2022 MANNEY'S MEN

Year 12 of the Nike Boys Philly Showcase brought no shortage of talent (and good weather) to United Sports last Saturday. Widely regarded as the nation's premier recruiting event, the Showcase hosted over 650 athletes from the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 recruiting classes. 

The athletes broke out into teams based on grad year and competed in three games over the course of the day. In the afternoon college coaches looked on as faceoff midfielders had the chance to compete in the King of the X prior to the All-Star and MVP announcements. 

The annual Fab-40 All-Star Games concluded the day under the lights. Every all-star selection was given a Nike all-star gear pack that included a Nike jersey, shorts, shirt, head, and a specially designed all-star hoodie. Only 120 were produced by Nike and were reserved exclusively for the Nike Boys Philly Showcase All-Stars.

The class of 2022 featured committed and uncommitted athletes looking to catch the eye of the college coaches both in attendance and watching the live-stream. Below are the 2022's that stood out above the rest to Brett Manney. 

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

The boy from NorCal balled out this past weekend making a statement as one of the better-uncommitted lefties. Cheng does a majority of his work on the lefty wing but is not afraid to mix it up from inside as well. With his feet set he has a deadly sidearm shot and plays with poise. What I like most about his game is his ambition to get his shot off, he has multiple hitches, and spin moves to elude defenders in his quest to get to the net. The 2022 MVP walked away with some custom Nike Air Force 1s fitting for him as he was a force all day.

Honorable Mention:

Chad Palumbo, 2022, Noble and Greenough (MA), Fighting Clams 
Max Hull, 2022, Vestavia Hills (AL), ThunderLB3
Jayson Batie, 2021, Westlake (CA), LI Sting
Jackson Hanson, 2022, Austin (TX), Ironhorse

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MIDFIELD

Myles Spiess, 2022, Brunswick School (CT), 2way

Over the last decade, I have seen many high school players compete in our showcases. The day is long and the early morning games can lack juice. In my opinion, those players who are passionate, energized, and ready to play the entire day make a difference. That was Spiess right at 9 AM. His first dodge of the game he swept to his right hand and fed the crease for a goal. After the play, Spiess initiated a chest bump firing up his teammates. There is something to be said for those who play the game with passion (in this case with a bunch of strangers meeting for the first time). He might not have skills or elite speed some of the other midfielders did but he finds ways to get to his right hand and is willing to play both sides of the ball. If he continues to work on his left hand he will be a great prospect for someone. 

Honorable Mention:

Carter Smith, 2022, St. Paul’s (MA), Fighting Clams
John Murray, 2022, Summit (NJ), Tri-State
Kellen Seeley, 2022, Westminster (CT), 2Way
Seamus Schofield (FO), 2022, Delran (NJ), Blue Star
Conor Trant (FO), 2022, Concord Carlisle, Fighting Clams

DEFENSE 

Matt Burnside, 2022, Kent Island (MD), PLC

Burnside was a pest at the showcase. The LSM was all over kids’ hands, playing kids out in the parking lot, and made his presence known between the lines. He was able to cover players, pick up groundballs in traffic, and contribute on the offensive side of the field. I love his motor and his energetic play which was the difference between him and his peers on Saturday. As a result, he turned away many kids from dodging on him and many college coaches to take down notes on him!

Honorable Mention:

Jack Isacco, 2022, Cardinal Gibbons (NC), Bucktown
Tate Seeman, 2022, Noble and Greenough (MA), Fighting Clams
Bryden Arnett, 2022, Arrowhead (WI), Team Illinois
Elliott Morgan, 2022, Canandaigua Academy (NY), FCA Upstate

GOALIE

Peter Del Col, 2022, Noble and Greenough (MA), Fighting Clams

Peter is part of the 2022 trifecta of Noble and Greenough standouts over the years at the Nike Boys Philly Showcase (Chad Palumbo and Tate Seeman). Del Col is the anchor of the group and always brings his top effort to the showcase again as a 2x All Star. Del Col is extremely steady between the pipes, great on shots down low, and loves to get the ball out of stick early. The southpaw has great quickness on bringing his stick down to low and off hip shots which many of his peers struggle with. When you have a goalie who is always steady and efficient you are always in a position to win and Del Col is your guy. 

Honorable Mention:

Thomas MacDonald, 2022, Upper Canada College (CAN), Edge
Andrew Albert, 2022, Weston (CT), CT Wolves

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