Pickens' Perspective: A sendoff to the spring season

Yesterday's graduations and the rising mercury tell me only one thing.

Spring is definitely over.

Summer's here in full force. Therefore it's time to look back at the season that was, spring 2012.

Best Team: Fairfield Prep boys lacrosse. The Jesuits dominated Connecticut, going 18-1 against the state and outscoring it 241-80 in those 19 games. Prep had three All-American lacrosse players-- according to US Lacrosse-- and won its fifth SCC championship in six years and its first Division L title since 2009.

Best Game: Ludlowe vs. Wilton, boys lacrosse, Class M state playoffs, May 30. The Falcons were just 11 days removed from a 15-1 throttling at the hands of the Warriors in the FCIAC's first round, yet hung tough down in Wilton. The Falcons were sans their two top scorers, and had been outscored 28-10 in two prior meetings, yet had possession down one against one of the finest programs in the premier lacrosse state. Expect the Falcons to contend for years to come in lacrosse, and they're very close to pulling off one of these upsets.

Best Relay Team: Prep's 4x800. It had three of the state's best runners, two of whom are already Division I college bound-- Patrick Corona and Connor Rog-- and two others who are just sophomores. The quartet placed second at Class LLs, State Open and New Englands, finishing as the state's top relay team at the New England meet.

Most Improved Team: Warde boys lacrosse. The Mustangs team narrowly edged ND boys lacrosse, only because they play in the FCIAC and won their first-round state playoff game. Warde made a seven-win improvement from 2011, and will only graduate eight seniors. Look for more from the Mustangs in 2013.

Coolest Experience: Warde baseball's trip to Cooperstown. The team got on a bus, stayed overnight, got a tour of the Hall of Fame and played at Doubleday Field, where legend has it, baseball was invented. It was undoubtedly culture shock, but the kids able to go will have memories that will last a lifetime.

Breakout performance: Ludlowe girls tennis. Six Falcons were State Open qualifiers, the team went 17-4, after a 16-2 start to their year. Coach John Reisert did a masterful job of plugging in the gaps vacated from graduation. Expect Ludlowe to continue its success in the coming years.

Best Prop: Fairfield Prep lacrosse's snake. Jesuits coach Chris Smalkais told me "it keeps rats off of our sideline." The tale, supposedly, is the snake was a fixture on the sideline for years, then it was lost about four years ago and it was discovered this season. If it's lucky, it worked.

Cheers and congratulations to the graduates and good luck at the next level of life, whatever that may be.

ppickens@bcnnew.com; twitter.com/Pat_Pickens