4A Playoff Best Teams' Best Players

<p>The <a href="https://www.nchsaa.org/bracket/2024-4a-mens-soccer-bracket/">4A playoffs</a> come to an end with the coronation of the East's third-seeded <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/raleigh/wakefield-wolverines/soccer/">Wakefield High School</a>, beating the East's sixth-seeded <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/waxhaw/marvin-ridge-mavericks/soccer/">Marvin Ridge High School</a> in the state final. These playoffs also had one of the greatest upsets of any of the playoffs, with one of the state's best teams, West Forsyth High School, losing to eventual regional finalists <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/charlotte/charlotte-catholic-cougars/soccer/">Charlotte Catholic High School.</a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Champions</h2>   <p>Wakefield High School battled their way to the final, with the majority of their matches being won by short scorelines. They proved to be a resilient team that never gave up at any moment on their path to glory. Wakefield finishes the season as the top-ranked team of the state and the 18th-ranked team in the country. This team is brimming with talent, but these three deserve mention in this article.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Ibra is a great number 9 with bags of potential. Though he's not the tallest player on the pitch, he wins most aerial battles he goes up for. His physique also balances his lack of height out, being a strong and athletic player. When he's on the ball, he is incredibly fun to watch. Both skillful and agile, he constantly leaves defenders looking silly once he skips past them. Besides his physical and technical prowess, he is also an extremely intelligent player. He knows when and where to move to advance plays forward, even if he doesn't receive the ball. His passes and crosses are also a delight to watch since they always seem to find a teammate in a promising position. Despite being a striker with good aerial play, he's in charge of set-pieces and delivers phenomenally. Also, his finishing is brutal, often leaving no chance for the goalkeeper.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Santiago is a phenomenal attacking midfielder, being the main architect in attacks. The way he receives and plays the ball leaves very little time for the opposing team to react. He thinks quick and plays quick, which is great with how fast his attackers are. Playing to the strengths of their attackers is a sign of an intelligent midfielder, and he shows it every match. Not only are his passes great, but so is his technique. He plays passes so delicately yet weighted perfectly. On the ball, his dribbling and agility are great. He'll anticipate what a defender marking him will do and leave them behind with subtlety. Even in tight situations, he manages to escape with either a simple move or an intelligent pass.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Davison is a crucial element in making his team as good as it is. A tall and imposing goalkeeper, he is very tidy in the back. When it comes to making a save, he makes the most difficult ones seem simple. He also doesn't like parrying it, choosing to catch it rather than allow someone else to pounce on a rebound. Rushing out of his box to cut a play out or clear the ball is also no problem for him. His bravery allows his team to count on him as a player to help build out from the back as well. His long balls often get in or near the final third, while his short passing is always effective. He'll slot in between the center-backs and calmly scan for a pass to play. He's also a vocal leader, telling the team exactly how to organize when on the ball.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Runner-Ups</h2>   <p>Marvin Ridge High School finishes the season as the state's runner-up after a similar path as Wakefield High School. They battled through the knockout stage, playing with the determination of reaching the final. Up until the final, they went undefeated in the regular season, conceding very few goals. Their team is very organized and tactically intelligent, but these two players caught my eye the most.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Though he's listed as a midfielder, Cassius is a very talented left-back. Playing on his natural profile since he's left-footed, he plays very comfortably. When his team is defending, he regularly takes a more central role, helping the team become more narrow. However, wherever he defends he always goes in with determination and immense intelligence. He knows exactly when to choose to either retain the attacker out wide or lunge in for a clean tackle. Getting past him is no easy task for a winger, and even if they do they only do so for a very short period. He sticks onto the player he's marking spectacularly. His passing is also fantastic, always looking for an intelligent pass. When he plays long balls, they're always directed exactly to someone. His short passing always leads to the team moving forward. Also, his crossing is magnificent, constantly creating danger from wide.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Collin is a talented attacking player who can fit any profile in attack. Whether it be as a 9, second-striker, or an attacking-midfielder, he does not look out of place in any of those positions. A player who thrives playing centrally, he is a constant nuisance for defenders. His passing is exquisite, often playing skillful passes for his attackers to pounce on. The link-up plays he participates in are very effective too, always finishing in at least a shot. He's a tall player and good in aerial duels too, which allows for him to play headers in behind. It also allows for him to be an aerial threat himself when in the box. He's well-rounded and gifted, and he provides relief for his teammates when he receives the ball in dangerous positions.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regional Finalists</h2>   <p>Both <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/cary/green-hope-falcons/soccer/">Green Hope High School</a> and Charlotte Catholic High School made the regional finals pulling off upsets against the top-seeded teams in their respective regions. Charlotte Catholic had a similar story to the state finalists, with a hard-fought path to the regional finals. However, Green Hope stormed through to the regional finals, with their only tough match being the top seed in their region. Both teams have talented squads, but these are the most talented players of each.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Uday is another very talented full-back, this time as a right-back. He is a defensive stalwart, very rarely letting any player get past him. Being an alert player adds massively to his defensive prowess, allowing him to win the ball back in uncomfortable situations. When he isn't intercepting passes for fun, he's stealing the ball from the wingers with ease. His defensive solidness allows for him to not even need to touch the ball to force mistakes from attackers. When his team builds up from the back, his positioning allows his team to gain width. That position also helps him find constant passing lanes, which in turn make his team's attacks effective. He overlaps very well as well, always keeping himself as a wide option in attack.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Keane is a talented attacker who has the talent to play anywhere across the attack. Regardless if he plays as a winger or a striker, he performs always. On the ball, he plays with it as if it were glued to his feet. He can dribble past players with ease and quickness, often creating space for him or his attackers. If he isn't the one creating spaces, he's the one exploiting them since he's a fast player. He'll run in behind the defense without them ever realising and creates a goalscoring opportunity. If there's unmarked space in the box, he'll either find it as the assisted or the scorer. He's very effective in the final third, and even more so when the play is closer to the box. </p>    <p>Articles on the best <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/12/1a-playoffs-best-teams-best-players/">1A</a>, <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/12/2a-playoff-best-teams-best-players/?itm_source=parsely-api">2A</a>, and <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/12/3a-playoff-best-teams-best-players/?itm_source=parsely-api">3A</a> players are also available.</p>

The 4A playoffs come to an end with the coronation of the East's third-seeded Wakefield High School, beating the East's sixth-seeded Marvin Ridge High School in the state final. These playoffs also had one of the greatest upsets of any of the playoffs, with one of the state's best teams, West Forsyth High School, losing to eventual regional finalists Charlotte Catholic High School.