This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
08/30/2018 12:00 AMMiles Gabriel is always ready to swarm the defensive end of the field as a member of the Guilford boys’ lacrosse team. As a result of his defensive prowess, Miles proved a key contributor for the Indians throughout the 2018 season.
Miles, a defensive midfielder, is entering his senior year at Guilford High School, where he also plays wide receiver and cornerback on the football team. In his junior season with the lacrosse squad, Miles provided a formidable presence on defense by corralling 42 ground balls and forcing 10 turnovers to help Guilford notch 12 victories, including a few in the postseason.
“Throughout the year, [Head Coach Brian White] noticed my pros and cons with my abilities, so he put me in a position I was capable of filling. I got better at clearing the ball, and I just tried my best in whatever situation I was put in,” says Miles. “I did whatever was asked of me.”
While playing the defensive midfielder position, Miles provides a line of communication between the Indians’ goalie and his fellow defenders. Miles also enjoys lending a helping hand of emotional support to his colleagues on the field.
“I love being able to help, along with speaking to and leading the defense. I talk to them about whatever type of defense we are running,” Miles says. “I also like how when the goalkeeper made a good save, he would give it to me for a clear. I feel the rest of the defense got more comfortable with me over the course of the season.”
Miles gives every ounce of energy he has when trying to accomplish the task in front of him. This approach has not only made Miles a physically stronger athlete, but also sharper from a mental perspective.
“I’ve always worked as hard as I could, which helped make me stronger and faster,” he says. “All of that also made me mentally stronger and want to really help the team.”
Miles believes that a fast-paced practice goes a long way toward helping the Indians prepare for what happens during games. Miles knows that good practice habits help him make the correct calls in crunch time.
“We’re always working hard in practices, so when someone is making a quick cut, I knew what to do,” Miles says. “I knew what to do in big spots to help the situation, which helped me make right decisions.”
Coach White says that Miles came to the boys’ lacrosse squad with plenty of positive attributes to build off. In the subsequent years, White has been pleased to see Miles make the most of his natural athleticism to become a pivotal player on the lacrosse field.
“Miles plays defensive midfielder, which is an important role in lacrosse. He’s an athletic kid and helps us in transition,” says White. “As a freshman, he always identified himself as a football player, which is great, but he had raw talent and was a great competitor. We tried to amplify those positives in him on the lacrosse team and use them toward our benefit. He was big on ground balls and always played during our man-down situations.”
As he gears up for his senior year, Miles is looking to help the Indians continue putting victories in the books, while simultaneously serving as an excellent senior leader.
“I want to be a leader for the younger kids and make the teams better,” says Miles. “I would like to play some offense with lacrosse next year and get quicker on my clears.”