Brett Manney has made his 2021 Baltimore Showcase Manney's Men selections. The fifth annual event hosted athletes from 21 states at the state-of-the-art Chase Fieldhouse last week. Coaches from Yale, Johns Hopkins, Delaware, and more were in attendance to catch the action. Below are the four that stood above the rest. 

Brett Manney, is a 13-year professional lacrosse player, captain of the New England Blackwolves, and two-time captain for the USA National Indoor team, serves as the VP of Recruiting at NXT. He won two bronze medals with the USA National Indoor Team. He played on Delaware's 2007 Final Four team, captained the 2008 team, made the North-South All-Star Game, and is the driving force behind Showcase Lacrosse's nationally-known events. Manney sees players from all over the country at NXT events.

ATTACK

Mark Cheng | 2022
Miramonte (CA), Dukes

Cheng won the coveted MVP of the Nike Philly Showcase in the fall and as a result, walked away with a custom pair of Nike Air Force Ones. It was Cheng who was quite the force at the showcase. The playmaker from the Golden State was more creative, comfortable, and assertive than he was in the fall. He was able to dust defenders from behind the net, finish behind the backs, a ton of nifty fakes, and just showed a level of smoothness that was unmatched. What is probably his best asset is his love for the game always finding a teammate to celebrate with despite just meeting them the day of. In the All-Star game alone he finished with 4 goals scored in almost every way possible. If he keeps up his level of improvement the future is very bright.

Honorable Mention

Ben Dale, 2024, Millbrook (NY), Team Illinois
Ethan Krauss, 2023, Shawnee (NJ), Blue Star
Brek Thielen, 2023, Cherokee Trail (CO), Denver Elite
Sebastian Rzeczycki, 2024, Princeton Day School (NJ), NJLC

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MIDFIELD

Angelo Lamatrice | 2024 
Bishop Watterson (OH), True OH

Workhorse. Lamatarice did basically everything on the lacrosse field after he was done with the showcase. Played his natural position of middie. Played some attack. I am sure he even took some faceoffs as well. The young midfielder’s shiny gold helmet was not the only thing that shined all day as Angelo walked away with the MVP award. His stamina and effort were on display all day as he easily dodged through traffic, was a one-man clear, and constantly made plays for his team all over the field. A jack of all trades, the young midfielder is one to keep an eye on for the future. 

Honorable Mention

Kellen Seeley, 2022, Westminster School (CT), 2Way
Tyler Smith, 2022, Duluth East (MN), Team MN
Ryan Della, 2023, Broadneck (MD), Team 91 MD

DEFENSE

Jack Isacco | 2022
Cardinal Gibbons (NC), True NC

I loved watching Jack at our Nike Boys Philly Showcase in the fall and recently saw him play a few weeks ago at our PA Invitational with True NC. The southpaw from NC plays great angles, has an active stick, and is not afraid to press out on an attackman. A prototypical lefty defenseman, he is most comfortable below the restraining line. He gets on player's hands, denies their strong hands, and attacks bottom hands with a hard lefty slap check and lift. Jack keeps his game simple and as a result, he ends up making it tough for the attackman to go against him. 

Honorable Mention

Kijana Lloyd, 2023, Parkside (MD), Nationals
Steve Getsie, 2023, Malvern Prep (PA), Mesa
William Mensh, 2023, RJ Reynolds (NC), NC Fusion

GOALIE

Ryan D’Angelo | 2022
Archbishop Spalding (MD)

D’Angelo showed great poise between the pipes at the showcase and did his best to showcase his game. He is a bit smaller but does a great job of baiting players to shoot high and explodes very well to meet the ball. His approach to shooters in tight is very patient, not jumpy, and his quick reactions allow him to steal some saves in tight which would easily be goals on other goalies. I am sure learning from his Spalding coach Brain Phipps has only elevated his game and it was evident at the showcase. 

Honorable Mention

Everett Armstead, 2022, Mount Hebron (MD), HOCO
Jake Kozlowski, 2022, Waterford (CT), Shoreline Sharks

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