TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 10/31/22

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa – Jason Hilton got an early Halloween treat Saturday at the Victory Events Beast National Showcase at the Proving Grounds – a very good team to play with.

“I got along with my teammates and we bonded together really well,” said Hilton, a 2024 midfielder from Hempfield and TEAM Lacrosse (PA). “That doesn’t always happen at showcases.”

Hilton took advantage of his team’s quick rapport and excelled enough to be named the Showcase MVP (see all-showcase team and comments from others that excelled at bottom).

“I was just able to communicate and have really good connections with my teammates,” he said. “We learned each other’s playing styles and that helped each other score in every possible way.

“Just having teammates who also were big threats to shoot or didge and get open helped me. The competition was just great and it was a step up from my club games.”

Hilton was on the top middie line at Hempfield last year and helped the Black Knights reach the PIAA 3A quarterfinals. He scored over 40 points and has high expectations for the 2023 season.

He remains uncommitted and took some good advice from college coaches at the showcase.

“I asked my coach (from Princeton) and he told me the main thing I should work on is footwork and the approach when dodging,” he said.

Hilton will compete with TEAM Lacrosse this weekend at the Aloha Fall Ball in Timonium, MD. He closes his fall season at the NXT Philly Showcase Nov. 11 at Tinton Falls, N.J.

What are Hilton’s top attributes? “I would say I’m extremely coachable and I’m always looking to improve my game,” he said. “I am always asking other people, and looking over film so I can personally address what I need to work on.”

Reaction from others who excelled:

From left, Alex Fessler, Drew Donato, James Stanton

Alex Fessler, 2025 ATT, Central Bucks South (PA), True Philadelphia

“I think I dodged well, got the ball in the net and looked for the open guys on the crease. I really think I utilize my speed and change of direction and I turn defenders’ hips so they can’t get a stick on me.”

Drew Donato, 2024 LSM, Perkiomen Valley (PA), Black Bear LC

“My goal was to play my best game and especially in the third game things went well; I got a goal and I was working really hard. I look like a bigger guy, but I can definitely run and I have pretty good stick skills. I am very aggressive and I can get the groundballs off the faceoff. Our goalies were excellent and that helped me get the ball out for clears.”

James Stanton, 2024 FO/MF, Christian Brothers Academy (N.Y.), Team 91

“Coming in, you never know what the other guys have up their sleeve so you have to adapt as the game goes on. I’d say I really have a strong clamp, I have to work on a lot of other things. I am decent at getting the groundballs; I am gritty and I am not afraid to get hit when I have the ball. Going to West Point is my No. 1 goal; if that doesn’t work out I’ll want to go to a good business school.”

Nathan Sutty, 2025 ATT, Salesianum School (DE), Fusion

From left, Nathan Sutty, Riley Callahan

“I’m trying to get on college recruiters’ radars. I had a lot of goals and assists, it was a good showcase for me. I played gritty lacrosse. My strength is I always keep my head up, and I like to move the ball. I’m working on my left hand all-around, that will improve me so much.”

Riley Callahan, 2023 DEF Seton Catholic Central (N.Y.), Upstate Salt Kings

“Being a 2023, I am pretty late in the recruiting process, so I wanted to prove myself to the top coaches that I can play physical defense. I put pressure on the ball and I noticed some people were tentative to take me to the hole. Today, I had a couple can opener checks. Also, I am a cool player, I don’t get mad; but I do stick up for teammates. I’m putting academics first – I’m going for a major in Cyber Security and Computer Science and at this stage I will probably look at the D2 and D3 schools.”