By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/1/10
Three top Philly boys’ underclassmen are gearing to compete in the second Philly Lacrosse Showcase, which will be held Nov, 19-21.
Abington sophomore Matt Rambo (midfielder), Episcopal Academy junior Tyler Morrell (goaltender) and Downingtown West junior Eric Rankel (midfielder) are three of many top Philly players registered for one of the fall’s top recruiting events in the nation.
The weekend kicks off Friday, Nov, 19 at Cabrini College when two club teams – the Duke’s Lacrosse Club and Rebel Elite – and an Inter-Ac League all-star team will play several round robin exhibition games.
The following the day more than 300 boys will compete in a full-day showcase at Episcopal Academy. Then on Sunday, for the first time, girls will compete in a full-day event. More than 200 girls are registered and limited spots are available (click here to register); while the boys’ event is sold out.
Morrell will play for the Inter-Ac all-stars on Friday. For him, going back to Cabrini is extra motivation because it was the location of EA’s overtime loss to Haverford School in last year’s Inter-Ac Invitational championship game.
“I thought it was pretty cool that we’d be going to Cabrini,” he said. “That’s where we played the final game under the lights. It’s going to be pretty fun. Plus, it gets the coaches out there one more time.”
Morrell participated in last year’s Showcase when he made the Fab Forty All-Star Sophomore Game. This year’s Fab Forty event is being sponsored by Gait Lacrosse and those all-stars squads will be chosen after the morning session when each player will play three games with the same squad.
“I did it last year and had a real fun time,” Morrell said. “I got to play with kids from all over the country. I had a Canadian kid on my team, a kid from California kid.
“I got to see so many coaches on the sideline. It forced you to play your best. Getting on the Fab Forty team gets everyone on the map.”
Rambo is generally considered to be one of the top sophomores in the country. He was listed among the top five Young Guns Rising Sophomores by Inside Lacrosse in the summer and led the Philly area in goals (78) as a freshman.
He also helped Abington to a fourth-place finish in District 1 and earned All-Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association honors.
“I like that every top college will here,” said Rambo. “Plus, there will be so many Philadelphia players. You’ll get to see where you stand out in Philadelphia and you’ll see where you need work.
“It’s awesome because usually you have to go to Maryland or New York. There are not too many Philly events like this. You get to play with kids you know or against kids on your team or your club team.”
Rambo is obviously on most coaches’ want list, but still is excited about playing in front of coaches he does not know.
“You want to show other college coaches that you haven’t talked to yet how you play,” he said. “And I’ll be playing for the Duke’s on Friday night. It gives you an extra day of showing coaches what you can do – one on a team and then the next day individually.”
Rankel, a second-team Ches-Mont League pick last year who helped the Whippets tie Downingtown East for the league title, competed in the Showcase last year. This year he as different goals.
“Last year when I competed I just wanted to play lacrosse and I wasn’t too worried about colleges,” he said. “I just enjoyed the overall experience.
“But this year I want to prove I can play at the next level. I have visited some Division I schools and I am looking forward to showing more college coaches what I can do.”
Past articles on the Philly lLcrosse Showcase
Three top Philly girls gear for Showcase
Showcase to kick off with Friday games between top club teams, Inter-Ac All-Stars
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