Greenfield's Wells repeats as CPIC Co-Player of the Year
Joins teammate Johnson on NCISAA 1-A all-state squad
By Jimmy LewisStaff Writer
Have left foot, will travel.
Greenfield School junior James Wells has been a difference-maker for head coach Randol Mendoza in his two seasons at the helm of the Knights’ varsity boys soccer program.
Recently, both Wells and Mendoza were honored by the 1-A/2-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference as the league’s Co-Player and Co-Coach of the Year, respectively. It’s the second straight Co-Player of the Year award for Wells, while Mendoza won the coaching honor outright in 2014.
This year, Wells shared the award with Patrick Hall of Wayne Country Day.
A dangerous finisher for the Knights, Wells compiled 21 goals and seven assists for Greenfield in leading the Knights to a 16-5-4 record and an appearance in the semifinal round of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A playoffs.
"It feels good,” Wells said in a telephone interview Friday. "It wouldn’t happen if I didn’t have the team that I have. They’re some of the best players I’ve ever played with. I’ll miss having the seniors, but next year, we’ll have to work a lot harder. We’re going to have to start in the offseason.
In addition to his CPIC acclaim, Wells was named to the NCISAA 1-A all-state team for the second straight year.
"He’s growing as a player,” Mendoza said of Wells. "He’s matured more and he has a knack to find the goal. He comes up in big games for us and finds the back of the net when needed. So he’s definitely a player to watch. He brings a lot to the table when it comes to his commitment and his technical abilities. So having him on our team is definitely an asset and I think it says a lot about him when he gets selected Player of the Year in our conference back to back.”
Wells wasn’t the only Greenfield player to garner all-state honors, as junior midfielder Logan Johnson joined the group for the first time. Johnson tallied 15 goals and nine assists to rank second on the Knights with 39 points, trailing only Wells.
Three more Greenfield players earned all-CPIC honors, including senior Tristan Kosich, freshman Jackson Stone and freshman Alonso Hernandez.
Kosich helped anchor the Greenfield defensive third as a co-captain as Stone added eight goals and 12 assists. Hernandez contributed seven goals and a single assist.
Mendoza combined to share the CPIC’s COY laurel with Wayne Country Day’s Steve Ellis. WCD, at 21-2-1, defeated Greenfield 1-0 in the semifinals on Forbes Field and went on to win the NCISAA 1-A title 4-0 over former CPIC member Oakwood.
"I definitely think, Steve and myself, we have our sights set on bigger things and winning state championships,” Mendoza said. "We’re both committed to our programs. It was nice for them to recognize us as the co-coaches of the year. He did a fantastic job with Wayne Country Day this year and he got the better end of us. But we’ll be back again next year.”
Joins teammate Johnson on NCISAA 1-A all-state squad
By Jimmy LewisStaff Writer
Have left foot, will travel.
Greenfield School junior James Wells has been a difference-maker for head coach Randol Mendoza in his two seasons at the helm of the Knights’ varsity boys soccer program.
Recently, both Wells and Mendoza were honored by the 1-A/2-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference as the league’s Co-Player and Co-Coach of the Year, respectively. It’s the second straight Co-Player of the Year award for Wells, while Mendoza won the coaching honor outright in 2014.
This year, Wells shared the award with Patrick Hall of Wayne Country Day.
A dangerous finisher for the Knights, Wells compiled 21 goals and seven assists for Greenfield in leading the Knights to a 16-5-4 record and an appearance in the semifinal round of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A playoffs.
"It feels good,” Wells said in a telephone interview Friday. "It wouldn’t happen if I didn’t have the team that I have. They’re some of the best players I’ve ever played with. I’ll miss having the seniors, but next year, we’ll have to work a lot harder. We’re going to have to start in the offseason.
In addition to his CPIC acclaim, Wells was named to the NCISAA 1-A all-state team for the second straight year.
"He’s growing as a player,” Mendoza said of Wells. "He’s matured more and he has a knack to find the goal. He comes up in big games for us and finds the back of the net when needed. So he’s definitely a player to watch. He brings a lot to the table when it comes to his commitment and his technical abilities. So having him on our team is definitely an asset and I think it says a lot about him when he gets selected Player of the Year in our conference back to back.”
Wells wasn’t the only Greenfield player to garner all-state honors, as junior midfielder Logan Johnson joined the group for the first time. Johnson tallied 15 goals and nine assists to rank second on the Knights with 39 points, trailing only Wells.
Three more Greenfield players earned all-CPIC honors, including senior Tristan Kosich, freshman Jackson Stone and freshman Alonso Hernandez.
Kosich helped anchor the Greenfield defensive third as a co-captain as Stone added eight goals and 12 assists. Hernandez contributed seven goals and a single assist.
Mendoza combined to share the CPIC’s COY laurel with Wayne Country Day’s Steve Ellis. WCD, at 21-2-1, defeated Greenfield 1-0 in the semifinals on Forbes Field and went on to win the NCISAA 1-A title 4-0 over former CPIC member Oakwood.
"I definitely think, Steve and myself, we have our sights set on bigger things and winning state championships,” Mendoza said. "We’re both committed to our programs. It was nice for them to recognize us as the co-coaches of the year. He did a fantastic job with Wayne Country Day this year and he got the better end of us. But we’ll be back again next year.”
