Story
All-Area boys soccer: Brian James, small schools player of the year
Monday, March 28, 2011
by
Jeff Greer
The American Heritage boys soccer team made the 2010-11 season look relatively easy.
Sure, there were challenges along the way - a 3-2 win in the regional final, a 1-0 win in the Class 2A championship match - but the state champion Stallions were always the team in control.
Junior midfielder Brian James was the biggest reason for that.
The funnel through which the Stallions channeled each attack, James compiled a nation-leading 36 assists, according to ESPN Rise, including the game-winning one in a 1-0 Class 2A championship victory over Jacksonville-Providence.
American Heritage coach Alvin James praised his son's leadership and his "ability to control the tempo of every game."
"He's just a consistent, great all-around player," Alvin James said. "Day in, day out, if anyone else is playing bad, Brian's there to pick up to the team."
Brian James, along with Finnish standout Verneri Valimaa, Seton Hall-bound Jason Wellington and the rest of American Heritage's star-studded lineup, helped the Stallions reach No. 9 in the ESPN Rise national high school soccer rankings.
James also won the Small Schools Player of the Year award last year, when he tallied 29 goals and 33 assists as a sophomore.
Though just a junior, James already has verbally committed to Virginia.
He was added to the United States U-18 national pool in the fall, and Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders expressed interest in bringing Brian to their pre-season camp.
But Alvin James said his son is just enjoying high school. He'll deal with where soccer leads eventually him later.
"He's got the poise, he's got the vision," James said. "He has all the components. He can get even better."
COACH OF THE YEAR
Alvin James
American Heritage
The only area coach to bring back a state title to the county, James led a super-talented bunch through a tough Class 2A tournament.
FIRST TEAM
GOALKEEPER
Guilherme Leal Blanco
American Heritage, Senior
Posted 12 shutouts and gave up just 0.5 goals per game for a 16-1-1 record.
FULLBACK
Troy Manheimer
American Heritage, Junior
One of the Stallions' two defenders for whom every coach voted.
FULLBACK
Jason Wellington
American Heritage, Senior
Tallied 13 goals and five assists and received votes for Player of the Year. Signed with Seton Hall.
FULLBACK
Eric Cantor
St. Andrew's, Senior
Repeat first-team pick selection was consistent defensive rock for the Scots.
FULLBACK
Mike Cioci
Pope John Paul II, Sophomore
Played stellar defense throughout season for District 13-2A runner-up Eagles.
MIDFIELDER
David Weil
Boca Raton Christian, Senior
Solid distributing midfielder who scored 21 goals and contributed six assists as well.
MIDFIELDER
Bobby Pappas
King's Academy, Sophomore
Contributed 12 goals and
10 assists for a very talented Lions squad.
MIDFIELDER
Andrew Ortiz
King's Academy, Senior
Standout kicker on football team formed great midfield tandem with Bobby Pappas.
MIDFIELDER
Diego San
Cardinal Newman, Junior
The best all-around player on a Crusaders team that reached the regional playoffs.
FORWARD
Verneri Valimaa
American Heritage, Senior
Scored 32 goals and added 18 assists for the state champions. Signed with George Mason.
FORWARD
Joao Almeida
Grandview Prep, Junior
A potent scorer who stood out for the Pride in a talented District 13-2A.
SECOND TEAM
G: Justin Magaw, King's Academy, Sr.
D: Conor Hagan, American Heritage, Jr.
D: Danny Hernandez, Clewiston, Jr.
D: Travis Gonzalez, King's Academy, Fr.
M: Brock Dion, Berean Christian, Sr.
M: Billy Hood, Boca Raton Christian, Sr.
M: Luke Ferreira, American Heritage, So.
M: Juan Pablo Ordonez, Clewiston, Jr.
F: George Naranja, American Heritage, Sr.
F: Austin Mills, American Heritage, So.
F: Hunter Galarneau, Clewiston, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
American Heritage: Alex Brandt, Walker Dawkins, Jose Ferrero, Braxton Fuster, Greg Joseph, Adam McIntosh, Kyle Morris.
Benjamin: Henry Jamison, Will Saybarac.
Cardinal Newman: Ryan Hollihan.
Clewiston: Martin Crawford, Jose Jaimes, Nelson Ruiz, David Villegas.
Jupiter Christian: Abel Cartwright.
King's Academy: Nick Bates, Blake Chapin, Ryan Johnson, Luke Mayer, Paul Schumacher.
Pope John Paul II: Ryan Johnson.
St. Andrew's: Chris Willie.
BEST OF THE TREASURE COAST
Centennial: Chris Montagne; Jensen Beach: Austin Armstrong, Ryan Justice; Lincoln Park Academy: Luke Stewart; Martin County: Evan Greenbaum; Pine School: Gio Catalfumo, Julian Gressel, Reid Mortell; Port St. Lucie: Eric Da Silva, Dondre Manning; Treasure Coast: Johnathan Quintero, David Torres; MVP: Miguel Morales, Fort Pierce Central.
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User Comments:
hhh commented on March 29, 2011 at 11:57 a.m.: report abuse
16 players from American Heritage, I know they are good but to name players who werent even starters to all county?? just doesnt equate even for the All Star academy. Come on Post
Jeff Greer commented on March 29, 2011 at 3:40 p.m.: report abuse
Here's a crazy idea, why don't I give you all the contact info for all the small-schools soccer coaches in the area and you can try to get them all to nominate their kids.
Good luck.
hhh commented on March 29, 2011 at 4:55 p.m.: report abuse
@ Jeff : From your tone i guess nobody responds to your inquiries, That is such a disservice to the players. Still cant believe an entire team is all county, that you cant blame on non respose just keep the list smaller. Making all county shouldnt be like making the NHL playoffs. Oh and stop crying you write about sports for a living!
Soccer Fan commented on March 30, 2011 at 10:07 a.m.: report abuse
American Heritage is so stacked with talented athletes they actually do have 16 players worthy of all-county honors. Amazing such a small school can have so much talent.. in so many sports... with such high tuition. However do they do this?
Jeff, I love that you comment on these stories to defend the Post and set people staight. I don't agree with plenty of thing from the Post, but, there is only so much you can do with All-County voting.
It is really sad when a high school coach doesn't care enough about their kids/athletes to try to get them some recognition. Even the worst team in the county usually has at least one kid worthy of Honorable mention, and I'm sure it'd mean a lot to those kids. These are probably the same coaches that do nothing in terms of helping a kid get a shot in college.
forgetfull commented on March 30, 2011 at 12:55 p.m.: report abuse
Some of these coaches must have forgot who they played St Andrew's and Pope John Paul first team guys? Both were dominated by the lowly team from Clewiston where Danny Hernandez handled them in his defensive duties so well as to give up three goals to both teams combined and helped in this effort by Martin Crawford who coaches all year avoided because of his dominance in the midfield maybe the best winner of the head ball in the area--its just hard to get noticed when your program is only four years old and you've only had two winning seasons, a number one seed in the district tourney and a trip to regionals in a district long dominated by private schools oh yeah like St Andrews and PJP II.
Jose Rocha commented on March 31, 2011 at noon: report abuse
Me and coach watched Diego San (from your list) play at a tournament. We could not believe his ball-handling skills. My kids took pictures with him. Definately someone to watch.
Katia commented on April 4, 2011 at 3:06 p.m.: report abuse
Parabens a todos os participantes do campeonato e em especial ao Atleta João Almeida da Grandview pewp.school, que é um atleta (brasileiro) , dedicado e habilidoso. Parabens João pela conquista.
Robert commented on March 31, 2013 at 5:34 p.m.: report abuse
It's sad that the coaches won't take the time to support their players who've worked their tails off and may deserve some recognition....I've got no dog in this fight, just a Gainesville Gator who happens to love this newspaper....But I do see it all the time in my area, coaches who do not care enough or too lazy to fax/email in stats, nominations, etc. in order to recognize the kids accomplishments....To the coach it may be no big deal, for the young athlete it may be his or her crowning achievement....The same coaches who fail to do this are usually the same coaches who love to promote themselves....Congrats to each of the students named and to all those who maybe deserved to be named to this team, job well done.
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