SOUTHERN SHOWCASE PLAYER PREVIEWS
The third annual Southern Showcase takes place this Saturday, October 28th, 2017. The new dates for in 2017 allow top Division I, Division II, and Division III coaches to get a look at athletes early, while also preparing players for the busy fall recruiting season by providing a highly competitive and educational experience. All players in the Saturday event are divided up and placed on teams coached by NCAA college coaches.
After a rigorous vetting process, top high school players from across the Southeast were selected to compete in the individual event at the Lakepoint Sport Community complex. Featured below are a few players to look out for.
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BAILEY WILLIAMS | ATTACK | 2018
Thunder LB3 Atlanta Elite • Mill Creek High School, Georgia
* Committed to Bellarmine University
Williams returns from the 2016 Southern Showcase as the reigning MVP. This committed lefty-attackman is consistently great with the ball in his stick and always moving off ball. He works hard to get open and creates many opportunities for himself as well as his teammates.
1. WALK OUT SONG: "We Own It" by Fast & Furious--2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa
2. PREGAME RITUAL: Mountain Dew Kickstart
3. PREGAME MEAL: Chick-fil-A
4. FAVORITE TOURNAMENT: NXT Philly Showcase
5. NICKNAME: Don't have one
6. SPORTS IDOL: Julio Jones
7. FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Atlanta Falcons
8. FAVORITE MOVIE: Only the Brave
9. HIDDEN TALENT: Wakeboarding
10. BEST ADVICE FROM A COACH/TEAMMATE: "Play HARD ... Play FAST"
MALIK GAY | ATTACK/MIDFIELD | 2019
3D Georgia & Nation United • Mount Pisgah Christain School, Georgia
Malik is a fantastic athlete who can dodge all over the field but is most comfortable behind the cage. His athleticism will put the other showcase players’ game to test. We expect him to put on a show this weekend. When he’s not on the field, this entrepreneur is building out his lacrosse stringing company he founded when he was 12, LaxLik - click here to learn more.
1. WALK OUT SONG: "B. O. B" by OutKast
2. PREGAME RITUAL: Saying a prayer
3. PREGAME MEAL: Turkey sandwich
4. FAVORITE TOURNAMENT: Inside Lacrosse Invitational (Session III with Nation United)
5. NICKNAME: Leek
6. SPORTS IDOL: Jackie Robinson
7. FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Kansas Jayhawks
8. FAVORITE MOVIE: Scream
9. HIDDEN TALENT: Dancing and playing the saxophone
10. BEST ADVICE FROM A COACH/TEAMMATE: "You only get by so many moments in life to show people they matter." - JonErik Alford
FRANKIE CECERE | LSM | 2019
Atlanta Coyotes, LB3 Thunder, & Team 8 • Centennial High School, Georgia
As a LSM, Cecere is a very active defenseman who is comfortable covering all over the field. His best skill is the ability to carry the ball with ease and confidence to make clears by himself to push the ball in transition.
1. WALK OUT SONG: "R.I.C.O" by Drake & Meek Mill
2. PREGAME RITUAL: Listening to music
3. PREGAME MEAL: Bagel and cream cheese
4. FAVORITE TOURNAMENT: NXT Philly Summer Showcase
5. NICKNAME: Big Frank
6. SPORTS IDOL: Derrick Rose
7. FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Oklahoma City Thunder
8. FAVORITE MOVIE: Shawshank Redemption
9. HIDDEN TALENT: Playing the piano
10. BEST ADVICE FROM A COACH/TEAMMATE: "You can either make plays, or watch plays being made."
JACK DOWD | ATTACK | 2019
X Factor & Sweetlax • Pointe Vedra, Florida
Dowd is a solid attackman who handles pressure well and finishes with accuracy. This player works hard to work off ball to get others involved and makes effortless plays with great fundamentals.
1. WALK OUT SONG: "Holiday" by Green Day
2. PREGAME RITUAL: Drink a juice box and eat Sour Patch Kids
3. PREGAME MEAL: Usually a sandwich
4. FAVORITE TOURNAMENT: Sweetlax Summer Invitational
5. NICKNAME: Happy
6. SPORTS IDOL: Lyle Thompson
7. FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Jacksonville Jaguars
8. FAVORITE MOVIE: Braveheart
9. HIDDEN TALENT: Good at volleyball
10. BEST ADVICE FROM A COACH/TEAMMATE: "Be who you want to be, not what, and don't let others around you tell you otherwise"
