Apex West Coast All Star Write Ups - White Team

Van Metre continues to impress coaches and PLL players alike while in the cage. He has great size and athletic ability that allow him to make some incredible split saves. Making saves looks routine with Van Metre in net, as he looks calm and collected between the pipes. He also showed strong leadership ability with his constant communication to his defenders.Van Metre has serious maturity in net and looks to be a great pick up for any team looking for a keeper ready to step into a leadership role. 

Time after time Hinson displayed confidence and poise in the net all weekend long. Hinson is a keeper with strong fundamentals. He plays a very simplistic style in the net, expending only energy he needs to as he tends to let the game come to him. Range and length make it difficult for outside shooters to find open net. Hinson looks natural in the cage making him a tough keeper to get the ball past.

Schmidt was not afraid to push the ball down the middle of the field after winning a faceoff. He has a solid frame and the speed to cut through the middle of a defense, and the stick protection and shooting ability to sting corners. Schmidt has a powerful clamp when coupled with his top level hand speed he seems to be automatic at the faceoff dot.

Magtoto was against older competition in the all star game, but that never seemed to be something that discouraged him. He stood up to the challenge of playing older competition and made it known that he can hang with just about anyone at the faceoff X. He has a versatile game able to take faceoffs both standing up and on a knee. Magtoto has top level stick skills and he will chase down any loose ball. While he may be young, he has a bright future ahead of him if he continues to develop and grow his game.

Williams is as tough as they come at the faceoff X, and it showed this weekend. He has the finesse to pinch and pop with speed, as well as the strength to tie up and get a win. Williams had clean exits and seemingly knew exactly when to tuck his stick, escaping from pressure with ease. Combined with clean stickwork he seemed to get his team possession successfully every time he won the draw. Williams has a high lax IQ to accompany his top notch play which makes him a valuable recruit.

Showing up and dominating at yet another Apex Event Bisbee worked his magic all over the field this weekend. Each time Pros and Coaches see Bisbee he seems to grow more confident which should scare opposing defenses. Regardless of who is playing around him Bisbee fits perfectly into a quarterback like role from the X. Using his change of direction dodging Bisbee always seems to get his hands free. His Vision allows him to find cutters and open shooters while his athleticism allows him to push around G.L.E and bury shots in tight. Bisbee Looks ready to step onto campus and be an impact player from the start.

Franckowiak is a do it all attackmen he can make top level plays in just about any spot. He possesses an extremely high lax IQ which allows him to see the field better than almost any other player on the field. Cutting through defenses offball Franckowiak always draws attention away from the ball carrier making himself a threat, and as a distributor he is just as lethal. With the ball in his stick he makes highlight plays with strong change of direction moves and his top level speed. Franckowiak has all the makings of a dynamic college lacrosse player and nothing but time to develop and grow his game. 

Making Athletic plays all over the offensive end Osowski was a nightmare for defenders in Arizona. His first step is explosive and gave him a decisive step on defenders almost every dodge. Osowski uses his body extremely well to maintain space between his stick and the defender. A strong right handed player he is hard to stop once he has a full head of steam towards the cage where he almost ensures a quality shot . Osowski has great stickwork to accompany his athleticism making him a player to look out for this upcoming season. 

Kesselring was a spark plug for his offense this weekend. He is a box style attackman who is physical and determined to get to the cage regardless of the cost. A Strong right hander Kesselring was finishing shots all over the doorstep, and making it look pretty in the process. He may have a small frame, but he plays extremely physical and leans into dodgers to create space around the crease. Dodging from X Kesselring is lightning fast able to lose defenders in the dust while pushing for G.L.E. There isn't a defender that Kesselring is afraid to dodge, and with that type of confidence and play he is a one to look out for.

Bollar left defenders in his wake this out west with top level speed and dodging. Bollar has speed, whether starting his dodge from X or up by the box Bollar seemed to blow past most of his defenders. Once he has his hands free Bollar has a cannon of a right handed shot to unleash. His strength in shooting lies in his versatility in shot selection. While Bollar excels in shooting on the run he can  just as easily throw a face dodge on the low wing and finish inside. Development of his offhand will make Bollar a player any collegiate program would be happy to have on their roster.

At a Towering 6’5 200 pounds Lockton is as big of a target inside as you can ask for. Finishing almost every opportunity that was provided to him Lockton has a good habit of burying shots by moving the goalie with simple yet effective fakes. While he is exceptional off ball Lockton is also a tough dodger to stop once he's initiated. Athletic for such a large frame his speed combined with size make it tough for defenders to turn him at G.L.E. Lockton looks to have all the intangibles to make the step to play at the next level.

Cushing owned the high wing and alley in Arizona as he was able to pick apart defenses. Operating mostly up top when Cushing has time and room to initiate a dodge its almost guaranteed that he will draw a slide. He sports a strong right handed shot on the run, but is able to bring it with both hands. His vision never drops when he is dodging so he frequently was able to find and deliver accurate passes to shooters on the backside. Cushing also shines when he is offball with well timed cuts and his placement in prime shooting positions. Cushing’s should be garnering more attention if he continues to produce at this level.

Felix seemed to embody the role of the two way midfielder making plays all over the field . Relentless on almost every groundball Felix never seemed to stop fighting during a loose ball. Taking Wings almost every other face off Felix was a Magnet of the ground, and made a habit of safely delivering the ball to the offensive end. Offensively he excels in transition, able to protect his stick well while slashing through defenders in the middle of the field. Capable in either hand Felix can push the pace to draw slides or create for himself in break opportunities. Defensively Felix was standing up offensive players and causing turnovers throughout the weekend. At one point Felix even put a would-be dodger into the dirt with a big hit. As the Midfield position evolves versatile players like Felix are becoming more valuable recruits. 

White may be young, but his confidence when dodging is that of a seasoned veteran. Athletic as they come White is a dynamic dodger able to throw a variety of moves at defenders. From change of direction moves to a well timed swim it didn't seem like white had a hard time breaking down defenders in Arizona. Accompanied with great vision of the field White is able to survey and find open shooters mid dodge. White’s quick first step is lethal, and coaches should be looking out for him in the coming years. 

The first thing that stuck out in Ochoa’s game was his Lax IQ. Dodging from up top with high intensity it seems as if Ochoa was always one step ahead and always made the right decision with the ball. Dodging comes easy for Ochoa as he picks up speed fast and attacks defenders forcing them to make a decision. His shooting is top notch always placing the ball with precision, but never forcing a shot. If Ochoa doesn’t get the look he can deliver accurate balls to shooters sticks all over the field. Ochoa can create for himself at will and with an IQ like that it makes him one special player.

Intensity, hustle and speed are just a few traits that describe Davidson’s game in Arizona. Offensively he operates mostly out of the high wings. Davidson is very slick with both hands which makes him a tough offensive player to guard. His most dangerous move is his split dodge because he keeps defenders guessing which way he is going to dodge. Davidson has a textbook shoot with a quick release making it hard for goalies to track. Defensively he is aggressive, willing to square up defensively sometimes leading to takeaways. Davidson seems to be the complete package coming out of the midfield, and a player to look out for.

Swift is a Midfielder who seemingly was never afraid of a matchup. He has a strong left hand shot that proved difficult for goalies to track and save from the outside. Swift becomes dynamic when defenders begin to rush to him in order to contest shots. Change of direction dodging from rolls to hitch moves make approaching swift a heavy task. Also displaying excellent stick control inside to tuck it and finish made him a threat all over the field. Swift’s performance in Arizona should grab the attention of college coaches who are looking for dynamic playmakers.

Straw is about as patient as a defender can get. Touting a strong base and always approaching with his stick head out at full length Straw is never stick happy. He always seemed to maintain contact and only throw well timed effective checks and slaps. Offball he seems to always be in the right position whether that’s covering up on the crease or on the backside ready to initiate a double. Great off the ground and clean stick skills make Straw an ideal recruit. 

Kearney has some serious range, and offensive players found that out the hard way. Kearney is fast and can close distance with offensive players extremely quickly. His range allows for him to throw multiple checks without losing a step on his matchup.  Offensive players learned fast that hanging their sticks would not fly while they had Kearney on the ball. Once the ball hit the ground he was incredible off the ground, able to scoop through a ball and hit a burst of speed to initiate a break. Kearney seems to have all the intangible skills that make up a top notch defender.

Height and athleticism are probably the first two things that you notice when you watch Preston play. Preston can cover tons of ground on the field and fast making his close out relatively quick. He has tons of range from his height and he uses it extremely well to keep defenders at bay. Excellent on the ground Preston seemed to run through ground balls with ease. He displayed his IQ with his positioning off ball and well timed rotations. When Preston fills out his frame he will be one scary defender at the next level.

Riley was a constant force on the ball making offensive players dread getting him in a matchup. Riley is aggressive on the ball, but never threw a check that put him out of position. He is also very physical, able to push attackmen off the line of their dodge stifling offensive movement. Riley has great hips that allow him to recover quickly if he did lose a step. Throwing in his disciplined footwork and communication skills Riley seems to be the whole package.

Benson is as well rounded as a defender as you can ask for. When he needs to be physical he brings the body on slides, and can stop offensive players in their track. He has breakaway speed to run through ground balls and initiate fast breaks in transition. Benson is not afraid to press out on the ball and force offensive players' hands. He is never too aggressive to the point at which he is out of position. He throws smart checks that are heavy and have a tendency to jar the ball loose. Benson has a clean stick to boot making him a great pick up for any program.

Bird looked surgical with his stick checks in Arizona this weekend. Wherever he was on the field offensive players knew challenging Bird was not a smart move. Never throwing an excessive amount of checks, Bird uses consistently well timed checks to disrupt the ball carrier, and does so with precision. His stance is athletic and broken down allowing him to funnel offensive players into positions where they are compromised. Bird has the ability to make some crazy plays, and with continued development he is certainly going to be on coaches radars.

Apex West Coast All Star Write Ups - Blue Team

Lauterbach must have slipped through the cracks because this weekend in Arizona he was lights out. Confident in net, Lauterbach was a leader on the field commanding his defense into spots. He was poised in net at all times, never making false steps or getting out of position in the pipes. Lauterbach made saves look routine as he held shooters in check. His outlets are crisp and on the money, never throwing it to covered players breaking up the field. Athletic with a high IQ there seems to be no shooter that discouraged Lauterbach from his confident game in net.

Using his big frame and a strong stance Stephens does not leave much room for shooters to be successful. Stephens is calm in net holding his stance to discourage shooters, but when the ball is released he shows off an explosive step. Stephens does a great job of stepping to the shot coincided with a strong punch. In Arizona he swallowed up time and room shots from the outside as well as attempted inside finishes. Stephens also plays with a ton of energy and it is infectious to his defensive. When he is at the top of his game it brings the talent around him defensively to another level.

Quick hands and speed are the name of the game for Fairbanks. Last weekend in Arizona he was creating multiple opportunities on the fast break every game with clean pinch and pops. Fairbanks speed allows him to make some fast exits and escape trailing defenders. His stick skills are strong in both hands, able to seamlessly switch hands for better stick protection. Great on loose balls around the faceoff X Fairbanks is always fighting to get possession for his team.

Without a doubt the most versatile of the FOGO’s that came to the West Coast Showcase, Cavanaugh dominated almost every game he was thrown into. Cavanaugh is strong at the X able to win it back to himself or push it forward for a break depending on the wings positioning. While exceeding at the X is his speciality he is also able to play transition offense and settled defense. Making plays all over the field Cavanaugh is certainly a player to watch in the upcoming season.

The Air Force Commit definitely came to play in Arizona and he did not disappoint once. Rassas was making defenders miss all over the field and looking pretty doing it. Whether it was a hitch move that froze his defender leading to an underhand stinger or a split dodge to a shot on the run Rassas was dropping shots from all over the field. Always willing to dish the rock he can draw slides with ease opening up his teammates in shooting spots. Rassas is the whole package, and it will be fun to watch him become an impact player at the D1 level.

Checketts was full of energy on the field and it was infectious. He is always on the move constantly finding trying to position himself to manipulate the defense. He boasts a strong shot that he was putting past most goal keepers in AZ. His change of direction and dodging are versatile and kept defenders guessing where he was going to push the envelope. Stickwork is no issue for this player as he can pass, handle, and finish all within tight space. Great stick protection and IQ make him a dangerous feeder once he draws the slide. Checketts impressed coaches and pro's alike, and we can't wait to see more. 

No look passes, Goal line toe drags, and outside snipes were just some of the eye grabbing plays Hauhuth made in Arizona. Hauhuth is another attacker who fits perfectly into the quarterback role from X. His change of direction dodging always seems to get him a step on his defender. After that it's anyone's guess where the ball is going because Hauhuth is such a dynamic player. He has the ability to finish it himself tight around the crease or find just about any open shooter up top to dish too. Athletic, High IQ, and creative plays make Hauhuth a young and dynamic player with a vast skill set to build upon.

Palumbo is a balanced attackman who can do pretty much anything that is asked of him. While playing at the west coast showcase he showed off a strong right handed shot that had some heat to it. Palumbo is strong from range, but can also tuck it and go for an inside finish. He has the ability to dodge from X as well as Up top making him a versatile dodger. His vision is strong, able to find open players in transition opportunities with little trouble. Palumbo’s hustle never dropped throughout the showcase, and in particular it shined when he was riding. Always fighting to get possession back and get another opportunity for his team. Palumbo has everything you ask for from a player, and has the hustle and determination that every coach wants in a player.

Another do it all attackman, Feroy was all over the field in Arizona. His intensity and hustle in his game never seemed to falter throughout the weekend. Feroy is a strong right handed with fundamental shooting mechanics that make for a hard ball to stop. He operates just about anywhere in the field, but seems to always have a hand on scoring plays whether directly involved or offball. Feroy has great vision, and isn’t afraid to make a tight pass to get the ball to open shooters. Hard work and development should push Feroy to become a top level player.

Whitham continues to impress at a string of Apex lacrosse events with his offensive domination. Accelerating faster than almost anyone on the field his bursts of speed get him by almost any defender. He draws slides so quickly that shooters catch and finish before the second defender even reaches Whitham. Whitham had some serious shake to him and exposed defenders at X all weekend long. He isn’t afraid to sell out for inside shots and put his body on the line. Range on his shot makes him difficult to defend, as he can break down rushed approaches with top notch change of direction. Whitham is a straight up playmaker and coaches should be taking note.

As athletic as they come Stanley was making plays in every aspect of the game in Arizona. The Hampton commit continues to impress coaches and professional players with crazy change of direction moves and finishes. Whether he’s up top or on the low wing Stanley is a threat to score. While shooting he seems to always switch up his release points and change the plane of his shot to keep goalies guessing. Stanley is no slouch on defense either able to stand up dodgers with strong jams. In the clear game he’s almost automatic once the ball is in his stick. Stanley should walk onto campus and be ready to contribute for the pirates.

Leonard is as balanced as they come out of the midfield, able to play at high level with or without the ball in his stick. He showcased his strength on the offensive end with some great downhill dodging. He seems to be able to climb the ladder and blow past defenders up top with ease. Leonard is never afraid to pull a shot and can place it at the right spots to make it difficult to make saves. Vision is another strong part of his game, Making skip passes and one more looks to open shooters all weekend long. He has great hustle on the field never giving up on the ride or a ground ball. Athletic with a high IQ, Leonard seems to have the building blocks for a collegiate midfielder.

Dallas was lighting up goalies with an array of shots this weekend. Whether on the run or a set shot Dallas can let it fly accurately at very high speed. Dallas sports some crazy stickwork, able to push either hand as a threat. He was unafraid dodging, able to create seperation with slick change of directions, never leaving his stick exposed. Dallas can feed just as well as he can shoot bouncing away from incoming defenders and slides. His game doesn’t drop when the ball is out of his stick, as he is always moving, setting picks, and cutting trying to open up his teammates. Dallas was a force to be reckoned with in AZ, and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.

Standing at 6’2, Osborn looked automatic when he got the chance to step into shots from up top. When spotting up from range he seems to always change his plane and release point. Osborn isn’t limited to outside shooting as he has a great split dodge that he can create seperation with allowing for clean shots on the run. When operating on the low wings Osborn uses his frame to protect his stick, draw slides and find open shooters on the inside. When Osborn Fills out his large frame he should be gaining more attention from college coaches.

Ford is the embodiment of the two way midfielder. He has the athleticism to make big plays on offense just as well as he can on defense. Ford has great breakaway speed and seemed to be a got to guy on the clear. Once on the offensive end Ford is as dynamic of a player as they come. He has quick feet able to seperate from short stick matchups with ease. Once he drew a slide he never seemed to force a shot, but when he took opportunities he was certain to bury them in the back of the net. Finishing is something that comes naturally to Ford as he pulled off some highly skilled shots. Ford Continues to grow and impress with each Apex Event and his ceiling never seems to end. 

Antonucci’s game is bolstered by his great stick skills and impeccable lacrosse IQ. Both hands seem to be dominant for Antonucci as he carried the ball upt top setting up. Antonucci is about as unselfish as a player can get. He has vision of almost the entire offensive end always looking to make that one more pass to find the higher percentage shot, not to say he can’t take it for himself. Antonucci is dangerous from range sporting a high heat shot with either hand. Shining once in the middle of the field, Antonucci displayed great stick protection and shot placement in the interior of defenses. Antonucci looks like he is developing into a multi tool on the offensive end.

Chandler was one of the most athletic players on the field this weekend in Arizona. Chandler is a ball hawk on the field always flying to ground balls or anticipating passes and stealing them mid air. He has the ability to blow by riding an attackman with some top level break away speed. Once on the offensive end Chandler is a threat to pull up from range. On the defensive end he is as disciplined as they come. Never stick happy or putting himself out of position, Chandler throws effectively timed checks that frequently dislodge the ball from offensive players possession. He has everything you ask for in a hard nosed collegiate defender that has a high motor.

Towering size on the defensive end does not hinder Miers ability to be all over ball carriers. Standing at 6’5 Miers is an ideal size for a lockdown defender, but his athletic ability is that of a LSM. Miers has incredible range allowing him to pressure out and constantly be in offensive players' hands. In the trail position ball carriers hanging their sticks have little success against Miers as he is patient with throwing checks. When he does throw checks they are with controlled violence and aggression making offensive players think twice about dodging. In the clear game, once in the open field it is hard to stop Miers with a full head of steam. Miers filling out into his frame will make him a stud cover defender in the years to come. 

Littell is a hard nosed player whose motor never seems to drop. He has an athletic bent knee stance and quick feet that allow him to stick on top of defenders. Never putting himself out of position he was in offensive players pockets all weekend. Littell is strong off the ball, as he places himself in great support positions for sliding and doubling. Clean off the ground and a good stick for outlet passes in the clear game make Littell a well rounded defender with tons of room to grow and develop his game.

Athletic as they come Leary was a takeaway machine on the West Coast. He has great speed to stay in step with just about any offensive player. Leary Thrives in the trail position as he lull’s offensive players to sleep before striking with some force on trail checks. His range allows him to be successful in that he is never out of making a play. Leary was uttering calls and calling out slides throughout the weekend displaying maturity in his communication skills. Clean off the ground with great breakaway speed, Leary is valuable in the clear and transition game. Add in great stickwork to boot and Leary seems to be a good fit at the collegiate level.

Sires has a high motor and plays a very physical style of defense that discourages attackers from matching up with him. On approach he is broken down in an athletic stance with his stick out front ready to disrupt the opposing player. He never throws any heavy checks, but rather maintains contact and forces the offensive player where he feels most successful. In the clear game Sires always makes himself available and is frequently seen breaking upfield for an outlet pass. His top notch stick skills make him a threat on the offensive end as he can pull up and let it fly or slash through defenses on the break. Sires looks like he could transition well into the LSM role at the next level.

Hudock seemed to be a hunter in the middle of the field in AZ. Whenever unsettled or in a loose ball situation Huduck seemed to always be involved in the play. He is excellent on the grass, able to run through ground balls and find breaking midfielders breaking up the field. In settled defensive possessions Hudock presses out up top always applying pressure in opposing players hands. Never allowing the offense to get comfortable he is constantly approaching using his full stick length discouraging would be dodgers. Throw in his solid frame and slick stick skills and he looks to have a lot of pieces that align with other top level defenders.