District-by-District Look: 27s and 28s Rising Stars in PA's D2

Next up in the PIAA District by District series brings Northeastern Pennsylvania and PIAA's District Two. Come summertime and club lacrosse season, these are players that match up against the top players in Philadelphia and New Jersey, and you often see year-over-year jumps in their games that seem impossible. They come into their high school seasons battle-tested, and they are individuals who will make an immediate impact on the collegiate programs in which they eventually join. Below are 2027 and 2028 players from Pennsylvania's district two - a mix of rising talent and top prospects.    Like several athletes on this list, [player_tooltip player_id='72139' first='Mckenna' last='Toolan'] is a three-sport standout. But by her own words, lacrosse is her true calling.    One of the most well-rounded prospects in the Class of 2027, Toolan has the makings of a future Division I lacrosse player. She is one of the highest-IQ players I have seen at the high school level, consistently making the right read and the right play.   At times, she looks like a college player competing against high school competition.     Defensively, she is a matchup that opposing attackers want to avoid. She plays with a level of physicality that cannot be taught, and it is a part of her game she takes immense pride in. She is a true ball hawk with a second nature-like ability to jump in front of passing lanes and generate turnovers. When she comes up with the ball, it is mesmerizing to see just how quickly she can flip the field. Whether it is ripping off a 20+ outlet pass on a rope, or putting her head down and carrying through pressure, she is an offensive starter for her team who turns her defensive prowess into scoring opportunities.   Offensively, she is the total package. Toolan can finish with both hands, operates comfortably inside and outside the eight-meter, and has a natural feel for finding soft spots in the defense. Her off-ball movement is constant and purposeful, and it is a large part of why Scranton Prep's offense has been so impactful this season. If Toolan does not get the open look, there is a good chance that she helped get a teammate in position to do so.   Toolan crossed the 100-goal threshold in early April during a head-turning seven-goal performance in a win over Pittson, and it would not be surprising to see her push toward the 250-goal mark by the time her high school career is complete. She is a player who affects every phase of the game and does an exceptional job of elevating those around her. She has the combination of lacrosse IQ and toughness that college coaches dream about coaching.     A three-sport athlete in lacrosse, basketball, and soccer (although she would prefer to play lacrosse collegiately), [player_tooltip player_id='72115' first='Elinor' last='Kersey'] is a player who is clearly a step ahead of the competition athletically.   At 5'9", you might expect a player of her height to be awkward and uncoordinated on the field. But that is simply not the case with Kersey. She moves like someone half a foot shorter, while fully understanding how to weaponize her length and reach on both ends of the field. It is a combination that rarely comes around.   This season, her junior year, Kersey has taken her game to another level. Just days ago, she crossed the 200-goal mark for her career, and she is on pace to approach the 300 threshold by the time her high school career is over.   College coaches, do not make the mistake of passing on [player_tooltip player_id='72115' first='Elinor' last='Kersey'].   The measurable and pure athleticism that Kersey possesses rarely comes around at this level, and she is certainly a player who will make an impact at the next level.     It is hard to miss number five on the field. If you do not see the bright red hair, just find the ball — she is never far from it.   A player who has grown up around the game of lacrosse, [player_tooltip player_id='71773' first='Morgan' last='Davis'] is a high-impact sophomore from Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, who is having an exceptional start to her sophomore season.   A near lock to play Division I lacrosse, Davis has the kind of speed that is typically reserved for track and field. Her first step is devastating, and if that does not get her by her defender, she has a deep bag of moves that she can go to in order to get a high-percentage shot on goal. If you put the ball on Davis's stick, there is a good chance it ends up in the back of the net.   One of the most impressive aspects of her game is her strength. She fights through defenders like few players I have seen at this level, and she makes it look effortless.   Davis, who crossed the 100-goal threshold in March of this year, is the kind of offensive weapon that college coaches dream of having on their roster. A pure scorer who gets it done when her number is called, Davis is a prospect who cannot and likely will not be overlooked.     [player_tooltip player_id='72044' first='Jacqueline' last='Gallagher'] is an excellent basketball player, and it may take an enticing pitch to convince her to choose lacrosse at the next level. But any program that can land her is getting a one-of-a-kind player who can single-handedly take over games.   At six feet tall, her height gives her a noticeable advantage on both ends of the field. It is impressive watching her take away would-be goals by switching off her assignment and reaching out with her long arms to knock the ball free. Her defensive game is intimidating, and she is the kind of player opposing attackers try to avoid altogether.   Similar to Kersey, Gallagher is a gifted athlete who moves nothing as her frame suggests. She knows that few defenders can match her height and length, and she exploits defenses as a result. Her offensive game is reminiscent of Conestoga's [player_tooltip player_id='70678' first='Lucia' last='Misener'], and Gallagher has that rare ability to put her team on her back and will them to a win.   Playing in a district that is sometimes overlooked, coaches should not make that mistake with Gallagher. She has that takeover ability and drive to win that college coaches welcome on their rosters with open arms.     A three-sport athlete in basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse, there is no telling which sport [player_tooltip player_id='72043' first='Allie' last='Desciak'] will pursue collegiately. She certainly has the talent to choose her own path.   But one thing is for sure, [player_tooltip player_id='72043' first='Allie' last='Desciak'] is a phenomenal lacrosse player.   She is not the kind of player to beat you with a dodge up top. She is a north-south kind of attack who looks to get downhill and close to the cage as often as she can. Her downhill speed is great, and she does an excellent job of fighting through contact to get off a shot.   The basketball background translates noticeably well into her lacrosse game.   Desciak is a high motor player with exceptional shot accuracy and a lacrosse IQ that college coaches would dream about.   Whether she chooses to pursue lacrosse collegiately remains to be seen, but college coaches should certainly be reaching out and making their best pitch.

Next up in the PIAA District by District series brings Northeastern Pennsylvania and PIAA's District Two. Come summertime and club lacrosse season, these are players that match up against the top players in Philadelphia and New Jersey, and you often see year-over-year jumps in their games that seem impossible. They come into their high school seasons battle-tested, and they are individuals who will make an immediate impact on the collegiate programs in which they eventually join. Below are 2027 and 2028 players from Pennsylvania's district two - a mix of rising talent and top prospects.