With the lacrosse season right round the corner, Lax.com will be breaking down region-by-region who the best teams and players to watch for. We start first in the nations lacrosse hotbed, the Northeast where some of the biggest names in the sport will take the field this spring.

New York:
Top Team: Garden City High School
Coach: Steve Finnell
Players to watch: Brian Badgett (MF), Scott D'Antonio (D), Justin Guterding (A)
Watch the Game: Irondequoit vs Garden City

After an undefeated 2012 season, a New York Class B title, and the number one overall ranking in the country, Garden City takes home the crown for the top team in New York over other powerhouses like Shoreham-Wading River and West Islip. Led by coach Steve Finnell and a strong class of seniors, the Trojans are primed to repeat their state title and stay atop the national rankings. D'Antonio and fellow senior Eddie Blatz anchor a strong defense in front of senior goalie Matt Cortese, while Guterding and Badgett lead Finnell's “one more” offense. Expect another huge season from Garden City.

Other schools vying for State Titles:
St. Anthony's, Chaminade, Christian Brothers Academy, Ithaca, Irondequoit

Players to Watch:
Christian Brothers Academy: Braedon Gait, Junior MF; JR Zazzara, Junior MF
John Jay High School: Jack Lambert , Senior D
St. Anthony's: Nick Koshansky, Senior MF, Jon Lamonica, Senior LSM
Chaminade: Danny Fowler, Senior G; Ryan Lukacovic, Senior A
Shoreham-Wading River: Tim Rotanz, Senior A

Connecticut
Top Team: Darien High School
Coach: Jeff Brameier
Top Players: Phil Huffard (G), Peter Lindley (A), Peter Gesualdi (D)
Watch the Game: Darien vs New Canaan

Led by a legendary coach and a constant influx of young talent, Darien has been one of the top schools in the nation for high school lacrosse, let alone the state of Connecticut. After a winning the Class M state title last year with a senior laden team, coach Jeff Brameier will be counting on a mix of remaining seniors and underclassman to repeat this year. It all starts with junior goalie Phil Huffard, the Yale commit who will start this year despite a broken hand at the end of 2012. In front of Huffard, captains Gesualdi and C.J. Raia lead a young but talented defense, while Lindley returns to lead the attack.

Other schools vying for State Titles:
Fairfield Prep, Ridgefield, Wilton, New Canaan

Players to Watch:
Fairfield Prep: Kevin Brown, Senior A; Austin Simms, Senior MF;
Brien McMahon: Andrew D'Antonio, Senior A
Ridgefield: Sam Gravitte, Senior MF
New Cannan: Eric Persky, Senior D; John Rhudy Senior D
Wilton: Ted Ottens, Senior FOGO
Greenwich: Kyle Foote, Junior MF

Massachusetts
Top Team: Deerfield Academy
Coach: Charles Davis
Top Players: Ray Horgan (D), Adam Phillie (A), Harrison Lane (A)
Watch the Game: Deerfield vs Avon Old Farms

Since 2007, Deerfield Academy has dominated Western New England with an impressive 75-3 record and a share of eight league titles. Led by 2004 Western New England Coach of the Year Charles Davis and an impressive collection of talent, Deerfield will look to remain at the tops of both the regional and national rankings it has been a main stay of the past decade. Look for Ivy league commits Phillie and Lane to lead Deerfield on offense this season, while Horgan locks down the back end. Plenty of optimism here for Deerfield to contend for another league title in one of New England's toughest divisions.

Other schools vying for State Titles:
Duxbury, Dover-Sherborn, Wellesley

Players to Watch:
Dover-Sherborn: Grant Gregory, Sophomore A/M;
Scituate: Tucker Ciessau, Senior A
Rivers School: Nick DeSisto, Senior MF
Duxbury: C.J. Loconte, Senior A