Why is Tyler Fiorito #1 in the SI/Takkle Boys Lacrosse Top 100?

In a recent game against highly-touted St. Paul's of Baltimore, McDonough School (Owing Mills, Md.) goalie Tyler Fiorito showed why he is considered the best high school lacrosse player in the country.

With his team clinging to a one-goal lead in the third quarter, a St. Paul's attacker broke free in front of the crease and wound up for what looked like a certain game-tying goal. But Fiorito -- who his coach Scott Corrigan calls "the best goalie he has ever seen at this level" -- raised his stick and his team with an amazing save, preserving the lead for the Tigers, and shifting the momentum. The Eagles went on to win 9-6.

"It's a scary thought to think of where'd we be right now without him," Corrigan said. "There's just no way to measure how much he means to this program."
But Fiorito, a Princeton commit who is the nation's top lacrosse player in the Sports Illustrated/Takkle Top 100 rankings, shies away from individual accolades. Corrigan, who coached current University of Virginia goalie Bud Petit when he was in high school, calls Fiorito's instincts "unmatched," but what has really impressed him is the way he has become a vocal leader for the defense.

"It's to the point where I don't even have to worry about the defense that much anymore because I know Tyler's got it," Corrigan said.
Blue Chip Lacrosse head scout Jake Reed says that Fiorito guided a team that had at best average talent last year through the toughest lacrosse league in the country -- the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference -- and into the playoffs. With last week's win against St. Paul's, the Eagles appear to be on the verge of making the playoffs again.
"Last year, we had a lot of young guys on the team, especially on defense, that really lacked experience, but I think they've improved greatly this season," Fiorito said. "I think that I am as proud of their development as I am of anything I've done this year."
Princeton is next for Fiorito, and Corrigan knows that he is going to leave a void -- and not only on the field.

"I'm definitely going to miss him when he's gone," Corrigan said. "I trust and respect him, so much so that I let him babysit my kids."

Other Top Goalies

Steve Rastivo,Ward Melville (East Setauket, N.Y.) High
The Penn State signee is widely considered to be the second-best goalie in the country. A bit flashier in the cage, Rastivo is quick and constantly in motion. An excellent vocal leader as well, Rastivo has made Ward Melville into a power in New York's Suffolk County's Division I.

A.J. Fiore, Ithaca (N.Y.) High
Fiore, a Cornell commit, seems a little awkward in goal at times, but he is effective. He is not nearly as athletic as Fiorito or Rastivo, but he is fearless and makes all the saves that he should make.

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A look at the top prep prospects for this summer's amateur MLB draft

The Major League Baseball amateur draft is still five weeks away, but many of the best high school seniors in the country are putting the finishing touches on their already impressive resumes.

Here's a rundown of the nation's top high school prospects and where they could land in the draft.

Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin High (Kennesaw, Ga.)

Considered by many to be the top high school player in the country, Beckham is a smooth athlete who has all the tools to be a big-time player at shortstop. He runs well, hits with some power, is already a top-notch fielder and has a smooth stroke that could turn him into a tremendous offensive player. His speed, his defense, and the position he plays has many Major League scouts salivating. Beckham has signed with Southern California, but don't expect him to make it to become a Trojan. He's a little raw, but he's too good to pass up.

Prediction: Top 5 pick

Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage School (Cooper City, Fla.)

Hosmer is the best high school power hitter in the country. At 6-foot-4, the left-handed Hosmer has the potential to become a home run hitter at the next level. Although a little suspect with the glove, his potential for power is great enough to get him into the Top 10. However, he is represented by Scott Boras, who's clients tend to fall in the draft out of fear of rough negotiations.

Prediction: Top 10 pick

Gerritt Cole, RHP, Orange Lutheran High (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Cole has the best pure stuff of any high school pitcher. He can throw 95 mph, has a biting breaking ball that comes in the low 80s and is developing a change-up. He throws a heavy sinking fastball that will break a lot of bats at the next level. Cole's control is sometimes scattershot, but that should improve as his mechanics get better. An aggressive competitor with a three-quarters delivery, there is some question as to whether Cole's future lies as a front of the rotation starter or a back of the bullpen closer.

Prediction: Top 10 pick

Tim Melville, RHP, Holt High (Wentzville, Mo.)

Melville, who has signed with North Carolina, would also be a corner-infield prospect if he didn't throw a 95-mph fastball and a fantastic curve. A prototype starting pitcher with great size (6-5, 205 pounds), a big arm and a low-effort delivery, he pitches more than he throws. Although his stuff is a little weaker than Cole's, the smoothness of his delivery and his front-of-the-rotation potential may make him a safer pick.

Prediction: Top 10 pick

Kyle Skipworth, C, Patriot High (Riverside, Calif.)

Skipworth is a left-handed hitting catcher who is a better hitter than a catcher at this point. Most catchers at this stage of their development are good receivers who have to learn how to be good hitters. His defense is improving, but make no mistake, it is his smooth left-handed power swing that will keep Skipworth in the top half of the first round.

Prediction: Top 15 pick

Kyle Lobstein, LHP, Coconino High (Flagstaff, Ariz.)

Outside of the University of San Diego's Brian Matusz, Lobstein is the best left-handed pitching prospect in the 2008 draft. He has a low-90s fastball, with a solid change and good breaking ball, all of which he can throw consistently for strikes. At 6-3, 180, he already has a major league body. Although his ceiling may not be as high as Cole or Melville's, he is the most complete high school pitcher in the draft.

Prediction: Top 10 pick

Casey Kelly, SS, Sarasota (Fla.) High

Kelly's a quality pitcher, but his future at the next level probably lies in the infield, just like his father, Pat, who played eight years in the majors. Casey has a smooth swing and could develop into a top-notch power hitter. Some scouts say he will eventually shifted from shortstop to third base. Kelly also signed with the University of Tennessee as a quarterback. The lure of SEC football makes him the player most likely on this list to actually attend college and could lead to him falling on some draft boards.

Prediction: Top 20 pick

Anthony Gose, LHP, Bellflower High (Bellflower, Calif.)

With a good fastball and breaking ball, Gose also has potential as an outfielder, but he's extremely raw and could use a little more seasoning. Most likely a bullpen guy at the next level. He has signed with Arizona.

Prediction: Late first round pick

Aaron Hicks, OF, RHP, Wilson High (Long Beach, Calif.)

One of the more intriguing prospects in the draft, Hicks has good speed and above-average power potential, but he also has a 94 mph fastball and a good curveball. He lacks control and his offensive skills are extremely raw. He might end up at USC.

This article can also be found on Sports Illustrated.

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Who's the better midfielder in the Takkle Boys Lax Top 100

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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Who's the better attacker in the HS Lax Top 100

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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Takkle Throwdown: Who's the better Pitcher in the Top 100?

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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TAKKLE Throwdown of the Day 4-9-08 : Who's the better Top 100 Shortstop

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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Al-Farouq Aminu is in legal trouble

Al-Farouq Aminu, one of the top players in the class of 2008 and the gem of Wake Forest’s incoming recruiting class, was arrested this weekend in Georgia for assault and trespassing.

The assault charge for Aminu, along with two teammates at Norcross High, stems from an incident in which the three allegedly shot an Atlanta woman with a BB gun from inside a vehicle, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio released a statement saying: “We are in the process of gathering all of the information on this incident and it would not be fair to make any statement or judgment until we collect all of the facts.”

Aminu, named Georgia's Mr. Basketball by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has been ranked as high as the 19^th best player in the nation by TAKKLE.com and Sports Illustrated.

More updates as events unfold.

- Meanwhile, back on the court, Lance Stephenson led Coney Island Lincoln High to an 88-67 victory over Holy Cross in the New York State championships this weekend in Glens Falls, N.Y. Stephenson finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds and was named Federation MVP. Holy Cross forward Sylven Landesberg finished his career with a 31 point performance in the loss. The Virginia signee was named the New York’s Mr. Basketball after the contest.

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The Takkle Top 100 have been launched!

Takkle has officialy launched the Takkle Top 100 in baseball, boys lacrosse, and girls lacrosse. These lists compile the top junior and senior athletes in high school and are following in the footsteps of the popular Takkle Top 100 football rankings as well as the Takkle Top 25 basketball rankings.


The TAKKLE Top 100 baseball rankings, powered by Baseball Factory are based on the opinions of Baseball Factory scouting and baseball operations personnel, in addition to information and opinions gathered through discussions with scouts and otherwise informed baseball people throughout the industry. The order of the rankings was determined through consideration of a combination of the players' present ability and future potential, along with their value as both college and professional prospects. Baseball Factory is the leader in player development and college placement nationwide. Since their inception in 1994, over 2,000 Baseball Factory players have been selected in the amateur draft, over 175 have made it to the big leagues and over 20,000 have gone on to play college baseball receiving $500 million in scholarships.



The Takkle Top 100 boys lacrosse rankings is compiled with the assistance of Jake Reed's Blue Chip Lacrosse Camp. Jake Reed has established a network of Division I coaches, scouts, high school and club coaches from around the country. This list reflects the top junior 09' and senior 08' lacrosse players rated not only by current ability and performance but also by their potential to perform at the college level. These factors are measured by personal observation at the Blue Chip Lacrosse Camp, other tournaments, showcases, and high school games.



The Takkle Top 100 girls lacrosse rankings powered by womenslacrosse.com is based on information compiled from their vast network of coaches and scouts. With decades of experience in lacrosse assessment and education, womenlacrosse.com has become the leader in the women's game by continually forging initiatives, including tournaments and clinics, that help drive the sport from grass roots to global. The Takkle Top 100 is designed to reflect the top female high school athletes in the junior (2009) and senior (2008) classes on a national scale. Athletes are rated using a series of factors including game statistics, current performance, ability, major lacrosse accolades, college potential, and level of competition in the individual's home state. These factors are measured against such intangibles as on the field leadership and game sense to more accurately determine the final ranking.

Keep tabs on the best junior and seniors across the U.S and vote whether you feel they are under or over-rated. Also you can throw some shout outs and tell us why you belong in the top 100 or why they dont belong! Keep checking back on the rankings for the latest updates!

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