(Photo Credit: Adrian Pomilio)

Jon Torpey and the High Point Panthers landed a commitment in the 2022 class on Saturday, as Apex, N.C., junior midfielder/faceoffman Nathan Nicholas announced his commitment to the Panthers.

Nicholas is the seventh commitment in the class for the Panthers, joining Stevenson, Ill., attackman Ryan Hyne, Thornton Academy, Maine, defenseman Alex St. John, Hough, N.C., defenseman John Long, Calvert Hall, Md., goalie Luke Mercaldo, Marist, Ga., attackman Andrew McLaughlin, and St. Mary’s, Md., midfielder Nicky Souza.

“High Point has an excellent reputation academically…And watching their lacrosse games, I like the way they are coached and the intensity of the play,” Nicholas told Lacrosse Bucket.

High Point initially reach out to Nicholas on September 1st, which was the first day that college coaches could contact 2022 recruits, and has been in contact with the staff on a weekly basis ever since. He has been able to go on a regular admissions tour, despite the NCAA recruiting still being in a dead period, which prohibits official visits and in-person recruiting.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior is a very versatile player, taking faceoffs and being a serious offensive threat – especially as a shooter. He put up 10 points (8G/2A) and went 42-for-50 (.840) at the faceoff dot during the shortened 2020 season. As a freshman in 2019, Nicholas churned our 22 points (19G/3A) and helped lead the Cougars to an NCHSAA 4A quarterfinal appearance.

As far as areas of improvement go, Nicholas mentioned that he is really looking to speed up some of the slower areas of his game. “I want to sharpen all aspects of my game, like improving dodging from all angles of the field and reading the defense better.”

Coming into his junior season, Nicholas said that his main goal is helping to lead Apex to a state title.