Juniors who stood out at Smoky Mountain Cup

GATLINBURG, Tenn. -- The past two weekends, Gatlinburg played host to the Smoky Mountain Cup, featuring more than 70 high school programs. While the competition ranged from nationally ranked teams to small-school programs, there were several uncommitted underclass players who stood out. Here is a look at top Class of 2023 performers from the weekend: <strong>CM Tai Bhalla, Meridian (Va.), Jr.</strong> -- First, if the school name catches you off guard, this used to be "George Mason." The long-time Northern Virginia small-school power was part of a group of schools that underwent name changes in the past year to distance themselves from historical figures who owned slaves. Now, to focus on Bhalla, the 6-foot-4 center mid was the best player on the field in each of the team’s three matches. He is a solid NCAA Division I prospect. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2HC2k7">HUDL HIGHLIGHTS</a></span> <strong>D Will Gallagher, Farragut (Tenn.), Jr.</strong> -- A talented center back who received more all-tournament votes than any other defender in either weekend of the Smoky Cup events. He held the defense together as Farragut went 2-1 at the showcase. <strong>F George Chunuwe, Father Ryan (Tenn.), Jr.</strong> -- A dynamic forward who causes a lot of problems for defenses due to his length. He is not usually the finisher, but he's the attacking player who creates the chances. <strong>M Alex Gardner, Meridian (Va.), Jr.</strong> -- Great ball skills and field vision. He had an assist against Farragut (Tenn.) and a goal against McCallie School (Tenn.) before the match was halted. He is actively being recruiting by Division I programs. <strong>M Luke Jacobs, McCallie School (Tenn.), Jr.</strong> -- McCallie played the weekend without four usual starters, and that detail was reflected in the results -- an 0-1-2 showing with no goals scored. However, McCallie put together a strong defensive showing with a pair of shutouts. Jacobs is a key player who is getting some attention, and the opposing coaches rated him among the Top 10 overall players in the top flight. <strong>F/M Connor MacLean, Station Camp (Tenn.), Jr.</strong> -- Versatile and effective. MacLean was the top attacking underclassman in the first week of Smoky Mountain Cup action. <strong>D Oliver Frandano, Meridian (Va), Jr. --</strong> Simply put, Meridian is stocked with talented underclassmen. On most teams, Frandano would jump right out, but on Meridian, other juniors are stealing the spotlight. Frandano is a right back, who dominates the right side. He even scored game-winning goal from 30 yards out against Farragut (Tenn.). He was key to the team’s two shutouts. <strong>M Eric Sonnenschein, Farragut (Tenn.), Jr.</strong> -- Sonnenschein recently transferred to Farragut from Naperville Central (Ill.). Often when high school players relocate, they tend to get lost in the recruiting shuffle as they need to get re-established with a new landscape of college programs. Sonnenschein is playing for FC Alliance. <strong>F Alex Rhodes, Gibbs (Tenn.), Jr.</strong> -- Rhodes was the No. 1 pick on all ballots from coaches in his bracket. The junior scored four goals and had three assists as Gibbs went 1-0-2 and won the bracket title. <strong>D Jonathan Medel, Shelbyville (Tenn.) Jr.</strong> -- Medel scored both of Shelbyville’s goals. &nbsp; <strong>Other Juniors Who Impressed</strong> GK Sam Allum, Jefferson County (Tenn.), Jr. D Nolan Armstrong, Father Ryan (Tenn.), Jr. M Yahir Cervantes, Shelbyville (Tenn.), Jr. F Farid Chouyouti, Germantown (Tenn.), Jr. D Grayson Cunningham, Dobyns-Bennett (Tenn.), Jr. GK Inigo Diz, Meridian (Va.), Jr. F Jackson Follis, Siegel (Tenn.), Jr. D Fletcher Freeman, Knoxville West (Tenn.), Jr. M [player_tooltip player_id="15573" first="Erol" last="House"], McCallie School (Tenn.), Jr. F [player_tooltip player_id="41244" first="Josue" last="Rodriguez"], Wren (S.C.), Jr. D Landon Sarduy, Station Camp (Tenn.), Jr. M Tate Straussfogel, South Doyle (Tenn.), Jr. D Dylan Stuart, William Blount (Tenn.), Jr. GK Ryan True, Dobyns-Bennett (Tenn.), Jr. D Graham Witte, Fayetteville (Ark.), Jr.