Western 2028s: Five Sophomores Worth Tracking This Spring

With the season set to begin out West in a few short weeks, it's an appropriate time to shine a light on five top prospects on the left coast that we have yet to write up:    After first popping onto my radar with All-Star honors at Maverik Showtime, Green brings a plethora of traits that make him a promising young defender. Whether he's lined up at close or LSM, he's a reliable on-ball defender thanks to his footwork, tenacious disposition, and strong defensive principles. His stellar stick work helps make him the prospect that he is, as his handle is a hallmark of his game. Green is super smooth off the ground and can disrupt possessions by knocking down passes, and once the ball is in his stick, he does an excellent job of rolling away from pressure and legging the rock upfield in the clear.     A moose of a lefty at 6-foot-5, Meehan is impossible to miss. He consistently put himself in position to finish plays throughout the fall and winter, and he's far more than just a big body. Meehan has excellent hands and wrist strength, capable of scoring with a quick flick. He shoots angrily and is creative with his release points, too. He's developed a solid repertoire of moves from both below and above the goal line, and he's particularly difficult to stop when he gets topside or builds a full head of steam going downhill. Moving forward, I'll be curious to track the continued development of his speed and dodging ability, as those elements will ultimately dictate the quality of looks he sees come September —and whether his long-term home is at midfield or attack.     Historically, St. Ignatius has never lacked two-way talent, and Mount and Hawkes Packard continue that tradition in the Wildcats' sophomore class. It would be an understatement to say that Mount embraces the d-middie role, bringing the size, athleticism, and physicality it demands. Quite frankly, the way he moves makes him a bit of an outlier relative to the 2028s I've seen thus far. He can match feet and make life difficult for top offensive threats, while also doing yeoman's work between the lines and in the clearing game. Don't be surprised if he emerges as one of the most coveted SSDMs in the class.     Peterson can win matchups seemingly at will and embodies the kind of athlete California consistently produces. His first step is explosive, and his ability to shift into another gear makes him a problem for defenses. While feared as a scorer, it's his unselfishness and elite passing that elevate his playmaking to another level. He excels at drawing defenders' eyes before slipping the ball away, making him especially difficult to stop with his change-of-direction skills and overall burst. Having impressed with XLC and the West Coast Starz throughout the fall, he closed out November in style with an excellent showing at NHSLS for Marin Catholic. Expect him to be near the top of many boards eight months from now.     Despite missing the fall circuit due to injury, Tagavilla is a well-known commodity out West, having made a national splash at Showtime. He consistently creates scoring opportunities with his burst of speed and shot on the run, plus he does a nice job passing out of his dodges after drawing attention. With the ball in his stick, he can either put a move on his man or take one decisive step and go, often using a fake to freeze the defense before darting to the goal. Athletically, he moves like he's floating and can absolutely fly from one restraining line to the other. On the wings, he's a major asset as well. Tagavilla's ability to provide clamps and make impactful plays both between the lines and on defense makes him an extremely intriguing prospect, though it's still too early to project which side of the ball he'll ultimately settle in on at the next level.

With the season set to begin out West in a few short weeks, it's an appropriate time to shine a light on five top prospects on the left coast that we have yet to write up: