'Sunshine' will head to North Carolina

Lawrence High's Sean Moran to play lacrosse at Wingate University

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With his parents and youngest brother at his side, Lawrence High School senior Sean Moran signed his letter of intent on April 15 to play lacrosse at Division II Wingate University in Wingate, North Carolina about 30 minutes from Charlotte.

Moran a three-sport athlete at Lawrence excelled at football — he quarterbacked the Golden Tornadoes to an undefeated Long Island Championship season last fall — and is currently the leading Long Island goal scorer in lacrosse. He played basketball as a freshman. His scholarship is based on both athletic and academic achievement.

“We visited and it was just the right place for me; the coach (Michael Lawson) was very nice,” said Sean, whose high school nickname is “Sunshine” after Ronnie Bass the QB for T.C. Williams High School of “Remember the Titans” fame. Sean, smiling, said the moniker will carry over to his new school, which is nicknamed the Bulldogs, a reminder of a neighborhood rivalry.

As notable as Moran’s ability to run with or throw a football, or move like a gazelle on the lacrosse field is how he goes about his business. “What I love is our son playing a sport at the NCAA level, its thrilling,” said Daniel Moran, Sean’s father. “But his work ethic is impressive, how he takes the bumps and grinds with his head up on and off the field.”

Daniel played football and basketball in high school and Sean’s mother, Helene, played hoops. Older son, Thomas (TJ), played lacrosse in high school and at St. Leo University. The youngest Moran, Joey, 11, is playing football and lacrosse.

Pride in their middle son was on display at the Moran’s Meadowmere Park home as they set up a space complete with a Wingate banner for Sean to sign his intent letter and photographs to be taken. “It’s amazing, he’s been playing since he was 5,” Helene said. “We are very proud of him and he deserves this.”

Sean was coached by Daniel when he played youth football for the Valley Stream Hornets. A signal-caller even then, Sean, along with several good players who also went on to play high school football, helped the team to undefeated seasons and championships.

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