As we reported earlier in the week, Prep School Lacrosse Showcase (PSLS) ran its first ever January camp at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton last weekend. Directed by a who’s who of coaches from some of the finest academic institutions, just under 200 players from eighth grade (2018’s) to high school juniors (2015’s) received two days of top notch instruction.
Penn’s Mike Murphy and Cornell’s Matt Kerwick soaking up some Florida sunshine
This camp was the latest sign of the growth of the sport in Florida. Roughly sixty per cent of the participants came in from out of state (this is like Bizzaro Superman with everything backwards) and became acquainted with the coaches in an informal setting. Each day included drills and one on one instruction, and of course there were games coached and refereed by the college coaches.
Speaking with the folks at Prep School Lacrosse Showcase, they felt this camp would have a role in their admissions decisions for the their June 1 recruiting showcase in Connecticut. Last year 109 coaches from 98 different institutions attended. Currently there are over 1,200 applications for just under 400 slots, and they are hopeful that many Floridians will participate. Roughly half the invitations have been mailed to date, and they are working diligently to make decisions on the final group. If you are interested, the best way is to have your coach (club or high school) nominate you.
We saw a number of helmets from some of the most recognizable lacrosse schools in the country including Deerfield, Brunswick, Georgetown Prep, Fordham Prep, Avon Old Farms, Hun, Haverford, Bullis, Choate, Taft, Fairfield Prep, St. Stephens & St. Agnes, Hotchkiss, St. Ignatius Prep (CA), McCallie (TN), Lawrenceville, Landon, Culver Military Academy, St. Sebastian, Greenwich and Episcopal.
Assistant Coach John Walker of Princeton
Our Florida players matched up well and were singled out by the PSLS staff for mention. Parker Giarratana of Boca Raton (shown above) scored an overtime winner and had a number of quality assists. Wharton junior goalie James Davison was hot all weekend which was not surprising after his all-star performance at Super Sophs last summer. Florida goalies continue to impress. Hunter Ramsay, 2016 defenseman from Calvary Christian, quietly frustrated anyone who came into his zone. Sophomore midfielder Owen Anderson from Martin County continued the fine play we noticed at the Tournament of Champions. St. Andrew’s sophomore LSM Conlan O’Hara played close D most of the time and showed his athleticism and stick skills, stripping and clearing with regularity. Eighth grader Tyler Yarnall looks to be a chip off the old block (his dad played at Penn) and sophomore Kyle Johnson impressed.
Lars Tiffany of Brown giving a pointer to Hunter Ramsay of Calvary Christian
Players from out of state who stood out included Ben Macshane (2015 midfielder from Hotchkiss), Angus O’Rourke (2015 all purpose midfielder who also faces off from St. Sebastian), Hanley Frantz (2016 goalie from The Taft School), William Bergstein (2016 attackman from Phillips Academy) and Henry Rogers (2018 attackman).
PSLS just informed FLN they will be returning to St. Andrew’s next January 16-18. The growth of the sport continues in the Sunshine State…
Brian Praetorius of Trinity
Derek Witheford of Union
Gus Brakeley of Middlebury
Colby Head Coach Jack Sandler
Bowdoin’s Max Silberlicht
Chris Eccles of Swarthmore reffing
Drew Bezek of Hamilton
Williams coach Mike Silipo running a drill for the 2015’s
