Zach Tedeschi s weighted grade-point average of 4.2 will serve him well when the East High School junior goes to college at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. (Post / Andy Cross)

When 13-year-old Zach Tedeschi decided to follow in Kip Malo's footsteps, he had no idea they would lead to the steps of Johns Hopkins University.

Tedeschi, now a junior standout on the East boys lacrosse team, has orally committed to the prestigious Baltimore school where Malo - a 2001 East graduate - is a second-team midfielder for the undefeated Blue Jays.

Tedeschi never met Malo growing up, although they both attended Graland Country Day School as kids. Today, Tedeschi wears Malo's old No. 4 jersey and dreams of emulating him in one more way by guiding the Angels (10-3) to their first state championship since 2000 - Malo's junior season.

"I watched him play when he was at East and always looked up to him as a player," said Tedeschi of Malo, whom he finally met in November during a visit to Johns Hopkins.

Tedeschi's weighted grade- point average is 4.2. He loves AP calculus and would like to pursue a degree in economics, which just so happens to be Malo's major.

"It's always kind of flattering to find out someone has followed you like that," Malo said. "He's obviously a great player. For him to know where he's going as a junior is amazing."

According to veteran East coach Jon Barocas, what makes Tedeschi so good is his blend of mental and physical strength wrapped inside an athletic and instinctive body.

Barocas,   a George Washington graduate and former Vermont player, has been coaching East for 27 seasons, long before the sport was sanctioned in 1999 by the Colorado High School Activities Association. Barocas has racked up more than 300 victories, with nine state championships.

At 6-feet, 190 pounds, Tedeschi can play in attack or as a midfielder and possesses a shot that Barocas calls a "rocket."

"It is not a pleasant thing," Barocas said. "When he's on the cage, it's just an amazing shot. He has one of the hardest shots I've had from a high school player."

In the wake of his breakout sophomore season, Tedeschi has become an even bigger target for opposing defenses, which give

That defeat, like any others, usually sends the soft-spoken Tedeschi to his backyard, where he mentally relives key moments and vents his frustrations by practicing for hours.

"His neighbors must hate him," Barocas joked. "But he takes his frustrations out by trying to get better."

Perhaps the brightest of the stars in the Angels' lineup, Tedeschi is mindful to never behave like one. A fiery competitor, Tedeschi prefers constructive criticism over ripping on a teammate's performance, despite a common belief that standout players have somehow earned that   right.

Tedeschi even treats opponents in similar fashion.

"He will not speak ill of anybody," Barocas said. "It doesn't matter if he's playing against someone that is trying to take his head off."

Tedeschi has grown to appreciate the pressure that comes with being a Johns Hopkins recruit. He knows the academic demands are steep and inflexible when it comes to student-athletes.

He also knows that his abilities will be scrutinized in every game he plays and opponents are eager to size up the future Blue Jay.

"It keeps my head level, especially playing, because you can't really get cocky about yourself," Tedeschi said. "You have to be confident, but you   have to accept the fact you're playing against kids that think you're not capable of going (to Johns Hopkins) and you have something to prove."