3A Playoff Best Teams’ Best Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <a href="https://www.nchsaa.org/bracket/2024-3a-mens-soccer-brackets/">3A season</a> ends with the East's second-seeded team in <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/elon/western-alamance-warriors/soccer/">Western Alamance High School</a> beating the West's top-seeded team in <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/asheboro/asheboro-blue-comets/soccer/">Asheboro High School</a>. The exhilarating match between the two had all the emotions imaginable, with Western Alamance overcoming a 3-0 halftime deficit in overtime to take the title home. The regional finalists also had remarkable playoff runs and deserve to be mentioned on this list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Champions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western Alamance High School won the 3A state final after a very impressive season. Undefeated in the regular season and only one loss in friendlies, Western Alamance ends the season ranked 3rd in the state and top 50 in the country. To add to their impressive statistics, they scored a monstrous 171 goals in 18 regular season matches. On top of all of that, they're an incredibly resilient team who overcame a 3-0 deficit at halftime of the final to win it 4-3 in overtime. This group of players is extremely talented, and these are the ones that stood out the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Noah Barrett","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Western Alamance High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674522b5cdadf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noah is a great attacking midfielder who is even better as a striker. A tall, imposing player, he wins aerial duels with ease in any part of the pitch. His aerial presence is especially important in set pieces, where he seems always to be the player to win the ball. His heading accuracy is also impressive, with his shots always making the goalkeeper work. If the ball isn't in the air, he still manages to find shots from anywhere. Inside the box, he has a great finishing technique that doesn't need much power to get past the goalkeeper. Outside the box, he has a rocket of a right foot that always finds the target. His ability to link up play with his teammates also makes it easier for him to generate space for himself. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dominic Mcnerney","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Western Alamance High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Triangle United","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674522b5cdb8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dominic is a talented left-winger who makes the opposing defense uncomfortable at all times. On the ball, he moves forward easily. Whether it be a pass or a dribble, when he receives the ball he always finds a way to get up the pitch. His playmaking is also very impressive. If he doesn't finish a match with an assist, he will finish with multiple chances created. His passes always find a teammate in prime position to shoot, regardless of where he is playing it from. He's a player that makes the final third his home, and he shows that exceptionally with his impressive, and unique, talent for throw-ins. His crosses are already good, but his throw-ins are somehow more dangerous. He throws with both lots of power and lots of precision. Throw-ins are like set pieces when he's on them, managing to get a couple of assists from them too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jerson Hernandez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Western Alamance High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674522b5cdc0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jerson is a great defensive midfielder that helps his team maintain control and move forward. Though he's not the tallest, his frame still allows him to be a physical presence in midfield. He never loses the player he's marking either, sticking onto them wherever they go. Being a nuisance for the opposition isn't all he has, though. On the ball, he's very tidy. With a knack to play progressive passes, he always keeps his team moving forward. However, his passes don't only serve to keep his team progressing, but they create chances too. He finishes the season as one of the top assisters of his team, which is impressive since he plays so deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Runner-Ups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asheboro High School is another team that had an immense season. In their case, they were incredibly unlucky to not be the state champions. In their case, they scored a somehow more impressive 191 goals in 16 regular season matches. Also, this team's performances and style of play managed to impress anyone who watched them. This is an incredibly gifted group of students who deserve deeper analysis, but these two are the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cameron Letterlough","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Asheboro High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"NC Fusion","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674522b5cdc8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cameron is one of the best-performing strikers in the entire nation. Finishing as the second-highest goalscorer in the country, he constantly proves himself as an immense talent. Immediately noticeable is his electric personality, constantly firing up both the crowd and his teammates. He plays with the confidence that 104-goal contributions would give any player. Wherever he is, he constantly looks to receive the ball. When he receives it he plays with comfortability that rubs off on his team. His dribbling is also impressive, gliding past players with his long legs seamlessly. Agility is another one of his attributes, managing to get out of tight situations with simple movements. His physical presence near or in the box also allows him to create spaces for him to shoot. Finishing is his defining ability, finding the back of the net as easily as he receives the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Diego Bustamante","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Asheboro High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674522b5cdd0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Diego makes a great duo with Cameron, playing behind him. Accompanying Cameron in every attack, he takes advantage of the spaces left to either assist or score. His connection with his striker is enjoyable to watch, knowing that the ball will find the target regardless of how the play starts. He doesn't always stay behind his striker, though. If the play starts from deep, he will look to receive it wherever there are pockets of space. Drifting wide or dropping deep is no problem for him if it means getting the ball into the final third. On the ball, he doesn't need to do much to generate danger. Subtle movements help him get past anyone who marks him. If the ball is too far for him to receive, he'll press intensely to regain it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regional Finalists</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/asheville/ac-reynolds-rockets/soccer/">A.C. Reynolds High School</a> and <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/durham/southern-school-of-energy-and-sustainability-spartans/soccer/">Southern School of Energy and Sustainability</a> both made the regional finals after great seasons. A.C. Reynolds made the final mostly with ease, only losing out to the single team seeded above them in the West. The Southern School of Energy and Sustainability had a similar path, with not much resistance on their way to the final. Both teams were great, and each team deserves a player mentioned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Isaac Chromey","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"A.C. Reynolds High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674522b5cdd89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isaac is a talented left-winger who can also play as a striker. He'll typically play within the channels as opposed to hugging the wing, but he plays in both just as well. He and his left-back combine to create real danger out on the left, understanding each other to perfection. Either he creates space for his left-back to get into, or vice-versa, any play involving him means getting into the final third. When it comes to finishing, he is also very impressive. When he scores, he does it with the cold-bloodedness of a striker. His final pass is important too, looking for anyone who can finish, or lead to the finalization of, a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Juan Soliz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Southern School of Energy and Sustainability","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674522b5cde06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Juan is a left-winger who is mightily impressive in an impressive attack. Unlike Isaac, Juan plays hugging the wing, though he can get into the channels as well. He helps maintain width for his team phenomenally, helping his team retain possession while splitting the defense with his positioning. Pace is one of his defining attributes, constantly running at the opposing defense. When he's in space to run, no one can catch up to him. On the ball, he's a fantastic dribbler. Sometimes he'll take the ball to defenders, and others he can embarrass defenders without even touching the ball. He's a brilliant winger who helps push his team forward on the wing he makes his own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Articles for the best players in <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/12/1a-playoffs-best-teams-best-players/">1A </a>and <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/12/2a-playoff-best-teams-best-players/?itm_source=parsely-api">2A</a> are also available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->