The Hempstead PAL lacrosse team of fourth, fifth and sixth grade players celebrated the conclusion of its seventh season with its second best record in the Nassau-Suffolk County Police Athletic Lacrosse League. An awards ceremony was held at the Lincoln Park sports facility in Hempstead on June 20.
This year’s Tigers compiled a 7-1 record under Coach Alan Hodish, a former lacrosse and football coach at Hempstead High School who has coached youth lacrosse on Long Island for many years. He is an attorney with offices in Garden City.
This season, the head coach was supported by Coach Bernard Williams, Coach Tom Harvey and Coach Jon Williams. The program operates under the direction of Police Officer Sheryl Robert and Hempstead PAL Administrator Ruth Roberson.
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“More than half of the players never picked up a lacrosse stick until March of this year,” said Coach Hodish. “The diverse roster consisting of African-American and Hispanic players received excellent parental support all season as we engaged 24 players in this wonderful sport.”
Several benefactors have created the program’s solid foundation. A leading benefactor is James C. Metzger, founder and CEO of The Whitmore Group of Garden City. Metzger is a former lacrosse standout player at Half Hollows High School East in Dix Hills and at Hofstra University.
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“Jim has been with us each season,” added Coach Hodish. “He is a booster for lacrosse on Long Island at all levels and he supports diversity in the game and bringing the fun of lacrosse to youngsters who might never have the chance to play.”
Season Awards
Every player on the team received a participation award. Special awards also were presented to various team members.
The James C. Metzger Award is presented to a player for “his strong work ethic and improvement made throughout the lacrosse season.” This year’s award was presented to Josh Garrett.
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The recipient of the James C. Metzger Award is Josh Garrett. Pictured with Garrett are, from left, Village of Hempstead Mayor Don Ryan, Jerome Garrett (the award winner's father) and Coach Alan Hodish. Courtesy of Hempstead PAL
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The Michael J. Piegare Award was shared this season by Tyler McTaggert and Myles Austin. 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 Mr. Hustle Award: Shamir Huff
MVP Defense Award: Dwayne Meadors
Rookie of the Year: Jaden Locke
MVP Midfield: Adrian Ayala and Brandon Williams
MVP Attack: Eric Rucker III
Tiger Award: Tristan Pierre and Barry Weed
Don Ryan Coaches Award, named for the mayor of the Village of Hempstead: Christopher Lake, Zeniere Melleion and Elijah Colbert
Bell Ringer Award: Christian Shouder
Academic Allstars: Myles Austin, Adrian Ayala, Elijah Colbert, Jeremy Henderson, Christopher Lake, Dwayne Meadors, Tyler McTaggert, Eric Rucker III and Brandon Williams