High school all-stars gather to compete for Mayor’s Cup

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From November to June, the best athletes in New York City come together to play. Known as the Mayor’s Cup, a string of all-star games combines athletes from three major sports leagues to see which league holds the most talent.

“It was an honor, because it’s something that people really strive to do,” former Ethical Culture Fieldston School student Natalie White said. The athlete, who participated in the girls’ lacrosse game for the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), has played on varsity for four years and earned First-Team All-League this season.

“I was just so happy to be able to play in the Mayor’s Cup, because players before me had played,” she said. “It was fun to be part of an all-star team.

The girls’ lacrosse game was supposed to be held on June 5, but was pushed back a day because of rain. Since NYSAIS couldn’t field a full team, the squad from the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) agreed to play with fewer active players than would normally be involved. The PSAL won the game, 11-9.

Since this was an all-star game, players on each side weren’t used to playing with each other.

“It was definitely harder than when you practice with your team for the full season,” former Riverdale Country School student Natasha Lowitt said. “On your own school team, you know everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.”

But since each player was a top athlete, “it was really easy to play off of each other,” White said. “Everyone was more accustomed to the game and had more field vision.”

Chemistry may be less important in some sports, such as baseball or cricket. But players still need to get to adjust to their teammates, said Jack Buckley, a former High School of American Studies pitcher.

“When you’re playing with a new group of guys it takes a while to get used to them,” Buckley, a pitcher for PSAL, said. “It’s hard to get used to a new catcher.”

Even if they didn’t play with each other, the players were somewhat familiar with each other as their teams crossed paths during the season.

“You know what they’re capable of,” said Buckley, who will be pitching for Franklin & Marshall University in Pennsylvania next season. “You know everybody there is a great player.”

The Catholic High School Athletic Association defeated the PSAL in baseball, 7-4.

White said the advanced skill level made the lacrosse game more difficult on both sides.

“[There were] more completed passes [and] better shot selection,” she said. “All of the girls knew the game really well.”

In order to get into the Mayor’s Cup, athletes have to focus on their regular season, Buckley said.

“If you want to play in it, just have a good season,” he said. “At the end of the season the numbers don’t lie.”

 As for the game itself, Buckley said future athletes need not be intimidated by the all-star makeup of the teams. 

“Just have fun and don’t let it get too big,” he said.

Other Mayor’s Cup games from June included golf, softball, and cricket. Boys lacrosse was canceled due to rain.

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