Charles Kruzits
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/14/11
Great Valley junior defenseman Ben Hughes, Jr. has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at High Point University (N.C.).
Hughes was a Second Team All Ches-Mont League pick last year. He plays his club lacrosse for team Mesa Fresh 2012.
Hughes plans to major in Sports Management at High Point, which begins play as a Division I program in the spring of 2013, his freshman year.
Dartmouth’s top assistant, Jon Torpey, has been allowed to recruit for High Point and will begin as his tenure as head coach in May.
“Coach Torpey was a big influence in my decision,” Hughes said. “I heard a lot of good things him, and had a sense that that he is taking the program in a good direction.
Hughes is the fourth Philly player to commit to High Point. The other three are seniors: Haverford School defenseman Vince Garman, Garnet Valley defenseman Benny Biaocco and St. Joseph’s Prep attackman Brad James.
Hughes is one of seven players who have made college commitments for Great Valley. Senior midfielder Eric Gartner signed with Division I Villanova and five others are committed to Division III schools: Peter Pappas (MF/face-off) and defenseman Ryan Wheeler (Gwynedd Mercy College), goalie Nick DiPiano (Eastern), LSM Jesse Horn (Stevenson), and midfielder Gavin Wilson (Goucher).
Great Valley finished 7-11 last season after winning its final two games, and Hughes feels a turnaround is imminent.
“We have something to prove,” he said. “We’re talented and last year we didn’t do as well as we should have. We could definitely win the league.”
