California Boys Player of the Year: Reagan Heslin

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='41549' first='Reagan' last='Heslin'] was one of the breakout stars in California as the 2022/2023 season unfolded. He'd had a good year as a junior, was certainly on the radar, and then at some point during this season he went from breakout star to just star. And then to PrepSoccer's Boys Player of the Year in California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, JSerra Catholic lost in the Southern Section's Division I final, and then exited early from the SoCal State bracket. This did not sit well with Heslin who worked hard in between seasons to become mentally strong and to become even more attack-minded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He really matured through that process and came back with some bite," JSerra coach Erik Kirsch said. "He matured into what we see today which is a cultured champion, a top player and a culture builder. He worked hard to get to the next step which was to become a player who makes those around him better."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What Heslin did was strike a balance that is very hard to do. He played at such a high individual level while simultaneously leading a team. He helped lead the team to a League, Section and State title as well as a No. 1 ranking in the State. At the team banquet, Haslin stated that he never believed, and the team never believed, that they wouldn't win everything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He personally is being rewarded for his season, winning the CIF Southern Section MVP honors, but he'd rather be regarded as a good teammate than win awards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to that mentality, he added 13 goals and eight assists. What really separated him was the nine goals he scored between the Section and State playoffs. He became a force of nature with speed, grace and finishing ability in front of the net, like a young Harry Kane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He's physically well-built, he's strong, athletic, relentless and he loves chasing guys down and playing defense," Kirsch said. "He has a motor that doesn't quit, he has technical ability. He can use both feet, hit the ball, he has good touch and he became an assassin in front of goal."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->