By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 11/8/21
Perhaps no one is more anxious to play in a lacrosse showcase than Pearl River (N.Y.) 2023 midfielder Tommy Cortelli.
But due to a serious shoulder injury (torn labrum) he suffered during the end of the spring season, Cortelli, of Brotherhood Lacrosse, is not expecting to compete in Saturday’s Victory Events Liberty National Elite Fall Showcase Camp at the Chase Field House (DE).
Registration is open for limited spots (mainly midfield, LSM and faceoff) for the Showcase Camp, being held at the venue which serves as the Philadelphia 76ers training center in Wilmington, DE. Click here to register
Cortelli is a rare breed; a two-sport athlete who excels in ice hockey and lacrosse. He stars on the ice as a center for the Connecticut Junior Rangers and also uses his aggressive all-around talent as a two-way middie on the lax field.
In fact, he was called up to the varsity as an 8th grader in 2019, but injuries began to slow him. This year he helped Pearl River win its league title and qualify for the New York Section 1 playoffs before his latest injury occurred.
“I was first injured in 8th grade when my shoulder popped out of its socket,” he said. “Fast forward to my sophomore year (2021); I was consecutively popping my shoulder out now knowing it was stretching my labrum.
“Then in a semifinal game (in June) I was lifted by a d-pole with my arm stretching completely back, tearing my labrum completely off the bone. I was in a sling for 8 weeks and I started my recovery on July 4.”
Cortelli registered for the Victory Event showcase a few months ago – hoping he’d be ready to play on Nov. 13 – but he said he doesn’t expect his doctors to clear him.
“It would mean the world for me to play this weekend, but sadly I am still in recovery,” he said, “Being that it’s my junior year I’ve missed many showcases and prospect days that I’ve been invited to. But I’ve been going to PT three times a week and I am starting to feel normal again.”
Cortelli wants to play Division I lacrosse, but also would be happy to pick a college that would recruit him for both lacrosse and ice hockey.
“I would be happy to pick a college that fits me,” he said. “My strengths in lacrosse are my speed and strength and ability to play on two sides of the ball. I’m more of a gritty player who gets to almost every groundball, but also is able to put points down.
“I like the sport of hockey just as much as I do lacrosse because of the fast pace movement and overall speed of the game and how physical it can get.”
Cortelli is staying positive by working on areas of his game individually.
“I’ve been just working on my game, going to the field doing drills on my own,” he said “Shooting, agility, stick handling. It gets my mind off of me not being able to play and puts me in the mindset of knowing I’m getting better.”
Liberty National Elite Showcase Camp Details:
Date: Saturday, November 13, 2021
Location: 76ers Chase Field House (Wilmington, DE)
Price: $275 Per Player
Price includes game film and custom reversible jersey!
The event will be covered by TopLaxRecruits.com/Phillylacrosse.com
Ages: Boys Grad Years: 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025
Click here to register
Check-In 76ers Fieldhouse 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Showcase Welcome & Recruiting Talk Basketball Arena 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Team Clinics Led by NCAA Coaches Field 1 (Indoor) 1:00 PM – 1:40 PM
Pregame Team Meeting at First Game Field 1:45 PM
Game #1 – 1 vs. 2 (Field 1); 3 vs. 4 (Field 2) 1:50 PM
Game #2 – 1 vs. 3 (Field 1); 2 vs. 4 (Field 2) 3:30 PM
Game #3 – 1 vs. 4 (Field 1); 2 vs. 3 (Field 2) 5:10 PM
Showcase Ends 6:00 PM