True 12 Showcase Day 1: The 2028s

The Nation's Premier Faceoff evaluation series & competition kicked off Day 1 with the 2028 class battling in Conshohocken's Proving Grounds on July 30th, 2025. The True 12 Showcase is an event focused on a target audience of face-off specialists in the rising junior & rising sophomore lacrosse classes. The focus centers around face-off expertise; it is designed to provide top-tier training & specialized evaluation opportunities in front of college coaches. Specifically, it aims to give players a platform to showcase their face-off skills before the September 1st recruiting period, when college coaches can begin contacting high school players. In terms of exposure, the showcase provides a crucial opportunity for players to be seen by college coaches from various divisions (I, II, & III). The Inaugural True 12 Showcase event is hosted by a conglomerate organization known as the National Faceoff Alliance. This includes Philly Faceoff League (host), Inner Circle Lacrosse, Faceoff Factory, Ovrpwr Sports, Michigan Face-Off Specialists, & the Long Island Faceoff Company. It is a one-day format designed to bring together the top faceoff midfielders in the 2027 & 2028 classes from across the country for high-level competition & in-depth evaluation. We all know how difficult it's become to properly evaluate the faceoff position during a typical summer showcase or club tournament. Too often, you'll see a potential recruit take only a handful of reps— & you'll walk away unsure of their true ability. The True 12 Showcase aims to change that. Our goal is to give you a clear, data-backed picture of each athlete's skillset—not just at the stripe, but as a complete lacrosse player. Here's what you can expect:   - Pre-event strength metrics: All athletes submitted videos of key lifts (e.g., bench press @135 to failure, squat @185 to failure) to assess baseline strength.   - TTS Testing: On-site laser timing systems will clock each player's “Time to Score”—how fast they can win a faceoff forward & get the ball to the restraining box.   - Comprehensive evaluation: With reps, drills, and full-field scenarios, you'll get a complete view of each athlete's impact on the game.   🏭   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/cS13lEoDezA </div></figure>   🔁   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/pUHgTUz2QWA </div></figure>   ⚙️   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cAj-UQfjKg </div></figure>   🏆   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lvNF7cbXdg </div></figure>    Paul Taraborelli helped Salesianum win its fifth straight Delaware State Championship as a freshman. Paul had 30 goals in 2025 with an estimated 70% winning rate on the draw last season. He is a three-sport athlete who has experience with football as well as wrestling. Taraborelli uses his speed, skills, & technique to dominate the dot. He just got that DOG in him! Paul finished the day as the undisputed champion of the True 12 event (2028) after starting the day with a 40 Yard Dash Time (4.82) that placed him in the top 3 overall. By this time next year, Taraborelli should be a household name for college coaches.     Gavin Giordano was the starting Varsity draw taker for the Green Knights. Gavin went 272/451 (62.3%) on the year for Notre Dame West-Haven in 2025. He was one of the best students at the True 12, taking home second-place honors in the 2028 division. He is big, quick, smooth, & skilled. Giordano showcased well in the do-it-all midfielder drills & was dominant in the face-off portion. He has a bright future as he earned notoriety from the game's best!     Zuva Chakabva made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning a Varsity letter & starting role for Newark Academy. He posted an impressive 85% win rate on the draw for the Minutemen in 2025, establishing himself as one of the top young specialists in New Jersey. He carried that dominance over to the True 12 showcase, finishing as a Top 3 finalist among a loaded group. His athleticism stood out as well—he placed Top 5 in the 40-yard dash (4.89), showing great speed & bursting off the whistle. Beyond face-offs, Chakabva displayed offensive upside, flashing a dangerous shot from the perimeter & the ability to pick corners in live reps. Combined with his reputation as a hardworking, coachable teammate, he looks like a two-way prospect with a high ceiling & bright future.     Matt Azevedo has been a Varsity mainstay for the Braves in the Class A power conference since 8th grade. Matt is known for lightning-fast hands & excellent stick skills! His clamp was one of the best at the True 12 Showcase & he was strong off the ground. Azevedo is gaining valuable exposure & working his way to become a complete player. He brought that experience with him to the Conshohocken Proving Grounds, where he finished in the Final 4 of the event. Matt was a participant on the New Balance All-American team (Long Island), competing against top competition. Coaches describe him as a student of the game, eager to learn. Azevedo has an adaptable approach as a draw-taker who is willing to raise his ceiling each time out.     [player_tooltip player_id='143736' first='James' last='Simonetti'] earned Varsity reps as a freshman, locking horns with some of Pennsylvania's top draw specialists. Though undersized for now, he plays bigger than his frame — competing with an edge, throwing his body around, & setting a tone after the whistle. His hands are extremely quick, & he's added a shovel-counter that has become a reliable weapon for winning possessions. What stands out most is his competitiveness: Simonetti scraps to get the ball back after a loss & thrives when pushing transition, either setting up an assist or creating a scoring chance himself. With SCHA's window to chase an Inter-Ac crown wide open over the next couple of seasons, Simonetti looks poised to be a key piece in their push.     Colton Raio is like a Swiss Army knife at the faceoff X. Colton combines a strong clamp & rake with a variety of effective counters. He's scrappy off the ground, consistently turning clamp losses into 50/50 battles & often winning them back. Raio's competitiveness extends past the whistle—he thrives in the chaos. Beyond the draw, Raio brings real offensive value. He's particularly effective inverting against short sticks, where he can either turn the corner up the hash or use a tight inside roll to generate a high-percentage look. Colton is coming off an undefeated (23-0) season & a Class A New York State Championship with Half Hollow Hills West! Raio has shown he can compete, embracing the mental & technical side of facing off. He is routinely refining his craft, & is determined to find a program where he can impact the game.     Cole Bradford had a monster freshman season, earning South Carolina's Faceoff Player of the Year honors in 2025. Cole was named 1st Team All-State, Rookie of the Year, & broke the single-season faceoff win record, in addition to receiving the GRIT (Growth, Initiative, Reliance, Tenacity) Award. Bradford recorded 258 faceoff wins (68.8%), collected 134 ground balls, scored eight goals, & added 12 assists for a total of 20 points. He was arguably the most impressive all-around athlete in the 2028 group. Cole posted the second-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.68) & showcased elite stick skills during the skills session. Bradford wins faceoffs in a variety of ways, proving he is far from a one-trick pony & demonstrating the versatility and athleticism to impact the game in multiple phases.     Nate Cooper went 96/171 (56%) on the year in 2025 for the Zebras & represented Massachusetts Lacrosse well all day at the True 12 event. He showcased versatility in the skill work, good decision making, & toughness on the ground. Cooper put together an all-around impressive day with the faceoff as well to earn True 12 honors for his class (2028). He is a true "laxrat" who is a driving force for the Knights Box Lacrosse team, one of the best in the country. Nate Cooper has already been selected as a USA box lacrosse training invitee.     [player_tooltip player_id='143745' first='Griffin' last='Kaczerski'] won 204/322 (63.4%) of his faceoffs taken in 2025 for the Golden Panthers. Griffin has unmatched size & strength for a player his age. He has an incredible work ethic & has spent countless hours over the past year working on his craft within the PFL. Kaczerski is a legitimate football prospect as well as a Lacrosse athlete who coaches are hoping to recruit onto a college field. He is one of the better athletes that coaches are seeing come through the area in his age bracket with insane intangibles. Griffin placed first in his class for the Bench Press (31 reps) & the Barbell Squat (50 reps).     Gabe Masino posted 200 wins at a 65% rate for the THSLL Class A State Champion Lions. Gabe did well at the True 12 event & ultimately displayed a timely clamp through round robin play. He is resilient & sound off the ground, competing for everything. Masino has a high Lacrosse IQ & is gaining solid interest with his potential to build on a championship season as a freshman starter. He has an opportunity to lead & do a great deal of damage within the game starting at the X over the next year.     [player_tooltip player_id='142317' first='Keehan' last='Petock'] stood out at the True 12 Showcase as one of the most skilled pure midfielders in attendance. Keehan showcased his scoring ability with multiple goals in the 3v3 drills, while also threading some impressive assists. Petock's quick first step & polished footwork make him dangerous on the draw. He consistently turns defensive stops into transition chances. Keehan is an aggressive dodger with a knack for creating separation. When Petock gets the ball forward, he's a legitimate scoring threat. Keehan's ability to impact both ends of the field makes him a valuable piece in any lineup moving forward.     [player_tooltip player_id='143409' first='Mason' last='Westwood'] is a high-octane competitor at the X with elite athleticism & a relentless motor. Mason combines quick, nimble hands with a low, powerful base, allowing him to scrap for possession in any situation. Westwood thrives under pressure, executing clamps & counters with precision. He wears down opponents with sheer effort & intensity. Coaches praise Mason's dedication & countless hours spent honing his craft at the Philly Faceoff League. His mix of natural talent, toughness, & competitiveness makes him one of the most exciting 2028 faceoff prospects to watch.     Jack McBride made a significant statement on the road to earning True 12 honors on the day. Jack is big, strong, physical, & handles most of his matchups. He gets his hips over the ball easily with his frame, allowing him to box out & find space with possession. McBride rotates fluidly on the dot & can flush it to a wing pickup if necessary. He has been praised for being poised through the process, baiting others to jump in anticipation. Jack revealed some real promise at the Proving Grounds during event play. McBride is an emerging player we could see more production from over the next few seasons.     Drake Smoter earned second-team all-conference as the starting face-off midfielder for the Loyola Academy Ramblers in 2025. Drake won 61% of the draws he took last year & will now shift focus as he brings his talents to Culver Academy. He unveiled a problem for his opponents on the way to earning True 12 recognition. Smoter was smooth, in the midfield drill work, made good decisions with the ball, & had very quick hands in the face-off portion. Sharp scouts & pros are saying he will be one of the top prospects from the Midwest in his class (2028).     Ryan Dalton brings a big, physical presence to the X, using his frame & strength to create chaos in tight battles. An athletic draw man with a sturdy base, Dalton leans into his physicality & shows flashes of real upside as he continues to refine his technique. Ryan thrives in scrappy situations, wearing opponents down with effort & toughness. He is a monster on the field who plays with brute force. Dalton's size, tools, & competitive edge make him a prospect worth tracking in the face-off group.     [player_tooltip player_id='141686' first='Mason' last='Proctor'] ran the fastest overall 40-yard dash across both classes at the True 12 Showcase, clocking in at 4.61 seconds. Although he only attended the morning Session, Mason made a strong impression with his defensive play & continues to develop his offensive skills. Coaches view him as having one of the highest ceilings in the 2028 class. Proctor spent his freshman year at Malvern Prep, where he won 155/228 faceoffs (68%) & scored six goals. He played on a JV squad that was capable of competing against Varsity programs. Mason will be transferring into St. Joseph's Prep as a rising sophomore, dramatically increasing the level of competition in the Catholic League & the PIAA as a whole. His rare combination of speed, skill, & potential makes him a prospect to watch closely.

The Nation's Premier Faceoff evaluation series & competition kicked off Day 1 with the 2028 class battling in Conshohocken's Proving Grounds on July 30th, 2025. The True 12 Showcase is an event focused on a target audience of face-off specialists in the rising junior & rising sophomore lacrosse classes. The focus centers around face-off expertise; it is designed to provide top-tier training & specialized evaluation opportunities in front of college coaches. Specifically, it aims to give players a platform to showcase their face-off skills before the September 1st recruiting period, when college coaches can begin contacting high school players. In terms of exposure, the showcase provides a crucial opportunity for players to be seen by college coaches from various divisions (I, II, & III). The Inaugural True 12 Showcase event is hosted by a conglomerate organization known as the National Faceoff Alliance. This includes Philly Faceoff League (host), Inner Circle Lacrosse, Faceoff Factory, Ovrpwr Sports, Michigan Face-Off Specialists, & the Long Island Faceoff Company. It is a one-day format designed to bring together the top faceoff midfielders in the 2027 & 2028 classes from across the country for high-level competition & in-depth evaluation. We all know how difficult it's become to properly evaluate the faceoff position during a typical summer showcase or club tournament. Too often, you'll see a potential recruit take only a handful of reps— & you'll walk away unsure of their true ability. The True 12 Showcase aims to change that. Our goal is to give you a clear, data-backed picture of each athlete's skillset—not just at the stripe, but as a complete lacrosse player. Here's what you can expect: