Jon Torpey and the High Point Panthers landed a commitment from an in-state product earlier this week week, as Hough, N.C., junior defenseman/LSM John Long announced his commitment to the Panthers. Long is the third commitment in the 2022 class for High Point, joining Stevenson, Ill., attackman Ryan Hynes and Thornton Academy, Maine, defenseman Alex St. John.
“Being born and raised in North Carolina, High Point has always been at the top of my list,” Long told Lacrosse Bucket.
High Point was the first school to reach out to Long on September 1st, which was the first day that college coaches could contact 2022 recruits. The defenseman said that he has talked with all of the coaches both via phone and virtually. “After many conversations with them I knew they would take my game to the next level and make me not just a better lacrosse player, but a better person as well,” said Long.
While recruiting will continue to be in a dead period, which prohibits in-person recruiting and campus visits, through January 1st, Long has been to High Point in the past.
The 5-foot-10, 165 pound speedster has been an impact player on the back end for Hough the past few seasons. He came onto the scene strong as a Freshman, recording 38 ground balls and 19 caused turnovers while helping lead the Huskies to a 16-2 record and an NCHSAA 4A quarterfinals appearance. He was also named an All-Conference, All-Region, and All-State selection following the 2019 season.
During the shortened 2020 season, Long recorded nine ground balls and three caused turnovers in three games.
While the Coronavirus impacted both the spring and summer lacrosse seasons thus year, Long said that he played more lacrosse and trained more than he ever had before during this past summer.
Coming into his junior season, Long is focused on improving his game and helping lead his team to a state title.
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