Soccer rosters and bios on Boy’s East-West soccer

2009 East-West All-Star Games
Men’s Soccer Rosters

East Team

# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown School
1 Joseph Babington F 5-11 185 Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons
2 Nick Butterly B 6-1 — Cary Green Hope
3 Klay Davis GK 6-0 180 Jacksonville Jacksonville
4 Ethan Durland F 6-0 165 Raleigh Leesville Road
5 Eli Garner F 5-10 170 Hillsborough Cedar Ridge
6 Scott Goodwin GK 6-0 175 Raleigh Broughton
7 Domenico Grillo MF 5-10 165 Wilmington Ashley
8 Elliot Grlj B 5-10 165 Raleigh Leesville Road
9 Gentry Johnson B 6-2 180 Wilmington New Hanover
10 Gabe Latigue MF 5-9 150 Apex Panther Creek
11 John Mendoza MF 5-8 142 Shallotte West Brunswick
12 Christian Rhue MF 5-11 160 Hubert Swansboro
13 Martin Murphy MF 6-0 170 Cary Green Hope
14 Josh Woodburn F 6-5 185 Louisburg Franklinton
15 Taylor Jones B 5-9 155 Fuquay-Varina Fuquay-Varina
16 Vennee Llana F — — Raleigh Broughton

Coach: Raymond “Chip” Stone (Leesville Road HS)

West Team

# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown School
1 Aaron Adams F 6-0 180 Summerfield Northwest Guilford
2 Turner Almond MF 6-0 165 Shelby Shelby
3 Nate Badke D 6-2 185 Fort Mill SC Charlotte Catholic
4 Jeff Basey GK 6-3 185 Summerfield Northwest Guilford
5 Justin Davis MF 6-0 155 Charlotte Myers Park
6 Luciano Delbono MF 5-9 155 Winston-Salem RJ Reynolds
7 Cort Smith MF 6-5 215 Sylva Smokey Mountain
8 Taylor Hendrick D 6-1 160 Gastonia Forestview
9 Joe Hughes F 6-0 165 Mooresville Lake Norman
10 Chase Johnston MF 5-7 152 Concord JM Robinson
11 Robert May D 5-10 150 Asheville TC Roberson
12 Michael Nelson D 6-2 198 Fletcher AC Reynolds
13 Ben Robertson MF 6-0 160 Boone Watauga
14 Donnie Smith MF 5-11 155 Matthews Charlotte Catholic
15 Ronal Castellanos F 5-3 140 Lexington North Forsyth
16 Ronnie Hreha GK 6-1 185 Asheville TC Roberson

Coach: Patrick Gladys (AC Reynolds HS)

2009 Men’s Soccer

East Team

Joseph Babington
Joseph…Cardinal Gibbons High…5-11, 185…forward…coached by Tim Healy…as senior, named All-State, All-Conference…as junior, named All-State, All-Conference, Revenscroft All-Tournament…team leading scorer…as sophomore, state championship MVP…team leading scorer…member of National Honor Society…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Wilmington where he will major in business…his father is his role model…favorite college athlete is Roane Babington…favorite pro athlete is C. Ronaldo…says “I am very excited for the all-star game, and I am very thankful for getting the opportunity to participate in such a meaningful event. I expect to meet many of the athletes I have played against over the years.”

Nick Butterly
Nick…Green Hope High…6-1…back…coached by Andrew Chadwick…as senior, named All-State, All-Conference, team captain…as junior, named All-Conference, team captain and MVP…Honor Roll…plans to attend Elon University…his father is his role model…his favorite pro athletes are Michael Essien and John Terry…says “I am excited to play the best high school players in the state.”

Klay Davis
Klay…Jacksonville High…6-0, 180…goalkeeper…coached by David Miller…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, All-South, All-Conference, NSCAA Scholar All-American…as junior, named All-Conference, All-Region…as sophomore, had 15 shut-outs and .81 goals against average…also played baseball…his father is his role model…his brother Klint is his favorite college athlete…favorite pro athlete is Tim Howard…says “I feel honored to be chosen for this game. I am expecting to gain the friendships of some of the best players in the state.”

Ethan Durland
Ethan…Leesville Road High…6-0, 165…forward…coached by Chip Stone…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference…Clash of the Carolinas participant…scored 5 goals, 11 assists…as junior, named All-State…scored 13 goals, 18 assists…as sophomore, named All-Conference…scored 4 goals, 10 assists…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Appalachian State University where he will major in exercise science…wants to pursue a career in physical therapy or PDL soccer…his brother Zeke is his role model…favorite college athlete is Carlos Cipriano…favorite pro athlete is Bo Jackson.

Eli Garner
Eli…Cedar Ridge High…5-10, 170…forward…coached by Brian Oswald…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference, team MVP…leading goal scorer in the state for 2008…as junior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference, team MVP…as sophomore, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference…recipient of the Academic Achievement Award…plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill where he will major in business…wants to pursue a career in professional soccer…his parents are his role models…favorite college athlete is Hansboro…favorite pro athlete is Christiano Ronaldo…says “I’m really excited and honored to play. I expect to get a little more recognition from other coaches and see some old friends.”

Scott Goodwin
Scott…Broughton High…6-0, 175…goalkeeper…coached by Izzy Hernandez…as senior, named NSCAA All-American, All-State…as junior, named All-State…played on state championship team…as sophomore, played on state championship team…member of National Honor Society…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Chapel Hill where he will major in science…wants to pursue a career in research science…favorite college athlete is Ty Lawson…favorite pro athlete Peter Cech…says “I am looking forward to gaining some experience at a high level that I can carry with me into college this fall.”

Domenico Grillo
Domenico…Ashley High…5-10, 165…midfielder…coached by Giles Roberts…as senior, named All-State, Region III Player of the Year, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year…Clash of the Carolinas participant…as junior, played for the Pateadores, a USDA team from Mission Viejo, California…as sophomore, led Terry Sanford High in scoring…undecided about which college he will attend…plans to major in business…his favorite pro athlete is Messi…says “I can’t wait to play in the all-star game. I will gain experience by playing a higher level, and I expect to be challenged.”

Elliot Grlj
Elliot…Leesville Road High…5-10, 165…back…coached by Chip Stone…named All-Conference, All-Region, team captain and MVP…had 1 assist…as junior, named All-Conference…had 3 assists…also competed in indoor track…member of Key Club, Spanish Club…plans to attend UNC Wilmington where he will major in pre-medicine / biology…wants to pursue a career as an orthopedic physicians assistant…his father Steven Grlj is his role model…his favorite college athlete is Tim Tebow…favorite pro athlete is John Terry…says “It is an honor to be playing in the all-star game with the best soccer layers in North Carolina. This experience will be a greatly remembered one. I am expecting this experience to be very fun and competitive, and I am anticipating a great game.”

Gentry Johnson
Gentry…New Hanover High…6-2,180…back…coached by Al Pastore…as senior, named All-Region, All-Conference, All-Area…19 goals against in 25 games…as junior, named All-Conference, All-Area…as sophomore, named All-Conference, NC Olympic Development team…member of Lyceum Academy Honor Program…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Francis Marion University…Gen. George S. Patton is his role model…favorite college athlete is Cody Arnoux…favorite pro athlete is Michael Jordan…says he is “excited to play in the all-star game. It’s another opportunity to play the game I love and bond with my peer group before facing many again at the college level.”
Taylor Jones
Taylor…Fuquay-Varina High…5-9, 155…back…coached by James Mountford…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference…as junior, named All-Conference…as sophomore, named All-Conference…member of Beta Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society…Key Club secretary…Junior Marshall…plans to attend Hobart College…his favorite pro athlete is Ryan Giggs…says “I am honored to be playing in the all-star game. It is a great way to finish my high school career, and the high level of competition and the atmosphere will help me prepare for the college game.”

Vincent Llana
Vincent…Broughton High…forward…coached by Izzy Hernandez…as senior, named All-State, All-Region…tied for school leading scorer…Clash of the Carolinas participant…as junior, named All-Conference…played on state championship team…as sophomore, named team captain…played on state championship team…plans to attend Longwood University where he will major in computer science…his favorite pro athlete is Fernando Torres…says “I expect to play with some of the best players in the state who hopefully I can call my friends afterwards.”

Gabe Latigue
Gabe…Panther Creek High…5-9, 150…midfielder…coached by Todd Schuler…as senior, named All-State, All-South, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year…as junior, named All-State, All-Conference…as sophomore, named All-Conference…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Elon University…his favorite pro athlete is Ronaldinho…says “It’s an honor to be chosen to play. I hope to gain a learning experience.”

John Mendoza
John…West Brunswick High…5-8, 142…midfielder…coached by Trip Smith…no biographical information provided.

Martin Murphy
Martin…Green Hope High…6-0, 170…midfielder…coached by Andrew Chadwick…as senior, named All-State, All-Conference….Golden Boot recipient…as junior, Golden Boot recipient…as sophomore, named All-Conference…Golden Boot recipient…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Chapel Hill…his father is his role model…his favorite pro athlete is Frank Lampard…says “I think it is a privilege and an honor to be asked to play in this game.”

Christian Rhue
Christian…Swansboro High…5-11, 160…midfielder…coached by Doug Kidd…as senior, named All-State, All-Conference, All-Region, All-Area Offensive Player of the Year…scored 19 goals, 20 assists…as junior, named All-Area…member of National Honor Society…plans to attend UNC Wilmington where he will major in international studies…after college he wants to join the Peace Corps….favorite pro athlete is Lionel Messi…says “It’s a great honor to be recognized as one of the best from the state. I’m looking forward to competing with people I know and who are the best in they game they play.”

Joshua Woodburn
Josh…Franklinton High…6-5, 185…forward…coached by Deran Coe…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference…Clash of the Carolinas participant…as junior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference…as sophomore, named All-Region, All-Conference…plans to attend Longwood University…says “I expect to play with some of the best players in the state who hopefully I can call my friends afterwards.”

West Team

Aaron Adams
Aaron…Northwest Guilford High…6-0, 180…forward…coached by Marc Calderone…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference, News and Record Player of the Year, team MVP…scored 31 goals, 10 assists…as junior, named All-Conference…member of National Honor Society…FCA vice president…Magna Cum-laud…plans to attend N.C. State where he will major in engineering…wants to start his own business…his favorite college athlete is Tyrod Taylor….favorite pro athlete is Lance Armstrong…says “I’m extremely excited and honored to represent my coach, my school, and my team in the all-star game. I want to meet some soccer players from around the area.”

Turner Almond
Turner…Shelby High…6-0, 165…midfielder…coached by David Steeves…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, Conference MVP, team MVP…as junior, named All-Region, All-Conference, team MVP…as sophomore, named All-Conference…also played football where he was twice named All-Conference Kicker of the Year…member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, FCA, and leader of Young Life…signed and athletic grant-in-aid with Wofford College where he will major in finance…wants to pursue a career in investment banking…says “A lot of the players are guys I’ve played with for a long time. It will be a fun competition prior to college.”

Nate Badke
Nate…Charlotte Catholic High…6-2, 185…defender…coached by Oscar Huertas del Pino…as senior, named All-Conference, All-Charlotte Observer, All-Region, All-County, Charlotte Weekly’s Top 10 Players of 2008, team captain…as junior, named All-Conference, All-Region, All-County, All-Charlotte Observer, team captain…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Charlotte where he will major in exercise science…wants to own and run his own business…his brother Jake is his role model…his favorite pro athlete is Rio Ferdinand…says “I’m very honored and proud to be selected to play in this event. Hopefully I can take something out of it for my playing years in college.”

Jeff Basey
Jeff…Northwest Guilford High…6-3, 185…goalkeeper…coached by Marc Calderone…as senior, averaged 4.8 saves per game….0.36 goals per game….20/25 shut outs…as junior, averaged 11.4 saves per game…0.60 goals per game…10/20 shut outs…as sophomore, averaged 9.2 saves per game…0.71 goals per game…13/21 shut outs…member of National Honor Society…FCA president…recipient of the Viking Award and the Biology Award…plans to attend N.C. State University where he will major in biomedical engineering…his favorite pro athlete is Tim Howard…says “It is a great honor to play in the all-star game.”

Ronal Castellanos
Ronal…North Forsyth High…5-3, 140…forward…coached by John Timmons…as senior, named All-State…member of Spanish Honor Society…honor roll…plans to attend Guilford College…wants to pursue a career in professional soccer…his little brother is his role model…his favorite pro athlete is Christiano Ronaldo…says “It’s an honor to me . worked hard throughout the season, and I will love and enjoy playing in this game.”

Justin Davis
Justin…Myers Park High…6-0, 155…midfielder…coached by Bucky McCarley…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Observer Player of the Year, All-County, Player of the Year, All-Conference, All-Conference Player of the Year, ESPN Rises Southeast Region Athlete of the Week, state championship game MVP…scored 20 goals, 15 assists…member of Student Government, Red Cross…Senior Committee Chair…Eagle Scout…plans to attend the University of South Carolina where he will study business / law…his grandfather and his youth pastor are his role models…his favorite college athlete is Ty Lawson…favorite pro athlete is Lance Armstrong…says “I expect to gain valuable experience.”

Luciano Delbono
Luciano…R.J.Reynolds High…5-9, 155…midfielder…coached by Adam Gal…as senior, named All-County, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year…team top scorer…as junior, named All-County, All-Conference, All-State, team MVP…as sophomore, named to state team…also competed in swimming and track and field…member of Key Club, National Junior Honor Society…Spanish Club secretary…Junior Marshall…Academic Excellence Award recipient…plans to attend Wake Forest University where he will major in biology…wants to pursue a career as a pro player or a doctor…his parents are his role models…his favorite college athlete is Sam Cronin…favorite pro athlete is Lionel Messi…says “I feel honored. I am hoping to gain more exposure at a higher level and play against people I will have to face the next 4 years.”

Taylor Hendrick
Taylor…Forestview High…6-1, 160…defender…coached by David Shearer…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, Conference Player of the Year, NSCAA Academic All-American…played in the State Games…as junior, named All-Region, All-Conference, team Top Midfielder…as sophomore, named team Rookie of the Year…Top 10 in class…voted Best All-Around in class…plans to attend Clemson University where he will major in biomedical engineering…wants to pursue a career in engineering or genetics…his youth minister Matt Agee is his role model…his favorite college athlete is Gerald Henderson…favorite pro athlete is Pablo Mastroni…says he is “honored” to be playing in the all-star game and expects a “good experience with other top player in the state.”

Ronnie Hreha
Ronnie…T.C. Roberson High…6-1, 185…goalkeeper…coached by Rob Wilcher…as senior, named All-Region, All-Conference, team captain…WNC Shutout leader…had 115 saves, 11 goals against, 16 shutouts…as junior, named team captain…AP English Merit Award recipient…graduated with honors…Lees McRae Honors Program…plans to attend Lees McRae College where he will major in athletic training/physical therapy…wants to pursue a career training and rehabilitating athletes and coaching soccer…his favorite pro athlete is Iker Casillas…says “I am honored to play with such a high level of talent.”

Joe Hughes
Joe…Lake Norman High…6-0, 165…forward…coached by Jon Mertes…as senior, named All-State, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, All-Region…set team assists record…played on state championship team…as junior, played on state championship team…also competed in track and field where he set school records in the 100m race, 200m race, 4x100m relay, and 4x200m relay…member of Beta Club…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Georgia Southern University where he will major in pre-pharmacy…his parents are his role models…his favorite college athlete is Ty Lawson…favorite pro athlete is Brian Dawkins…says “I am excited for the opportunity to play with the best players in high school soccer. I hope to meet some nice dudes.”

Chase Johnston
Chase…Jay M. Robinson High…5-7, 152…midfielder…coached by Michael Hoke…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference, team captain…as junior, named All-Conference…also competed in basketball, football and track and field…member of Beta Club…Student Body President…Legacy Award recipient…plans to attend the University of Richmond where he will major in medicine / orthopedics…wants to pursue a career in orthopedic medicine…his father is his role model…his favorite pro athlete is Christiano Renaldo…says “I look forward to a great competition with friends and playing against and with the best.”

Robert May
Robert…T.C. Roberson High…5-10, 150…defender…coached by Rob Wilcher…as senior, named All-State, All-South, All-Region, Conference Player of the Year, team MVP and captain…as junior, named All-State, All-Region, team MVP and captain…recipient of the Sportsmanship Award at Brittany Showcase…as sophomore, named all-Region, All-Conference…member of National Honor Society, Interact Club…special education volunteer/tutor…Special Olympics volunteer…Kids Voting volunteer…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Charlotte where he will major in sports marketing…wants to pursue a career working for a major athletic company or professional team…his father Gene May is his role model…favorite college athlete is Ben Newman…favorite pro athlete is Leo Messi…says “I’m excited to play with my friends for the last time before we go off to college.”

Michael Nelson
Michael…A.C. Reynolds High…6-2, 198…defensive…coached by Patrick Gladys…as senior, named All-State, All-Region, All-Conference, Conference Defensive Player of the Year, All-WNC, team captain…as junior, named All-Region, All-Conference, All-WNC…played in State Games…as sophomore, named All-Region, All-Conference All-WNC…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with King College where he will major in physical therapy or sports management…wants to pursue a career as a physical therapist or teacher/coach…his father is his role model…his favorite college athlete is Tyler Hansbrough…favorite pro athlete is Dwayne Wade…says “I feel honored to play in the game. I expect to gain new friends and a great memory from the experience.”

Ben Robertson
Ben…Watauga High…6-0, 160…midfielder…coached by Johnnie Gailes…as senior, named All-State, team MVP and captain…scored 26 goals, 26 assists…set school record for most assists in a game (5), a season (26), and career (41)…as junior, named All-Region, All-Conference, team MVP…scored 15 goals, 5 assists…as sophomore, scored 2 goals, 10 assists…member of National Honors Society, Beta Club, Interact Club, Key Club, DREAM Team…plans to attend Oglethorpe University where he will major in physics…wants to pursue a career as an engineer…his father Dan Robertson is his role model…his favorite college athlete is Cody Arnoux…favorite pro athlete is Lionel Messi…says “I am honored to have been selected to play in the all-star game. I hope to have fun while representing my high school in the game.”

Cort Smith
Cort…Smokey Mountain High…6-5, 215…midfielder…as senior, named All-Region, All-Region Defensive Player of the Year, All-Conference, team captain…as junior, named All-Region, All-Region Offensive Player of the Year, All-Conference…as sophomore, named All-Conference…also played basketball where he was named All-Conference and All-Conference Tournament Team…member of National Honor Society, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (chairman), honor roll…says “I feel very honored and excited to be playing in the all-star game. I feel I will have a great experience and play against some great players. I expect to make new friends.”

Donnie Smith
Donnie…Charlotte Catholic High…5-11, 155…midfielder…coached by Oscar Huertes del Pino…as senior, named All-State, All-South, All-Region, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, team captain…played on state championship team…scored 36 goals, 19 assists…as junior, named All-Region, Region Player of the Year, team captain…scored 26 goals, 15 assists…as sophomore, scored 13 goals, 7 assists…named 2008-2009 Charlotte Catholic Wendy’s Heisman winner…member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Charlotte…his favorite college athlete is Chris Wells…favorite pro athlete is Ryan Giggs…says “I’m very excited to play in the all-star game. It’s a great honor, and I’m thankful for this opportunity. I’m expecting to meet new teammates and take part in what should be an entertaining game.”