By Tom Peace
I’ve always enjoyed covering the Baltimore Summer Kickoff event. High Point University head coach Jon Torpey and Associate head coach Pat Tracy do a tremendous job each and every summer putting this event on.
This year the event will run three sessions throughout the month of June.
This past weekend, Session 1 of BSK was a success. The event was held at Goucher College in Towson, Md. with some games also played at nearby Loyola Blakefield high school.
The club lacrosse events always amaze me. I’m always watching how organized an event is. Whether it be, Information about the players or what food options are offered and how the schedule of games are laid out. BSK has done a great job in all categories and still attracts the best club teams in the country, especially with numerous other events happening around the northeast in Delaware, Long Island and Virginia, and those events also had good teams.
But BSK doesn’t disappoint when it comes to college coaches coming to recruit and it doesn’t disappoint when it come to the schedule of the games.
At 2pm on Saturday, coaches and fans were treated to a wonderful contest in the 2020 division between local powerhouse clubs, FCA and Looneys. Both teams are loaded with local talent. And it was a great game to watch. This event is good in that it’s timed perfectly with high school seasons just ending a couple weeks ago and the players still have gas in the tank, whereas when you get into July, when it is really hot and humid, you see fatigue setting in for the players.
There were some other good games that stood out. FCA 2019s had a good game against Team Turnpike from New Jersey. And Iron Horse (Texas) battled Evolve Elite (Colorado).
Another thing that stood out from Saturday was how Top D1 coaches are now scouting the 2019–2020 games. With the new recruiting rules in effect (College Coaches can’t communicate with players until Sept 1. Of their Junior year) you’ll see more heavy recruiting by Top-25 teams at the junior and senior level games.
Here are some of the players who impressed from Saturday’s action (No Particular Order):
Seth Higgins-Gerstell Academy-2020-Midfielder-Looneys : Higgins is a two way middie with excellent speed and agility. He has a tall frame and he has a powerful shot in cage. Higgins helped guide Gerstell to a MIAA B-conference championship this past season.
Harold Lloyd-Boys’ Latin-2019-Attackman-FCA: Lloyd looks like he will have a huge impact next season for the Lakers. He has great footwork and is always hustling whether it’s out front our behind cage. A fun player to watch. Expect this young man to have a good summer season.
Matt DiPietro-Immaculata HS (NJ) — 2019 — FO/M — Team Turnpike : DiPietro is an impressive athlete with good stick skills. Is smart and efficient at faceoffs and he is a an animal when it comes to getting the ground balls.
Logan Meehan — Topsail HS (NC) — 2020 — Defense- Cape Fear Shamrocks — Meehan delivers some great checks and will throw some pokes in as well. Not afraid to get in a scrum. Love this kids Lax IQ.
Pearse Glavin — Haverford (Pa.) — 2020 — Attackman/Midfielder- Rising Sons — Glavin looks to be another stud to come through the Fords program at Haverford. He has the stick skills and footwork that some of the greats from Haverford. Looking forward to seeing this kid play at other events this summer. Should be on all Top D1 radars.
Camden Andrews-Dublin Coffman-2019-Attackman-Haymakers: Andrews has good quicks and he is always alert. Loved this kids dodge game. Got off some decent shots on cage. Would be a great get for any college program.
Jack Stuzin-Gilman-2020-Defense-FCA: I love the way this kid plays. A true lockdown defenseman who has some great stick skills and footwork. Always around the ball and can hustle up field on the clear. Excellent lacrosse player.
William Budzynski- Westminster (Md.) — 2019 — Attack- Zingos : Budzynski is a talented attackman from Carroll County, Md. who moves the ball well and is decent off ball as well. The rising senior made some heads-up decisions and had some great shots on cage that resulted in goals.
Devon Rasmus- Jupiter (Florida) — 2020 — Midfield — Team91 Florida : Rasmus has quick hands and moves the ball well. Plays strong defense with the short stick. Makes smart decisions. Another player who should have a strong summer season.
Sam King-Gilman-2020-Attack- Looneys: King is a terrific player with solid fundamentals. The Gilman rising junior is good off ball and sets up good picks. The dodge game is on point and he can lead the other attackman. He’s a team player looking to create scoring opportunities.
All Star Rosters:
2019/2020
2020/2021/2022
