As observers of sports, we are quite often treated to examples of why persistence pays off and to never relent until it is mathematically over. Going from just a solo win in seven games to the state title in one campaign, the Hand boys’ lacrosse team added validity to that creed in 2024.

Hand completed the regular season with a 7-9 mark and qualified for both the SCC and Class M State Tournament after rebounding from a 1-6 start to the slate. Following a 9-7 loss to No. 4 ranked Guilford as the fifth seed for the league draw, the Tigers turned their attention to the states bracket.

As the top seed, thanks to the strength of its regular season schedule, Hand first took down No. 16 Ellington with an 18-2 rout in the opening round on May 29. Then hosting No. 8 Masuk in the quarterfinals on June 1, the Tigers moved forward to the semifinals with a 14-4 triumph. In the Final Four, Hand edged No. 5 Brookfield with a 7-4 decision.

This brought Hand back to the state final for the eighth occasion in program history. Facing off with No. 2 Joel Barlow on June 9 at Sacred Heart University, the Tigers capped off their historic in-season turnaround with a 6-4 triumph to yield the program its first-ever state crown.

“It was very rewarding to see the kids work through the adversity and never quit during the season to qualify for the tournament. We had a few one-goal losses and a pair of two-goal losses. We were competitive in most games and just weren't able to win those close early games,” said Head Coach John Orlando. “We weren't able to win a close game until the last two of the season, but we were battle tested due to those earlier contests. All of our wins prior to the last two were by an average of nine goals. The closest was a six-goal game, and the largest was a 16-goal win. Our last two wins were by three and two goals, respectively. This team learned how to win tight games and get to peak performance at the right time.”

Senior Jack Orlando made 20 stops between the pipes to help preserve the victory. The Falcons held a 4-2 edge at the halftime break, but Hand turned the tide with three third period tallies to take a lead it would not relent. The Tigers also nabbed an insurance score in the final frame to finish the campaign 11-10 overall.

Scoring on the day for Hand were senior Jack Wiesbrock with his two goals, and junior Tyler Narracci with a pair of tallies. Rounding out the goals in the game for the Tigers were seniors Jack Shay and Chase Docker. Shay also recorded an assist, and junior PJ O’Hanlon recorded a pair of helpers.

“You can't compete and win at this level without senior leadership and seniors with experience, plus some upperclassmen that had key roles last year,” said Orlando. “These players showed the younger guys through practice what it takes to work hard everyday, to get better, and work as a team. This group kept us competitive and hungry all season, as the newer players improved.”

For the final numbers on the championship campaign, O'Hanlon was the leading scorer with 62 goals and 15 assists for 77 points. He also surpassed the career 100-point (141 tallies) and 100-goal (116 scores) milestones during the season. Additionally, freshman Hudson O' Hanlon had 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points. Shay finished with 43 points for the spring on 29 goals and 14 assists.

“It means so much to this program that we could finally get over the hump. We faced major adversity in the beginning of the year, and we could have rolled over and let the season die, but we made the decision to battle back,” said Shay. “I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing group of guys who never got down on each other, and all we did was work. We basically played the entire second half of the season with a win or go home mentality, and I think that is what made us successful in the playoffs. This team showed tremendous grit and passion for the team, and we had a mentality that no matter what the score was.”

Sophomore Liam Scott recorded 188 faceoff wins, while Orlando eclipsed the 600 career-saves mark during the season, as he finished with 626 career saves at a 60% career save rate. In the 2024 state tournament run, he was certainly clutch and had 47 saves while only yielding 12 goals.

In his final remarks on the banner-clad 2024 campaign, Orlando expressed gratitude for the efforts of his young men to finally bring the inaugural state championship to one of the more successful lacrosse programs in the state that finally quenched its state title thirst.

“The final results with the first lacrosse state title for Hand are tremendous,” said Orlando. “We have been to the final game seven previous times and had some heartbreaking losses. This team was able to get there and close it out and win. This is a very proud moment for Hand and Madison lacrosse for all the alumni, families, and supporters to finally celebrate after 48 years of fielding a varsity team.”

The 2024 Tigers’ roster is comprised of seniors Jack Rourke, Wiesbrock, Dillon DiProspero, Calvin Walker, Orlando, Docker, Shay, Connor Balletto, Nicholas Platanos; juniors Andrew Benson, Mason Parcells, Jack Russo, Ken Pompilli, Ben Lind, Miles McGetrick, Michael Salvati, Will McGuire, Narracci, Jack Healy, Jay Pinover, O’Hanlon, Anthony Albino, Quinton O’Dea, Griffin Metz, Griffin Kubicki; sophomores Max Cuticelli, Scott, Sean Healy, Quinn Gies, Kyle Borduas, Matthew Coppola, Brody Duncan, Carrig LaVIgne, Henry Pearson, Cole Preskar; plus freshman Hudson O’Hanlon.

Orlando completed his seventh season as head coach of the Tigers’ program. His assistant coaching staff for 2024 was comprised of four-year veteran Jim Rinere and newcomer Mark Paolini.

2024 Hand Boys’ Lacrosse Team Regular Season Results and Schedule

April 2: Hand 13, Foran 6

April 4: Simsbury 7, Hand 6

April 6: Joel Barlow 5, Hand 3

April 9: Southington 13, Hand 12

April 11: Ridgefield 16, Hand 3

April 13: Fairfield Ludlowe9, Hand 6

April 16: Fairfield Prep 15, Hand 4

April 18: Hand 11, Amity 3

April 22: Hand 13, Conard 5

April 24: Notre Dame-West Haven 13, Hand 9

April 27: Hand 14, Weston 3

April 30: Cheshire 20, Hand 6

May 7: Hand 12, Xavier 6

May 9: Guilford 9, Hand 8

May 11: Hand 11, Minnechaug Regional MA 4

May 14: Hand 15, Sheehan 3