The annual James C. Metzger Leadership Award for Nassau County high school boys’ lacrosse was presented to one player on each of the six teams that competed in the finals of the 2018 Section VIII Nassau County lacrosse championships.
Each award recipient reflected the tenacity, honesty, commitment and positive attitude required in lacrosse. Each player also possessed the ability to inspire others on and off the field.
One of the six award recipients was Manhasset High School senior defender and team captain James Amorosana. He also played football for the school. A hard-charging, rangy lefty with good speed, Amorosana committed to Marquette University two years ago.
The lacrosse championships were held at Hofstra University. The participating high school teams were:
Class A—Massapequa versus Syosset with Massapequa winning 7-3
Class B—Manhasset versus Garden City with Garden City winning 15-5
Class C—Cold Spring Harbor versus Wantagh with Cold Spring Harbor winning 10-9
The awards were presented personally by James Metzger, a Long Island high school and college lacrosse star. Metzger set assist records (82 in one season) and won many awards during his days at Half Hollow Hills East High School, including All-American honors and the 1977 Ray Enners Award for outstanding Suffolk County lacrosse player when he scored 102 points. Metzger also starred in football and played varsity basketball as a sophomore in the Suffolk County playoffs.
After graduation from high school, Metzger played lacrosse for two years at Hofstra University. As an All-American, he led Hofstra in assists during his freshman and sophomore seasons (1979 and 1980). His single season points per game average (4.9) ranks fourth all-time and his single season assist average (2.8) ranks eighth.
Metzger is a member of the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame, lead supporter for the sports facility at St. Anthony’s High School and is the founder and CEO of The Whitmore Group, a leading insurance services and estate planning company that is headquartered in Garden City.
