Defensemen to Watch

Jack Fabean, Sr., Manasquan

Uncanny instincts are the trademark of Fabean, a Richmond signee who was a First Team All-Shore selection last season. A starter since his freshman year, Fabean took over as the Warriors’ No. 1 defenseman last season and had a breakout campaign with 87 group balls and 36 turnovers to help guide Manasquan to its fourth straight Class B South division title, a second straight Shore Conference Tournament crown and the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 1 sectional trophy. Like teammate Mike Page, Fabean can also make a full-field run and finish at the other end, as evident by his eight goals and five assists last season.

 

Mike Page, Sr., Manasquan

A versatile long-stick midfielder who was a First Team All-Shore selection last season, Page had 25 caused turnovers and 57 ground balls in 13 games last season (he had to sit out the first 10 after transferring from The Hun School) to help Manasquan win the Shore Conference Tournament title and claim the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 1 state sectional championship. Page, who is signed to Syracuse, also got involved on the offensive end with four goals and three assists.

 

Tommy Gray, Sr., CBA

A shutdown defenseman who helped the Colts allow just 4.38 goals last season, Gray will be relied on for both his play and experience this season after CBA graduated 19 seniors from a team that went 19-2 and reached the SCT final.

 

Evan Nastarowicz, Sr., Freehold Township

A First Team Class A North selection last season, Nastarowicz picked up 50 ground balls and added a goal and an assist for a defense that allowed 5.7 goals per game.

 

Shane Meyler, Sr., Wall

The Crimson Knights’ top defenseman returns after garnering All-Class B South honors last season when he picked up 38 ground balls to help Wall win a school-record 14 games, reach the SCT quarterfinals and advance to the state sectional semifinals for the first time.

 

Kyle Harris, Jr., St. John Vianney

Harris picked up 90 ground balls last season and was a First Team Class B North selection by the coaches.

 

Chris Halmi, Jr., Colts Neck

Halmi picked up 42 ground balls last season and was a Second Team Class A North selection by the coaches.

 

Jake Bryson, Sr., Jackson Memorial

Bryson had 58 ground balls a season ago and was a Second Team Class A South selection by the coaches.

 

Luke Gueci, Jr., Red Bank Catholic

Gueci was a Second Team Class B North selection last season when he picked up a team-high 80 ground balls

 

Ryan Collins, Sr., Lacey

Collins picked up 25 ground balls last season and was a Second Team Class B South selection by the coaches.

 

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.

 

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