Five Pennsylvania Prospects Off to A Fast Start This Spring

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's still early, but let's check in and review five prospects from Pennsylvania who are off to a fast start during the first two weeks of the 2024 high school lacrosse season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15092"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":22093,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The St. Joe's commit is off to a blazing start so far in 2024. Barber has already posted an astonishing seven goal performance along with two games in which he torched the opposing team for six goals. A long, fluid, and versatile athlete, Barber also excels on the basketball court where he was named First Team All-EPC this winter. On the lacrosse field, he's a crafty left-hander with good speed, so he can blow past defenders in the open field or patiently survey a defense then pick the right moment to make his move towards the goal. With his height and solid frame, Barber can also push his way past defenders to create opportunities for himself or teammates. Barber possesses fantastic field vision and an unselfish mindset. That combination makes him a willing distributor who moves the ball to the open man at the right moment. As a nice bonus, Barber is comfortable playing midfield as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["15075"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":22130,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"A severe knee injury sidelined Gougler from May 2023 through this past fall. For the 2024 season, he is sporting a large knee brace, but Gougler is back starting for Springfield, and having a major impact for the Cougars. Across their first three games (2-1), the Drexel commit has registered six goals and three assists. Gougler is a highly skilled lefty attackman with catch-and-shoot skills that are off the charts. When he is behind the cage, Gougler has a bag of moves he can execute to lose his defender for a scoring opportunity or to drop an assist on a teammate. Gougler can pass and shoot at a high level with his right hand, frequently surprising defenders with that asset.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["22247"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"In his first year at ANC, Kitahama is having an immediate impact. Last Saturday, Kitahama notched a hat trick and scored the OT game-winner in ANC's victory over Valor Christian of Colorado, a program from his home state. On the young season, Kitahama has already posted seven goals and two assists. Also a member of the football and wrestling teams, Kitahama is an extraordinary athlete, which enables him to operate as an effective two-way midfielder. He is a tremendous step-down shooter who can ping every corner of the cage. Once he has ripped a goal or two from the perimeter, Kitahama will fake a shot, quickly close on the net, and then score from the doorstep. Kitahama rarely holds onto the ball too long, so he is a solid passer. Kitahama also possesses the quickness and creativity to play from X.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["14807"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003ca href=u0022https://preplacrosse.com/2024/03/haverford-seniors-pave-the-way-in-14-7-upset-of-no-3-mcdonogh/u0022u003eWritten up last week after his big outing during a dominant win over McDonoghu003c/au003e, the five-star Duke signee has done anything but slow down. On Sunday, McCarthy had two huge face-off wins in the final minute of a game where he secured the clamp, then raced downfield and deposited the ball in the back of the net, effectively scoring two game-winners sandwiched between a response from Taft, with those clutch goals producing a 9-8 win for the Fords . Those clutch time goals produced a 9-8 win for the Fords versus Taft. In that aforementioned contest against McDonogh, McCarthy went 11-for-18 and scored two goals. McCarthy owns quick hands and precise technique which enables him to win draws at a ridiculous clip. However, McCarthy is the top face-off prospect in the nation and the ultimate game-changer due to his ability to consistently score goals off those wins and thrive with his athleticism and all-around game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":22132,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='22250' first='Parker' last='Williams']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"142","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Garnet Valley","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Big 4 HHH","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Williams is a solidly built, 200-pound lefty attackman with an accurate and heavy shot. When he is not blowing step-downs past goalies, Williams can play a physical brand of attack. When he is in that mode, Williams will bully his defender until he reaches his favorite spots. He will then use his smooth footwork and creative fakes to free his hands for a shot. Williams also thrives at absorbing contact on the crease and still finding the back of the net. He began this spring with four goals in Garnet Valley's season-opening win against Downingtown West. Next, Williams tallied two goals during the Jaguars' defeat of Wilson West Lawn and exploded for six goals vs. Upper St. Clair in another solid win for Garnet Valley.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660302f8d1871"} /-->