Ja’s young talent impresses US scouts

Saturday’s All-Scholastic and All-Manning Cup and All-daCosta Cup double-header delivered an entertaining showcase of local talent, leaving college scouts optimistic about the possibility of adding impact players to their programmes.

Among those impressed was Lindsay Eversmeyer, head men’s fooball coach at Southwestern Illinois College, who came away encouraged by the level of skill, competitiveness, and potential displayed throughout the games.

While an All-daCosta Cup Scholastic team got the better of their All-Manning Scholastic counterparts, the All-Manning Cup team reversed the result against the All-daCosta Cup team at the St Elizabeth Technical High School Sports Complex on Saturday.

In the first game, All-DaCosta Scholastic team came away with a 5-3 penalty-kick win after the team battled to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

In the second game, The All-Manning Cup team came away with a 7-6 penalty shoot-out after also ending regulation time 1-1.

“I was very impressed, but not surprised, because I already have had 10 to 12 Jamaican players that have played for me in the past four years,” said Eversmeyer.

“I know there is talent down here. I just wanted to see it in person for myself, and also experience all the things my players tell me about Jamaica,” Eversmeyer added.

The games were primarily played to expose the players to talent scouts, who were visiting from the United States in search of players for their universities,

Eversmeyer emphasised the importance of finding players who have goal-scoring ability, are hard-working, passionate and are good students.

“The biggest thing for me is, I want to find players that want to work really hard. You can tell that they are super passionate about the sport, they are competitors, good kids, students with high IQ,” said Eversmeyer.

“There is a lot of talented players here at the exhibition. Honestly, I could take a whole team of these guys and be successful with them.”

Continuing, she added,” They are so athletic and just amazing players. It is going to be hard trying to figure out which ones I want,” she said, noting she plans on a follow-up visit to Jamaica to continue scouting and recruiting.

Meanwhile, Jack Smith, assistant coach at University of the Cumberlands, expressed interest in adding Kemps Hill High’s Shemar Daley to his programme, which already includes four Jamaicans.

“He is explosive, powerful, quick, good in one-vs-ones, whether its down the line or cutting inside. Very good shot on both feet, so its definitely something that we are looking for to add to the Jamaicans we already have in our programme,” said Smith.

“We are hoping to collect another player cut out for the programme, to repeat and emulate what we have done last year and maybe go one step further, you never know,” Smith added, noting it was his first trip to Jamaica.