This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
07/19/2018 12:00 AMJack Dacey loves the competition and the camaraderie that comes with playing lacrosse. Only halfway through his high-school career, Jack is emerging as a prolific player on the attack for the Guilford boys’ lacrosse squad.
Jack, who recently completed his sophomore year, plays ice hockey and lacrosse at Guilford High School. He first became interested in lacrosse after watching a Yale University game as a youngster. In his second season with the lacrosse team, Jack scored 40 goals and dished out 18 assists to help Guilford win 11 games and advance to the Class M State Tournament quarterfinals this spring.
“Lacrosse is a team sport, and I love being around teammates and pushing each other to be better. I’m also a competitive person and like the competitive nature of the sport,” says Jack. “A big part of my success was definitely my teammates, because they help to contribute on every point I get. I also did work in the offseason to improve my game.”
While Jack enjoys striking from the outside, he also likes it when he and his teammates work together to move the ball toward the goal. Jack feels that kind of teamwork is the essence of a successful offense in lacrosse.
“I like outside shots. I feel I have a very good shot and like to take my place and shoot. It’s been my main method since I started playing,” says Jack. “I also like team goals when the team is creating space for guys and everyone is getting involved in the goal.”
While picking up the pace and focusing on his footwork, Jack has also taken time to increase his overall knowledge of lacrosse. As a result, Jack brings a certain presence to the turf and knows exactly where to go in those crucial moments.
“I’m improved as a dodger and worked on my speed,” Jack says. “I’ve developed a better sense for the game and where to be at the right time. My biggest improvement has been my lacrosse IQ.”
Jack says that learning the skill of stick-handling as an ice hockey player has proved a huge help to him on the lacrosse field. Jack adds that playing hockey gives him a better sense of the ideal time to go for a goal.
“When you learn to control the puck, it’s very similar to lacrosse when handling the ball and stick work,” says Jack. “Knowing positioning for yourself and others helps, too, because you need to be in the right place at the right time in order to score.”
Boys’ lacrosse Head Coach Brian White believes that Jack has quite a future ahead of him at Guilford. After already lettering in his first two seasons with the team, Jack will serve as a junior captain for Coach White’s squad in the 2019 season.
“Jack is a hard-working player that has been a two-year starter. He is a consistent big-play maker for us and has developed into a person that leads by example,” White says. “Next year, he will be only the second junior in program history to serve as a captain, which is a true statement of his dedication to the sport and how his peers see him on and off the field.”
A lifelong fan of high-school sports, Jack is aiming to earn some recognition at the conference and state levels during his upperclassmen years. More importantly, though, he wants to help push the Indians toward championship gold, while having the most positive experience possible along the way.
“I want to be an All-SCC and All-State player. It’s been a dream since I was little. To win an award like that takes hard work, but it can be done,” says Jack. “I want to see our teams either win or make the state finals. I also want to have a great time with each team during each season and go as far as we can.”