Pennsylvania Standout Prospects From This Summer

After reviewing my notes from June and July's lacrosse action, I assembled a review of five prospects from Pennsylvania who played fantastic lacrosse across that two month stretch.      One of the best kept secrets in Pennsylvania is this skilled attack who we recently discovered can also play midfield. This summer Azar thrived at catching the ball on the wing, swiftly sweeping over the top of the defense, and then firing a shot on the run. Once Azar had established that move, he would get to the center of the field, cut back via a face dodge or spin move and then drive to the cage for a dunk. Another skill set that popped about Azar was his off -ball movement. He frequently cut behind defender's helmets, found open space around the crease and then deposited the ball in the back of the net. His step-down shot was a legitimate weapon too. At midfield, Azar got downhill through contact, then made the smart decision on whether to shoot or distribute at full speed.          This Fairfield commit is an athletic pole who ran at both LSM and close def this summer. Brickman is a 3-sport athlete at Episcopal Academy, so the versatility he displayed on the lacrosse field did not come as a surprise. In an addition to positional versatility, Brickman displayed a high IQ, impressive speed, an active stick, and polished footwork. That list of assets enabled Brickman to serve as a shutdown defender on the perimeter. His ability to run with a ball carrier in open space, turn him multiple times and then create a turnover was remarkable. Brickman (Inter-Ac All League in 2025) was then quick to snatch up the ground ball and sprint down field for a transition opportunity. At close, Brickman showed he could play a physical style of defense and wear out opposing attackmen. He also displayed a knack for disrupting passing / shooting lanes with his stick.       Centofanti possesses a combination of size and elusive moves that is rare among 2029s. This summer Centofanti proved he could get downhill in a flash, execute a crafty split dodge, and then drive to the net for a scoring opportunity. Centofanti also played a physical brand of midfielder as he frequently bullied his defender until he got to his spots. When he operated from the wing, Centofanti used an extremely deceptive hitch move to set up his sweeps. His ability to fire rockets as well as bouncers on the run was impressive. Centofanti's speed and ability to run through opposing players made him a serious transition threat. In addition to his offensive skills, Centofanti often hustled back on defense and held his own at that end of the field.     The first item that popped about Engle's skill set was his ability to remain tight to the ball carrier and stay on his hands. Engle's well-timed pokes, lifts and stick checks applied constant pressure on opposing offensive players. His speed, non-stop motor and refined footwork allowed Engle to pursuit the ball for long stretches. In short, this crafty pole caused turnovers all summer. Engle is also a plus player on the face-off wing. In June and July Engle demonstrated fantastic anticipation skills and a quick stick. He frequently raced in from the wing and snatched up ground balls in traffic. Engle then pushed the fast break for scoring opportunities. College coaches will love the Engle is a multisport athlete who is also an accomplished varsity swimmer.     Technically, Strohmeier is not from Pennsylvania. However, Salesianum is just a short ride down I-95. Plus, Strohmeier was a standout for Team Philly 2028s at New Balance All-America. So, I am going to include him in this article. Strohmeier is an athletic mid with a quick burst. Once he has blown past the initial defender, he will not hesitate to charge through stick checks on his way to the cage. On the rare occasion where his first move does not work, Strohmeier will use his polished footwork to string together a series of spins and fakes until he finds open space for a shot. Strohmeier's shot boasts a quick release. On the run he can rip it top shelf or execute deceptive bouncers. His step-down shot is an effective asset too. Strohmeier owns solid field vision, so he will not hesitate to make the extra pass. As a bonus to his offensive skills, Strohmeier has flashed the ability to drop back and play respectable defense.

After reviewing my notes from June and July's lacrosse action, I assembled a review of five prospects from Pennsylvania who played fantastic lacrosse across that two month stretch.