The NXT Philly Freshman Showcase is the most prestigious Fall individual showcase for freshmen lacrosse players. The who’s who of the 2020 class took the fields today at the United Sports Complex in Downingtown, PA for the 7th annual event. The sidelines were lined with top Division I coaches, ready to watch some serious talent. Players hailed from over 40 states today to showcase their abilities on a beautiful stage. Watching all this talent in one location was an absolute treat. Today motivated me to research, write-up and highlight some stand-out 2020 studletes at each position.
Name Rowan Cabahug-Almonte
Position FOGO
High School Malverne Prep
Club Fusion
Highlight Video
Notes Rowan is one of the slickest FOGO’s I’ve seen. He’s tough, quick, and deceptive. He utilizes pump fakes, head fakes, and misleads opponents using his body language. He’s virtually unstoppable at the X. He can use his wings or win it himself. I’ve seen Rowan play live 3 times now. His play is consistently dominant.
Name Liam Gray
Position Goalie
High School Delbarton
Club Patriot
Highlight Video
Notes Gray takes up a ton of net. Not only because he’s a big boy, but because he has great positioning and a wide stance. Don’t be deceived by his large frame, Gray can move when he gets outside the crease. Not only can Gray move outside the crease, he is quite limber inside the circle. He made countless split saves, immediately pushing the ball up the field using his aggressive outlet passes and deceptive foot speed. Gray is a vocal leader, doing a nice job communicating with his defense. A solid stopper with a likable style of play.
Name John Defazio
Position LSM
High School Mountain Lakes
Club Steps Elite
Highlight Video
Notes Love this kid’s game. Take a minute to watch John Defazio warm-up and you will get a sense of how he plays come game-time (Click John’s Highlight Video link above). He knows one speed, really fast. A south-paw, energizer bunny who can play anywhere on the field. Great in the clearing game, great on ball, and a developing threat over the midfield line. John does a really nice job getting on hands, causing opponents to feed, shoot, and transfer the ball on their back foot.
Name Brett Daubert
Position Midfield
High School Westminster School
Club CT Bulldogs
Highlight Video
Notes In the two games I watched Brett play he drew a pole every time he stepped on the field. Brett is very difficult to cover because he dodges hard, he dodges north south, and has two hands. I’m not really sure what hand he is. A testament to his skills or a knock on my ability to accurately observe talent. Either way, he can bring it with both hands. I saw a lefty time a room goal from 2 yards inside the restraining line and a right snipe on the run from 13 yards above GLE. In my book, anyone that constantly draws a slide at showcase is worth tracking.
Name Tim Barrett
Position Close Defense / LSM
High School Manhasset
Club FLG
Highlight Video
Notes Barrett is a multi-dimensional defenseman. He’s very solid on ball, great off the ground, good between the lines, and is a scoring threat in transition. He makes good decisions with the ball in his stick. Barrett does a nice job using his body and skills to protect the ball in the clearing game. I saw him throw an effortless over pass about 45 yards right to his teammates stick, watched him pick up a ground ball in traffic and clear it himself 50 yards up-field, and never saw him get beat while playing the ball. I foresee Barrett excelling as a long stick midfielder because of his ability to earn possessions off the ground and ability to get crafty in the offensive end. With that said, his ability to play close defense effectively allows him to escape that one dimension.
Name Chad Teresky
Position Attack (L)
High School Pinkerton Academy
Club NH Tomahawks
Highlight Video
Notes Chad is that next generation attackman type with a hybrid box-field game. He handles pressure extremely well. He is very calm, cool, and collected in type spaces. Also, he’s a tough kid. Chad is a tough for more reasons than one. Dodging primarily from that low left corner, he does a really nice job using his toughness, quick change of direction, and balance to get by his defenseman. He can beat you top side, underneath, or off-ball. A shining example of Chad’s off ball play was showcased today in the final game of the day. Starting on the low left side of the field, he cut across the crease (about 7 yards above goal line extended) from the left side to the right side of the field, caught a feed from his teammate, immediately planted his feet, changed direction, and release a shot from his ankles top shelf. His goal drew some attention, and drew me to his impressive highlight video shown above. Enjoy.
For a chance to be written-up, noticed, or get recruited, keep playing the game the right way.
Play selfless.
Play hard.
Play tough.
Play together.
Individual events are an opportunity to see how well you can play with talented player’s. It’s not a time to see you take on the world. I chose to highlight these player’s because I think they do a good job, doing their job. Keep up the great work to all the young men that competed in today’s NXT Philly Freshman Showcase. I hope today motivates you to work harder at your craft so you can become the best you can be.
