We reached out to club coaches around the state to find out which of their rising 9th graders are poised to make an impact in the 2023 season. These players were provided by those coaches and some by their High School coaches after tryouts had concluded. The list below does not intentionally leave anyone athlete or team out, we are only reporting the information we’ve been given!
Attack
Blake Eldridge – Enloe
Time and room sharpshooter, lefty with range.
Travis Pomilio – Sanderson
Will joins his older brother Nick on the starting attack for the Spartans.
Sebastian McWilson – Millbrook
Sebastian is a slick Attacker that use his basketball skills to dominate the lacrosse field. He’s always in the right place at the right time. He has great field vision and can play anywhere on the offensive end.
Brooke Cecco – Apex Friendship
Attack/Midfielder who has ability to score from all areas on the field. Excellent stick skills and lax IQ
Makenzie Fleming – Apex
Tall strong leftie attacker. Knows the game, can drive hard to cage, can flex into midfield as a strong draw taker.
Brooke Teter- Wakefield
Brookes size and strength, added with her speed, will challenge many defenders this year.
Sam Thanhauser- Wakefield
Sam is scrappy, quick and smart. Her ability to see the field and take the risk will pay off this season for Wakefield Attack. Defense will need hone down the see ball see girl with Sam. Always moving. Always creating opportunities.
Katelyn Horn – Wakefield
Katelyn is finding her role on offense this year. She hits that open cutter, moves the ball, and creates opportunities for her teammates. She is great at riding the ball and being there when needed in transition.
Midfield
Owen Wood – Heritage
Big athletic 2-way midfielder with a lot of potential
Eric DePrato – Broughton
Do it all player, can play any spot on the offense
Camden Hughes – Durham Academy
Great 2-way middie.
Mike Mellott – Ravenscroft
Big frame, good shooter, played for Ravenscroft Varsity as an 8th grader.
Isaiah Barbee – Jordan
Isaiah is one of the fastest players in the 2026 class. He’s a dynamic playmaker that initiates offense by constantly drawing doubles. He’s phenomenal on the defensive end of the field and unstoppable when clearing the ball. He’s a top two way midfielder that should see a lot of action this Spring season
Reagan Arp – Holly Springs
Phenomenal athlete. Great draw taker and midfielder. Has the size, speed and SKILL to make an immediate impact for HSHS. Great teammate and communicator. Will be a STUD on that team.
Kelly Harmon – Green Level
Ffast middie/attack. Great scored with both size and speed with excellent stick skill and lax IQ.
Sally McGahey – Fuquay-Varina
Spirited mid/attack with great speed. Defends well and can play all offensive positions on field.
Ella Potter- Wakefield
Quick, visionary, and smart, Ella is brining the final puzzle to our freshman class. She connects the two ends of the field with easy and doesn’t hesitate to hit the “one more.”
Caitlin Nowalk- Wakefield
Caitlin is a quick and scrappy player. She sets up plays and will continue to develop into a transitional player for Wakefield.
Ella Ruffino- Wakefield
Quick, fast, and resilient. Ella is new to the sport but boy is she quick and a hustler. She works hard everyday and continues to grow each day in the Midfield position. She outruns and will fight for every groundball. Anyone matched up with her, will need to beat the player who doesn’t quit.
Defense
Austin Mounts – Heritage
Big kid who has a huge upside with not a huge ego.
Curry Jennings – Durham Academy
Aggressive between the lines, provides constant pressure and a threat in transition.
Jonathan Barbee – Apex Friendship
Jonathan is an absolute beast on the field. He throws checks like a collegiate defender and can run with the quickest attackmen. Jonathan has elite level stick skills and uses his strength and speed to his advantage.
Clara Hankinson – Green Level
Defender who is excellent on and off ball. Handles ball well in transition. Lock down D.
Gillian Gavette – Fuquay-Varina
Strong defender with great communication and lax IQ. Can handle anything. Great stick skills, patient, will flex into any position as needed.
Camryn Ledwith – Wakefield
Cams ability to read the offense and control their tempo will play a huge role in the success of our defense this year. She is vocal, fast, and outworks any offensive player on the ground.
Whitney Kuhn – Wakefield
Strong contact and movement. She is nailing down the slide this year and will be that support player who takes away easy shots.
Goalie
Jed David – Enloe
Great size, asset in the clearing game.
James Flanagan -Northwood
JP is the best freshman goalie in the state. Fast hands, great athleticism and tremendous body control allows him to make the impossible saves in tight as well as gobble up shots from distance. He has a great stick and is also a weapon in the transition game.
Hannah Tarpley – Fuquay-Varina
Has tons of spirit and resolve. Good stick skills and communication which are key in her role.