High School Lacrosse: Cherry Hill West Starts New Program on the Winning Side Friday, April 1, 2005 By Clark Washington SJSports Special Correspondent The popularity of boy's lacrosse has increased by five new teams being added this season. In its brief history, high schools are finding out that the interest has grown since its inception three years ago. One of those new teams entering its first year was the Cougars from Cherry Hill West. Coach Chris Keleher has the challenge of leading the new program but is not new to the sports. Their first game was against a relatively new team in Paul VI who struggled last year. The Cougars were able to pass the ball well enough to post an 11-5 victory at home. The five programs that were added this year were Cherry Hill West, Clearview, Kingsway, Seneca and West Deptford. Each coaching staff has been not only drilling their players with all of the rules but also the all important field of play. Once the basic of the game has been understood, the most common areas on the field where most of the action takes place are in the defense and attack zones. That’s where the well coached teams are able to instruct their players to fight through the hard checking and utilize the speed and agility to deposit the ball past the keeper. Sounds familiar, as this sport resembles just about every sport played on an outdoor field. Picking up those rules quickly, Cherry Hill West built onto their early success by jumping out to a 3-1 lead. The confidence began to build and so did the score. Cherry Hill West received three goals from Dave McElroy while Tim Gibbons and A.J. Mercincavage both added to goals. Paul VI was led by Chris Badesa with 2 goals. Photos by Art Redd