Players of the Week - Group 2
April 9, 2025 - Section V Boys Lacrosse Coordinator Mike Simon in conjunction with the Canandaigua National Bank are, once again, sponsoring recognition of noteworthy performances throughout the season.
In our second group we have a member from each class who have had noteworthy performances in the last week.
Offensive Players of the Week
Zach Tortora - Spencerport Midfielder
Zach Tortora The junior who has committed to play at Canisius has been an important part of the Spencerport successes going back to his freshman year. Last week he scored ten goals, eight gbs and five controlled turnovers to help the Rangers off to a 2-0 record with wins against HFL and Williamsville East (Section VI). His current career totals include 85g-36a-89gbs and 24takes.
Head Coach Bill Buttaro says "Tort is a gritty player. He is a true two-way midfielder that is rarely off the field. He is a junior and was voted to be a captain for the second year in a row by his teammates. I haven`t coached many kids that want to win as bad a Tort, and I can guarantee you he's going to do everything he can to try and get us there."
Gianluca Auriuso - Hilton Attackman
Gianluca Auriuso Sometimes a game-winning goal overtime is extra special. Last week Gianluca scored the last two goals in the Irondequoit game, to tie the game and then to win it on overtime. It was the first win for the Cadets against the Eagles since 2019. The sophomore, in his second year is off to a great start with 13g-7a.
Head Coach Tim Byrnes says, "Luca is a great team player and he works hard to be a better player every day. He`s a big part of our team and as a sophomore, we believe the future is bright for him."
Defensive Players of the Week
Cody Whittaker - Bloomfield-Honeoye Face-Off Midfielder
Cody Whittaker The Pride is off to a great start this year scoring forty goals in the first week which is due, in part, to the efforts of the senior face-off midfielder. Last week is won twenty faceoffs (80%), then seventeen (77%) and then twenty-five (81%) in their three opening games against Haverling, Brockport and Myndersse-Romulus. He also added thirty-six ground balls, and nine goals. In his fourth year on the Varsity he has won over 400 face-offs and picked up just under 250 ground balls.
Head Coach Joe Sidari says, “As a senior, Cody is a high-character leader in our program on and off the field, and has a motor that doesn`t stop. Not only is he a truly dependable two-way midfielder, he does an incredible job earning us extra possessions at the faceoff dot every game. We are very proud and excited for him earning his 400th career faceoff win last week, a testament to his hard work and dedication.”
AJ Theodorakakos - Penfield Defenseman
AJ Theodorakakos The Patriots are off to a tough start, but have been playing against some of the strongest teams in the section but there are still some strong performances from the hard-working team. One of them is junior defenseman AJ Theodorakakos who scored two goals against Orchard Park and two more against Hilton. He added six controlled turnovers and eight ground balls as well. Last summer AJ committed to the US Military Academy (West Point).
Head Coach John Schembri says, “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.”
Previous Groups: Group One
