Baltimore Sun 2024 All-Metro boys lacrosse: McDonogh attackman Luke Miller named Player of the Year

Here are The Baltimore Sun’s All-Metro boys lacrosse teams for the 2024 season.

Player of the Year

Luke Miller, McDonogh, senior, attackman

A four-year starter and All-Metro first-team selection last season, the Notre Dame commit overcame obstacles and brought vital intangibles in addition to his typical offensive production to help lead the No. 1 Eagles (15-3) to their third straight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship.

After suffering a back injury at the end of the football season in the fall, Miller worked hard to get on the lacrosse field. Despite missing all but the last of the early nonconference games, he hit league play in stride to finish with 38 goals and 20 assists.

“There was some bumps in the road along the way, but it was all worth it getting to do things you dream of as a kid,” said Miller, who had four goals and two assists in the Eagles’ conference-opening win against St. Paul’s.

The team captain capped his high school career with a three-goal, two-assist performance in the team’s 12-10 win over then-No. 1 Boys’ Latin in the title game, finishing the postseason with six goals and three assists.

“He’s an explosive player who plays with major intensity and tenacity,” McDonogh coach Andy Hilgartner said. “His will to win is incredibly strong and he showed that all winter long in the training room and his desire to get back onto the field as soon as he could. So I think that kind of sums Luke up and just a great teammate as well.”

Miller cited the home win against rival Gilman on senior day as a season highlight. “It was a good win for us to spring into the playoffs, get us some confidence,” he said. “So it was bittersweet to be playing the last home game at McDonogh, but I’ll forever cherish that day.”

Coach of the Year

Evan Hockel, Archbishop Spalding

A 2008 Spalding graduate who was in charge of the JV team the past two years, Hockel went into his first year as the program’s coach with basic aims of getting his young group to improve each day, play together and outwork opponents. The end result was an impressive season that set up future success.

After not qualifying for the postseason last year, the No. 3 Cavaliers (13-5) finished the MIAA A Conference regular season in second place and then gave No. 1 McDonogh all it could handle before falling to the three-time defending champions, 10-9, in the tournament semifinals.

“We say we always want to be the tougher team and always want to play more together than the other team,” Hockel said. “I thought especially as the season went on, we really played with that identity, and as a coach, it made me super proud.”

Hockel was quick to point out the vital contributions of his coaching staff: assistants Sean Cottle, Gunnar Schimoler, Peter Papaleonti, Troy Becker and Brett Malamphy.

“To have a successful season it truly takes a village,” he said. “I would first and foremost like to thank the players for all their effort all year long, the assistant coaches, the parents, our athletic training staff, and school administration.”

First team

Spencer Ford, Boys’ Latin, senior, attackman

The Maryland commit, a second-team pick last season, proved a steadying influence with smooth skills, quality game sense and high-character leadership. Also an excellent rider, he finished the season with 41 goals and 25 assists to help the No. 2 Lakers (14-3) reach the MIAA A Conference title game.

Matt Higgins, Boys’ Latin, junior, attackman

Higgins emerged as one of the area’s most complete attackmen, backed by his 46-goal, 43-assist breakthrough season. In addition to his stellar numbers, the Maryland commit’s strong play as a rider constantly caused turnovers and his do-everything skills proved a vital benefit to teammates.

Brendan Millon, McDonogh, junior, attackman

Inside Lacrosse’s top prospect in the 2025 class and a repeat first-team selection, Millon was the Eagles’ leading scorer with 43 goals and 29 assists. Instrumental in each of the team’s three straight titles, the Virginia commit enjoyed a three-goal, three-assist effort in this year’s final, a 14-12 win over Boys’ Latin.

Parker Hoffman, Boys’ Latin, senior, faceoff specialist

Quick and technical in the circle, the North Carolina commit won 69% of his faceoffs and also scooped up 138 ground balls, allowing the Lakers to dictate the pace and control important chunks of possession. Hoffman also made an impact on attack with nine goals and six assists.

Ben Firlie, McDonogh, senior, midfielder  

The Georgetown commit was explosive in triggering the Eagles’ attack, whether it was his ability to shoot on the run or draw defenders before making a pass. The four-year varsity player and captain finished with 28 goals and 11 assists.

Luke Bair, St. Paul’s, junior, midfielder-attackman

A natural midfielder who played mostly on attack, the North Carolina commit brought dynamic physical tools and a wicked shot in becoming the opponent’s top priority to defend. He finished with an MIAA A Conference-high 53 goals and added 13 assists in leading the No. 10 Crusaders to a 7-8 mark.

Connor Wilbur, Archbishop Spalding, senior, midfielder

The St. John Fisher commit brought do-everything skills and a grinding approach that set the tone for the Cavaliers. He finished with 19 goals, 39 assists and 27 ground balls with only nine turnovers, highlighted by a three-goal, five-assist effort in the team’s regular-season win over McDonogh.

Max Allen, McDonogh, senior, defenseman

The Georgetown commit took his game to a higher level as the Eagles’ senior leader in the back, particularly improving his stick skills and instincts away from the ball. Handling the opponents’ top threat, he finished with 39 ground balls and 17 assists.

George Guyton, Gilman, senior, defenseman

The Notre Dame commit used his fine athleticism and game sense to more than hold his own against the opponent’s top scoring threat, helping the No. 4 Greyhounds (12-7) reach the MIAA A Conference semifinals. Guyton also proved valuable playing wing on faceoffs and finished with 57 ground balls, 21 caused turnovers and five goals this season.

Peter Laake, Loyola Blakefield, senior, defenseman

Highly skilled and rugged, the Maryland commit consistently shut down the opponent’s top offensive threat in leading the No. 5 Dons (9-8) to the MIAA A Conference quarterfinals. He finished with 50 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers, while two of his season’s four goals highlighted a sensational performance in Loyola’s 7-6 double overtime quarterfinal loss to McDonogh.

Aidan Seibel, McDonogh, junior, goalie

Fully utilizing his big size, smart positioning and quick hands, the Maryland commit saved his best for the playoffs in the No. 1 Eagles’ successful run for a third straight MIAA A Conference title. He finished the team’s three playoff wins with 33 saves and a .590 save percentage.

Second team

Mason Cook, Loyola Blakefield, senior, attackman

Tim Iannarino, Glenelg, senior, attackman

Trevor Phipps, South River, senior, attackman

Jay Wilkerson, Gilman, senior, attackman

Reid Gills, Severn, senior, faceoff specialist

Jermaine Anderson, Calvert Hall, junior, long-stick midfielder

Robby Hopper, Archbishop Spalding, junior, long-stick midfielder

Jack Fish, Severna Park, junior, midfielder-attackman

Liam White, Boys’ Latin, senior, midfielder

Owen Karantonis, Fallston, senior, defenseman

Michael Meredith, Boys’ Latin, senior, defenseman

Conner Campbell, South River, junior, goalie