By the time Justin Turri graduated from West Islip High School in 2007, the town was transformed into Long Island"s newest lacrosse haven. The name Turri had already been part of West Islip"s sports culture thanks to his father Bill and uncles Ralph and Tim, who all played successful high school and college lacrosse, but Justin made his own name after leading the Lions to two state championships and a 66-3 record in three years on the varsity.

When Turri won the Enners Award at the end of his senior season, it meant the culmination of a prolific high school lacrosse career. He finished with 138 goals and 84 assists, was All-Division, All-County, All-Long Island, All-State and All-America.

Like many Enners winners, Turri was quick to mention that his team and the season as a whole were more important than any individual accolades, but he was still proud of the honor.

"It was nice to be recognized," he says. "It wasn"t the highlight of my season. Our number one state ranking meant a lot to us as a team."

Being ranked as the top lacrosse team in New York State, and noticed as one of the premier programs in the country is no easy task. West Islip head coach Scott Craig and his assistants, including Bill Turri, managed to build a dynasty in a remarkably short amount of time. The Lions beat New York power West Genesee to win a state title in Turri"s final year.

"Our senior class had been playing with each other since pee wee lacrosse in second grade," says Turri, who pointed to that win as the best moment in his high school career.

Since he was younger Turri had dreams of being an NCAA Division I lacrosse player. As soon as he reached high school it was obvious his dreams would come true. He chose Duke University because of its reputation as one of the top programs in the nation and because of the comfort level that head coach John Danowski provides.

Turri ranked 22nd among all incoming freshman in college lacrosse heading into his rookie season, according to Inside Lacrosse. Unfortunately, he broke a bone in his foot during the fall and was hindered by the injury throughout 2008. He still finished with 17 goals and 28 points.

For Turri, putting on the Duke uniform for the first time has been his best college moment so far. He registered his first goal against Bucknell, where his uncle Ralph played lacrosse and football.

In the coming years, the Turri name should become even more synonymous with success in the lacrosse world.