Top Lax Recruits
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By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 12/29/17
DJ Batton was confident his U15 Team USA would be successful at the Brogden Cup this week.
“Coming into this week the only games we had played together were at the National Lacrosse Classic, but I think that one week really helped us get to know each other,” said Batton. a 2021 attackman from Apex High, N.C.. “That definitely showed on the field. Coming into this week we all knew we were going to play as a team and win all four of our games.”
Batton’s prediction was correct. Team USA, comprised of the Middle School Academy championship team, Carolina, from the summer’s National Lacrosse Classic, scored a sweep of Team Canada (Ontario) and a fourth win against a Florida All-Star squad in the Brogden Cup, held at Jacksonville University.
Team USA finished the event with this morning’s 11-6 victory over Canada as Ryan Stines (Panther Creek High School) led a balanced attack with two goals. Nine others scored for Team USA and Nicco Moriates (Cardinal Gibbons) posted 8 saves while Gage Turner (Audrey Kell) added on stop.
“It’s definitely a cool and unforgettable experience. I think everyone from our team will carry something home with them that they didn’t know before.”
Batton has the hero Thursday when Team USA rallied from an 8-2 deficit against Canada and prevailed, 10-9, in overtime. Batton had 6 goals in the game (8 for the tourney), and the game-winner. Team USA outscored Canada, 8-1, after halftime.
“After the first game (a 9-8 win for Team USA) I took note of what I could have done better and what they did really well,” said Batton. “The No. 1 thing I saw was there off ball movement. Coming into the second game I really tried to focus on always keeping my feet moving whether that was to cut crease, set picks or even just to v cut to make sure I was an outlet to the person that had the ball.
“Coming into the 2nd half we played 50/50 ground balls way better than we played them in the first half. We also took more control of the face offs and held the ball on offense a lot better which ultimately lead to our success in the second half.”
How did Team USA react to having to go overtime?
“We came into overtime knowing that when we got the ball they were going to slide early,” said Batton. “So we set a man up top and had him take a hard dodge down the alley which set up me to be open and score.
Carolina roster
Nr Pos Year Last Name First Name School name Travel/Club Name Hometown State
1 A 2021 Stines Ryan Panther Creek High School Mills Park Middle Cary North Carolina
2 M 2022 Jones Tate West Lake Middle West Lake Middle Apex North Carolina
3 M 2021 Lafar Taylor Charlotte Country Day School Charlotte Country Day School Charlotte North Carolina
4 A 2021 Batton DJ Apex High School Team91 Carolina Apex North Carolina
5 D 2021 Gulley Matthew Apex High School 2020 Carolina Cannons Apex North Carolina
6 A 2021 Hines Jack Episcopal High School, VA Charlotte Country Day charlotte North Carolina
7 M 2021 Habel Will William A Hough High School Lincoln Charter Cornelius North Carolina
8 M 2021 Robinette Ethan Providence Day School Providence Day School Matthews North Carolina
9 A 2021 Jessey Cole Providence Day School Providence Day School Charlotte North Carolina
10 D 2022 Arneson Joshua Holly Ridge Middle School Holly Ridge Middle School Holly Springs North Carolina
11 G 2021 Turner Gage Ardrey Kell High School Team Carolina 2021 Spartanburg North Carolina
12 M 2022 Orr Trent St. Mary Magdalene Bucktown Cary North Carolina
13 D 2021 Garcia Brian Lake Norman Team Carolina Mooresville North Carolina
14 M 2021 Mullins Jake Apex Friendship High School Apex North Carolina
15 M 2022 Wood Kavin Cary Academy The Franciscan School Cary North Carolina
17 G 2021 Moriates Nicco Cardinal Gibbons Bucktown Wake Forest North Carolina
18 LSM/D 2021 Murray George Myers Park Carmel Middle Charlotte North Carolina
19 M 2021 Houlihan Emmett Marvin Ridge High School Team Carolina Waxhaw North Carolina
20 A 2021 Price Jackson Ardrey Kell High School Team Carolina 2021 Charlotte North Carolina
21 M 2021 Barwick Blake Charlotte Catholic High School Holy Trinity Catholic School Charlotte North Carolina
22 D 2021 Curtis Matthew Myers Park Alexander Graham Middle Charlotte North Carolina
23 D 2021 Barnes Seth Northwest Cabarrus High Northwest Cabarrus Kannapolis North Carolina
The post Team USA (Carolina) finishes with perfect 4-0 record in U15 boys’ competition at @BrogdenCupLax appeared first on Top Lax Recruits.
