Daily Archives: June 15, 2009

Billy Mattimore's skills resulted in him receiving the Brophy Award as the top male athlete in the school, the Senyard Award as an outstanding leader on the field and in the classroom and high school All-America recognition. Photo by LaxBuzz

A year from now, Billy Mattimore will be wrapping up his first year of college at Bucknell, the Lewisville, Pa., university where the Tiburon native will face his next athletic challenge.

If things go as planned, Mattimore will be helping the Bison maintain their status as one of the top NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse programs in the country.

Mattimore earned a scholarship to Bucknell thanks to his prowess on the field. As St. Ignatius’ lead attack, he had 67 goals and 57 assists to help the Wildcats finish 21-1 this season and also help earn him the IJ boys lacrosse player of the year.

SI finished with a No. 30 national ranking and as California’s No. 1 team, according to the laxpower.com rankings.

“He was our go-to,” SI coach Chris Packard said. “He’s very tenacious on the field and incredibly athletic. He loves the sport and is always looking to improve. He’s pretty fearless, too.”

Teammate Kevin Downs, a defenseman from San Rafael who along with Mattimore was a St. Ignatius co-captain, said Mattimore’s offensive skills and tenacity were appreciated by everyone on the team.

“What makes him so good at lacrosse is that he’s a very strong dodger,” Downs said. “He just has such quick feet that he would make a quick dodge and then shoot. And he has a great shot with no angle” at the net. “I don’t know how he scores from there.”

Mattimore’s skills resulted in him receiving the Brophy Award as the top male athlete in the school, the Senyard Award as an outstanding leader on the field and in the classroom and high school All-America recognition.

Having Mattimore as the leader of a strong SI offense meant the Wildcats defense could get a breather in many games.

“It was very comforting when our offense got control of the ball,” Downs said. “All of our attackmen were smart with the ball, especially Billy. When Billy got the ball and started dodging, it was a good feeling.”

Downs, who will play at Mount St. Mary’s, said it would be a thrill to play against Mattimore in college, though the teams are not regularly rivals.

Packard said it’s possible Mattimore could make his mark at Bucknell.

“It’s a big jump from high school to college,” Packard said. “It’s an even bigger jump to Division I. But I know he’ll be a great teammate. Whether he starts as a freshman, I don’t know. But I think he’ll contribute.”

http://www.marinij.com/sports/ci_12586917