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Johnson player of year By Frank Silow Hidden Valley�s Matt Johnson didn�t rest on his reputation this season. After being selected as Skyline Conference soccer player of the year in 1999, the high-scoring Mustang senior forward demonstrated his performance was no fluke and repeated as the league�s top player in 2000. Bonanza�s Lance Watson was selected as Skyline Conference coach of the year. Johnson scored a team-high 32 goals in leading Hidden Valley to an undefeated conference season and the Class 3A/2A/1A state championship. "Matt is a really unique player in as much as he doesn�t look like a threat on the soccer field," said Phoenix coach Dennis Flenner. "He is very deceiving in his style." Flenner remembers the slender, 5-foot-10 left-footed Johnson scoring the winning goal against his Pirates when the two teams met with the conference championship on the line during the final regular season game. "His speed is a true attribute in his arsenal," said Flenner. "He can move laterally very quick and he can shoot the ball in the opposite direction." Hidden Valley junior goalie Tim Vanderstoel joined Johnson on the first team along with senior teammates Scott Palmer and Evan Cope. Flenner credits Vanderstoel with making a game-preserving save against Phoenix in that decisive conference game that decided the league title. "I thought we won it, I thought it was in," said Flenner, about a shot Vanderstoel stopped. "He�s been the foundation they built around. If you�re going to score against him, you have to shoot it where he�s not." Phoenix had three first-team selections, led by repeat choice Al Albright. Junior midfielder John Hendricks and senior defender Lane Munroe were also tabbed for the first team. Albright, a junior sweeper, was an impact player on both sides of the field. "He dictates what happens on the field," said Flenner. "He�s very skilled, very fast and can attack out of the back part of the field." Hendricks led the Pirates in goals (27) and assists (14). He had a part in 41 of the Pirates� 63 goals. "Not only was John Hendricks a scoring force, but he got back on defense, too," said Flenner. Munroe used an intelligent approach to the game in forging an impressive senior season. "He had the ability to read the attack," said Flenner. "He understood what was going on around him." St. Mary�s senior forward Brian Staver was also a first-team choice. Flenner was impressed with Staver�s aggressiveness and the experience he brought to the Crusaders this season. FIRST TEAM Al Albright, Phoenix..................................jr. John Hendricks, Phoenix,.........................jr. Lane Munroe, Phoenix,............................sr. Matt Johnson, Hidden Valley....................sr. Tim Vanderstoel, Hidden Valley................jr. Scott Palmer, Hidden Valley....................sr. Evan Cope, Hidden Valley.......................sr. Peter Isaacson, Henley...........................sr. Joe Jertberg, Henley...............................sr. Jose Vargas, Bonanza............................sr. Brian Staver, St. Mary�s..........................sr. SECOND TEAM Peter Staver, St. Mary�s...........................jr. Zack Rote, St. Mary�s.............................sr. Kawika Victor, St. Mary�s........................sr. Jesse O�Gara, Rogue River.......................jr. Lee Manes, North Valley.........................sr. Jon Handley, North Valley........................sr. Greg Murdock, Mazama..........................sr. Trevor Nowak, Hidden Valley.....................jr. Brad Bailey, Henley.................................sr. Joe Salvati, Henley...................................jr. Reggie Vargas, Bonanza..........................jr. HONORABLE MENTION Anthony Machado, Phoenix, sr.; Chris Swann, Phoenix, so.; David Peterson, Phoenix, jr.; Adam Detrick, Phoenix, so.; John Chavez, Phoenix, so.; John Feeney, Phoenix, fr.; Irie Spann, Hidden Valley, jr.; Jon Morse, Hidden Valley, sr.; Seth Garey, Hidden Valley, sr.; Cody Borta, Hidden Valley, sr.; Scott Miles, Henley, sr.; Eric Crowley, Henley, sr.; Jesse Smith, Henley, sr.; Tyler Mockridge, Bonanza, jr.; Shaw Earp, Bonanza, sr.; Kyle Martin, Bonanza, sr.; Freddie DelGado, Bonanza, jr.; Thatcher Jones, St. Mary�s, jr.; Jason. Luchterhand, Rogue River, jr.; Mark. Bradford, Rogue River, sr.; Fred Perryman, Rogue River, jr.; Tony Coma, Rogue River, jr.; Jason Nelson, Illinois Valley, sr.; Sawyer Christianson, Illinois Valey, sr.; Matt Pittman, North Valley, sr.; Mike Sanchez, Mazama, sr.; Tom Pitts, Mazama, sr. Reach reporter Frank Silow at 776-4480, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.