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It was another great year of South Jersey scholastic boys lacrosse. Ocean City and Shawnee ended their seasons in state championship games. Four other teams, St. Augustine, Haddonfield, Shawnee and Washington Township played in South Jersey championships or state semifinals.
There was also an astounding array of great individual performances. With that in mind, we take a final look back at the very best South Jersey player, coach and team of the year. McAneney never had fewer than 80 points, 50 goals or 28 assists.
Player of the Year
Tommy McAneney, Shawnee
The scouting report is inadequate. Nothing can accurately replicate what it's like when the blue No. 7 jersey and barber pole taped shaft of Tommy McAneney gets the ball on his stick. The Shawnee senior haunted opposing defenses across South Jersey and the state for four seasons.
McAneney closed out his senior year with career bests of 77 goals and 57 assists, for his second 100-plus point season. In four years, he never posted fewer than 80 points, 50 goals or 28 assists. Numbers like that tend to add up quickly.
McAneney set Shawnee school records in every offensive category with 249 goals, 172 assists and an unprecedented 421 points.
McAneney made life miserable for defenses because of his unmatched field sense and anticipation. With a deadly accurate shot and a more dangerous feel for where his teammates were at any moment, every possession was a potential goal.
With all of his talents, the three-time USA Lacrosse All-American's greatest skill came at deflection.
When praised or asked to explain for his performance after a gem, McAneney muttered a curt 'thanks' then immediately began singing the praises of players like his four-year running mate Tyler Rotkowitz or future Duke University teammate Brett Lundberg.
The get an accurate account of McAneney's exploits it was necessary to ask a teammate, coach or opponent.
For setting an example of excellence across South Jersey for qualities above and beyond his unmatched offensive talents, McAneney has earned the title Courier-Post 2026 Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year.
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Coach of the Year
Don Green and Joe LaTorre led their teams to South Jersey titles and state championship games. JC Valore, Damon Legato, Josh Hanlon and Brian Cary guided their schools to the state semifinal round and South Group title games.
That's just the short list for South Jersey Coach of the Year.
At Ocean City, the journey to the final day of the season began in an athletic director's office crafting a schedule worthy of a state championship contender. The Red Raiders challenged programs like Group 3 state champion Summit, Ridge, Christian Brothers, Southern and St. Augustine.
While there was a price to pay in the win-loss record, there were few teams better prepared for the rigors of the post season than OC. Even a Cape-Atlantic League championship game loss to Mainland ultimately paid dividends.
Ocean City swept through the South Group 2 playoffs, outscoring opponents by a 49-11 margin to earn the South Group 3 title and a state final berth against North champion Sparta. The season ended with a 9-5 loss.
For leading his Red Raiders through a mine field of a schedule and emerging undeterred and prepared to challenge for a state championship, Ocean City's Joe LaTorre has earned the title Courier-Post 2026 Boys Lacrosse Coach of the Year.
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Team of the Year
The standard starts high deep in the woods of Richland. The boys lacrosse program at St. Augustine Prep has no league title to play for, so the Hermits automatically aim higher.
The Hermits and coach JC Valore designed a schedule to establish St. Augustine as the state's top team. The Hermits played the top team from four different states, plus a murderers' row of the Garden State's best to prepare for a state championship run.
St. Augustine finished the season with a 16-3 record. Despite a regular season wins over Seton Hall Prep and eventual NJSIAA Non-Public champion Delbarton, the Hermits were seeded fourth in the tournament, making a semifinal trip to Seton Hall.
For setting and maintaining a standard for all of South Jersey to aspire to, St. Augustine is the Courier-Post 2026 Team of the Year.
Final Courier-Post South Jersey Boys Lacrosse Top 10
1. St. Augustine (16-3)
2. Shawnee (16-5)
3. Ocean City (16-7)
4. Washington Township (18-4)
5. Haddonfield (13-6)
6. Moorestown (11-9)
7. Kingsway (14-5)
8. Mainland (14-9)
9. Cherokee (13-8)
10. Paul VI (15-4)
Tom Rimback grew up reading the Burlington County Times and Courier Post sports sections and began writing for the BCT in 1996. He has covered everything from Super Bowls and Final Fours to Tri-County Swimming but he’s happiest on a sideline interviewing South Jersey scholastic athletes. Follow him on twitter @Rimbacksports. Email him with story ideas at [email protected] and, most importantly, support local journalism with a subscription to the Courier-Post.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Honoring the best from South Jersey boys lacrosse for the 2026 season
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