NewsAthleticsUpper SchoolAcademicsSoccer
Smith is Player of the Year, five make All-Area
May 28, 2008 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Written by Jeremy Stewart, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
When he stepped onto the field, his presence was immediately felt. That tall, speedy kid with the blaze of confidence swooping in for the steal and maneuvering the ball with skill and precision.
Justin Smith supplied Darlington’s soccer team with a power source that saw them through one of the more memorable seasons in recent years. And for his contributions, he has been named the 2008 Rome News-Tribune Boys’ Player of the Year.
“Justin is the best soccer player I have coached in my 15 years of coaching,” Darlington head coach Kevin Ivester said. “He is simply a dominant force on the field in every game.”
Voted the team MVP all four seasons on the Tigers’ varsity squad, Smith returns to the All-Area team for his fourth and final time. He was Co-Player of the Year as a junior, but takes the spotlight all for himself as he prepares to enroll at Berry College where he will play for the Vikings on a scholarship.
“He’s the guy this season that made us as successful as we were,” Ivester said.
Darlington went 11-3-1 this season, advancing to the second round of the Class A/AA state playoffs after taking the Area 14 championship. Smith had just three goals and four assists in his senior season but at 6-foot-3, he posed a physical threat that opponents found hard to contain.
“Everybody on the team looks to him and other teams knew that they were going to have to get past Justin to score,” Ivester said. “But he’s just another guy on the team. He’s a really humble and nice kid.”
With his signing with Berry, Smith joins a program that has enjoyed much success recently, including winning conference regular season and tournament titles last season.
“That pretty much says it all, in terms of what level player he is,” Ivester said. “Justin is the type of player and kid that a coach is lucky to get once in his coaching career.”
The following players were also named to the Rome News-Tribune All-Area Soccer Team:
Cody Anderson, the leading scorer for the Tigers this season, had 17 goals and six assists in his senior year. He is the son of RuthAnne and Todd Anderson of Kingston, Ga.
Cris Lowe, called an "iron man" at keeper, gave up only 13 goals in 14 games this season and played every minute of every game in goal for the Tigers. A junior, he also recorded seven shutouts. He is the son of Kay and Roger Lowe of Rome.
Andy Montgomery, a senior center midfielder, scored seven goals in his final season with the Tigers. He is the son of Annette and Rich Montgomery of Cave Spring, Ga.
Anna Shea, a freshman, was the Lady Tigers' leading scorer and also earned team MVP honors - both of which are rare feats for a first-year varsity player. She is one of three freshmen on the All-Area squad. She is the daughter of Janice and Tom Shea of Rome.
Honorable mentions were awarded to Tyson Betts, Spencer Carroll, Jeff Grizzard, Margaret Hjort, Breana Gurley, Will Orr and Madison Tucker.
When he stepped onto the field, his presence was immediately felt. That tall, speedy kid with the blaze of confidence swooping in for the steal and maneuvering the ball with skill and precision.
Justin Smith supplied Darlington’s soccer team with a power source that saw them through one of the more memorable seasons in recent years. And for his contributions, he has been named the 2008 Rome News-Tribune Boys’ Player of the Year.
“Justin is the best soccer player I have coached in my 15 years of coaching,” Darlington head coach Kevin Ivester said. “He is simply a dominant force on the field in every game.”
Voted the team MVP all four seasons on the Tigers’ varsity squad, Smith returns to the All-Area team for his fourth and final time. He was Co-Player of the Year as a junior, but takes the spotlight all for himself as he prepares to enroll at Berry College where he will play for the Vikings on a scholarship.
“He’s the guy this season that made us as successful as we were,” Ivester said.
Darlington went 11-3-1 this season, advancing to the second round of the Class A/AA state playoffs after taking the Area 14 championship. Smith had just three goals and four assists in his senior season but at 6-foot-3, he posed a physical threat that opponents found hard to contain.
“Everybody on the team looks to him and other teams knew that they were going to have to get past Justin to score,” Ivester said. “But he’s just another guy on the team. He’s a really humble and nice kid.”
With his signing with Berry, Smith joins a program that has enjoyed much success recently, including winning conference regular season and tournament titles last season.
“That pretty much says it all, in terms of what level player he is,” Ivester said. “Justin is the type of player and kid that a coach is lucky to get once in his coaching career.”
The following players were also named to the Rome News-Tribune All-Area Soccer Team:
Cody Anderson, the leading scorer for the Tigers this season, had 17 goals and six assists in his senior year. He is the son of RuthAnne and Todd Anderson of Kingston, Ga.
Cris Lowe, called an "iron man" at keeper, gave up only 13 goals in 14 games this season and played every minute of every game in goal for the Tigers. A junior, he also recorded seven shutouts. He is the son of Kay and Roger Lowe of Rome.
Andy Montgomery, a senior center midfielder, scored seven goals in his final season with the Tigers. He is the son of Annette and Rich Montgomery of Cave Spring, Ga.
Anna Shea, a freshman, was the Lady Tigers' leading scorer and also earned team MVP honors - both of which are rare feats for a first-year varsity player. She is one of three freshmen on the All-Area squad. She is the daughter of Janice and Tom Shea of Rome.
Honorable mentions were awarded to Tyson Betts, Spencer Carroll, Jeff Grizzard, Margaret Hjort, Breana Gurley, Will Orr and Madison Tucker.
