Rising Bluegrass Stars: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kentucky lacrosse landscape has seen a significant chunk of top-end talent come through the high school scene over the past few seasons. That includes a 2025 class that featured six DI-bound players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2026, many new faces will emerge and become premier headliners across the state. After previously taking a look at that rising stars on the offensive end of the field, we now move and breakdown those key faces out in front of the cage on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Note: We will breakdown those risings stars at the specialists positions of goalie and faceoff in a later post.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20784"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686004a2a2eb1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis has been on the radar for a couple years now. After what was a very strong freshman campaign in 2024, the young defender continued to impress as a sophomore this past spring. He not only has good size, length, and athleticism, but knows how to use it. Davis doesn't have to get physical to be pest on defense. While he has developed best down low as a consistent on-ball defender, Davis can make an impact at both close and LSM.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past spring, Davis recorded an identical number of 43 ground balls and caused turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["129186"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686004a2a2f0e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Having been apart of two championship-winning defenses with Trinity over the past two seasons, Telehany has had the benefit of sitting behind and playing with some of the state's most talented defenders in recent seasons. Jumping into a bigger role this past spring, he showed a ton of growth and looks poised to be Trinity's top cover man in 2026. He has shown an ability to guard from anywhere and displayed really good footwork and technical stick skills that cause an array of problems for his opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24498"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686004a2a2f56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After rising senior for a Kentucky powerhouse, Pinkston has seen a ton of action through his time at St. Xavier. Injuries paved the way for him gaining more responsibility in 2024 as a sophomore and he thrived. He continued being a key cog in the Tigers' defense in 2025 and is expected to be their headlining piece next season. Maybe the best pole in the 2026 class, Pinkston has especially shown the ability to use his physicality to cause havoc for the opposition. He has grown a lot in his patience and knowing when to deploy his physical assets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Andrew Spellman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"148","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Woodford County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686004a2a2f9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past spring as a sophomore, Spellman put on a very solid display and showed himself to be one of the better and most consistent poles of his class in the Commonwealth. A solid athlete, Spellman moves well and showed growth especially as an on-ball defender. Possessing the ability to be a future major impact player both down low or at the LSM spot, he grabbed 32 ground balls, caused 14 turnovers, and notched 12 points (5G/7A) on the year. He is one of the most versatile returning poles in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->