Manney's Men for the 2019 Philly Summer Showcase Have Been Announced

The 2019 Philly Summer Showcase was held this past week at United Sports in Downingtown, PA on Friday, July 12th. Brett Manney, captain of the New England Blackwolves and assistant captain for the USA National Indoor team, serves as the VP of Recruiting at NXT. He won a bronze medal 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-- Here are the players who stood out to Brett. 

2020 & 2021

TANNER BURNS |ATTACK |  2021 
Jamesville Dewitt (NY) | Orange Crush

Burns has all the tools of a great attackman. He possesses a steady presence when he has the ball. He is comfortable above and behind the goal making him a threat all over the field. His arsenal of scoring and passing was featured all day making those around him better. Part of a very talented Jamesville Dewitt and Orange Crush squads, Burns should expect some early phone calls once September rolls around. 

HONORABLE MENTION:
Jack Clark | 2021 | Springfield Delco (PA) | Big4HHH
Brian Fitz | 2020 | Leesville (NC) | Carolina Hilltoppers
Alex DiVincentis | 2020 | Hampden Hall, CT | Wolves (CT)

BRETT CALLAHAN | MIDFIELD | 2020 
Mount St. Joe’s (MD) |  MD Roughriders

Two of the best midfielders on Friday hailed from Maryland with Callahan and Domanski both with very good days. Callahan gets the slight nod here because he routinely got to his right hand and made many plays between the lines. Yet, what I loved most about his game is that when he did doge he tried to get to the middle of the field most of the time to give him more room to his alley dodging. In addition, a lot of his shots were low and away when he did doge down the alley. Kudos to his MSJ and Roughrider coaching staff for instilling that quality in his game. I hope he finds a good home soon!

HONORABLE MENTION:
Casey Domanski | 2020 | Broadneck (MD) | PLC
Richie Hughson (FO) | 2021 | Kennett (PA) | Freedom
Michael Lenskold (FO) | 2020 | Bridgewater-Raritan (NJ) | Leading Edge
Chris Heckel | 2020 | Lawrenceville School (NJ) | Team Carolina 24/7

JEFF DOUGLAS | DEFENSE | 2020
Delbarton (NJ) | Patriot

Surgical. That is one way to describe the Green Wave defender. Douglas is a patient defender but is all over the field harassing opposing players. He is very fundamental in his stick checks precisley throwing them and proving good cross-checks when necessary. In addition, he was active on the wings and picking up ground balls throughout the day. North Jersey and Delbarton breed stud defenders. Douglas is no different. 

HONORABLE MENTION:
Cade Kilbride | 2021 | St. Andrew’s (TX) | Iron Horse
Mason Meagher | 2021 |  JL Mann (SC) | Team Carolina 24/7

ALEX OXIMANA | GOALIE | 2020 
Bishop Blanchet (WA) |  CitySide

Alex was a late addition to the showcase who has attended our events in the past. He has good size and surprises shooters with his ability to flop on low shots and make quick saves inside. I am sure it helps to have PLL pro Drew Snider, who is a Director of Cityside, shoot on the 2020 netminder to help his confidence. Alex not only caught a lot of shooters off guard, but he crouches very low to expose the top of the net before quickly exploding to save shots up high baiting the shooters. This stud from Washington deserves to find a great home. 

HONORABLE MENTION:
Theo Kim |  2021 | Menlo School (CA) | ADVNC
Joey Heckel | 2020 |  Easton (PA) | HEADstrong 

2022 & 2023

LUKE DERMON | ATTACK | 2022 
De La Salle (CA) |  WC Starz & Alcatraz Outlaws

It was fulfilling to see Dermon win the honor of MVP of the 22/23. Why? The past couple of years I have migrated west to watch Alcatraz Outlaws tryouts. I was impressed with his vision and takes on the cage last August and not much as changed other than his bigger stature. He was always in the right spots to finish plays, consistency played with his head up, and even got some tough groundballs. Was proud to see the NorCal boy dominate throughout the day and I expect him to continue to flourish in the future. 

HONORABLE MENTION:
Tommy Garofalo | 2022 | Bronxville (NY) | Predators
Aidan Drunsic | 2022 | Exeter (NH) | NH Tomahawks
Mark Watters | 2022 | Leaside (ON) | EDGE
Curren Johnson | 2022 | Bellport (NY) | Team United

GRIFFIN SHAFFER (FO) | MIDFIELD | 2022 
Vandegrift (TX) | Iron Horse

Not many times do I pick a FO man to win a coveted honor of the midfield position but Griffin was lights out all day. His hand speed was lightning fast and he is aggressive when he has a fast break to go to goal. What might be most impressive is that he dominated face offs all day against elite east coast competition despite hailing from Austin, Texas. Shaffer is making waves amongst his peers and could be the most highly touted face off man to come out of Texas in a very long time.

HONORABLE MENTION:
Aidan Best | 2022 | Staples (CT) |  LI Express
Brody Coleman | 2022 | Cazenovia (NY) | Orange Crush
Anthony Bartolotto |  2022 | Miller Place (NY) | Team United

NIKKO DIPONIO | DEFENSE | 2022
Bloomfield Hills (MI) | True National

In one play I was watching DiPonio communicate the slide, knock the ball down, and goose it around two attackmen while effortlessly making a cross field pass to his teammate. In one play DiPonio exhibited communication, stickwork, and awareness. He made those plays all day. The lefty was so fun. He took great angles and his defense was aggressive but nothing over the top. The Michigan product does all the dirty work and will one day get rewarded for all his efforts as he improved leaps and bounds since the fall Nike Philly Showcase. 

HONORABLE MENTION:
Cameron Light | 2022 | Shipley (PA) | Freedom
Ryan Bilello | 2022 | Manasquan (NJ) | Leading Edge
Jack Sharma | 2022 | Delbarton (NJ) | NJ Riot

AIDAN PETERS | GOALIE |  2022
St. Augustine (NJ) | SouthShore

St. Augustine has routinely put out some outstanding goalies in the past and Peters could be the next great one to shine for the Hermits. The southpaw moves well side to side, is confident making saves and also throws a sharp outlet pass. Part of a talented 2022 SouthShore team, Peters is the backbone that you trust having between the pipes.  

HONORABLE MENTION:
Brayden Skipper | 2022 | Wilson (PA) | Dukes
Nick DeCain |  2023 | Radnor (PA) | NXT