IL ID Experience: Top ’27 Defenders

Use code ‘PREP30′ at checkout to receive 30% off your annual or two-year subscription!    We're continuing to make our rounds covering the top Class of 2027 performers from last week's Inside Lacrosse ID Experience. Having written up the <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/10/il-id-experience-top-27s-performers-at-attack/?itm_source=parsely-api">attackmen in Part I</a> and the <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/10/il-id-experience-top-27-goalies-and-face-off-specialists/">goalies and face-off specialists in Part II</a>, it's now the defenders' turn.    Stop me if you've heard this before, but there's another promising underclassman at Brunswick bound to attract a lot of high Division I looks when 9/1 rolls around. Demonstrating a multi-faceted defensive skill set, Anderson was all over the field last Sunday and made a significant impact in transition, off the wings, at the top of the box, and near GLE. He's smart and precise with his checks and rarely overextends himself, and he's got really good feet. I was even more impressed with his stick work and instincts with the ball in his stick, as he seemed super confident once he crossed the midline. So much can be said about his consistency - I'm not sure I saw him get beat all day.     Standing 6'3 and close to 200 pounds, it's tough to miss Mattaliano, who also looks poised to be one of the better defensive prospects in the Northeast. With his combination of size, long arms, and fundamentally sound 1v1 play, he's such a force in coverage. He plays angles exceptionally well and is also dialed in with the way he plays picks. It's clear that he's an excellent leader down low, as he was always communicating and getting guys in the right spots. Mattaliano constantly put the ball on the ground and did a really nice job of rolling away from pressure after collecting the GB and making the correct decisions in the clear.     Helping make up an awesome '27 class at St. Paul's, March started as a freshman and seldom played like one, collecting 47 groundballs and 21 caused turnovers in his debut campaign. On Sunday, the tough and athletic lefty first stood out with his stick, tossing some unbelievable clearing passes 30 or 40 yards, including an absolute dime to Sam Coluzzi at attack. Strong in coverage and confident off-ball, he wasn't tested too often but was steady whenever he was, and provided a huge boost in transition as well.     Both Bishai brothers were superb last Sunday, with Patrick's brother Aidan also garnering All-Tournament recognition at IDX for his face-off prowess. At 6'5, Patrick is tough to miss, but there's so much more to him than just his massive frame. I was struck by how well he used his stick and utilized his ranginess to get out on guys' hands to cause disruption, something he was constantly doing. Bishai has pretty good feet for a big man, and his stick work is a big part of his game as well. On his approaches, his stick was always out in front, and he got himself in the passing lanes to interrupt a handful of possessions.     Young longstick middies would be well-suited to match Hays' energy, as the South Jersey native possesses a motor that doesn't quit. Relatively unassuming to his defensive peers on this list, Hays was all over the field at Troy Park and seemed to take pride in numerous areas of the game and ultimately found his name on the All-Tournament team. He has a tremendous handle and was constantly eluding riding opponents and pushing transition, but didn't overdo it like some poles have the tendency to do. He applied a ton of pressure 1v1 and provided some physicality, and when the ball was on the ground, Hays picked it up cleanly off the carpet.

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