2022 Boys Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Long

***ICYMI: Boys Tennis Player of the Year: Alan Dimock***

***ICYMI: Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Hannah Grace***

***ICYMI: Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Connor Powe***

***ICYMI: Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year: Lillian Austin***

Now that the spring sports season has come to a close, it’s time to reveal the All-Coastal Preps teams. Over the next week, you will get to know more about the players of the year while also seeing who made first and second team in boys tennis, boys and girls track & field, boys and girls lacrosse, boys golf, girls soccer, softball and baseball.

The Coastal Preps Boys Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year is junior Ben Long from Hoggard.

Ben’s Accomplishments

For most of the season, the Hoggard boys lacrosse team controlled possession and put pressure on the opposing team’s goalie.

When the ball did make its way to the other side of the field, teams found it difficult to score on junior Ben Long.

Long finished with a remarkable save percentage of .680 by stopping 130 of the 191 shots he faced. He made a season-high 17 saves twice and finished with double-digit saves in six contests.

The Vikings went 20-1 and reached the fourth round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs. They outscored their opponents 348-73 and won 16 contests by 10 or more goals. 

More about Ben

Favorite Food(s): Teriyaki chicken and fried rice

Favorite Restaurant(s): Bdobo Mongolian Grill and Tokyo Express Grill

Favorite Movie(s): Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Favorite TV Show(s): Trailer Park Boys

Favorite Athlete(s): Kobe Bryant

Favorite memory from this season: Going up to Virginia during spring break and smacking Woodberry Forest.

Favorite memory from your career: Playing against the top teams in the country at the Pinnacle Lacrosse Championships and making the All-Tournament team.

Favorite thing about your school or team: Everyone on Hoggard saw practice as a privilege, not a requirement.

Favorite holiday: Christmas

Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals? If so, what are they?: I like to visualize myself making plays in the upcoming game, a strategy I learned from Coach John Dodd.

Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, what is your favorite treat?: AirHead Bites

What app on your phone do you use the most?: Probably TikTok

If you could shop for free at one store, which one would you choose?: Walmart

Would you rather hang out by the pool or on the beach?: Beach

Do you prefer cold or hot weather?: Hot weather

What is a skill you are bad at that you wish you could master?: Whistling

Would you rather watch a movie at home or in the theater?: Home

If you could have dinner with any 3 people (dead or alive), who would they be?: Kobe Bryant, mike Mentzer and Ricky Bobby