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 PA HS Boys Lacrosse Overview
OVERVIEW - Until 2009, The Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association (EPSLA) was the governing body for boys lacrosse in the PLA Chapter area. The EPSLA included public, private and parochial school teams, which reflects the history of the growth of the game at the high school level in Pennsylvania. In October 2006, however, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) voted to sanction boys lacrosse in Pennsylvania, effective July 1, 2008. Beginning with the 2009 spring sports’ season, all schools sponsoring lacrosse and their players must comply with all PIAA standards. This development promises to alter the boys high school lacrosse landscape in the years ahead. The PIAA held its first state championship game in 2009. Non-PIAA schools are making adjustments to thrive in the new order. The Inter-Ac started its own post-season tournament in 2009. EPSLA LEAGUES - The EPSLA as an organization is expected to continue to exist in the PIAA era, and it will remain intact as a US Lacrosse "Area" for purposes of allocating post-season honors, including All-American, Academic All-American, All-EPSLA, Coach of the Year, Man of the Year, George Kruse Sportsmanship awards, League MVP and other honors. All high school teams in the PLA Chapter area remain organized into the following leagues within EPSLA; click on the league, the teams are listed, each team page has a link to its schedule/scores on LaxPower and the team's web site, if any: PIAA Programs (as of the 2009 season)
Private/Independent/Non-PIAA Programs (as of the 2009 season)
OTHER PENNSYLVANIA LEAGUES -- High schools in other parts of the state are organized under either the Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association (CPSLA) or the Western Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association (WPSLA). The CPSLA teams used to comprise the "Mid-Penn" League within the Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association (EPSLA's predecessor), but re-organized themselves as a separate league in 2003 to coincide with the formation of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of US Lacrosse from several regions formerly in the PLA Chapter area. The growth of the high school game in Central PA in part reflected the effort of the PSLA and the PLA to provide financial assistance, including grants from the PLA's New Start program, to support both youth and high school lacrosse in the Harrisburg, Lancaster and York areas, including Ephrata, Lampeter-Strasburg, Central Susquehana, Conestoga Valley, Hershey, Garden Spot, Penn Manor and others. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP - The PIAA ran its first post-season tournament in 2009. In a game that featured two nationally ranked teams, LaSalle topped Conestoga to claim the title - see Explorers Claim 1st PIAA Title. The PIAA conducts only one state championship division for boys and girls - the PIAA will not sponsor class designations (i.e., AA, AAA, AAAA) until a certain number of teams across the state play the game. More information will follow as the PIAA makes it available. Until 2009, the champions of the three leagues in Pennsylvania -- the EPSLA, CPSLA and WPSLA -- played every year in early June for the Keystone Cup, which was awarded to the best boys' high school in the Commonwealth. Through 1968, the Pennsylvania boys lacrosse state champion was selected by the coaches. From 1969 until the establishment of the Keystone Cup in 2000, the PSLA conducted the Pennsylvania High School Boys State Championship Tournament, which involved a playoff system. The State Champion was awarded the Avery Blake Memorial Trophy. INDIVIDUAL HONORS - In addition to recognizing the Pennslyvania State Champion, the EPSLA (and its predecessor) has recognized All-Americans, All-State players, Coach of the Year and Man of the Year. The following is a list of all-league and other players for the years indicated:
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