By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 10/29/15
Robert Hinyub said he will cherish the individual instruction he received from Providence assistant coach and former Syracuse All-American John Galloway during last weekend’s Dixie 200 Spotlight in Birmingham, AL.
“I was very fortunate to have John Galloway, an All-American goalie, to work with me 1-on-1,” said Hinyub, an uncommitted 2016 netminder for four-tome Louisiana state champion Jesuit-New Orleans. “It was an incredible experience to pick the brain of one of the best – if not the best – goalies in the world.
“I was learning new drills and new methods methods to work on my game. He showed us 7 to 10 drills I had never seen before. I have been to quite a few different camps, but I saw different ways and different mindsets that I can incorporate in my regular practices now.”
Hinyub was one of five Directors Class Standout Players recognized after the 3-day event, which brought nearly 200 elite players from the South to the Sportsblast in Birmingham. The Spotlight featured rare instruction from coaches from 12 Division I colleges.
Joe Losurdo, a director for Atlanta Elite, said the 40 players he brought received a great experience.
“Our kids don’t typically get that kind of interaction with coaches of that caliber without having to go to Baltimore or (Upstate) New York or Long Island,” he said. “It was refreshing to see the coaches come down instead of us going up there.
“This was a different kind of level. They got a taste of being in a college practice. Down here we have fewer colleges so for a lot of kids it was a first experience like this.”
How did Hinyub enjoy competing in a major showcase camp in his home region?
“I think it speaks volumes about the amount of works and effort being put in by these lacrosse players in the South,” he said. “In Louisiana we have been fortunate enough at my high school to be very strong in the past decade, but we are always marginalized by other sports and told we are not even a sport.
“I love this game and and I have talked to a number of other players and we work hard regardless of it being called an East Coast ‘preppy sport.’ This camp really helped me appreciate that the South may not be a hotbed but that it is being recognized. To see Division I coaches from the Big Ten, the ACC and the Ivy League and see how competitive we can be was a great experience to be a part of.”
Said Jake Alesia, a 2017 midfielder from Lambert High (GA) and camp standout coach’s pick: “I think the best parts of instruction were when the coaches would walk us through drills and really tell and instruct us on what to look for and do with shooting, dodging and fakes,” he said. “It was truly great to have played in such a big event in the South and in front of such amazing coaches.”
Hinyub also answered these questions:
How was the competition and what did you do to adjust?
Hinyub: “I had a pretty solid summer and I played in some top competitions so it wasn’t as tough to adjust to the high level of play. I focused on the basics and tried to play to my strength and not overthink anything. I just wanted to be instinctual.”
Why did you attend the event?
Hinyub: “I am uncommitted and that was definitely a main factor. Also, it was a nice way to get back in the groove of things. I hadn’t seen real shots since early in July. In the beginning of the summer events I played really really well and then I went into a funk. I kept trying to force everything so I told myself for this one that I can only control things I can control and that I needed to try to have fun with it. I wanted to give my 100 percent but play the game for and keep in mind that that’s the reason I play the game.”
How did the event help your confidence?
Hinyub: “I had that funk and I didn’t feel like myself. Even my dad noticed I wasn’t having fun. He said if you are going to do something there is a reason you do it – because it’s fun. I learned new things that I can incorporate into my game and it really brings up my confidence going into fall ball and the spring season as well.”
Other Directors Standout Players
2018 – Jonny DiVirgilio A/M, Lambert, GA, Atlanta Rage (uncommitted)
How was the competition and how did you adjust to it?
DiVirgilio: “At first, it was a little difficult to stay with the competition and I had to adjust. Once I found out how the competition was, I played that much harder.”
What did you learn from the instruction that will help you in the future?
DiVirgilio: “Keeping your head up at all times. That allowed me to play a lot better, by getting the ball to my teammates.”
How did this event help your confidence?
DiVirgilio: “It really boosted my confidence because I know I can play at that high level now.”
How did you enjoy competing in a major showcase camp in your backyard?
DiVirgilio: “It was awesome. There are a lot of great players down here; and we did not have to go up north. This time they (the coaches) all came down here.”
What are you looking for in a college?
DiVirgilio: “I want to go to a big college, one that has football and basketball so I can go out and see games when I am not at practice. I am thinking about (majoring in) business. I think I’m pretty close right now (to committing). I am going to visit (some schools) in January, but my coach is telling me not to rush.”
2019 – Parker Green, Goalie, Parker Green, goalie, Briarcrest Christian, TN, No Excuse (uncommitted)
How was the competition and how did you adjust to it?
Green: “There was great competition and a lot of good kids. On the first day I had John Galloway and it was an honor to work with him 1-on-1. When we played in the games we had college coaches on our sideline and sometimes they would stop the game and bring everybody out and walk through a play.”
What did you learn from the instruction that will help you in the future?
Green: “One thing (Galloway) was working on with me was staying still in the cage and keeping my feet flat on the ground and not leaning on my toes. Coach (Matt) Madalon of Princeton was helping me with clears. I got something I can use for the rest of my career.”
How did you enjoy competing in a major showcase camp in your backyard?
Green: “I’ve been to a couple other showcases and you always had to get in a plane and fly up North. It’s neat to see the game moving to the South. There were lots of coaches representing very good schools that normally you see in showcases up North here in Birmingham.”
How did this event help your confidence?
Green (who played varsity and JV last year as an 8th grader: “Now I see I can play with the some of the best kids in the South and I know I can get better.
2017 – Gabriel Mendoza, Montgomery Bell, TN, defenseman, No Excuse (uncommitted)
How was the competition and how did you do to adjust to the level of play?
Mewndoza: “The competition was great. There were a lot of good kids out there and all kinds of types of kids. There were quicker guys and guys who would hunker down and drive into you. I had to adjust depending on the guy I was guarding. I loved it.”
What did you learn from the instruction that will help you in the future?
Mendoza: “The 1-on-1 contact with college coaches was really great. They told me to stay on (the attack’s) hands more – if you have your stick heavy on their hands it makes it hard and difficult to think and operate. We did warmup drills that really were helpful; man down, 2 on 3’s, 3 on 4’s.”
How did this event help your confidence?
Mendoza: “It boosts my confidence to know I was getting taught by such great coaches that have that type of experience level so advanced from the high school level. I got great insights.”
How did you enjoy competing in a major showcase camp in your backyard?
Mendoza: “Whenever we go to a tournament we usually go to the northeast and have to fly. I think lacrosse is growing so much in all the states down South and it’s great to see the sport growing close to home.”
2020 – Benjamin DiMento, attackman, Schilling Farms Middle School, TN, No Excuse
How was the competition and how did you adjust to it?
DiMento: “I thought the competition was great and I feel like it pushed me to play harder and make sure my fundamentals were on point. I had to adjust to the competition almost every time I played. Maybe one game shooting was the right option or the next it was to dodge.”
What did you learn from the instruction that will help you in the future?
DiMento: “I think the best part of the weekend was actually the instruction. It was really cool to be able to be taught by some of the best college coaches in the country and see their point of view on manny different situations. The instruction will help me with my game a bunch. I learned some really cool stuff and I only had to make some minor adjustments to what I was already doing.”
How did this event help your confidence?
DiMento: “Competing in front of the College coaches was an honor to be able to get the exposure I need to have to be able to play at the next level.”
How did you enjoy competing in a major showcase camp in your backyard?
DiMeno: “There is no doubt in my mind that it isn’t too long before the south will be one of the biggest hot beds for college coaches to get their players
Dixie Top 200 Awards
Directors Stand Out Best Player On Field
2016 Robert Hinyub Goalie
2017 Gabriel Mendoza D-Pole
2018 Jonathan Divirgilio A/M
2019 Parker Green Goalie, 978
2020 Benjamin DiMento A/M
Camp Standout Coaches Picks
2016-2017
Day1
Robert Hinyub 2016 Goalie Louisiana
Jake Rogers 2016 Midfield Alabama
Cameron Acuff 2016 Attack Tennessee
Gabriel Mendoza 2017 D-Pole Tennessee
Elliott Yacu 2017 D-Pole Alabama
Michael Schroeder 2017 Midfield Alabama
Nick Marshall 2017 Midfield Tennessee
Brady Berman 2016 D-Pole Georgia
Day 2
Lucas Heslin 2017 Attack Alabama
Jake Alesia 2017 Midfield Georgia
Matt Berdon 2017 Attack Louisiana
2018-2019
Day 1
Andrew Burnside 2018 D-Pole Louisiana
David Spuhl 2018 D-Pole Alabama
Buc Dunavant 2018 D-Pole Tennessee
Jonathan Divirgilio 2018 A/M Georgia
Jack Munster 2018 Attack Alabama
Daniel Shumake 2018 Midfield Tennessee
Parker Green 2019 Goalie Tennessee
Bobby Wade 2018 Midfield Tennessee
Ryan Hofstetter 2018 Attack Georgia
Dylan Witt 2018 D-Pole Georgia
Trevor Kulkis 2018 Midfield Alabama
Clay Christianson 2018 D-Pole Alabama
Day 2
Dylan Seltzer 2018 Attack Alabama
Jake Long 2018 Mid/F-O Alabama
Kyle Lewis 2018 Attack Georgia
Nolan Hayes 2019 Goalie Georgia
2020
Day1
Benjamin Dimento 2020 A/M Tennessee
Batts Parker 2020 D-Pole Alabama
Luke Alison 2020 Midfield Alabama
Connor Hamilton 2020 A/M Tennessee
Noah Mendoza 2020 D-Pole Tennessee
Chris Claybourne 2020 D-Pole Alabama
Amos Alexander 2020 Midfield Alabama
Day2
Stephen Avery 2020 Midfield Tennessee
Dylan Hoye 2020 D-Pole Alabama
Collier Dobbs 2020 Attack Alabama
Best State – Georgia
Best Colege Instructor – Marc Van Arsdale University Of Virginia
