Commercial Appeal all-metro boys lacrosse team 2018
By John Varlas
Boys lacrosse player of the year
Buchanan Dunavant
MUS, Sr.
Position: Defense
Why chosen: An Ohio State signee, Dunavant led the Owls to their third straight TSLA lacrosse championship. He ranked third in ground balls among all Division I defenders (47, 2.8 per contest) and was a two-time All-America selection.
First team
Jake Wilbourn
MUS, Sr.
Position: Goalkeeper
Why chosen: Wilbourn backstopped the Owls' state championship and led all Division I goalies in save percentage (.624) and goals-against average (5.6) while ranking second in total saves (154).
Billy Weiss
MUS, Jr.
Position: Defense
Why chosen: Weiss was a key component in the Owls' state-championship defense, winning 43 ground balls for an average of 2.4 per contest, a total that ranked him seventh in the state in Division I.
Brian Saulsberry
Houston, Jr.
Position: Defense
Why chosen: The Mustangs won the Division I club title thanks in large part to the defensive efforts of Saulsberry, who controlled 48 ground balls while earning all-league mention.
Jackson Mahoney
CBHS, Sr.
Position: Midfield
Why chosen: Mahoney controlled 81 ground balls in 18 games for the Brothers (4.5 per contest) while accumulating 54 takeaways. He was a nominee for Commercial Appeal Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year. Mahoney was also one of five Sports Awards player of the year nominees.
Daniel Shumake
MUS, Sr.
Position: Midfield
Why chosen: Shumake led all Division I midfielders in goals (35) and points (69) while ranking third with 34 assists. He will play at Mercer next season.
Bobby Wade
MUS, Sr.
Position: Midfield
Why chosen: A Sports Awards player of the year finalist and the private school scholar-athlete of the year, future Duke player Wade controlled 35 ground balls (1.9 per game) to help the Owls to their third straight state title. He was a nominee for Commercial Appeal Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year.
Ben DiMento
MUS, So.
Position: Attack
Why chosen: A Sports Awards player of the year finalist, DiMento notched 40 goals and assisted on 19 others. His goals and points total (69) were tops in the state among Division I attackers and he was third in assists. He was a nominee for Commercial Appeal Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year.
Will Fiser
Houston, Sr.
Position: Attack
Why chosen: Fiser led Houston to the Division I club championship while leading that division with 58 goals, 35 assists and 93 points.
Zach Tucker
Briarcrest, Sr.
Position: Attack
Why chosen: Tucker — a Sports Awards player of the year nominee — scored 57 goals while leading the Saints to a 10-6 mark. He was a nominee for Commercial Appeal Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year.
Selections were made based on individual and team performances during the season and input from area coaches and officials.
Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.