Top Performers at the NLI (7/6/23) Part 1

The national lacrosse invitational was incredible once again. The best high school teams went to battle and I caught several games on July 6th. Checkout some of the top performers from that event.

 

Jack Tully (Chaminade 2024) - Tully has been showing why he’s one of the best multi sport athletes on Long Island. He’s always one of the fastest players on the field and he’s got that running back toughness to make him a clearing machine. Tully is an all around midfielder but I was impressed with his offensive ability at the NLI. He was a shifty dodger and also played well as an inside finisher for the Flyers offense

Danny Aiello (Bayport 2024)- A lot of hype has deservingly been on J.J Aiello the past few years but let me tell you Danny Aiello is going to have a special senior year. He was a two way middie at the NLI and he was effective in every aspect of the game. He cleared the ball consistently and had a highlight reel play running over a player at midfield and blazing downfield for a goal. He’s one of the best pure athletes on Long Island regardless of sport. 

Matthew Mcintee (East Islip 2024)- Next season Mcintee will make a case as the best midfielder on Long Island. He has an incredible shot on the run and he’s a true two handed guy that can either beat his defender down the alley or he can come over the top on a sweep. His first step allows his split dodge to be so dangerous and effective. Whenevrer he was facing a long pole at the NLI it didn’t matter, Mcintee continuously made plays. 

Peter Debusschere (Chaminade 2024)- The 2024 midfielder is one of the most underrated players in this class. Chaminade was down a couple of their top players at this event and Debusschere stepped up and was the catalyst for this offense against New Jersey state champions Ridgewood. He showed off his versatility dodging from different spots, and short stick middies simply couldn’t keep up with him. He’ll be a terrific get for a college program 

Stephen Rosano (Ward Melville 2024)- I saw Ward Melville take on Cold Spring Harbor and it ended up being the Stephen Rosano show. He owned his matchup and looked great as a dodger. Rosano easily created separation from his defender. He also had a variety of goals by changing levels and he stung multiple corners in this one. Rosano had a beautiful assist after he pulled off a toe drag that had left his defender in the dust. The Sacred Heart bound senior is someone to watch next season.

Tommy Kline (Huntington 2025)- At the LI Lax Showcase, I was impressed with his defense but at the NLI, Kline’s offensive ability was something to watch. He proved that he can unleash a cannon from the outside. With Huntington graduating some elite seniors, Kline will really get to show how talented he is. Expect Kline to be one of the best two way middies on Long Island for the next 2 years. His toughness and how hard he plays is worth a watch.  

Colin Puckett (Marin Catholic 2024)- Marin Catholic put on a great showing and Colin Puckett was a huge reason why. I have to say Puckett is on the same level as Long Island’s top lefty goal scorers. He can dodge from anywhere and he was one of the best pure shooters at the event. Puckett had 4 goals against Massapequa and he was able to create for himself and be a scary catch and shoot threat. The Ohio State bound senior has to be one of the best players on the west coast

Giancarlo Valenti (Northport 2024)- The LSM from Northport is a stud. He has some of the best stick skills I saw for a pole, moving the ball well and picking up everything that was on the ground. He had a tremendous high school season and now that Drew Miller has graduated people will really see the potential and talent that Giancarlo Valenti has. He is a must watch player his senior season.  

Luca Cuozzo (Huntington 2025)- After a great showing at the LI Lax Showcase Cuozzo suited up with Huntington and he continued to prove that he’s one of the top faceoff specialists in the 2025 class here on Long Island. He had a fantastic day for Huntington and this time I really saw Cuozzo’s IQ. Teams tried to make it 50/50 gb’s and he was excellent at navigating the field under pressure and utilizing his wings. He secured possession for Huntington in crucial situations. 

 

Logan Chapman (Marin Catholic 2024)- More people have to know about Logan Chapman from Marin Catholic. He has the athleticism to play at the division one level and it was on full display at the NLI. I loved Chapman between the lines being able to clear the ball with ease and swimming past double teams. He’s an offensive threat with a lot of explosiveness in his game, he might get overshadowed by some high level guys but he definitely deserves more attention. 

Top Performers at NHSLS: Mcdonogh vs Taft (6/30/23)

 It was a matchup between two top five teams from the high school lacrosse season. Mcodonogh and Taft featured some of the nations best players and this game lived up to the hype. This was the second semi-final of NHSLS and it went down to the wire. Mcdonogh pulled out a 9-8 victory over Taft in thrilling fashion. Checkout my top performers from this highly anticipated matchup. 

Mcdonogh 

Mason Elkas (2024)- The fogo for Mcdonogh had a dominant performance at the faceoff X. Elkas was in complete control of his matchup for the majority of this game. He was clam, cool and collective at the faceoff X compiling a ton of clean wins against a talented fogo and whenever Taft put out a long pole. He did a great job utilizing his wings and he also showed his ability to create offensive opportunities for his team in unsettled situations.  

Luke Miller (2024) - The soon to be 4 year starter for the Eagles had another all around solid performance. Of course he’s a talented offensive player but the hustle plays Miller makes is incredible. He is one of the best riding attackman I’ve seen this summer. He zipped down field to completely stop a Taft fast break. Miller had a beautiful toe drag to get space before netting his first goal. He had another easy finish on a fast break. Miller who's headed to Notre Dame is a must watch player this summer.

Brendan Millon (2025)- NLF’s number 1 ranked 2025 prospect showed off the vision all afternoon. He was setting up his teammates and giving them terrific looks to boost this offense. Millon dissected the Taft defense and made a ton of great feeds. The combination between him and Ben Firle was a scary one. Millon is a great dodger and he continuously proves to be one of the smartest players on the field. He'll create an exciting duo with Luke Miller once again next season 

Aidan Seibel (2025) - The 2025 goaltender had a day for the Eagles. Seibel easily had double digit saves in this contest and there were some impressive ones. He had one of the most incredible saves I’ve seen all summer after diving up from the ground saving a shot right on the crease after making the initial save. Seibel brought impressive energy as the leader on the back end. He made numerous saves on hard well placed shots which kept the Eagles ahead in this one. On September 1st you can count on Seibel drawing plenty of attention from Division 1 schools.

Ben Firle (2024)- I’d have to say Firle was the player of the game in this one. He is a lights out shooter and he proved that his shooting abilities are some of the best in high school lacrosse. He did it in a variety of ways, Firle had two step down shots that were absolute rockets that went top shelf. Then Firle showed off how impressive of a dodger he is. His first goal came down the lefty alley where he exploded through contact and got to his right hand inside and finished. Firle then came over a pick on a righty sweep where he hammered a shot low and away to score his third goal. Georgetown has a terrific goal scorer coming to their program.

Max Allen (2024) /Michael Tan (2025)- These two long poles were extremely impressive for Mcdonogh. Max Allen who’s headed to Georgetown is an athletic defender who looked great 1 on 1. He had a phenomenal takeaway check and he’s got the footwork to cause players some issues. Michael Tan who played behind some talented LSM’s has a bright future. He is aggressive and a great player in the open field. Tan can scoop up ground balls and get his team offensive possessions. Both of these guys bring the juice on defense and will be exciting to watch as time goes on.  

Taft 

Ben Wick (2024)- The lefty attackman had two goals for Taft and he’s a slippery player who can finish the rock efficiently. He scored his first goal on a fast break where he handled a tough pass and ripped one low to high. Wick would also show his off ball ability. On his second goal he did a tremendous job timing his cut and Wick had an easy catch and finish.He will build off of his successful junior year and be one of New England’s top goal scorers

Samuel Lovell (2024)- Taft was down 8-5 late in the third quarter and that's when Samuel Lovell stepped up when it mattered most. His team had a man up and Lovell was willing to let it fly. As the third quarter expired, Lovell called his own number as he stepped in and unleashed a high to low laser. In the 4th quarter, Taft still had an EMO and it was Lovell striking again. He stepped in and scored again to make it a one goal game. Both of his goals were off stick and very well placed, Lovell came up clutch to get Taft back in it

Ben Friedman (2024)- He might’ve not had a crazy number of saves but Friedman certainly had timely stops to keep Taft in it and he also showed that he is one of the most athletic goalies in America. The Yale bound 2024 is a prospect that can make every type of save. His reaction time and his hands are incredible. Friedman made quick and smart decisions in the clear game and threw phenomenal outlet passes.  

Henry Hughes (2025)- The twitchy dodger had a terrific day for Taft. Hughes is a speedster and he scored the first goal for Taft on a terrific speed dodge. Hughes accelerated past his defender and turned the corner and put it top shelf. Hughes also was great on the ride creating chances for his team. He did the little things and picked up ground balls and ran past Mcdonogh players to get his squad possessions.  

Jack Elliot (2024)- The Michigan bound defender is going to be an elite player for Taft during his senior season. He’s exactly what you want in a number one defender. He was solid in his matchup and when you watch Elliot shows off the leadership and all the fundamental traits in team defense. Elliot has good size and he can move very well. He was fun to watch against these Mcdonogh attackmen and he’s a player that will get exciting matchups in his senior season.