<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>On Saturday, October 17, Ty Xanders and I split our coverage of the fields at The Spotlight in Wilmington, Del., to evaluate some of the best freshmen in the country. These five 2030 offensive standouts showed skills beyond their years, making a case for varsity minutes sooner rather than later.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["174914"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad92ea9548f9"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700","anchor":"acf-block-6ad92ea9548f9"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700" id="acf-block-6ad92ea9548f9">No one was surprised to hear Cassese named Offensive MVP of The Spotlight. Drew, the son of UVA coach Kevin Cassese, already has an impressive freshman résumé. He already has some varsity experience under his belt, getting into games for STAB as an eighth grader last year. He also plays up with the '29 91 LI team, wearing the No. 22 jersey. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700","anchor":"acf-block-6ad92ea9548f9"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700" id="acf-block-6ad92ea9548f9">At The Spotlight, he showed just about every skill in the book: clip-worthy pickups and feeds, rideback goals created by pure hustle, fakes and finishes on the doorstep, and passes that threw teammates open. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DeuDfGCFWXi/?img_index=3" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.instagram.com/p/DeuDfGCFWXi/?img_index=3">Nearly all of it was on display in the All-Star game alone.</a> Cassese has the tools to create and capitalize on matchup advantages, but his feel for the defense separates him from his peers. He isn't just reading and beating the defender in front of him. He's looking beyond his own matchup, reading and manipulating the next defender to create opportunities. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DenOqwTOhXt/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.instagram.com/p/DenOqwTOhXt/">This clip captures it perfectly.</a> Watch his eyes. His head stays up, and he's constantly telling defenders lies with his eyes. That's an unbelievable level of feel and skill for a freshman.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["216298"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad92ea954967"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>As crazy as it may sound, SJC could have one or two freshmen starting at attack this spring. Both Hanes and Bennet Lusin played serious minutes against Loomis at NHSLS over the summer. Based on how both looked at The Spotlight, I'd say they are ready for the big time. Hanes already has the size, strength, and overall skill to make a difference, and he opened the day with a hat trick by halftime of his first game.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>As a dodger, Hanes can free his hands in a variety of ways. Whether he's attacking up the hashes, sweeping to the middle, or getting underneath his defender, he can create his own shot—and he can do it with his left, too. When he sets his feet, he brings the heat. As the point man in transition, he caught the ball, set his feet, and let it fly with impressive velocity for a freshman. He won't get bullied at the varsity level, either. His size and hands help him hold his own inside and finish quick catch-and-shoot opportunities. He also rides his tail off to win back possessions when those inevitable freshman mistakes happen.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["216300"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad92ea954a28"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"anchor":"acf-block-6ad92ea954a28"} -->
<p id="acf-block-6ad92ea954a28">Smallwood looked like a midfielder ready to run on the first line tomorrow, showing skills well beyond his years. A dynamic dodger, he's nasty on the run with his left hand and can do damage with his right, too. He was especially tough to guard when he carried, stopped on a dime, rolled and fired—all in nearly one motion. With his feet set, Smallwood showed the wrist snap to bury an underhand shot upstairs. That finish takes more than dropping your stick low. It takes an extra snap of the wrists to pull the ball high while keeping the goalie frozen low, and Smallwood had it. He was more than just a shooting threat, too. When a hard double came his way in the second game, he looked like he'd seen it plenty of times before. He handled the pressure and moved the ball like a seasoned veteran.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212788"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad92c5e4d471"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Another California native heading to a New England prep school for lacrosse, Mahoney rocked his fresh Salisbury helmet at The Spotlight. One of the more developed movers at the event, he had plenty of ways to free his hands. He changed direction and speed in his dodges and protected his stick through traffic, pairing those field skills with his box experience. That box influence showed in his feel around the cage. Whether working toward the middle or getting underneath his defender, Mahoney found his way to high-quality shots. When finishing from low angles, he knew to extend his stick and create a better shooting angle instead of settling. Off the ball, he found the backside pipe and soft spots inside. Pair that awareness with quick hands that let him catch and finish in one motion, and you have an already well-developed goal scorer.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["216286"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad92c5e4d3e7"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Given how well Proietti shot on the run, it wouldn't surprise me to see him earn minutes at St. Ignatius as a freshman. A lefty slasher who could also run out of the box, he was dangerous shooting down the alley, working through the middle, or getting underneath his defender on the wing. Proietti kept it fundamental while picking his spots, favoring overhand and three-quarter releases while mixing in right-handed shots and jumpers. He also showed a good feel for protecting his stick as he worked toward the middle, knowing when to tuck it away to get through traffic for an easy finish in front. He knew when to give it up, too, finding Keegan Kennedy inside for an assist in the second game of the day.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
On Saturday, October 17, Ty Xanders and I split our coverage of the fields at The Spotlight in Wilmington, Del., to evaluate some of the best freshmen in the country. These five 2030 offensive standouts showed skills beyond their years, making a case for varsity minutes sooner rather than later.
No one was surprised to hear Cassese named Offensive MVP of The Spotlight. Drew, the son of UVA coach Kevin Cassese, already has an impressive freshman résumé. He already has some varsity experience under his belt, getting into games for…
As crazy as it may sound, SJC could have one or two freshmen starting at attack this spring. Both Hanes and Bennet Lusin played serious minutes against Loomis at NHSLS over the summer. Based on how both looked at The Spotlight, I'd say they are ready for the big time. Hanes already has the size, strength, and overall skill to make a difference, and he opened the day with a hat trick by halftime of his first game.
As a dodger, Hanes can free his hands in a variety of ways. Whether he's attacking up the hashes, sweeping to the middle, or getting underneath his defender, he can create his own shot—and he can do it with his left, too. When he sets his feet, he brings the heat. As the point man in transition, he caught the ball, set his feet, and let it fly with impressive velocity for a freshman. He won't get bullied at the varsity level, either. His size and hands help him hold his own inside and finish quick catch-and-shoot opportunities. He also rides his tail off to win back possessions when those inevitable freshman mistakes happen.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Smallwood looked like a midfielder ready to run on the first line tomorrow, showing skills well beyond his years. A dynamic dodger, he's nasty on the run with his left hand and can do damage with his right, too. He…
Another California native heading to a New England prep school for lacrosse, Mahoney rocked his fresh Salisbury helmet at The Spotlight. One of the more developed movers at the event, he had plenty of ways to free his hands. He changed direction and speed in his dodges and protected his stick through traffic, pairing those field skills with his box experience. That box influence showed in his feel around the cage. Whether working toward the middle or getting underneath his defender, Mahoney found his way to high-quality shots. When finishing from low angles, he knew to extend his stick and create a better shooting angle instead of settling. Off the ball, he found the backside pipe and soft spots inside. Pair that awareness with quick hands that let him catch and finish in one motion, and you have an already well-developed goal scorer.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Given how well Proietti shot on the run, it wouldn't surprise me to see him earn minutes at St. Ignatius as a freshman. A lefty slasher who could also run out of the box, he was dangerous shooting down the alley, working through the middle, or getting underneath his defender on the wing. Proietti kept it fundamental while picking his spots, favoring overhand and three-quarter releases while mixing in right-handed shots and jumpers. He also showed a good feel for protecting his stick as he worked toward the middle, knowing when to tuck it away to get through traffic for an easy finish in front. He knew when to give it up, too, finding Keegan Kennedy inside for an assist in the second game of the day.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Access all of Prep Lacrosse
Continue reading this article and every scouting report.
