Top Lax Recruits
Top Lax Recruits -
By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 7/9/17
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – You could excuse Gavin McDonough for making one small mistake in Friday night’s All-Star Game at the Passport Alliance Liberty Bell Challenge Individual Showcase at the Conshohocken Proving Grounds.
The Red Team goalie from Team Minnesota and The Blake School stopped four of his five shots and was nearly flawless in the goal, but was knocked out of bounds while trying to make a clear down the left side. Still, the rangy 2019 was one of the standouts all day at the event and helped the Red Team to a 9-3 All-Star victory.
“I think I cleared well the whole day, but in this game it was my one weak part,” said McDonough, who was teamed with Team Minnesota defenseman Zachary Adams in the All-Star Game. “Our defense played really well. Zach, who is on my club team, and two others were on my team here, worked well on defense.
“I think I saw the ball pretty well. Usually, I heat up throughout the day. I usually start out slower and build up. This was a good game to cap off the day. I made some good saves and was clearing well.”
McDonough has the height and smarts to play college lacrosse at any level. What else does he have to offer?
“I like being loud and I pride myself on communicating,” he said. “It’s a good recipe to play because it helps you out as a goalie. I have a couple of schools I am interested in and hopefully come the end of the year I have something.”
Team Minnesota 2019 landed a playoff berth after games Saturday in the LBC Team competition. “It’s nice coming here from Minnesota and beating some of these teams. They never know what hit them. It’s great competition and a lot of fun to come out here.”
Click here for the full All-Star rosters
Other who shined Friday:
Alexander Houk, Dukes Elite 1/St. Edwards-FL, MF, 2018, , 2G, 2A in All-Star Game for Red
What went well during the day? “I thought I played well on transition. I played a lot of defense because we didn’t have too many d-mids, but I sparked some goals in transition and then scored more in the All-Star Game. The key is to share the ball, get it around and exploit what works. You do what you can to win and score goals.”
On recruiting? “I got a few offers hoping and I am hoping to finalize it up by signing day. I am looking at D1 to D3 and in between. I like the city feel and I am looking at business or political science as a major. I want a school that fits that and lacrosse.”
On his goals playing for Dukes Elite (playing today in playoffs)? “We won our first two tournaments of the summer, but we didn’t didn’t pull out Best of the Best. When we play fast we are really good. If we are smart with the ball and make the right play, like dodge against the short sticks and use the fundamentals we are tough.”
Zachary Adams, Team MN/Orono-MN, DEF, 2019
What went well? “As a team (in All-Star Game), our defense talked really well and my other two defensive partners played really well. We played good team defense. We got tired at the end of the game but kept playing well and finished strong.
On the competition: “It was very tough; some of the attackmen were very quick. It was good competition. You have got to got to stay hydrated and be ready.
On the recruiting: “I have been e-mailing coaches and letting them know where I will be. I am 6-5, and still growing. That gives me a lot of reach and I am able to poke check attackmen from a further distance. My long stride helps me out a lot.”
Jackson Berger, Doco/Mullen-CO, MF, 2019, 2 goals for White Team
What adjustments did you need to make? “I had to get used to the humidity; it’s a lot dryer out there (Colorado). But it’s easier to run with less elevation. I like it a lot.
What went well? “I was just taking advantage of short pole matchups and I was dodging on d mids. It helped a lot that other middies were passing and allowing me to clear through so i could get dodges going.
What did you learn? “I learned how to play in humidity and control myself; and not go too hard and lose stamina. Playing against these kids gets me a lot of exposure and helps a lot. I am hoping to go D1; I am looking for a college I would love to play for and one where I am wanted.”
Colin Sharp, Dukes VA/Cape Henry Collegiate-VA, ATT, 2019, 2 goals for Red Team
On the All-Star game: “There were lot of good players so it was easy to move the ball around. That helped the offense to work well and the reason we did as well as we did in the All-Star game is that we got the ball out of our sticks quickly.
How the event helps him in recruiting: “I think today and tomorrow and Sunday will give me a better understand of where I stand. I am totally open to school; want a good solid school for either business or architecture. I want to go to a pretty prestigious school academically so hopefully I can use lacrosse to help me find the right school.”
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