By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/24/15
Matthew Fanelli said coming to the Lehigh Valley Showcase from Los Alamitos High in Orange County (CA) was a great experience.
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Lehigh Valley Showcase All-Stars (from left) Connor Devine (Great Valley-PA), Matthew Fanelli (Los Alamitos, CA), Kannah Cruickshank (Campolindo-CA) and Cade Klawinski (Memphis University-TN)
“It’s been a great experience and I have met a bunch of great kids; I feel like I became a better person,” said Fanelli, a 2017 attackman after competing in Thursday night’s All-Star Game. “They are great players and great teammates and I have gotten to play with some of the best kids I ever played with.”
Fanelli helped the White team defeat the Brown team, 7-4 in the game, part of Day 2 of a three-day showcase camp run by Lehigh Lacrosse.
“It’s pretty different from out West,” Fanelli said. “A lot of kids out there don’t play as a team as much as they do here. We had guys no one ever played with and they get together so well to play as a unit.”
Fanelli said he learned many skills to improve his his game at the camp.
“I learned I need to get faster and stronger and work on my stick skills,” he said. “In the game tonight I thought I did some good riding and overall I thought I connected well with all the kids and played well in the team concept.”
Cade Klawinski (2017 ATT, Memphis University-TN) had two goals and an assist and Connor Devine (2018 ATT, Great Valley-PA) had two goals for the White Team. James Spence (2017, Springfield-Delco, Lehigh commit) posted five saves and allowed one goal in a half of play.
Others that shined at the All-Star Game:
Cade Klawinski, 2017 ATT, Memphis University School, TN/No Excuse
How did you adjust to the competition?
Klawinski: “I had to learn to take my opportunities when they came. Every kid out here can beat their man 1-on-1 and I have to know when to be aggressive and passive and balance the two. I try not to make many mistakes.”
Why did you attend the camp?
Klawinski: “I am also touring other schools in this area and Lehigh is what I am looking for; a smaller, academic- oriented school.”
What did you learn from the first two days?
Klawinski: “I need to be a little more aggressive. Sometimes I tend to take a side seat to the other players. I don’t need to do that. I believe I can perform. I have to take my opportunities and take advantage of them.”
What went well today?
Klawinski: “I was able to feed off of the good lacrosse play of other people. That really helped; and I was good off ball. I played well and took advantage of all the other great players around me.”
Kannah Cruickshank, 2017 MF, Camplindo, CA
Why did you attend this camp?
Cruickshank: “Coming from California you never know if you are a big fish in a small pond or really a good player. You have to test yourself against the East Coast where kids have been playing since age 3 or 4. I had a great time, I love meeting kids from all over the country. It’s a really high level of intensity.”
What dd you learn about your game moving forward?
Cruickshank: “I need to increase my lacrosse IQ and my stick skills. I have to improve my decision-making skills and make quick decisions. You’re not always going to make the right decision, but you need to limit the bad decisions.”
What type of college are you looking for?
Cruickshank: “I am looking for a college with good academics but one that is sports-oriented with sports teams you can get behind.”
How did you adjust to the level of competition?
Cruickshank: “Before I first got out here, I did a lot of wall ball and a lot of shooting to make sure my stick was good. I wanted to show the best of my abilities. I also wanted to prepare for this game. I knew every player would be just as good as me or better. I had to be mentally prepared and be able to say all these kids are as good as I am, but that I have just as many skills and that I can compete.”
Connor Devine, 2018 ATT, Great Valley, PA
Why did you attend the camp?
Devine: “I have been looking at Lehigh and some other schools that are recruiting me are here. I heard it was a good experience.”
What went well today?
Devne: “I thought my team moved the ball well the whole day and that there was no unselfish play>”
How did you adjust to the level of competition?
Devine “There was a high level of talent throughout the day, especially in the All-Star game. I think had to place my shots better because the goalies were a lot beter.”
What did you learn about your game?
Devine: “I learned I need to get in the weight room and work on my speed and agility more.”
What type of college are you looking for?
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Mike Sisselberger
Devine: “I want one with good academics and a good lacrosse program. I want a bigger school and to stay closer to home on the East Coast – but I am not opposed to going out West.”
Mike Sisselberger, Southern Lehigh, PA/Duke’s L.C., FO/MF (commitetd to Lehigh this week)
What expectations did you have coming inb?
Sisselberger: “I grew up here and I have talked to Coach Cassese for a while. I wanted to challenge myself against kids my age and see what I could do.”
What did you do to adjust your game to the competition?
Sisselberger: “The kid I went up against tonight (2017 Joel Trucksess of Haverford School) also is going here so I Had to adjust very well. The talk on the sidelines was about who was going to win.”
What did you learn from the competition?
Sisselberger: “I had to adjust my game also because all the kids here were good; you can’t win by clamping all the time, and you have to play defense. You can’t be a superstar everywhere, especially playing in this All-Star game against better kids. I feel like there is a lot better competition coming.”
Why did you commit to Lehigh?
Sisselberger: “I grew up around here and it’s always been a dream of mine to come to Lehigh. When I was little I always used to come to the games I wanted to play for them when I became older so I am thankful I will get the chance to do it.”