Girls soccer had a fun year

With only two area teams still alive – Truman and Lee’s Summit – it’s time to wrap up the soccer season, focusing mostly on Independence and Blue Springs.
Keep in mind, these are fun awards chosen only by me, not by the rest of the staff. The official announcement of The Examiner All-Area team will come out soon after the season is officially over.
n First, I think my rookie of the year is Ciara Howerton of Fort Osage. She immediately added legitimacy to the Indians offense. And teamed with Jade Bedsworth and Bailey Beale, she was pretty dangerous late in the season.
She is definitely going to be a player to watch.
n On the same front, I have to give Andrew Fletcher of Fort Osage my Coach of the Year award – unofficially, of course.
Fletcher did a great job with an Indians program that had trouble staying competitive the last few years. Plus, there is a young group of outstanding players on the way.
After coaching at Raytown, Fletcher knew the Suburban Middle Six well. And he brought that experience to the Indians. They are a team to watch for the next couple of years.
I’m not saying they’re on their way to beating St. Teresa’s, but they will be a threat in the conference next year.
n Best interview of the year? Hands down – Jordan Joyce of Blue Springs.
From explaining how tall Morgan Marlborough of Lee’s Summit North is – “Her legs come up to my head.” – to explaining how much losing stinks, Joyce was easily the winner in this competition.
In the sports media, there are certain people known as “go-to” people for interviews, because, win or lose, they will always have something interesting to say.
Joyce definitely fit the bill on that. I’ll definitely miss that refreshing ability to say whatever was on her mind, while at the same time making it relevant, as well as funny.
n Obviously, the best game I saw this year was Tuesday’s Blue Springs-Blue Springs South game.
A scoreless second half, two scoreless overtimes and a defender making the final penalty kick to win it to go to the district finals. Classic. Probably the best game I’ve ever seen.
n Finally, I’ve got to put out a note about Todd Findley, the head coach at Blue Springs South.
His team had just ended its season in the most heartbreaking of ways. Fighting back emotions, he showed the pure, unadulterated class to walk over to the Blue Springs huddle after the handshakes Tuesday night and congratulate the Wildcats again, asking his archrival to beat St. Teresa’s in the district final and roll on to state.
If that is not class and what high school sports is all about, I have no idea what is.
Soccer was fun this year. Here’s hoping for a good game between the Patriots and Tigers Tuesday night.