The third-annual Good to Great Lacrosse Showcase took place from Sunday, July 14 through Tuesday, July 16 on the campus of Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts.
The event featured roughly 350 players from the 2014, 2015 and 2016 classes. Run by Amherst college head coach Jon Thompson and his staff, Good to Great is fast becoming a must-attend for players interested in top-flight lacrosse schools with a focus on academics.
There were plenty of coaches lining the sidelines for the action, including plenty representing the NESCAC and Patriot League. Many other institutions were also represented, as the showcase featured teams being led by college coaches to reinforce individual development while gaining exposure.
Here are five players that stood out and some others who made an impression.
GOOD TO GREAT — FEATURED FIVE:
1. ZACH SCHWARTZ
Position: Attack
Class: 2014
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
Overall: A productive, crafty attackman, the Florida product was impressive throughout the two days of game action. Schwartz was outstanding around the cage, rarely missing an opportunity to put the ball in the net. He was excellent cutting off-ball and putting himself into good spots for teammates to find him underneath the defense. He used his solid size and impressive handle to gather any pass thrown in his direction, and showed the ability to finish in a multitude of situations including a nice behind-the-back goal in the 2014 All-Star game. Most impressively for us, Schwartz was consistent, making plays in every game we saw him play.
From the Notebook: Productive. Good IQ on off-ball cuts. Finisher. No wasted motion. Not flashy. Consistent.
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2. AARON MADIASKY
Position: LSM
Class: 2014
High School: Holy Cross (B.C., Canada)
Overall: A spirited LSM, Madiasky is a big, athletic player with a knack for pushing the ball in transition. He is a tremendous athlete, and has prototypical size that should serve him well at the next level. Defensively, he moves his feet fluidly and utilizes his reach to keep dodgers at a safe distance. But where Madiasky stood out most was in transition, where he did not miss an opportunity to push the ball. He has incredible stick skills for a defender cradling with one hand, dodging with his long pole, and using a swim move at full speed on multiple occasions. While he will need to be more selective in transition at the next level college competition will largely prevent dodging down the middle as an LSM his athleticism, speed, stick skills and passion for the game will make him a player to watch in the coming years. Madiasky is a UMass commit.
From the Notebook: Prototype. Tall and athletic. Moves feet well. Outstanding stick. One-handed cradler who dodges as an LSM. Has fun on the field. Passionate.
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3. DARIEN CLAY
Position: Defense/LSM
Class: 2015
High School: Newton North (MA)
Overall: We mentioned Clay last week at Maverik Showtime, and he again stood out at Good to Great. He is an outstanding athlete, and plays excellent defense with his feet. He is able to move with ease laterally, and presses out aggressively on ball carriers. When guarding dodgers, he is able to thwart their movement toward the cage by beating them to the desired spot on the field, allowing him to throw checks without sacrificing position. He has an excellent stick, deftly controlling loose balls while showing plenty of poise in clearing situations.
From the Notebook: Great feet. Athlete. Aggressive without sacrificing position. Good stick. Poise clearing.
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4. ROBERT TREIBER
Position: Goalie
Class: 2014
High School: Medfield (MA)
Overall: Treiber is a very athletic goaltender who impressed at Amherst. He sees the ball well from the outside, but what stood out was his ability to make saves when plays broke down. He is very acrobatic inside, using his size and quick reflexes to make multiple doorstep-saves. He also likes to get involved in the clearing game, where he ran the ball to safety on multiple occasions. In one set we witnessed that encapsulates Treibers game, he made three consecutive stops one from long range and two inside before hitting a breaking middie in stride to start a fast break the other way. It is that type of momentum-seizing ability that makes Treibers stock and upside high.
From the Notebook: Athletic. Reminiscent of Tillman Johnson inside very acrobatic.
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5. SAM KOPF
Position: Midfield
Class: 2015
High School: Seattle Prep (WA)
Overall: Kopf is a sturdy athlete in the middle of the field who played well offensively, defensively and between-the-boxes. He is a tireless worker on the field in any situation. Offensively, he was fluid with the ball and when dodging, getting a step and moving downhill to free his hands on many occasions. Defensively, he displayed good positioning on dodgers from up top, initiating contact and driving attackers down the side. Most impressively, he was tenacious in the middle of the field, attacking 50/50 loose balls and working hard for possessions. Kopf is a US Naval Academy commit.
From the Notebook: Sturdy. Fluid. Works hard. Solid speed. North/South dodger. Good over-the-top release on shot. Tenacious.
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Others who made an impression:
Cam Marsh A 2014 Upper Arlington (OH): An shifty attackman, Marsh impressed with his dodging ability from the lower wings. He was able to get a step on defenders, and displayed good vision, dodging with his head up to locate cutters. He also showed good finishing ability, especially in close, where he played with poise and good body control.
Sam Sweeney LSM 2014 Colorado Academy (CO): Sweeney first came onto our radar back in January, and continued to impress this week. He is excellent on ground balls, using his stick to push the ball to clear areas where he could calmly pick it up and move it on. He throws well-timed checks on ball carriers, and used his stick well to keep attackers at a distance.
Jake Schuckman D 2015 Mountain Lakes (NJ): A big defenseman, Schuckman was a menace in the defensive zone, using his stick to cause numerous turnovers. On-ball, he threw a barrage of checks to disrupt ball carriers, putting the ball on the ground numerous times. Off-ball, his stick was constantly active, picking off passes and clogging passing lanes.
Henry DeCamp F/O 2015 Deerfield (MA): DeCamp stood out at the faceoff dot, utilizing his quick hands to push the ball forward to himself on numerous occasions. He timed whistles well, and showed good handle in scooping up ground balls and running them to safety. He was also effective in transition, able to successfully initiate multiple fast-breaks off draws.
*For more on Henry, check out his SportsRecruits.com profile here
Chad Malinowski D/LSM 2014 Milton Academy (MA): A big defender, Malinowski has good size and awareness. He covered a lot of ground, and showcased a good lacrosse IQ, knowing when to go after attackers to create turnovers. He has a good stick, and got the ball up and out when the situation presented itself.