By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/31/23

Some of the top-ranked scholastic boys’ teams in North America will compete May 19-21 in the Victory Events National Prep Championship.

The tourney will feature 12 teams and also at least two more competing in exhibitions. All games will be held at Cedar Lane Regional Park in Bel Air, MD.

The tourney has added powers from Canada, the Midwest, and the Washington D.C. region from last year. Headline teams include Culver Academy (IN), Hill Academy (Ontario), Bullis School (MD), Western Reserve (OH), IMG Lacrosse, and Gonzaga College (D.C.) as well as last year’s Mid-Atlantic finalists, from the Philly region, Academy of the New Church (champion) and Hill School. Also competing are Perkiomen School and Westtown School from the Philly region and Everest Academy and St. Michael’s College from Ontario.

Additionally, defending Delaware state champion Salesianum School will play Kiski Prep (PA) in an exhibition.

In this week’s Inside Lacrosse Power Rankings, Culver (8-1) is No. 3, Hill Academy (5-0) is No. 5, ANC (6-0) is No. 13, Bullis (7-1) is No. 15 and Western Reserve (5-3) was ranked in the Top 25 last week. ANC is also the No. 1 team in this week’s Phillylacrosse.com Rankings. IMG National is 5-1, Gonzaga is 4-4, Westtown is 3-3, Hill School is 2-2, and Everest and Perkiomen are 1-2.

Culver and Hill Academy played in the tourney for many years until last year when it competed in a tourney with Western reserve and IMG.

“Culver is incredibly excited to be returning to the National Prep Championships this May!” said Culver coach Jon Birsner. “This event has been a fantastic way to end our season playing for a national championship.

“This year will be the best to date with 7 of the 8 teams receiving national voting rankings throughout the year. The NPC’s has now become the most elite independent post season tournament in all of high school lacrosse!”

The top eight seeded teams will compete in the National Division tourney, with the other four competing in the Mid-Atlantic Division. The National Championship will be held at noon on May 21 and the Mid-Atlantic title game will be on May 20 at 11 a.m.

“We’re extremely excited to have the opportunity to compete in this tourney,” said ANC coach Jack Forster. “The caliber of competition is unique.”

Said Bullis coach Jeff Bellistri: “Bullis is excited to be a participant in the Victory Events National Prep championships in May, and to have the opportunity to compete against some of the most talented lacrosse teams in the country.  We look forward to the challenge.”

Victory Events National Prep Championship

DATES: Friday through Sunday, May 19-21

LOCATION: Cedar Lane Regional Park (Bel Air, MD)

FORMAT: 2 Divisions (National & Mid-Atlantic); 2 games guaranteed; all games filmed & streamed by Next Level Video

TEAMS: Top 8: National Division; #9-12: Mid-Atlantic Division

Academy of the New Church (PA)
Bullis School (MD)
Culver Academy (IN)
Everest Academy (Ont)
Gonzaga College (DC)
Hill Academy (Ont)
Hill School (PA)
IMG Lacrosse
Perkiomen School (PA)
St. Michael’s College (Ont)
Western Reserve (OH)
Westtown School (PA)

EXHIBITION TEAMS
Kiski – 2 games vs. Salesianum & TBA
Salesianum – 1 game vs. Kiski

Tentative Schedule

Friday, May 19: Quarterfinals
2 games at 3:00 PM – Mid-Atlantic Division Semifinals
2 games at 5:00 PM – National Division Quarterfinals
2 games at 7:00 PM – National Quarterfinals (Gonzaga & Bullis games)
*Kiski vs. Salesianum Exhibition Game at Time TBD.

Saturday, May 20: Semifinals & Consolations
2 games at 11:00 – Mid-Atlantic Championship & Consolation
2 games at 1:00 – National Consolation

2 games at 3:00 – National Semifinals
*Kiski Exhibition Game at Time TBD

Sunday, May 21: National Division Championship
Noon – National Championship