Sachem East boys lacrosse's James Dee is Newsday's Athlete of the Week

Farmingville, N.Y. — When Dominic Laviano, Sachem East’s top scorer a year ago, went down with a foot injury after the season opener, the Flaming Arrows needed someone to shoulder the offensive load. Senior midfielder James Dee answered the call and then some, pouring in nine goals and five assists over his last two games to earn Newsday’s Athlete of the Week honor.

Dee’s 14-point burst lifted his season total to 18 points through four contests, vaulting him to the forefront of opposing scouting reports.

“It was never easy becoming the guy that coach wants to facilitate the offense,” Dee said. “It took a lot of hard work in the offseason and at practice to make sure the coaches are more confident in me, and me more confident in myself.”

Coach Mike Sofia said Dee’s emergence has been seamless.

“He’s a competitor at heart, and not being taken seriously by other teams fuels the flames a little bit for him,” Sofia explained. “He’s taken over a big spot and, where he may have been outshined in the past, he’s really thriving now.”

A three-sport athlete, Dee brings the physical edge honed on the football field and the endurance built during winter track to the lacrosse turf. The combination allows him to log extended shifts and absorb punishment around the cage.

“Football prepared me with mental toughness and conditioning,” Dee said. “It taught me how to not let the little things bring me down, and to just keep fighting.”

As the roster’s lone left-handed scorer, Dee presents a unique matchup headache. He embraces the responsibility of attacking from the undefended side of the field, a challenge that grew less daunting after a strong preseason scrimmage.

Next year Dee will continue his lacrosse career at Molloy, where he plans to major in criminal justice, inspired by relatives in law enforcement. Sofia expects the dynamic midfielder to remain a nightmare for opposing defenses.

“He’s slippery and hard to nail down,” Sofia said. “He’s creative in his own way and a dangerous distributor.”

With Dee leading the charge, Sachem East believes it can keep pace in the race for a Suffolk County title despite the absence of its former offensive star.