Stock Rising ’24s in Minnesota: Seniors Ready to Break Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of the big-time commits and signees have been mentioned in our Class of 2024 positional features thus far, however, there's a handful of players that are on the rise and should be taking on a larger role as seniors. Some of these players had great 2023 seasons but didn't get as much attention as some of their counterparts, so let's get into it!<br><br>In case you missed any of this series, catch up on each positional breakdown from earlier this year:<br>-<a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/01/minnesotas-top-attackmen-in-the-class-of-2024/">Attackmen</a><br>-<a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/01/minnesotas-top-midfielders-in-the-class-of-2024/">Midfielders</a><br>-<a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/01/minnesotas-top-longstick-middies-in-the-class-of-2024/">Longstick Middies</a><br>-<a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/01/minnesotas-top-defenders-in-the-class-of-2024/">Defensemen</a><br>-<a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/02/minnesotas-top-specialists-in-the-class-of-2024/">Specialists </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["19189"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eJoas is smaller in stature but makes up for it with great field sense and a high lacrosse IQ. He is a crafty finisher who gets to meaningful scoring spots away from the ball.  He also does a great job feeding and finding his teammates when he is dodging.  Statewide, he does not receive a lot of attention but he quietly led the Eagan Wildcats with 48 points on a well-balanced stat line of 26 goals and 22 assists. Joas is a quarterback-style attackman who gets others involved, and he'll be called upon to carry the load even more in 2024 as the Wildcats lost their third, fourth, and fifth-leading scorers to graduation.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["19187"],"_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":"Adams could have (and maybe should have) been included in last month's u003ca href=u0022https://preplacrosse.com/2024/01/minnesotas-top-attackmen-in-the-class-of-2024/u0022u003eTop Attackmen articleu003c/au003e because he is that good, but I have him here because he is widely missed in the conversation about the state's top seniors. I've spent a lot of time diving into high school lacrosse in Minnesota but did not even realize how productive he was as a junior in 2023.  He has an elite teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='15258' first='Brol' last='Scherman'], who receives a lot of attention in MN lacrosse circles, but Adams actually had more points than him last season.  They form a great 1-2 punch for the Centennial Cougars, but Adams put up 74 points last year in 16 games, good for 13th best in the entire state.  One of the bigger snubs for All-State last year, but he probably was pushed out in favor of some seniors who were close in points.  The 6'3 attackman will not go under the radar this year.  He is an incredible dodger who uses his power and toughness to get to the goal but still has great body control and change of direction for his height.  While he does most of his work behind the cage from X, he does have a great outside shot and can be effective as a spot shooter up top.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["19192"],"_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":"Behrens is a special athlete with a blend of size, strength, and speed, making him a dynamic player on the lacrosse field. Possessing a relentless motor and competitive streak, he's big and strong enough with great feet to play close defense and have matchup advantages, but also has speed and stick skills to log minutes at LSM as well.  Brody is great off the ground and is completely comfortable pushing the ball upfield to create some early transition opportunities for his team. Last year, Behrens was a key piece of a Chaska defense, logging 63 ground balls, 36 caused turnovers and a defensive performance that was about a minute away from a huge upset of Shakopee in the section playoffs.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["19194"],"_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":"Rosa has been a key piece of the Farmington offense since he was a sophomore.  A crafty and skilled player who can be utilized in many different ways, he has proven to be able to produce in any role that he has been given. Rosa has great hands and can finish inside, but he's also a quick dodger who does a great job getting his hands free.  Despite being smaller in stature, he has great pace on his outside shot as well, allowing him to be a threat in many different ways.  Playing out of position at attack the past two seasons due to team needs, he elevated his game to fit his role in the offense. As a sophomore in 2022, he was 4th on the team with 20 goals but turned into more of a feed-first player last season and led the team with 23 assists. In 2024, the Maryville-bound Rosa will most likely move back to his favored position and anchor the first midfield line for the Tigers.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["19196"],"_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":"Bodey is an underrated defenseman who plays the game the right way.  He is smart and efficient with a high lacrosse IQ, making sure to play within his skill set and not put his team in bad spots.  Bodey anchored a very young East Ridge team last year and provided stability on the defensive end in front of an eighth-grade goalie.  I like the way that he puts himself in a position to help out his teammates but can also handle his 1v1 matchups with no problem.  While he may not have the elite physical tools of some of his counterparts, he makes up for it with the way he sees the game and anticipates situations.  He is physical and will put a body on the dodger when he slides to make his presence felt, all while being reliable and a good decision-maker in the clearing game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["19198"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Headed to Colorado College, Payer is a clutch player who loves lacrosse and has been a key piece of the Red Knights' offensive success the past two seasons.  With an extensive box lacrosse background with Team USA's U-15 indoor team, he has given the Red Knights an elite finisher to plug into the offense in many different situations.  With a lot of the attention falling on his touted teammates, [player_tooltip player_id='15682' first='Gus' last='Bell'] (Army) and [player_tooltip player_id='14985' first='Sky' last='Rold'] (Utah), Payer will give them a great inside option when the defense has to slide. Posting a solid 29 points a year ago in a loaded offense, I expect his role to expand and numbers to increase this season.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bbe6ff10eb6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few other honorable mentions and players to watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='19201' first='Trenton' last='Kramar'], G, Centennial (Minn.) | a steady and technical goalie who split time last year for the Cougars but is expected to earn the full-time starting job in 2024. Quick hands, calm demeanor, and a great teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='19208' first='Brandon' last='Muth'], FO/M, East Ridge (Minn.) | Under the radar FOGO who went 65% last year for the Raptors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='19203' first='Max' last='Anderson'], A, Prior Lake (Minn.) | The Lewis signee is not exactly under-the-radar, being part of a potent Laker offense for two seasons already, but with the graduation of some top producers, I expect Anderson's role in the offense to increase significantly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='19206' first='Riley' last='Murphy'], D, Benilde-St. Margaret's (Minn.) | A smart, savvy pole that would be the #1 on many teams. A key piece to a really strong senior-led unit for the Red Knights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->