1A Playoffs Best Teams' Best Players

<p>The <a href="https://www.nchsaa.org/bracket/2024-1a-mens-soccer-bracket/">1A season</a> ends with <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/mount-airy/mount-airy-granite-bears/soccer/">Mount Airy High School</a>, the 13th-seeded team in the west, beating <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/newton-grove/hobbton-wildcats/soccer/">Hobbton High School</a>, the second-seeded team in the east. Mount Airy also had a remarkable run to the final, beating the West's 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th-seeded teams. However, the final stages of the playoffs left us with a plethora of talented players who deserve recognition. This list will focus on the regional and state finalists, with a greater focus on the state finalists. These were the best players.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Champions</h2>   <p>Mount Airy High School went on an incredible run that saw them lift the state title in a fantastic final. Their run wasn't a string of luck, however. They proved to be a tactically sound team that performed consistently well in each playoff match. Being tactically sound is important, but getting results solely on tactics is very difficult. The talented players Mount Airy has at their disposal made it so that they were as exciting to watch as they were. Several players deserve to be highlighted, but the following three were the best.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Angel is one of the most impressive midfielders at the 1A level. Perhaps his most useful attribute is the way he presents himself as an unexpected option in the box. Playing behind the striker allows him to have more space around the goal to receive and shoot. His stats this season show that he scores a goal per game, and that is in great part thanks to his ability to get in the box unmarked. He's not just a "box-crasher", however. His ability on the ball is fantastic, often getting past players with simple moves. He knows how to use his body to get by, whether it be on or off the ball. Also, on the ball he proves to be creative, always looking for a teammate to advance or finish a play. He helps reduce the workload on his teammates without looking overwhelmed in the process.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Chris is one of the most impressive central midfielders, not just in 1A but in all of NC high school soccer. With two years left for him to grow at this level, he proves to already be immensely gifted. When he receives the ball, he controls it with a subtlety you expect of an older player. The flair he dribbles with is also very impressive, getting past players with so much skill. He's the type of midfielder analysts call "magicians". A completely unpredictable midfielder, he adds so much talent to an already talented team. When he gets the ball, both teams prepare for moments of magic, whether it be a dribble or a pass. Speaking of passes, this is yet another attribute of his that is fantastic. He can pick out a pass from wherever to whoever with ease.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Jonathan is a great left-winger who helps maximize the output of his team in the final third. Though he does very well out wide, he shines the most in the left channel. This is especially evident closer, or in, the final third. He helps provide a crucial passing lane when the player on the ball finds himself without a clear option. He doesn't need much of the ball to create great danger, either. Simple touches or dribbles split opposing defenses open, creating danger for any attacker to pounce on. Moving in tight spaces is important for the type of player he is, and he has mastered it greatly. He can shoot from positions most people would lose the ball in thanks to his ability in tight spaces. He is a progressive player that helps any attack-minded team move forward seamlessly.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Runner-Ups</h2>   <p>Hobbton High School advanced to the state finals in dominant fashion. Scoring 32 goals in 5 games leading to the final only tells part of the story. Up until the final, they were on an 18-game winning streak, which includes winning their conference undefeated. This team includes many players that impressed massively, but the following two were exceptionally impressive.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Henry is one of the most impressive strikers in this age group, let alone 1A NC level. Stats don't tell a full story, however it's important to mention that he got a remarkable 96 goal contributions in 30 matches. The manner in which he got to that tally was just as impressive, too. He's a player who, on the ball, is a complete headache for whoever is marking him. The movements he makes on the ball clear the path for him while embarrassing the defenders. His shifty moves, combined with his finishing ability, make him a heavily effective striker. If he doesn't make the space he gets into to shoot, he'll move into space to receive the ball. He's the driving attacking force in a spectacular high-scoring team.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Ever is a great central midfielder who makes his team play. In some plays, he receives the ball deep and either looks for a progressive pass or progressive dribble. With whatever choice he takes, however, he manages to split defenses with ease. If he receives the ball higher up the pitch, he participates heavily in creating plays. His passes into the final third constantly spell danger. If he isn't the one playing the final pass, he'll put someone in the position to do so. His talent on the ball is fantastic, but his off-the-ball talent rounds out his overall talent. He isn't a particularly physically imposing player, but he will go into duels with the confidence of a physical player.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regional Runner-Ups</h2>   <p>Voyager Academy and Bradford Preparatory School were the regional finalists who were unlucky to reach the state finals. Voyager Academy eliminated the number one seed of the East in the Third Round, and reached the regional final quite convincingly. Bradford Preparatory School easily got to the West regional finals, breezing past teams that were inferior to them from beginning to end. The following two players are the best players for each team.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Aiden is an effective player who plays behind the main striker. Voyager Academy loves to play with the ball, and he's the most important piece in connecting midfield with attack. He can carry the ball into the final third frequently. However, the most impressive attribute of his game is his effectiveness around the box. Typically, this means his goalscoring is amazing, and for a midfielder, he does have good output in goals. But, with him, it's the final pass. Whether simple or complex, the pass to his attackers almost always ends in a shot on target. He finishes each match with multiple chances created. His positioning to get these passes through is also remarkable. He knows where to go and how to pass.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Listed as a defender, Grant plays as an attacker for Bradford Preparatory School. The way he performs in attack is a huge joy to watch, and you would not notice he was once a defender. He is unbelievably skillful, creating danger out of nowhere and putting on a show meanwhile. Sometimes players who attempt the skills he does don't provide much, but he does not at all. He humiliates defenders and doesn't give them any time to react when he's already moved on. He doesn't only do so when it's easy to do too. When he finds himself marked in the box, he'll pull out a skill to come loose and shoot. During the playoffs, he scored a few wondergoals by creating something out of nothing. He has a natural gift exploited best when he plays far up the pitch.</p>

The 1A season ends with Mount Airy High School, the 13th-seeded team in the west, beating Hobbton High School, the second-seeded team in the east. Mount Airy also had a remarkable run to the final, beating the West's 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th-seeded teams. However, the final stages of the playoffs left us with a plethora of talented players who deserve recognition. This list will focus on the regional and state finalists, with a greater focus on the state finalists. These were the best players.