Players to watch heading into NCS playoffs

The boys North Coast Section playoffs begin today, and when the top teams are in action that means there are top players to watch. Here are some of the best players that will be featuring in this year's brackets.   [player_tooltip player_id='159208' first='Oliver' last='Adams'], Forward, Berkeley, Class of 2025   Adams is an experienced player, having played varsity for two years now. The attacking player is very fast and aggressive. He is a dynamic player and is very good on the ball, fitting right into the Berkeley system.   Amir Anwary, Forward, Granada, Class of 2025   Anwary has a lot of experience, despite being a junior, with a nose to break away and score goals. He can shoot well and with both feet, he holds the ball well and has tremendous speed. Anwary certainly impacts the game and is a big reason the Matadors are back in the playoffs and hold the No. 10 seed.   [player_tooltip player_id='79826' first='Andres' last='Araujo'], Central Midfielder, Richmond, Class of 2025   Araujo has been a standout for Richmond since he was a freshman, and he just keeps growing into his role of a leader as he gets older. He has a very advanced understanding of the game, he's very physical and determined. He is the side's captain, and works exceptionally hard.   [player_tooltip player_id='79837' first='Henry' last='Beatty'], Forward, Amador Valley, Class of 2025   Beatty is a striker with a quick first step and is very fast at top speed. He can turn quickly and control the ball, he can change speeds with deception. He is also deadly with both feet and has a nose for the goal, showing the ability to score from all over.   Mikulas Derer, Keeper, Las Lomas, Class of 2024   A three-year varsity player and two-year starter, Derer has been overlooked because the Knights defense has been very good in front of him. However, he is a captain and a commanding presence in the box. He communicates outstandingly, he is very physical and brave and can close down angles and stop shots. He came up big in a recent match with Clayton Valley, coming up with two big saves which led them to a big win and a league title. He has 21 clean sheets in his career, allows less than half a goal a game and is committed to play next year at Cedarville University in Iowa.   James Downs, Midfielder, Monte Vista, Class of 2024   Downs is a hard-working player with good vision, is calm on the ball and shows good technical ability. He is a high work rate leader who has the ability to create, push up and score goals.   [player_tooltip player_id='7319' first='Colin' last='Farley'], Keeper, Clayton Valley, Class of 2025   Farley shows great leadership in keeping his defense organized and is a fierce competitor. He is a good shot stopper and a key piece of the Eagles defense as they have only allowed 18 goals in 19 games this season.   Walter Galindo, Central Defender, Clayton Valley, Class of 2026   Galindo is the lone sophomore on this list and has been solid as a rock for the Eagles. He holds it down for a defense that allows less than a goal a game, and he battles to keep attackers at bay. He is very good at marking opponents and stepping to intercept a ball or to make crucial tackles. He keeps the defense well organized and is really tough to breakdown.   Alex Hayward, Keeper, Marin Academy, Class of 2024   The Wildcat keeper has been a true anchor for the team and has come up with big saves when needed. He stays very calm in pressure situations and will come through with the stop you need quite often. He is a natural leader, on and off the pitch, and gives the team a calm and reassuring presence in the back.   Jake Hensley, Midfielder, San Ramon Valley, Class of 2024   Hensley is the heart and soul of the Wolves team and the leader on the pitch, pulling the strings from the midfield. He's a solid center mid that does everything well, from controlling the tempo to being calm on the ball. He has good vision, good energy and an excellent work rate.   [player_tooltip player_id='7727' first='Isaac' last='Hilton'], Midfielder, Amador Valley, Class of 2024   Hilton has been playing very well of late, showing great quality in winning balls in the air. He anticipates well, finds himself in the right spots and has put some goals away with his head. He is also the field general, leading and organizing from the middle of the pitch.   Lukas Pederson, Midfielder, Monte Vista , Class of 2024   Pederson is a versatile and dynamic scorer as seen by his recent hat trick in a win against crosstown rival San Ramon Valley at the end of the regular season. A hard-working captain with good scoring ability, Pederson is a leader for the Mustangs.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/Raby-crop-1079x709-1707845688.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-162740" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Zach Stubbs @wzstubbs</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='7831' first='Jameson' last='Raby'], Defensive Midfielder, Dougherty Valley, Class of 2025   Raby is a central player, featuring as a holding mid, but can also play the No. 8 or play central defender. He is a two-way player who covers a lot of ground and does the dirty work for the Wildcats. He does his job so well and is so tidy, you might miss how he's impacting the game, but when he's all over the place, as he often is, he's hard to miss. He also has the ability to create, and will get Dougherty Valley a goal when needed. With good size and ability, he can take on defenders even from a deeper position.   Tre Roach, Forward, De La Salle, Class of 2024   Roach is a speedy wide forward, playing the No. 7 spot, using his speed and ability to cut inside defenses, to beat defenders and to create for his teammates. Roach is a technical player, one who is good on the ball and has the ability to attack defenders in the box and pull the ball back to set up a goal.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/Sanner.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162733" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Stuart McAfee</figcaption></figure>   Charlie Sanner, Outside Defender, De La Salle, Class of 2024   Sanner is a pivotal player for the Spartans, playing on the right side of the defense. He is a defender that is heavily involved in the attack and with defensive pressure, as he pushes up well and tracks back very well. He's got good speed and is a very good on-ball defender. Sanner is an emotional leader for De La Salle as well.

The boys North Coast Section playoffs begin today, and when the top teams are in action that means there are top players to watch. Here are some of the best players that will be featuring in this year's brackets.