Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/20/10
Notes and quotes from the junior MVPs of the Gait Fab Forty All-Star Games (MVPs chosen by co-sponsor Phillylacrosse.com):
Offensive MVP Kevin Wanke (Montgomery, NJ), scored two goals: “It’s a lot of fun and you want to do the best you can. I think the team as a whole did a lot of good things. We all worked hard and it paid off. It was a great tournament.”
Defensive MVP Matt Ward (Ridley): “It was a good time; you are playing wth a bunch of people you didn’t know. You get to meet new people.
“You just to be more assertive and get (better) position. This definitely (helps with recruiting). There’s coaches everywhere.”
Offensive MVP Owen Demmerly (Shawnee), scored three goals: “It feels awesome. It was probably one of the best feelings I have ever had.
“The best part about the team I played with today is that no one was trying to take it to the house every time. We all passed it; t was good team play and we just finished the ball.
“My summer team coach recommended me for it. I thought it was a great idea and I heard it was a great program so I decided to come.”
Defensive MVP Steve Brodeur (Strath Haven goalie), posted seven saves: “My defense was good at sliding and everyone worked hard and really left it on the field. It was a good effort by everyone.”
Morning game notes and quotes from junior (Class of 2012) players at the Philly Boys’ Lacrosse Showcase:
Tyler Earley, Penn Charter midfielder (Team 7): “It’s good to see all these Philly kids. Me and my dad were talking about it last night. All these coaches are coming to see the majority of Philly kids.
“I am trying to play well and have fun. I got a couple things going with Division I schools and a couple coaches said they were looking forward to seeing me play. This is like the equivalent of playing at Blue Chip; there are more coaches than you can ask for.”
Cameron Matthews, Laguna Blanca, Cal., face-off specialist (Team 13): “I know it’s a really prestigious showcase and I also have the Fall Bulldog Classic up at Yale (tomorrow). It’s a good sandwich of some opportunities to come East and get some exposure.
“I keep it (my record on the draw) in my head since I’m a face-off guy; I went 18 for 28. The competition was good; they play really hard. I’m hoping some people call me up.
“The tough thing was in the morning I wasn’t used to the cold. It gave me brain freeze.”
David Apruzzese, Unionville midfielder (Team 14): “It was fun, a really good time and there was a lot of competition. There was a lot of skill. We moved the ball a lot and transition was nice.
“All the teams played great. It was physical, which I like. I was just trying to hustle as hard as I can and give 110 percent and get the coaches’ attention. I’m really not on their radar yet, but I am trying to get there.”
Note: Earley and Apruzzese later were named to the Gait Fab Forty all-star teams.
Fab Forty player Russ Atkinson, Malvern Prep, of winning White team in Jr/Sr Game 1: “It was a great experience. It was very close by and all the college coaches filled up the sidelines. Ii didn’t think too much about, though, I just played.
“It’s great for Philly; and there’s lots of players from all over, like Illinois, Georgia and California, that came out here. It was run really well. I’m sure I got a lot of exposure from a lot of coaches.”
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