The 61st annual USILA North-South Classic, pitting some of the best seniors who recently concluded their college lacrosse careers, was a loose affair. That's just the way Josh Tankersley wanted it.
A midfielder from Towson University, Tankersley typified the depth that served the South well in its 23-13 win over the North before a crowd of family and friends at Homewood Field. He collected two goals and an assist, but more important avoided aggravating the hamstring injury that was one of the reasons the Tigers' season seemed over before it started.
Tankersley collected 26 goals and four assists as a junior, when Towson made a surprise run to the final four. This season he had to sit out four games and missed part of one more, and his production dipped to eight goals and an assist as the Tigers had a toothless 7-5 season that Tankersley said was "pretty frustrating."
Other players in the Classic are making plans to turn professional or preparing for this summer's world championships in Brisbane, Australia. Tankersley was taken in the fourth round of the Major League Lacrosse draft by the Bridgeport Barrage, but he's considering heading Down Under, too. He isn't on the U.S. team; Tankersley is just in the mood for a walkabout.
"There are other things I want to do this summer," Tankersley said. "I'm trying to plan a trip to Australia. I just want to go there. As far as my lacrosse plans after today, I don't have any. I'm sure I'll play again, but I want to give my leg a rest and let it completely heal."
One of the most talented players ever to come out of the state of Michigan, Tankersley needs one more year at Towson to complete his degree requirements. An education major, he spent much of the last year monitoring physical education classes at a couple of elementary schools in Baltimore County, Perry Hall and Stoneleigh.
Tankersley was one of the 26 players who suited up for the South. When defenseman Paul Chamoun went down with an ankle injury, the North was down to 18 players. Its no-shows included Syracuse's John Glatzel, the national Defenseman of the Year. Minus the Boys' Latin grad, the North used one of his NCAA championship teammates on defense, even though Josh Coffman is an offensive star.
The North had an early 4-2 lead, but the South scored three goals in 36 seconds to trigger an 11-2 run. The difference never got closer than four goals, as Most Valuable Player Brian Carroll, Maryland's faceoff specialist, helped the South control possession. Georgetown's Steve Dusseau and Maryland's Nate Watkins each had four goals and an assist; Virginia's Conor Gill had a goal and four assists; and Towson's Brad Reppert had three and one.
The North won the Division III game, 17-16, despite six goals by Western Maryland's Tom Brown for the South.