The Head Coaches of Section V considered players who had been nominated for All-American and All-Academic awards. The awards identify some of the best players from each area around the country. Each of the head coaches in the Section is allowed to vote on each of the awards. The selections from our area were then submitted to the USA Lacrosse for final approval.
The All-American awards are given to excellent lacrosse players from the area. The national program allows one award for each six teams in the area but this year there were six awards available. Twenty-two players were nominated. Section V coaches require that players who are in leagues must make first team league honors in order to be considered.
For the All-Academic award, an emphasis has been placed on the academic qualification of the nominees, but players were required to be assets for their teams. Where, in the past, nominees for this award were first considered for their skill on this field, again this year, although skill was considered important, nominees did not need to be "All-American" quality players.
Academically, nominees needed to have an average GPA of 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale). There were also six awards available in Section V and some players were nominated for both awards.
The Head Coaches also selected a USA Lacrosse Coach of the Year for NYS Section V. This year the coaches selected the Co-Coaches from Gates Chili, who have helped save the program and instill new enthusiasm for the sport. Glenn Pittman & Bill Lewis "increased the number of kids participating, made a schedule where they could find success and helped change a culture that may have been broken."
In 2012, USA Lacrosse added an award named for the long-time Johns Hopkins lacrosse coach and Athletic Director, Bob Scott. The annual award is given to a senior of outstanding character, good academic standing and one who demonstrates good sportsmanship and safe play. The winner from Section V, this year, is Jamison Brown, from Spencerport High School.
Head Coach, Bill Buttaro says, "Jamison Brown is the type of person and player that every coach would dream of coaching. A true team guy. Jamison's whole life he was a goalie, before the 2024 season, we were short on midfielders, I asked him to switch positions, and he started for us at midfield all season. This year he started the season back in goal for us, but as injuries mounted at halftime of the Hilton game, I asked him to play midfield again to get us through the game. Without hesitation or question he sprinted to our equipment room and changed his gear. Warmed up and off he went."
Keegan Ahern- Pittsford senior Defenseman - Hofstra
Head Coach Andrew Whipple says: "Keegan Ahern is "the full package" when it comes to an athlete, leader, teammate and person. He is a highly skilled athlete with exceptional game IQ in the sport of lacrosse. This year Keegan led our team in ground balls, was routinely assigned to cover the opposing team's best mid-fielder and was on the wing for every face-off. Keegan is well-respected and admired by teammates of his own class as well as players at the younger levels. Our team will miss Keegan next year, and I have no doubt he will continue his successes during his lacrosse and academic career at Hofstra and beyond."
Teagan Fingar - Penn Yan senior midfielder - Mount Saint Mary
Head Coach Brian Hobart says: "Teagan has been a starter in our program since the 8th grade. He has established himself as the hardest worker in our program during that time. He has been a mentor to many of our younger players and gives his time and energy to the youngest of players in our program. Little kids flock to him and his energy for the game.He will leave our program as one of the all time leading scorers and in the top 5 in most all offensive categories. He signed a letter of intent to attend Mt St Mary's University in the fall.- Teagan has fought thru many challenges and never backed down from any of them. He embodies what it is to be a lacrosse player in Penn Yan."
Mitchell Monte - Fairport senior Attack/midfielder - Dartymouth
Head Coach Mike Torrelli says: "Mitchell has a special instinct in the game of lacrosse that has allowed him to make plays most can't. He's done this every year he's played for us as a two way midfielder, one of the most demanding positions in lacrosse. This year, as an attackman, he's been able to showcase his ability as an offensive player. With athleticism, strength, speed, and unique dodging against the best defenders from every team, he is able to score with his hands free or under pressure. His humble demeanor and infectious work ethic have allowed him to succeed more and more each year, but also has set a standard for our entire program and community of student athletes."
Coooper Moore - Irondequoit junior attack/midfielder - West Point
Head Coach Aaron Bottazzo says: "Cooper is an outstanding young man, and he is a top-notch lacrosse player as well. Cooper has been one of the top attackmen in Section V since the moment he played varsity as an 8th grader. He works hard all the time on and off the field and elevates his teammates as well. Cooper does everything in his power to improve and reach team success. Additionally, he executes at a high level and is one of, if not the top attackmen in Section V and has sustained success over that past 4 years at the varsity level and is only a Junior. Cooper was voted a captain by his teammates due to his relentless work ethic care for the team and the way he carries himself in the program and in the community. He is a great player and an even better person."
Will Rheude - Canandaigua senior defenseman - Loyola
Head Coach Deven York says: "Will is going to Loyola on a scholarship to play lacrosse. He is extremely versatile and will play short stick defensive midfielder for them. For us he plays close an LSM defense, we always put him on the other teams best players and he has neutralized them when he is one on one. Will is a force between the lines, he stretches the field for us in transition. He stays on offense quite a bit and must be accounted for. He is great with the ball on the ground and plays wing of face offs. Will is invaluable on our team because of all the facets of the game he influences. He is a great student that is teachable and respectful. The strength of our team is how unified they are and this is a result of our leadership. Will doesn't call people out, he calls them in."
AJ Theodorakakos - Penfield junior defenseman - West Point
Head Coach John Schembri says: "- Despite the title of being a captain he leads through example. A.J. epitomizes everything we ask of a Penfield Lacrosse Player. More than his unique skill set, his effort, physicality, work ethic, character and leadership are second to none. That is why it should be no surprise that he was selected to serve our country at the USMA at West Point after he graduates. We are blessed to have someone like A.J. as a leader in our program."
Zachary Ajavananda - Spencerport senior midfielder - Uncommitted
Head Coach Bill Buttaro says: "He works hard for everyone on the field and is a great teammate. He works hard, and speaks little. He has worked really hard to be the player he is today. Zac is a young man of incredible integrity. He does the right thing on the field, in the classroom and in our community. Zac has stepped up in a big way since our playoff run in 2024, and in 2025 he has done an incredible job in our offense, being one of our main ball handlers and scorers. I am excited to see what Zac can achieve in the next Chapter of his life."
Ryan Bremer - Canandaigua senior midfielder - RIT
Head Coach Deven York says: "When I took over as Varsity coach in 2017 I did a lax rat challenge for our youth where they had to record minutes on the wall. Ryan won that as a 9 year old. He loves the game of lacrosse. He is always calm, measured and has a smile on his face. He is not a me guy, he only cares about the success of the team and will do whatever is asked. A joy to coach and an incredible teammate and leader. He is a friend to all and is a major reason our team plays together and selfless. Ryan is the role model for our program. "
Max Heieck - Geneva senior midfielder - St John Fisher University
Head Coach Jeff Dunham says, "Max is the very definition of a balanced lacrosse player. He was the Finger Lakes Attackman of the Year as a Junior and as of writing this he has 136 career goals and 116 career assists for a total of 254 career points, which ranks in the top 3 in Geneva`s 103 year history. Max has been a leader this season and for the past several years. He organizes pickup sessions, mentors younger players, and leads by example in the classroom. He plays whatever role he needs to play to help his team win. Off the field, Max is a member of the National Honor Society, a volunteer for the Geneva Half-Marathon, and a mentor to incoming freshman through our school`s Link Crew organization."
Drew O`Buck - Hilton senior midfielder/Face Off - Hobart
Head Coach Tim Byrnes says, "Drew has been a mainstay on varsity since his Freshman season. He has put in the work to become the great player that he is. He was named 1st team all county last year and I expect the same this year. He continuously works to improve his craft as well as make the players around him better. He is self driven to find success, his leadership and skill has not only help him on the high school field but it will also lead to his success at the next level when he heads to Hobart College. Drew O'Buck is everything you want in a All American."
Michael Thomas - Bloomfield-Honeoye senior defenseman - Uncommitted
Head Coach Joe Sidarie says, "Last year as a junior Michael earned first team all-league honors. As a sophomore, He earned 3rd team all-legaue honors. This year he will be up for defensemen of the year for our league.Michael has maintained a 98.04 unwieghted GPA and a 99.46 weighted GPA throughout his high school academic career. He has taken a rigorous courseload all through high school and has completed 8 AP or IB classes including 3 during his senior year and mulitple FLCC GEMINI college courses as well. He will be attending Fisher and persuing a degree in Pharmacy."
Will Thompson - Penn Yan senior Goalie - Uncommitted
Head CoachBrian Hobart says, "Will is an outstanding young man. He is a valuable member of our school community and leads by example. He is trustworthy and sincere in his approach to the game and his academic endeavors. He has an outstanding record of behavior in his academic career and chose to turn down a division I scholarship to pursue his academic goals. He is the captain of our defense and leads in a vocal manner. He is willing to address tough issues and assist his teammates in growing. Even when he has been injured he remained supportive and echoing the coaches messages."
