By Bradley Schlegel and Justin Farrell
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/22/15
Defenseman Quinn Amato came to the 2015 Boys Philly Showcase at Episcopal Academy to test his skills. According to Amato, who lives in Naperville, Ill., the competition in the Chicagoland area is lacking.
Quinn Amato, Naperville Central (IL), NXT Chicago
By qualifying for the Saturday’s 2017 Fab 40 All-Star game, the defender said he proved his ability to compete against the nation’s best lacrosse players.
“Coming from Chicago does not make me less of a player,” Amato said. “Everyone who comes to Philly is a big deal. I think I proved that I can run with them and play with them.”
Quinn Amato, Naperville Central (IL.), 2017, Defenseman, NXT Chicago
What goals did you have today and what did you accomplish?
Amato: “Going into today I really wanted to make the all-star game, because that’s when everyone – including all the college coaches – is watching.”
How was the competition and what did you do to raise your level?
Amato: “In order to get there thought I played real hard in my first three games. I pushed in transition trying to score with my pole, which I did a few times. I played a little more body defense than usual, which helped me get into the all-star game. The competition in the morning was really good. A lot of the attackers I was playing against were phenomenal. Everyone at this event is a good player.”
What did you learn about your game today that will help you moving forward?
Amato: “I need to play a lot more body defense. It’s one of the main things I have to work on. And I need to push the ball more in transition. I’m pretty good with the ball when I have it.”
What type of college are you looking for, athletically and academically?
Amato: “I’m looking for a bigger school, probably Big Ten sized. Not huge, but I probably don’t want to go somewhere smaller than my high school.”
More Fab 40 All-Stars:
AJ Hoffman,Wilton (CT), Prime Time
A.J. Hoffmann, Wilton (CT), 2017, LSM, Prime Time
What goals did you have today and what did you accomplish?
Hoffman: “My ultimate goals were to play my best, get some good looks in front of college coaches, and hopefully make the all-star team, which happened.”
How was the competition and what did you do to raise your level?
Hoffman: “The level of skill by everyone here was very high. It was good competition. All the games were tight. I worked my hardest and tried to keep myself rested the entire day.”
What did you learn about your game today that will help you moving forward?
Hoffman: “I learned that obviously I can push the ball in transition to help more with my team’s offense.”
What type of college are you looking for, athletically and academically?
Hoffman: “I am looking for a highly regarded lacrosse program with good academics. Lacrosse isn’t going to last forever.”
Niko Gekas, Roswell (GA), ATT, LB3
Niko Gekas, Roswell (GA), Lb3 ATL
What goals did you have today and what did you accomplish?
Gekas: “I came in the morning wanting to make the all-star game and showcase myself the best I could. I came in really hot in the first game and kept on playing. I came in really hot in the first game and kept on playing. I wasn’t having the success I wanted, so I moved to midfield. I just kept running the field and went back to attack.”
How was the competition and what did you do to raise your level?
Gekas: “The competition was really good. The defensemen were huge, but I just found a way to beat them off the dodge and off ball.”
What did you learn about your game today that will help you moving forward?
Gekas: “I learned that I can play with the guys up here since I am from Atlanta – not a traditional hotbed – and be successful.”
What type of college are you looking for, athletically and academically?
Gekas: “I want to attend a really good academic school with a competitive Division I program.”
Wyatt Watts, MF, Alexander Dawson (CO), Team 11
Wyatt Wattts, Alexander Dawson (CO), Team 11
What goals did you have today and what did you accomplish?
Watts: “I wanted to try my best since it was my last tournament in the fall. So I was definitely giving it my all, before the spring when I play again.”
What did you learn about your game today that will help you moving forward?
Watts: “I think that I learned that I like the East Coast a lot more than playing in Colorado all the time (said with a giant smile). It’s really tough out there with the altitude.”
How was the competition and what did you do to raise your level?
Watts: “The competition is very high. A lot of people here – and I would say most people that came to this – are very good. Everyone has some level of skill, so I think it was really good to play up against teams that were so deep and where everyone was really talented. I think that will help going forward especially playing against great teams with talent.”
What type of college are you looking for, athletically and academically?
Watts: “I am looking for more of a smaller Division III school where I can balance my life with lacrosse so I can play and also get a really good education and have a balance there.”