Several boys lacrosse teams from the Charlotte region will take part in the OrthoCarolina Preseason Play Day on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
All games will be played at Cornelius Road Park (247 Cornelius Road, Mooresville, NC 28115).
Here is what you need to know about each of the participating teams:
Note: A questionnaire was distributed to all participating teams’ head coaches. If a questionnaire was not returned, NAS attempted to create team previews based on available information online.
Ardrey Kell: Ardrey Kell enters 2026 coming off an 18-5 season that reinforced the Knights as a legitimate Charlotte-area power, including a third-round run in the 4A state playoffs before bowing out to eventual West champ Lake Norman. With a proven program baseline and a reputation for scoring in bunches (like a 25-3 win in the first round of the playoffs last season), the question this spring is whether Ardrey Kell can replace senior-heavy production and generate enough offense to take the next step forward in the postseason. Key players include Drake Joffs (47 goals/26 assists), Cole Stankavage (45 goals/27 assists), and Henry Urban (45 goals/30 assists).
Ballantyne Ridge: Ballantyne Ridge enters its second season of boys lacrosse with a big advantage: head coach Michael Desmond returns 100% of his starters from an 8-9 inaugural season that ended with a playoff berth. The Wolves’ stated goal this season is clear: make the playoffs again and win the program’s first postseason game. Keep an eye on key returners like Ryder Polston and Devin Delfino (both first-team all-conference selections), plus Caleb Owens, while Nick Laurenzi and Matt Chriscoe are pegged as potential breakout names.
Charlotte Catholic: Charlotte Catholic will again look like a postseason factor after going 16-8 a year ago, a campaign highlighted by big wins over top regional competition, including wins over Weddington and Ardrey Kell. The Cougars eventually fell in the 4A West semifinals in a 13-11 battle with Lake Norman. Charlotte Catholic did graduate major-point production from last season. According to MaxPreps, Charlotte Catholic graduated its top goals and assist leaders from last year. However, the emergence of younger contributors is the storyline to watch going into this season. Players like Cole Sovie (56 goals/18 assists), Emmett Drensek (29 goals/19 assists), and Ryan Tobin (4 goals/12 assists) were impact underclassmen last year.
Charlotte Country Day: Charlotte Country Day brings momentum into 2026 after a strong 19-7 season and a deep NCISAA Division I run that ended one step short of the championship game. Charlotte Country Day lost to Christ School 7-6 in the state semifinals. The Buccaneers also placed multiple players on the NCISAA all-state list (including Crandall Wilkins, Mason Maher, and Owen Timperman), underscoring the program’s top-end talent.
Charlotte Latin: Led by head coach Spencer Wims, Charlotte Latin is built to defend and control the middle behind senior leadership, and the Hawks are aiming even higher after going 12-8 and winning the CISAA championship a season ago. With 11 seniors back, Latin’s mission is to be consistent on offense, sharpen the clear/riding game, and position itself for a deep playoff run. The returning core includes proven players, highlighted by Dylan Mulligan (all-state selection; 40G/21A) and Banks Cutter (Middlebury commit), while Jake Rogers and Urijah Miller are among the breakout candidates.
Community School of Davidson: Community School of Davidson brings back a high-powered, senior-led offense and believes it has the pieces to win the conference and make another deep state playoff run after getting to the regional finals last year, which included a 16-9 record. For head coach John Bellissimo, the formula for taking the next step is straightforward: protect the ball and cut down on turnovers. The roster features a deep list of key returners — Jack Hofert and Grant Fischthal on attack, Mason Cobb on defense (Liberty commit), plus Brennan Davies, Cullin Finnerty, and faceoff specialist Maddox Jordan.
Cuthbertson: Cuthbertson’s 2026 outlook starts with growth after a 10-12 season in 2025, but the Cavs have real building blocks to lean on — especially on offense, which is highlighted by Connor Best (3.3 goals per game as a junior) and playmaker Zach Masciangelo (30 gaols/35 assists), who showed up among the team’s top scorers and assist leaders. The ceiling rises if that production expands across the lineup, and the Cavaliers can tighten up defensively against some tough competition they will face this season.
Dutch Fork: Dutch Fork is looking for a bounce-back season after a 4-12 campaign in 2025. With a young core, Dutch Fork has a chance to grow quickly this season. The Silver Foxes’ roster on MaxPreps shows a younger roster, with multiple freshmen and sophomores on last year’s roster.
Hough: Hough enters 2026 as one of the most proven winners in the state after a 20-4 season and a run to the 4A West regional final, where the Huskies were stopped by powerhouse Lake Norman, 15-6. Hough lost its leading goal scorer, but Grady Cinotti is back after scoring 58 goals and 48 assists as a sophomore. Cooper Show (41 goals/19 assists), Preston Graham (40 goals/14 assists), Noah Sheridan (32 goals/28 assists), Kelan Lewis (24 goals/26 assists), and Tripp Johnstone (13 goals/19 assists) are also back for the Huskies.
Lake Norman: Lake Norman is the standard-bearer in the west again after a 20-5 season that ended as 4A state runner-up, falling 10-8 to Cardinal Gibbons in the championship game. The Wildcats were also ranked among the best statewide and nationally by season’s end.
Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks lean on a solid defense as head coach Kevin Mack’s group tries to reload offensively after a strong 15-10 season, which ended with a second-place conference finish last spring. The conference road is tough, with teams like Weddington and Charlotte Catholic, and Marvin Ridge will have to replace major offensive production, including Braden Houlihan. To reach their full potential, Marvin Ridge will need to play unselfishly, share the ball, and develop new creators. Grayson Calloway is a potential breakout player this season and could generate a lot of offense. Alex Wasko is an attackman to watch. Defensively, key returners include Ronan Calloway (Wagner commit) and Connor Gorrie (Indianapolis commit).
Providence Day: After an 8-13 season last spring, head coach Bobby Thompson says he wants his team to re-establish itself as one of the state’s top teams this year. The foundation starts with a defense that expects to be much stronger after last season was derailed by injury, and Providence Day also likes its depth and athleticism in the midfield. Staying healthy and building chemistry are the big factors for the Chargers. Key returners include Carter Martin (Jacksonville commit) and William Kirchner, anchoring the defense, plus Mason Schmidt back to lead the attack. Offensively, Will Clark and William Hughes are named as potential breakout juniors. Aidan Gallos and William McDermott (Stevenson commit) will anchor the midfield.
Weddington: The Warriors went 13-5-1, dominated league play with a 10-0 record, and showed they can score with anyone in 2025. A one-goal regular season loss to Charlotte Catholic (12-11) was followed by a playoff exit against Northwest Guilford (17-6). Weddington has a good base to build on this year, as 2025 stat leaders included underclassmen like Liam Grace (49 goals/20 assists) and Cole Kopittke (35 goals/32 assists). Case Shelley (30 goals/23 assists) and Henry Kirchner (21 goals/2 assists) are other players to watch.