With a fresh season on field, the Malden High School’s boys varsity lacrosse team throws it back with commitment and raw talent. Although the season has only just started, these boys have been working hard since the beginning, as their ambition sets them up for the successful season.
Junior captain Andy Tham describes how “[their] biggest goal this season is to definitely make it into the playoffs, especially this year because [they] were so close last year. If [they] don’t make it into the playoffs, another goal is to improve [their] record and make a new name for [themselves] in Malden High.”
As they progress, the players look forward to improving their skill and obtaining a lot of fun through this year’s lacrosse team. “The Varsity versus JV scrimmage is the main tradition I’m looking forward to because it shows how much the entire team has grown together and play against each other as brothers” concludes Tham. “I’m looking forward to the team’s unification. I love it when our team wins games, but it comes down to how well of a team we are. Nothing is better than being on the field, and seeing the progress and work we put in against other teams. Seeing the guys perform the best they can, is the best sight for any captain” adds senior captain Calvin Woo. Senior captain Hamza Mena expresses how “[they] have had many promising athletes graduate which has definitely taken a toll on the team, however [they] are still a team full of talent and skill that is more than capable of giving [them] a winning record.”
Although the players admit that they have gotten off to a rough start, they are ready to control their mind set on making the playoffs and improving both individually and as a team. “As of now, it’s going rough, coming off of two losses hurt after having high hopes that we were going to start well” says junior Milton Varanda. Senior Ralf Jean also admits how “it’s been tough to start so far because [they] haven’t been 100%, but it’s always hard in the beginning. Soon [they] will get back into the flow of things.”
“We’re working on it” announces Woo. “It takes time for a team to become cohesively as one. We’ve been giving great effort on the field.”
Captains Tham and Woo have been committed to setting up the team for success. “As a captain, you become the connection between players and the coach. Coach gives the drills and tells us what to do, but captains are the ones that need to work the hardest, because your peers will mimic your actions, if one slacks off, we all do the same. Players look up to you because the title of a captain isn’t just given” claims Woo. Tham explains one of the most important aspects of the team in order to be successful and make wins. “Growing the team bond and pushing each other to compete against one another, this is understanding the importance of being a team and the commitment that comes with it.”
Attributes gained this year have made it so far stand out from last years team. “Our guys this year are a bit more confident. We try to be as aggressive as possible and win lacrosse games, this year we have most of the defense and that experience will help the younger guys learn from the veterans” says Jean. “Compared to last year, this year we’re harder on ourselves to improve after starting shaky” admits Varanda. The team has made it close to playoffs last year, so they are working hard to achieve that same goal. “One thing at a time” says Woo.
As for coach Maney, the players depend on him for victory, and look up to him for leadership. Maney constantly reminds them that the game is simple, and that they shouldn’t over complicate it. He helps by reminding them to get used to doing something uncomfortable during practice or a game. “Simplicity is key” says Varanda. “My coach is the man, he never panics in tough situations and as players we tend to feed off of that so I think he will lead us in the right path the rest of the way” adds Jean. Mena tells how “[their] coach will carry [the] team through all obstacles and adversity [they] face throughout the season. In spite of any hardship [they] may perhaps confront, [he] [is] more than sure that [the] coaches charismatic character will eliminate any potential doubts we may have.” Woo concludes by adding that “coach will instruct us of how to play the game, teach us what we need to do, and prevents habits that aren’t for the game. He said himself that he will never play a single game, it’s on the team. We need to carry us. We are the ones fighting for the win each and every single time.”
Coach Brenden Maney indicates how “Each year is unique. Not simply because you graduate as seniors and you bring up new players from the JV and new players try out, what’s unique about it, is them. They are actually in the process of creating their character right now as we speak. It’s about a little short of half way through the season, and we won’t know who they are until the end of May. It’s a younger group of students than traditionally a lot of the players on the team, who are sophomores and juniors. We have a few seniors but most of the team makes up juniors so that makes us unique. All in all, it’s unique because each team has its own individual character.”
Maney lectures about the main goal this season, and prior seasons, are. “The goal remains the same every year. It’s always to introduce someone the sport of lacrosse who’s never played before.” He also adds that he feels it is his job “to give back to the lacrosse community because someone taught [him] how to play and it’s a small club that is growing each and every year…[he] felt the responsibility… to give it back to the next generation of players.” Beyond that, Maney hopes the players learn that winning and losing is inconsequential.
He feels as though being apart of a team means to sacrifice what’s best for you and what’s best for all. “Commitment and sacrifice, and with many things, is showing up every day and putting effort in. That’s a lot about what life is. That’s what I learned: any success I’ve ever had is because I put effort in and I showed up, not necessarily because I was the best at it, or because I knew what I was doing when I got there, but because I kept showing up and I kept putting effort in. I made mistakes along the way but people showed me how to correct them.”
Maney suggests that any sport is like a “microcosm of life. Some of the best lessons you’ll learn, or some of the best lessons I’ve learned, are in defeat not victory. It’s easy to win, and it’s difficult to lose, so when things are at their worst, can you be at your best?”
