Ray Enners, James Metzger Lacrosse Jerseys Retired

Half Hollow Hills High School East recently retired the jerseys of two outstanding lacrosse players and scholar-athletes from the 1960s and 1970s.

From the 1960s teams, the school honored Ray Enners, an outstanding high school and college player. From the 1970s teams, the school honored James C. Metzger, a collegiate All-American who is the founder and CEO of The Whitmore Group, a leading personal and commercial insurance brokerage firm in Garden City.

Beginning with the 2019 season, the Enners and Metzger banners will be showcased on the school’s "fence of honor" at every home game.

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Photo: James C. Metzger, right, receives his framed and now retired Half Hollow Hills East High School lacrosse jersey from Eric Geringswald, school director of the youth lacrosse program and school board trustee. Photo courtesy The Whitmore Group

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An officer in the United States Army, Lt. Raymond J. Enners was a champion high school and college lacrosse player. During his high school days, Enners was captain of the football, basketball and lacrosse teams. He attended and played for the United States Military Academy at West Point. Enners was killed in action in Vietnam.

The Machine

Enners excelled at lacrosse and was fondly nicknamed "The Machine" by his teammates. During his senior year in high school, he was named All-County, All-Long Island and Honorable Mention All-American. He played varsity lacrosse for five years and he played in the first five Suffolk County championships. At West Point, Enners was the 1967 NCAA/USILA Honorable Mention All-American.

Heart of Gray, a book that reveals how West Point and its values of "Duty, Honor, Country" influenced Ray Enners, was written by his brother, Richard Enners, and published during 2016.

Metzger Wins Enners Award

Metzger set assist records (82 in one season) and won many awards during his high school playing days, including All-American honors and the 1977 Ray Enners Award for outstanding Suffolk County lacrosse player. He scored 102 points that season. Metzger also starred in football and played varsity basketball as a sophomore in the Suffolk County playoffs.

After high school graduation, Metzger played lacrosse for two years at Hofstra University. As an All-American, he led Hofstra in assists during his freshman and sophomore seasons (1979 and 1980). His single season points per game average (4.9) ranks fourth all-time and his single season assist average (2.8) ranks eighth.

Metzger continues to be involved in lacrosse on Long Island, supporting the programs at his alma maters, the Nassau County high school boys' lacrosse program and the Hempstead PAL program with fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. Metzger also supports education programs and other charities throughout the New York metropolitan area.