Ever since 2016, our lacrosse program has been undeniably consistent. Going from an average team to State Champions is not possible with just a few good players. For this success, you need a strong framework and a strong collection of coaches to help build the team into its best possible form. Some of these standout coaches include Coach Greenberg and Coach Holota, who not only started the first lacrosse program in Wake County, but also helped build the foundation of lacrosse throughout the state.
Coach Greenberg started playing lacrosse in high school, being introduced to it by a close friend. He fell in love with the sport, as it was a “combination of pretty much every sport I liked to play.” This passion for lacrosse continued through college. “I started coaching in college,” he explains. “We didn’t have a coach, so I took the role of a player-coach.” Following his graduation, Coach Greenberg came to North Carolina and started the first public lacrosse program in Wake County at Southeast Raleigh High School. Additionally, he started the lacrosse program at Holly Springs High School and was given the opportunity to take his 30+ year experience further when he became assistant coach at Middle Creek High School, alongside several-time conference winner and State Champion, Coach Holota.
Coach Holota started his lacrosse journey at a young age, and similarly to Coach Greenberg, he was introduced to the sport by his friend. Prior to beginning his coaching career, his lacrosse experience started with an indoor league. Following this league, he played throughout high school and decided to develop lacrosse further in North Carolina. Working with Coach Greenberg, he also helped build the first public lacrosse program in the county at Southeast Raleigh High School. Afterwards, he was the assistant coach at Holly Springs High School for eight years before being given the chance to become head coach at Middle Creek High School. Coach Holota took this opportunity in stride and did not disappoint. He guided his team to victory after victory, and led Middle Creek to its first ever lacrosse state championship.
The bond between the players and coaches is indescribable. “It all starts with our coaching staff,” junior Camden Young explains. “We always find ways to put time and effort, and we [players] know the expectation.”
Contrary to how it appears on the surface, Middle Creek doesn’t have 30 players who have all been playing since childhood. Granted, some, such as junior James Cardillo, followed in the footsteps of his family. “My whole family played lacrosse growing up. My parents, grandparents, and older siblings played, so it's been a part of my family.” On the other hand, some, such as junior Jack Kovasala, didn’t start playing lacrosse until his freshman year, when an upperclassman and Middle Creek Lacrosse goalie, Jason Alexander, recommended he come to the interest meeting. “I went to a couple of the workouts and I really fell in love with the game.”
The players have a limitless amount of respect for their coaches. “The coaching was phenomenal,” junior and state championship MVP Collin Patrick explains. “The brother's bond was there, and the willingness for our team to buy into what our coaches were saying.”
The key to a great lacrosse team, or team of any sport, is hard work and dedication. It all starts with a strong coaching staff, followed closely by the willingness to put in the work, and the determination to win. Despite having two shortened seasons due to Covid, we bounced back, earning our second state lacrosse championship title. Every year, good players graduate, but we continue to defy the odds. We continue to stay on top despite the sense of doubt. Every year, we produce a championship caliber team. Every year, we produce a true Middle Creek Mustang lacrosse team. Every year, we prove that we are the best lacrosse program in North Carolina.
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