Hempstead PAL Lacrosse Celebrates Successful Season

The Hempstead PAL lacrosse team of fourth, fifth and sixth grade players celebrated the conclusion of its fourth season in the Nassau-Suffolk County Police Athletic Lacrosse League with an awards ceremony at Kennedy Park Gym in Hempstead on Saturday, June 20.

Coming off the 2014 undefeated (9-0) season, this year’s Tigers won six of its nine games. Coach Alan Hodish, a former lacrosse and football coach at Hempstead High School who has coached youth lacrosse on Long Island for many years, reminded the players, their families and friends that “we always are looking for good students, good citizens and good athletes.”

Only four of this season’s 20 players previously played lacrosse. According to Hodish, who has coached Hempstead PAL lacrosse for four seasons, “the rest of the team consisted of brand new players made up of talented athletes who worked hard, had fun and quickly picked up this game.”

A girl joined the team for the first time. Kayla Cox, a fifth grade student, saw action as a defensive player for the young Tigers. The team consists of African-American and Hispanic players, many of whom are from single-parent households.

Sixth Graders

Destin Arms
Najze Berkeley
Maurice Butler
Isaiah Carter
Arlis Castro
Jordan Evelyn
Kenny Morales
Dorien Prince
Tahleek Tucker
Aaron Williams

Fifth Graders

Taje Clark
Kayla Cox
Te’mel Cox
Zion Dorsett
Tarrell Joseph
Jaeden Samuels

Fourth Graders

Ja’mir Andrews
Brendan Brown-Waring
Jordyn Davis
Jakkai Stith

Awards Presented

Each Hempstead PAL lacrosse player received a trophy to celebrate the season. Additional individual awards were presented to the players.

The Michael J. Piegare Award was presented to Dorien Prince for his “extraordinary acts of leadership, kindness and teamwork.” The award was established in memory of a Cold Spring Harbor High School and Pace University lacrosse player to honor a student-athlete who “best displays the character and outstanding attitude that was demonstrated by Michael Piegare in athletics and throughout the course of his life.”

The James C. Metzger Award was presented to Jordan Evelyn for his “strong work ethic and improvement made throughout the lacrosse season.” Metzger is CEO and founder of The Whitmore Group located in Garden City. He is a former three-sport star athlete (lacrosse, football and basketball) at Half Hollow Hills East High School in Dix Hills and an All-American lacrosse player at Hofstra University. He is an avid supporter of the Hempstead PAL lacrosse program.

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Photo: The Fourth Annual James C. Metzger Award was presented to Jordan Evelyn. Pictured from left to right are Hempstead PAL Lacrosse Coach Alan Hodish, Jordan Evelyn and father Jason Evelyn, and Hempstead PAL Lacrosse Assistant Coach Steven Jacobs.

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Additional Awards

• Mr. Hustle Awards were presented to Najze Berkeley and Tahleek Tucker.
• Most Valuable Defensive Player Award was presented to Arlis Castro.
• Most Valuable Midfielder Awards were presented to Maurice Butler and Aaron Williams.
• Most Valuable Attack Award was presented to Destin Arms.
• Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Jakkai Stith.
• Academic All Stars Awards went to Kenny Morales, Dorien Prince and Jakkai Stith.
• Vacuum Cleaner Award (ground balls) was given to Isaiah Carter.
• Bell Ringer Awards went to Ja’mir Andrews and Zion Dorsett.
• The Vincent Louther Sportsman Awards were presented to Tarell Joseph and Brendan Brown-Waring.
• The Aaron Jones Most Improved Defensive Player Award was presented to Jaeden Samuel.
• The James Ford Most Improved Offensive Player Award was garnered by Taje Clark.
• The Arrion Cross Spirit Award recipients were Jordyn Davis and Kenny Morales.

Influence Of Coaches

Assistant Head Coach Steven Jacobs, together with Assistant Coaches Bernard Williams, Tom Paul and Josh Long, were recognized for their commitment to the players.

Coach Jacobs, a Hempstead physical education teacher and head middle school lacrosse coach, also is the director of the Recon summer lacrosse program. Coach Paul is an assistant basketball coach at Chaminade High School. Coach Williams is a former Hempstead High School lacrosse player. Coach Long is on the staff of Recon lacrosse. The coaches ensure that the PAL players developed their athletic skills, game fundamentals and attitude to become better players and productive citizens. The coaches always provide encouragement to help the athletes develop confidence and achieve success.

Four former Hempstead High School alumni—Arrion Cross (Class of ’84, Hobart College graduate and retired Hempstead police officer), James Ford (Class of ‘76 and Rutgers University All-American), Aaron Jones (Class of ‘83 and Cornell University All-American) and Vincent Louther (Class of ’76 and Ashland College graduate)—serve as role models for the program. At the awards ceremony, all players, coaches and sponsors acknowledged the contributions of the Hempstead Police Department and the PAL Director Detective Jackie Jones-Ford who provided guidance and support for the Hempstead youth lacrosse players. Detective Jones-Ford also administers other youth programs for the PAL.

Sports Provides Foundation For Life

In addition to presenting the Piegare Award in honor of their son Michael, Therese and Joe Piegare, through the Michael Piegare Foundation, provided scholarships to four Hempstead PAL players (Najze Berkeley, Maurice Butler, Dorien Prince and Aaron Williams) that will enable them to participate in the Recon summer lacrosse tournament.

On many occasions, when James Metzger has had the opportunity to meet with the PAL lacrosse players, he states that the business world looks for young people with sports connections. He reminds the players that participating in sports builds character, teamwork and sportsmanship while creating strong relationships and friendships. Metzger regularly urges the young Hempstead players to use lacrosse as a vehicle for getting into college, staying in school and earning a degree.