Two High School Lacrosse Players Receive Leadership Awards

The annual James C. Metzger Leadership Award for Nassau County high school boys' lacrosse was presented to one player on each of the four teams that competed in the June 15 finals of the 2021 Section VIII Nassau County high school boys' lacrosse championships.

The recipient for Friends Academy is senior midfielder Albert Paniccia. The recipient for Oyster Bay High School is senior midfielder David Ford. Along with the other award winners, Paniccia and Ford reflect the tenacity, honesty, commitment and positive attitude required in Nassau lacrosse. Each recipient also possesses the ability to inspire others on and off the field.

The leadership awards were presented by 1970s Long Island lacrosse star and local lacrosse benefactor James C. Metzger, who set assist records (82 in one season) and won many awards during his days at Half Hollow Hills East High School in Dix Hills, including All-American honors and the 1977 Lt. Ray Enners Award for outstanding Suffolk County lacrosse player when he scored 102 points. Metzger also starred in football and played varsity basketball as a sophomore in the Suffolk County playoffs. Following high school graduation, Metzger played lacrosse for two years at Hofstra University. An All-American, Metzger is a member of the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame and the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. He is the founder and CEO of The Whitmore Agency, a leading insurance services and estate planning company in the New York metropolitan area that is headquartered in Garden City.

In addition to the leadership presentations, Metzger provided the funding for the most valuable player awards presented at the championship games.

The results of the games were:

• Level A – Syosset versus Farmingdale with Syosset the 13-7 winner.

• Level D – Friends Academy versus Oyster Bay with Friends Academy winning by the identical 13-7 score.

The winners of the Nassau County championships will compete against Suffolk County teams on Saturday, June 19.