It ended last spring with Garden City (N.Y.) winning a New York Class B championship, finishing the season at 22-0 and earning the consensus No. 1 spot as the nation's top boys team in the 2012 MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Lacrosse Rankings.

As we prepare to start the 2013 season, what better way than to take a preseason look at the Top 25 individual players, regardless of class, from across the country.

Our 2013 Top 25 prospects list includes players from 13 states and a wide variety of regions, even one from Canada. New York leads the way with nine prospects, followed by Maryland with four and Massachusetts with two.Zach Ambrosino, D/LSM, Sophomore, Taft School (Watertown, Conn.)
The 6-foot-1 Dover, Mass., native, a University of Virginia commit, has outstanding stick skills and an intuitive feel for the game. He joins NEPSAC member Taft after playing two seasons at Dover-Sherborn (Mass.)
Local Quote: Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald (@BLerch27)
"From the first day he stepped on the field at Dover-Sherborn, Zach was a force in the lineup and a terror in the defensive zone. He has been extremely well-coached both in high school as well as during the offseason, and as he has matured physically, he now has the size and strength to overpower opponents while losing none of the stick skills or quickness that have gotten him this far. His Lax IQ is off the charts for a young player and he also has a winner's mentality. D-S went 39-7 in his two seasons there, reaching the state championship game both times, and winning it last spring."

Justin Anderson, M, Junior, Centennial (Las Vegas)
Since Nevada has not yet sanctioned lacrosse, Anderson has played on his school's club team, but really turned heads during the summer recruit circuit with his ability to play fast and create transition opportunities.
Local Quote: Ray Brewer, Las Vegas Sun (@raybrewer21)
"Justin became one of the nation’s top high school players despite honing his craft in Southern Nevada. He showed promise in the sport at a young age, joining the Leavitt Middle School club team as a third-grader and finding success while playing against much older competition. By the time he was in eighth grade, he was traveling frequently to recruiting camps on the East Coast and shining against the best in the nation."

Sam Bonafede, M, Junior, Chaminade (Mineola, N.Y.)
The Princeton-bound two-way speedster is a quick and shifty dodger who is adept at shooting on the run.
Local Quote: Chris Vaccaro, Sachem Report (@ChrisVaccaro)
"Bonafede brings one of the top multi-dimensional midfield games in the country. His strong play between the lines and dodging ability as a lefty or righty makes him one of the most shifty and smart players out there."

Ryan Conrad, M, Sophomore, Loyola Blakefield (Towson, Md.)
A do-it-all dynamo, there's nothing this natural talent doesn't do, including taking faceoffs. He is committed to Virginia.
Local Quote: Chris Goldberg, editor, TopLaxRecruits.com (@toplaxrecruits)
"He could make an immediate impact as a sophomore on a team that lost 20 seniors. Ryan is a great all-around athlete who excels in several other sports."

John Daniggelis, M, Sophomore, Smithtown East (N.Y.)
Breakout performances at several summer showcases have made this hard-nosed and athletic two-way talent, also the quarterback on the varsity football team, a priority target of many of the nation’s top programs.
Local Quote: Chris Vaccaro, Sachem Report (@ChrisVaccaro)
"Suffolk County’s Division I should be worried they have to deal with Daniggelis for the next three years. He’s one of the top sophomores in the nation playing in one of the deepest divisions."

Wilkins Dismuke, A, Senior, Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
The 6-foot-2 Johns Hopkins University commit, a proficient playmaker, is adept at changing directions.
Local Quote: Doug Ottewill, Mile High Sports (@dottewill)
"I've known Wilkins since he was a freshman, and he's always exuded a confidence that you rarely see in high school athletes, particularly underclassmen. He's one of those kids who's constantly working on his game and that's obviously provided him with a tremendous skill set. But perhaps more importantly, it's given him a competitive edge and an element of mental toughness that most young players just don't have. He's just incredibly confident and poised."

Matt Emery, M, Senior, St. Ignatius Prep (San Francisco)
Also a standout in football, the 6--3, 200-pounder is the younger brother of All-American Rob Emery of the University of Virginia, which is also his collegiate destination.
Local Quote: Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle (@MitchMashMax)
"The first thing you note about Matt is he is the best athlete on the field always. Never a question. He's just a monster physically and has the ability to burn anyone one-on-one. He's not yet as polished as his brother, but he has a rocket much like him. Between football and lacrosse, he's definitely one of the top two-sport athletes in Northern California."

Jordan Evans, A/M, Senior, Jamesville-Dewitt (Dewitt, N.Y.)
Versatility is the name of the game for this Syracuse University-bound standout, who is equally comfortable at either offensive position.
Local Quote: John Moriello, New York State Sportswriters Association President (@nysswa)
"A foot injury from basketball severely limited (Evans) early as a junior in 2012. What we saw over the final 12 games of J-D's march to the state semifinals is why he'll be in the running for Central New York Player of the Year this season. His numbers (40 goals, 31 assists last spring and 125 career goals) only hint at the real issue in trying to stop him: Whether at midfield or on attack, he anticipates the flow, and already knows his next move before the ball even touches his stick."

Jake Fox, A, Sophomore, Trinity-Pawling (Pawling, N.Y.)
The 6t-2, 200-pound Ontario, Canada, native grew up playing box lacrosse and also plays football and hockey. He has announced his intentions to attend Johns Hopkins University.

Justin Guterding, A, Senior, Garden City (N.Y.)
This Duke University-bound lefty, who has great field vision to go along with a strong and accurate shot, is in pursuit of a second straight-state title in lacrosse after helping the Garden City football team win the Long Island Championship.
Local Quote: Chris Vaccaro, Sachem Report (@ChrisVaccaro)
"Duke and Garden City have a great history and Guterding will add to that legacy. It's not before he helps lead the Trojans to another state title, which is the goal every year. Strong, accurate, heady and decisive in everything he does."

Stephen Kelly, M, Senior, Calvert Hall (Baltimore)
The only high school player named to the 23-member Under-19 U.S. National team last season, Kelly is not only dominant in the faceoff X and on groundballs, but is also a well-rounded offensive player.
Local Quote: Chris Goldberg, editor, TopLaxRecruits.com (@toplaxrecruits)
"He's established himself as one of the top scholastic players in the nation for his ability at the X and his all-around skills. Just a dynamic player."

Timmy Kelly, A, Sophomore, Calvert Hall (Baltimore)
Tremendous stick skills and a strong lacrosse IQ are the attributes most synonymous with this University of North Carolina commit.
Local Quote: Chris Goldberg, editor, TopLaxRecruits.com (@toplaxrecruits)
"Another sophomore that should make an impact after a standout summer. He comes from a great lacrosse-playing family and should help Calvert Hall remain a MIAA favorite."

Jack Lambert, D, Senior, John Jay (Cross River, N.Y.)
Also a standout quarterback and wide receiver in football, the University of North Carolina commit's lacrosse game is marked by good speed and exceptional stick skills that make him one of his team's top offensive threats despite being a long-stick player.
Local Quote: Mike Dougherty, Journal News (@LoHudLacrosse) 
"Lambert's physical gifts make it easy to overlook a very high lacrosse IQ. He is a game-changer who is always weighing time and score, and playing accordingly. Lambert is capable of locking down a top scoring threat with speed, muscle or finesse. He can also turn any ground ball into a timely goal at the other end."

Ryan Lukacovic, A, Senior, Chaminade (Mineola, N.Y.)
A shifty player who can dodge from anywhere on the field, the University of Virginia commit comes from a lacrosse family steeped in tradition. His father played at UMass and his brother plays at Fairfield University.
Local Quote: Chris Vaccaro, Sachem Report (@ChrisVaccaro)
"Virginia has themselves one of the top attackers in the nation. His ability to dodge from all parts of the field is second to none. Lacrosse is in his veins, so it’s no surprise."

Matt Rambo, A, Senior, La Salle (Wyndmoor, Pa.)
The University of Maryland-bound Rambo, a two-time All-American who is just four goals shy of 200 for his varsity career, is a burly, hard-nosed and skilled super scorer.
Local Quote: Chris Goldberg, editor, TopLaxRecruits.com (@toplaxrecruits)
"Matt has done everything in his high school career except win a state title - and he's clearly made that his major goal for 2013. He can dominate on the offensive end at any time."

Tim Rotanz, A, Senior, Shoreham-Wading River (Shoreham, N.Y.)
The talented and versatile University of Maryland-bound feeder/finisher helped his father and coach, Tom Rotanz, win the third state title in program history last year.
Local Quote: Chris Vaccaro, Sachem Report (@ChrisVaccaro)
"Like father, like son. Playing for his dad at Shoreham, Tim is an aggressive and smart attackman who will make a move for the scoring title in Suffolk this season. He’s as good as they come on Long Island."

Mitch Russell, A, Junior, Fort Mill (S.C.)
The first sophomore All-American in state history, Russell has electrifying shooting and stick skills, and targets his shots on goal from a variety of release points.

Matt Ryan, LSM, Senior, Phillips Exeter ( N.H.)
A native of Ipswich, Mass., who started playing in third grade on his father's youth team, the athletic and versatile defender will be revisiting his Massachusetts roots by attending Harvard University.

Austin Sims, M, Junior, Fairfield Prep (Conn.)
Foot speed and footwork are keys to the Princeton commit's game, which should come as no surprise considering the athletic dodger with a high lacrosse IQ is also a soccer standout.
Local Quote: Pat Pickens, Fairfield Citizen (@pat_pickens)
"There is nothing soft about Austin Sims’ game. The gritty attacking midfielder is willing to go to the tough areas to score goals, but he also dishes out his fair share of punishment to opponents. Sims is one of the state’s most dynamic soccer forwards too, making the junior a true double-threat."

Shack Stanwick, A, Junior, Boys Latin (Baltimore)
Before becoming the eighth and final sibling – four boys and four girls – to play at the Division I collegiate level, this polished playmaker still has two varsity seasons of highlights awaiting him.
Local Quote: Chris Goldberg, editor, TopLaxRecruits.com (@toplaxrecruits)
"With his great game sense and array of skills, Shack will serve as the ideal quarterback on a team loaded with talent. He can do just about anything needed on attack."

James Sullivan, M, Sophomore, Garden City (N.Y.)
Outstanding play in the faceoff X earned this uncommitted standout a significant role on last year's state-title team. Now look for him to show his outstanding offensive ability and excellent two-way skills.
Local Quote: Chris Vaccaro, Sachem Report (@ChrisVaccaro)
"To be a sophomore and be a difference maker on Garden City’s roster says a lot. The perennial state title contenders benefit from Sullivan’s faceoff play, and he will be one of the top scoring threats in Nassau County this season."

Will Reynolds, D, Sr., Delbarton (Morristown, N.J.)
With ideal size at 6-3, the Princeton University-bound position defender also is equipped with excellent footwork.
Local Quote: Charles Guthrie, Newark Star-Ledger (@guthriec4)
"Delbarton's defense was one of the reasons it was able to navigate through a rugged schedule last year and make it to the Tournament of Champions final. Will was the leader of that defense and, if you have never seen him play lacrosse, you can watch what he does on the football field as a two-way player to see the physical tools he has. He's big and physical, but also has the athleticism to move around with quicker players."

Riley Thompson, M, Jr., Culver Academies (Culver, Ind.)
The speedy dynamo, who can change directions on a dime, has committed to Princeton.

Cade Van Raaphorst, LSM/D, Sophomore, Desert Vista (Phoenix)
An athletic and skilled defender, Van Rapphorst's strong play in summer showcases resulted in a verbal commitment to Duke.
Local Quote: Richard Obert, Arizona Republic (@azc_obert)
"I'm not surprised (about the recognition for Van Raaphorst), knowing his dad, Jeff, who was the quarterback who last led Arizona State to a Rose Bowl championship in 1987."

Zed Williams, M, Senior, Silver Creek (N.Y.)
The two-time All-American became the all-time career points leader in state history in the last game of the 2012 season.
Local Quote: John Moriello, New York State Sportswriters Association President (@nysswa)
"What could be cooler than a star who embraces the Native American heritage of the sport? How about a guy who has already broken Casey Powell's 18-year-old state record for career points but still trains in the summer by pushing loaded wheelbarrows up hills?"

Joe Lombardi is author of the "Lax with Joe" blog at LaxLessons.com, an analyst for the MSG Varsity television network and primary author of the most recent edition of "Lacrosse for Dummies." Follow Joe on Twitter @joe_lombardi