Boys lacrosse notebook: Big area games on horizon for top teams

Johns Creek held on to No. 1 in AAAAAA in this week's rankings, despite taking a loss to highly touted McCallie School (Tenn.) last week. We’ll get a chance to see how McCallie, which is ranked No. 3 in the South by LaxMagazine.com, stacks up against the other top teams in AAAAAA this week, as the Blue Tornado will play at No. 2 Centennial on Friday and at No. 3 Lambert on Saturday.

As the only team unbeaten in Area 3-AAAAAA play, Johns Creek holds a half-game lead over Centennial and Lambert, and a two-game lead over No. 10 Northview. The Gladiators face challenging slate to wrap up the regular season. After playing at Etowah on Tuesday, they’ll face Northview on Friday and Lambert next week before closing against Class A-AAAAA’s top-ranked Westminster.

- Trying to keep pace with No. 4 Roswell in Area 2-AAAAAA, No. 8 Lassiter faces a crucial game with fifth-ranked Pope on Thursday. Though Pope holds the higher position in the polls, the Greyhounds have lost twice in area play, including last month's surprising loss to Walton (6-7). Meanwhile, Lassiter and Roswell are both unbeaten in region play. Before taking on Pope, the Trojans will host Area 1-AAAAAA leader Harrison on Tuesday.

- After surviving last week's tussle with No. 2 Lovett, Class A-AAAAA No. 1 Westminster can turn its attentions toward Area 2 play. The Wildcats (13-1, 9-0) host Pace Academy (7-4, 5-1) this week, then Creekview (8-5, 5-4) and No. 3 Allatoona (12-1, 9-0) next week in a game that could decide the area title.

- In non-area play, surging Marist will face its toughest test of the season Tuesday when it travels to face No. 2 Lovett. The War Eagles (8-2, No. 6 Class A-AAAAA) have won six straight since back-to-back losses in mid-March, including wins over No. 5 McIntosh and No. 10 St. Pius. Defense is Marist's forte; the War Eagles haven't yielded double-digit goals in any game this season and is surrendering just 3.5 goals per game during its current winning streak.

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Top 10 rankings, schedules

BOYS

Class AAAAAA

1. Johns Creek (9-3)

• Tuesday: at Etowah
• Friday: vs. No. 10 Northview

2. Centennial (11-1)

• Friday vs. McCallie School (Tenn.)
• Saturday vs. Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.)

3. Lambert (10-2)

• Tuesday: at North Forsyth
• Saturday: vs. McCallie School (Tenn.)

4. Roswell (10-2)

• Friday: vs. Lake Norman (N.C.)
• Saturday: vs. Memphis University School (Tenn.)

5. Pope (9-2)

• Tuesday: at Cherokee
• Thursday: vs. No. 8 Lassiter
• Saturday: at Alpharetta

6. Mill Creek (11-1)

• Wednesday: vs. Archer
• Friday: at Brookwood

7. North Gwinnett (11-1)

• Wednesday: vs. Chattahoochee
• Friday: vs. Duluth

8. Lassiter (9-3)

• Tuesday: vs. No. 9 Harrison
• Thursday: at No. 5 Pope

9. Harrison (9-3)

• Tuesday: at No. 8 Lassiter
• Thursday: vs. Alpharetta

10. Northview (10-3)

• Friday: at No. 1 Johns Creek

Class A-AAAAA

1. Westminster (13-1)

• Thursday: vs. Pace Academy

2. Lovett (9-4)

• Tuesday: vs. No. 6 Marist
• Thursday: at No. 8 Greater Atlanta Christian

3. Allatoona (12-1)

• Tuesday: at Whitefield Academy
• Wednesday: vs. River Ridge

4. Cambridge (10-1)

• Wednesday: at Forsyth Central
• Friday: vs. Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.)

5. McIntosh (10-3)

• Monday: Lost at Peachtree Ridge, 9-8
• Thursday: at Woodward

6. Marist (8-2)

• Tuesday: at No. 2 Lovett
• Friday: at Decatur

7. Benedictine (7-4)

• Friday: vs. No. 10 St. Pius

8. Greater Atlanta Christian (9-4)

• Thursday: vs. No. 2 Lovett
• Friday: at Forsyth Central

9. Wesleyan (8-2)

• Tuesday: vs. Holy Innocents'
• Thursday: at Buford

10. St. Pius (8-3)

• Wednesday: at North Atlanta
• Friday: at No. 7 Benedictine

GIRLS

Class AAAAAA

1. Milton (8-3)

• Friday: vs. Manheim Township (Pa.)
• Saturday: vs. Hinsdale Central (Ill.)

2. Walton (9-4)

• Tuesday: at Wheeler

3. Lassiter (9-3)

• Wednesday: vs. Etowah

4. Chattahoochee (11-3)

• Tuesday: vs. Alpharetta

5. North Gwinnett (9-2)

• Monday: at Parkview, no score reported
• Thursday: at Archer
• Friday: vs. Duluth