Connecticut Underclassmen On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With several prospects in Fairfield County making national headlines, it's easy to overlook some of the players elsewhere in the state. Let's break down a few underclassmen who impressed this off-season and look poised for breakout seasons this spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["19505"],"_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_0_evaluation":"As a sophomore, Campbell was the top option for Trumbull, scoring 28 goals and 18 assists last season. He doesn't look like your typical alpha attackman, but he sure plays like it. His most impressive attribute is his ability to use both hands at a high level. Campbell can play anywhere on the offensive side of the ball. If you try to take away his right he will take advantage of defenders and go hard to the net with his left hand. He's smooth in traffic and it doesn't take much for him to find a hole in the defense. Not only is he exceptional at finishing inside, but Campbell has a solid step-down shot with both hands. The Eagles were a win away from making the Class L playoffs last season and if they want to return to the postseason, Campbell will be the key factor.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["19492"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Cheshire, the reigning Class M Champions, gets a lot of attention on offense with guys like No. 2 recruit Matt Jeffrey (Notre Dame) and several other college-bound talents on the roster. But on the other end of the field, the Rams are looking to replace their goalie Connor Atwater, who is now at Western Connecticut State. Grenier backed up Atwater last year and didn't see too much playing time, but he looked great this summer and fall while playing for 2Way. Tracking the ball well and hard to beat low, the junior has quick hands and makes highlight reel saves on the doorstep. Grenier is also an accomplished skier, which goes to show you how athletic he is. The Rams lost a few defenders last year and will need Grenier to step up in order to repeat their success from a year ago, but I like their odds with Grenier in the cage and a strong core returning.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["19507"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Gribbon is a do-it-all type of player who operates primarily on the righty wing as an attackman but can be used in many ways. He plays incredible off-ball offense and will catch everything thrown to him on the crease. He is not afraid to get caught on defense as a midfielder either. His fearlessness is noticeable, as he embraces situations where contact is inevitable. You won't see it in the box score but Gribbon has a clutch factor to him. He rises to the occasion in big games and does not get rattled. The play style reminds me of a Kavanagh: tough, crafty, athletic, and clutch. Guilford had a solid year in 2023 and reached the Class M state semifinals before being knocked out by Cheshire. Gribbon and the Grizzlies are due for another big year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["19497"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A crafty attackman who will beat you in multiple ways, [player_tooltip player_id='19497' first='Jake' last='LeBlanc'] turned some heads this fall. His exceptional vision allows him to pick apart a defense from X but he will also play on the wing and dodge hard to the cage. LeBlanc can shoot from the outside and he will make you pay if you aren't on his hands. LeBlanc defines being the quarterback of an offense and seemingly makes every offensive player around him better. The Glastonbury Guardians are coming off of a successful 2023 campaign where they reached the Class L Quarterfinals before being eliminated by the back-to-back Class L champions, Staples. Expect LeBlanc to have a bigger role this year as a sophomore.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["19343"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Lopez scored 89 points as a freshman at Granby HS and has since transferred to Loomis Chaffee and reclassed. There are many impressive parts to his game. Lopez likes to initiate contact and will knock defenders off their track. At the same time, he does a great job of protecting his stick while playing with physicality and moving through traffic. His feet are quick and he has a solid change of direction. Defenses send early slides to Lopez quite often and he draws a lot of attention, but he always plays with his head up and will feed with pressure in his face. The offense ran through Lopez this summer and he excelled in this role. There is a calming presence when he plays and it feels as though no moment is too big for him. With Lopez now in the Founders League, he'll see a sizable step up in competition.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65936dda3316c"} /-->