Boca Raton's C.J. Phelps is The Palm Beach Post's boys soccer large-school player of the year

Saturday, March 28, 2009
by Joseph Kairalla

With five minutes left in the first half of the Class 6A boys soccer regional semifinals, Boca Raton was trailing Wellington 1-0. That's when Bobcats' standout midfielder C.J. Phelps received a message from his teammate Kevin McEntee.

McEntee, who had seen C.J. come through countless times already in the season, told Phelps that Phelps was going to score before halftime to tie the game.

McEntee was right. Just two minutes after his prediction, Phelps drove the ball past three defenders into the box and drilled a shot into the right corner of the net to tie the game at 1. The Bobcats eventually won 2-1, but it was Phelps' goal that changed the momentum of the game.

"I think that was the biggest goal I scored in my high school career," said Phelps, the Post's large schools boys soccer player of the year. "It was either score the goal or go home and as a senior and captain of the team, I didn't want to go home."

The Bobcats rode the emotional victory over their rival Wellington all the way to the state championship game, where they eventually lost. But to Phelps, the season was anything but a disappointment.

"This was the furthest we've been since I've been here," said Phelps, who transferred to Boca Raton from Park Vista after his freshman season. "It was an amazing achievement getting that far because we overcame so much to get where we got."

Phelps was as consistent a player as there was in the area this season finishing with 18 goals and 18 assists.

"I feel like I'm a great leader on the field," Phelps said. "I work as hard as I can and play until the whistle blows. I pass those attributes on to my teammates and that makes them better players as well."

As the team's top returning player, Phelps felt that one way or the other, he was going to be the reason his team succeeded or failed. Those are tough expectations for any 17-year old to put on themselves, but Phelps proved up for the challenge.

"I lived up to my own expectations by working as hard as I could and being a leader," Phelps said. "I did everything in my power to make us a better team and in the end it paid off."

Now that his high school career is over, C.J. isn't exactly sure about what his plans for next year except for the fact he'll be playing soccer somewhere. Phelps doesn't know whether he will attend college or try to accomplish his lifelong goal of playing professional soccer.

"Ever since I first started kicking the ball at three years old my dream was to play professionally," Phelps said. "I need to grow a little bit and improve some technically but I think that will come with time.

"I think the dream is attainable right now."

First team

Goalkeeper: Aaron Dupere, Jr., Wellingon: Had 16 shutouts with .33 goals against average lading the Wolverines to an undefeated regular season in into the regional semifinals.

Forwards:

Andrew DiLallo, Sr., Wellington: Had 20 goals and 13 assists and has accepted a scholarship to Davidson.

John Thomas, Sr., Jupiter: Scored 24 goals, including six game-winners and also had 13 assists.

Colby Burdette, So., Boca Raton: Was the Bobacts leading scorer with 26 goals and 16 assists.

Lucas Araujo, Jr., Boca Raton: Despite a late season injury, finished with 12 goals and 15 assists.

Midfielders:

Mariano Gelso, Sr., Palm Beach Central: Had 25 goals and 13 assists helping Palm Beach Central to a runner-up finish in the district

Joey Maxson, Sr., Jupiter: The Warriors captain had 14 goals and 24 assists this season.

Juan Castellon, Sr., Royal Palm Beach: Was the catalyst for a very competitive Wildcat team and finished with 10 goals and seven assists.

Defenders:

Kojo Thompson, Sr., Wellington: Achored the Wolverines defense and will attend Appalachian State next year on a soccer scholarship.

Kevin McEntee, Jr., Boca Raton: Made the switch to defense out of necessity and still scored 16 goals with 10 assists.

T.J. Merrigan, Sr., West Boca Raton: Was the Bulls' leader and finished with 12 goals and 12 assists. Will play for FAU next season.

Coach of the year: Marcello Castillo, Boca Raton: Led the Bobcats to the 6A state championship game despite many injuries to key players.

Second team

Goalkeeper:

John Ross, Sr., Boca Raton

Forwards:

Sevin Barnes, Sr., Boca Raton

Peter Martinez, Jr., Forest Hill

Ryan Contreras, Sr., Park Vista

Midfielders:

Grant Gellerman, Sr., Palm Beach Central

Felipe Carbonel, Sr., Wellington

Luis Helguera, Jr., Forest Hill

Defenders:

Richard C. Bukowski, Sr., Royal Palm Beach

David Maldonado, Sr., Palm Beach Central

Jake Walsh, Sr., Jupiter

Justin Diaz, Sr., Boca Raton

Honorable mention: Juan Pierre-Louis (LW); Danny Henderson (DWY), Steve Kaelin (SemR); Jeff Michaud (DWY), Sam Tover (WBR), Cody Kutner (PSL); Felipe Astudillo (BR), Jaime Perena (JIL), Aubrey Ballard (JUP), Vinny Diniz (BR); Brandon Servellon (WELL); Francisco Santos (JIL); Sandro Bontempo (WBR); Woody Bach (WELL); Chris Koski (WELL); Andres Londono (WELL); Felipe Vergara (SR); Simon Allen (SR); Scott Monaghan (SemR); Nick Salamanca (DWY); Matt LaLonde (RPB); Russell Miller (RPB).