Athletes who win Most Valuable Player awards share a lot of qualities. They are all obviously very athletic and talented. Some are known for their speed, while others have more power than their opponents — but one thing almost all MVP winners have is that ability to step up in clutch situations.
Thornton Academy junior CJ LaBreck clearly has the athletic ability and talent to compete with anyone, but the major reason why he was named the Journal Tribune’s 2018 Boys Lacrosse MVP was his incredible play in the postseason — even with a hamstring injury holding him back.
LaBreck, who was impressive all season long, really put on a show in the playoffs. The junior attackman scored four times and dished out four assists in the Class A South regional final to help the Trojans reach the state championship game for the first time in program history.
It was in the state final at Fitzpatrick Stadium where LaBreck’s legacy would really grow. The standout had injured his hamstring during the regional title game, but would not let that keep him out of the game.
So what did he do in the biggest game of the season with one of his legs trying its best to help the opposition? LaBreck merely scored SIX goals and fueled a Trojans’ rally in the second half to help TA win its first-ever state championship in boys lacrosse.
“It was a tough game. I definitely thought I was healthy and ready to go, but as soon as I stepped onto the field it was a hard go. I just took it play-by-play and tried to go as hard as I could even though my abilities weren’t letting me,” said LaBreck. “That game was definitely rough for me on my hamstring, but I didn’t want to lose and I wanted to put everything out for my team. I know they deserved it and I wanted it just as bad as everyone.”
The TA crowd at Fitzpatrick Stadium was bigger than that of the Falmouth Yachtsmen, but probably the most impressive scene of the 2018 boys lacrosse postseason was the Trojans’ regional final game at Hill Stadium.
“I play football as well and it was just like a football game,” said LaBreck of the raucous crowd for the regional title game. “The crazy crowd and the crowd just being so supportive of you … you just wanted to do great things so that the crowd could cheer for you. It was just a great environment and we wanted to take it to another level.”
Heading into the 2018 season, the Trojans knew they had a chance to make history, according to LaBreck.
“We definitely did. We were very confident in the beginning. We didn’t want to be too overconfident, but we definitely knew that we could make a big impact,” said LaBreck, who scored 44 goals and dished out 34 assists in 2018.
What made the Trojans even more dangerous as the season progressed was the fact that their confidence continued to grow.
“It was a little bit crazy. We just took it week-by-week and we definitely saw each other getting better and better,” said LaBreck. “Our defense was great and it just made our offense better, and our offense got better and that made our defense better. We just knew that we were improving and there was no going down from there.”
LaBreck was happy to share the field — and the scoring chances — with talented attackmen like Noah Edborg, Tom Levasseur and Jack Webb.
“It’s great. You can’t really lock all of us off. Once you lock one of us off, there’s a bunch of other people open. When you have all those offensive weapons it makes the team great,” said LaBreck, who has verbally committed to Division I Monmouth University.
LaBreck gives plenty of credit to TA head coach Ryan Hersey for leading the Trojans to their first state title.
“Coach Hersey definitely deserved the Coach of the Year (award), and personally he’s been my mentor and so is (assistant coach) Mike Hersey, but (Ryan Hersey) just makes an impact on everyone personally and being a coach on the field,” said LaBreck.
The TA standout was thrilled to receive the MVP honor and wanted to share it with his coaches and teammates.
“It’s amazing … it’s a great honor,” said LaBreck. “I just want to thank everyone. Everyone who has ever put me through everything and all the help I’ve gotten from my coaches and my teammates.”
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.