - Public B AveryRoberts , Clearview : Also a standout SOFTBALL seasons and helped the Bulldawgs reach the state champs . Now back to full health , he is volleyball player , Roberts totaled 92 points on SophiaBordi , Haddon Heights:Consid - sectional semifinals last spring . thriving as the Rams ’ ace and as a big bat in 51 goals and 41 assists as a junior and is ered one of the top players in the country , all the middle of the lineup . He is committed to leading the attack for Clearview this spring . Bordi has done in her first two seasons is lead ThomasMcAneney , Shawnee:McAneney Miami but could hear his name called in the the Garnets to a pair of state titles . The junior made quite the first impression last year as a MLB Draft . TatumWoods , Cherry Hill West : Still just a pitcher threw four perfect games in the playoffs freshman , scoring 52 goals , including one in junior , Woods has established herself as one of in 2023 on her way to state player of the year the Group 3 final as the Renegades won the BrettGable , Cherokee : Still just a junior , the most talented scorers in South Jersey . A honors.She is committed to Oklahoma , the first state championship in program history . He this left - handed pitcher compiled more than contributor at both midfield and attack , she three - time reigning national champion . has emerged as the team’s top offensive threat 50 strikeouts in each of his first two seasons entered this season with 137 career goals . this spring . and posted a 2.32 ERA in 45 1 / 3 innings last VioletMarta , Moorestown:A four - year year.He is committed to Virginia Tech . BOYS GOLF starter , this senior pitcher has a 1.75 career ColePitcher , Moorestown:Despite his BrianCotter , Cherry Hill East:A senior who ERA with more than 400 strikeouts , and she name , this senior has found a home on the GrantHunter , Lenape:A four - year varsity consistently shoots in the 30s during team has also more than 70 hits during her time lacrosse field rather than the baseball dia - player , this senior outfielder batted . 400 as a matches , Cotter tied for 10th last year at sec - with the Quakers . She will head to Drexel in the mond.He led the Quakers with 59 goals last junior with seven home runs and 24 RBIs . He tionals.He is committed to Drew University . fall . year as they reached the South Jersey , Group 3 will follow in his older brother Cade’s footsteps final , and was approaching 150 career goals and continue his career at Virginia Tech . JustinForman , Washington Township : LiseySt . Jean , Paul VI : St . Jean , a standout early in his senior season . He is a Monmouth Forman has been a name to watch on the high since her freshman year , has batted at least commit . LandonMack , Bishop Eustace:A three - year school golf scene since he was a freshman and . 565 every season of her career , including . 709 starter , Mack is one of South Jersey’s top two - is primed for a remarkable senior season . He SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 21 issue 1 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 43