Top Performers from the 2024 Nike Senior All-American Game

With nothing left to prove in their high school careers the nation's top incoming freshmen suited up in the Nike National All-American Game on June 22. After a sloppy start from the American and Nationals side, both teams found their footing as the game went on, which ended up being an action-packed 15-14 Nationals win. Princeton commit Peter Buonanno led the Americans with four goals behind Georgetown commit Ross Prince's excellent 10-for-14 day at the face-off X. However, neither effort was strong enough to overcome Maryland-bound Spencer Ford, who led the game with seven points and scored the game-winner for the Nationals off the initial face-off in OT. Here's a deeper look into each top performance and an early prediction of how they'll fit in at their respective schools next year.    Ford was electric last week and was by far the most impressive attackman on a field littered with blue-chip talent. He led the game with five goals on top of two assists and showed about every tool he has in his toolbox. He's proven himself as an elite finisher and off-ball presence at Boys' Latin but it was encouraging to see him score in more ways than one. Three were his typical cheeky finishes right in front of the crease and the other two, including the game-winner, were outside shots from the high wing.    With Maryland graduating its leading goal scorer and key off-ball attackman in Daniel Maltz last season, Ford could seamlessly fill that void — but has the ceiling to be even better. He'll be a major boost to Maryland's offense which took nearly the entirety of last season to find its footing. Eric Spanos and Braden Erksa teaming up with the No. 5 overall recruit should give Terps fans a lot of promise.     Say a very warm welcome to Jurassic Park's newest addition. Snyder was all over the field, especially in the first half, scooping up multiple ground balls and notching an assist to Ford in the first quarter. The 6-foot-5 defender possesses a willingness to push transition, which is exactly Lars Tiffany's type. Ironically his future teammate Luke Hublitz, who was ranked 30 spots ahead of Snyder in last year's rankings, was playing for the Americans but I thought Snyder had the stronger outing.    With stud cover man John Schroter, George Fulton, and Griffin Kology all set to return to Charlottesville next season, it might be tough for him to crack the rotation next year. However, Tiffany has never been shy of playing freshman and it could be between Snyder and Hublitz to duke it out for a spot.     Ransom had four points and joined Ford as the only player to record multiple goals and assists — all while being guarded by Snyder. Ransom kicked off his scoring after a brilliantly timed cut, which led to a one-handed snag to a behind-the-back finish on the crease. Two minutes later he scored another BTB but it was called back due to an offsides call. He also had a no-look assist to Peter Buonanno from the point off of a fast break. He's got serious creativity and quick wrists that make him valuable as a shooter off the break or in the slot.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/C8ptzaup6Uv </div></figure>   With the Hoyas losing three of their top scorers from last season, the 4-star recruit should have a spot on the offense, whether that's at attack or running out of the box. He'll join an exciting incoming class which <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/06/analyzing-the-quarterfinalists-incoming-classes-georgetown/">Ty Xanders previewed</a> alongside Ben Firlie, Kevin Miller, and Owen Horning.      Prince was the most effective face-off man last week, winning 10-for-14, tying Reid Gills for the best on the day. What's to like about Prince is his ability to scrap for the ball seconds preceding the whistle if he doesn't win the initial clamp. This was evident on one occasion last week when after he scooped a ground ball he had a behind-the-back pass to get himself out of trouble. He's not your average FOGO with an offensive background and a tall 6-foot-1 frame — the type of player we'll see more of with the seemingly ever-changing face-off landscape. His adaptability and versatility make him the No. 2 face-off man in the class, and I'd imagine he'll split reps at the X with James Ball at Georgetown.     If there was a defensive MVP award it surely would have gone to DiBartolomeo. I lost count of how many times he had a first-time ground ball which led to a clear. His explosiveness and fearlessness make up for any lack of size he has, and he's relentless in the middle of the field. He also had a couple of his signature interceptions. He'll likely headline an LSM rotation at Penn State next year with fellow Malvern Prep graduate Pup Buono.     Buonanno had no trouble getting his hands free, leading the Americans with four goals. Similarly to DiBartolomeo, Buonanno has been written about extensively so there's hardly much to say about him that hasn't already been covered. With a postgrad year at Deerfield, he has the experience and talent to hit the ground running at Princeton. It's unlikely he'll start at attack with stud lefty Coulter Mackesy returning. However, offensive coordinator Jim Mitchell will maximize his talent even if he's running out of the box, and on a loaded offense, he'll give short-stick d-middies lots of fits.

With nothing left to prove in their high school careers the nation's top incoming freshmen suited up in the Nike National All-American Game on June 22. After a sloppy start from the American and Nationals side, both teams found their footing as the game went on, which ended up being an action-packed 15-14 Nationals win.

Princeton commit Peter Buonanno led the Americans with four goals behind Georgetown commit Ross Prince's excellent 10-for-14 day at the face-off X. However, neither effort was strong enough to overcome Maryland-bound Spencer Ford, who led the game with seven points and scored the game-winner for the Nationals off the initial face-off in OT.

Here's a deeper look into each top performance and an early prediction of how they'll fit in at their respective schools next year.