On Thursday, May 23, 2019, six Pennridge seniors were recognized for committing to continue their lacrosse careers at the collegiate level. Check back for photos of the event.
“This senior class was a great bunch of kids,” coach JP Banks said. “I was lucky enough to have coached them together for a long time, and they’ve been an integral part of the program’s turnaround.”
Johnnie Banks – Franklin & Marshall College (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided
Reasons for choosing Franklin & Marshall: “The coaches are building a program that I want to be a part of. I really love the campus as well.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “My coaches and teammates pushed me every day to be a better player and helped get me to this point.”
Coach JP Banks says: “I’ve coached Johnnie since he was five years old. He’s another one of those players who’s worked really hard for everything he’s got. He’s the quarterback of our defense – a vocal leader out there. It was like having another coach on the field. He was an Academic All-American and earned all-league recognition three years.”
About Johnnie:
Favorite food: Buffalo Chicken Dip
Favorite music: Anything but Country
Nicholas Fanelli – Eastern University (Lacrosse).jpg)
Major: Education
Reasons for choosing Eastern: “The coaches were great, and when I stepped on campus the first time, I felt at home.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “Family, teammates and coaches support and help throughout my career.”
Coach JP Banks says: “Nick Fanelli is an attackman, and he’s probably one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever coached. He’s just really a hard worker, a tough kid. I remember when he started as a freshman he had a cast on his hand, and he really has worked at developing an all-around game. When we first got him, he was just a finisher but then learned how to be the quarterback of the offense. I’ve been around some pretty hardworking kids, and he’s right up there with the hardest working kids that I’ve ever coached. He earned all-league recognition three years, and he graduated as Pennridge’s all-time leading scorer with 275 career points.”
About Nicholas:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: Hangover
Favorite music: Rap
Dan Hart – Cabrini University (Lacrosse)
Major: Business Management
Reasons for choosing Cabrini: “Liked the school, campus and coaches.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “Coaches, teammates, family and friends.”
Coach JP Banks says: “Dan is a long stick middie who was a four-year starter for us. He just controlled the pace of the game between the restraining boxes. He’s a great stick and has a real knack for putting the ball on the ground, getting it back up and starting transition. Dan earned all-league honors all four years.”
About Dan:
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite movie: Forrest Gump
Favorite music: Rap
Brandon Howell – Cabrini University (Lacrosse)
Major: Business Management
Reasons for choosing Cabrini: “It felt like home, great coaching staff, close to city and home, one of the top (lacrosse) teams.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “Family, coaches, teammates pushed me to want to play at the highest level.”
Coach JP Banks says: “We were very happy when Brandon decided to come back to Pennridge in 10th grade. He’s just a physical force on defense and really inflicts his will on the guy he’s playing. We’re going to miss him. He was a three-time all-league player, and he’s going to be a great addition for Cabrini.”
About Brandon Howell:
Favorite food: Chicken Piccata
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite music: Dierks Bentley
Justin Lyle – Gwynedd Mercy University (Lacrosse)
Major: Criminal Justice
Reasons for choosing Gwynedd Mercy: “Gwynedd was close to home, so I can commute to save money. They also have a great criminal justice program.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I played varsity as a junior and senior and wanted to continue playing at the college level. I filled out recruiting forms for many colleges in the area. Coach (Dana) Lindstrom contacted me and told me about Gwynedd. I committed after seeing the great program they’re building and their criminal justice program.”
Coach JP Banks says: “Justin has put in a ton of work throughout his high school career, and he’s really just starting to come into his own on the field. Whether it be on the field or raising the spirits of everyone on the team, Justin, a defenseman, was all in and all about the success of our program. I think he’s going to do great things at Gwynedd Mercy.”
About Justin:
Favorite food: Chicken Parmesan
Favorite movie: Avengers: Endgame
Favorite music: Country
Logan Lazasz – High Point University (Lacrosse)
Coach JP Banks says: “Logan was an attackman and was great for us to have. He came up with some huge clutch plays. It was fun watching him develop from a one-dimensional player to a player who could do a lot of different things.”
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