Manney's Men for the 2019 Baltimore Showcase Have Been Announced

Brett Manney is an assistant captain and Captain for the New England Blackwolves. He won a bronze medal with the USA National Indoor Team, where he was an assistant captain. 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's events, including those in Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Here are the players that stood out to him at the 2019 Baltimore Showcase hosted at Towson University on Thursday, June 13th.

WILL SWEENEY | ATTACK | 2020
Delone Catholic (MD) | Looneys

There was plenty of chances for Sweeney to be seen and he took advantage of each one. Lefty attackmen usually rack up a lot of goals and he did just that. Quickly he formed nice chemistry with Ayden Hammel and they were able to run their offense through those two formidable players from behind the cage to create successful opportunities. Sweeney was creating offense or finishing it all day earning this nod as the best attackman at the Showcase.

HONORABLE MENTION:
Ayden Hammel | 2022 | Archbishop Spalding (MD) | API
Charlie Pope |  2021 | Gilman (MD) | Koopers

ETHAN HODGES | MIDFIELD | 2021
Paul VI (VA) | Blackwolf

If there was a player at the event with the biggest upside it had to be Hodges. Hodges was a one-man clear, north/south dodger who showed untapped potential all day. It was easy to tell he is a great athlete who, right now, excels in transition. Yet, if he works on his offensive skill set and lacrosse IQ he has the potential to a very dangerous player because, when he wants to, he gets shots from the middle of the field or down the alley with ease. If Hodges continues to be an athlete between the lines and polishes up his offensive tools, he will be a big impact player in no time.

HONORABLE MENTION:
Trevor Batastini | 2020 | Lovejoy (TX) | Texas United
Eli Bowen | 2021 | Baylor School (TN)
Trey Smack |  2022 |  Severna Park (MD) | API

SAM SMITH | DEFENSE  | 2021
Millbrook (CT)

Sam was a complete animal at the Showcase and made his presence known all over the fields. He would routinely get first time ground balls, harass the ball carrier, set up in great position and push the ball in transition as well. Basically everything you want out of your current day LSM. Smith has great size, motor, and attitude to be an excellent LSM for many years to come.

HONORABLE MENTION:
Cole Zacharias | 2021 | Lassiter (GA) | Defenders of Troy
Keith Carra | 2020 | Malvern Prep (PA) | PA Roughriders
Nicholas Ciampaglio | 2022 |  North Harford (MD) |  UC Mavericks

'JORDAN OPDAHL | GOALIE | 2021
St. Andrews (MD) | DC Express

Opdahl made his third appearance at the Baltimore Showcase and was at the inaugural showcase in 2017. Since then he went from a talented young netminder, to a steady presence who mans the pipes for the varsity team at St. Andrew’s. You can tell Opdahl’s varsity experience at St. Andrew’s and with his talented DC Express team that he is not phased by anything because he has seen it all. Despite not possessing a trait greater than the other, he is consistently solid. He makes saves in tight, from distance and from all types of shots. There was not a shot which was scored on him which I saw that could be blamed on him. A pillar for consistency, Opdahl continues to prove his worth every time he steps on the field.

HONORABLE MENTION:
Rob Williamson | 2021 |  Dallas Jesuit (TX) | Iron Horse
Drew Miller |  2021 | Weddington (NC) |  Team Carolina