news-record.com

GREENSBORO — James Johnson showed why he was the NCSAA Adidas North Carolina Player of the Year when he scored both East goals in a 2-1 victory in the N.C Coaches’ Association East-West All-Star game.

The 5-foot-11 midfielder from Jacksonville High School was named the MVP for the game, which was an exciting back-and-forth contest, with each team having numerous chances right up to the end.

For Johnson’s first goal, he stole the ball deep in West territory and fired a low shot that beat keeper Montrell Morgan (East Mecklenburg HS) at 37:50 in the first half.

Johnson’s second goal, the game-winner in the 62nd minute, was also unassisted, as he gained control straight on and again beat Morgan.

The South Carolina-bound Johnson excelled on the field, but his favorite memories of being an all-star came away from the game.

“It was fun hanging out with the guys from the East, practicing a couple times a day and eating at Golden Corral,” Johnson said.

Jeremy Dennis (Charlotte Vance HS), decked out in bright yellow cleats, scored the West’s only goal when he beat Clayton Adams (New Hanover HS) to the far side to tie the game 1-1 late in the first half.

Dennis had several more good scoring chances late in the game. With 12 minutes left he had a rebound chance but was unable to control the ball.

A minute later he had Adams beaten on the short side but hit the ball over the crossbar.

It looked like Dennis was going to have another shot in the final seconds, but Kenneth Chadwick (Southwest Onslow HS) poked the ball away from him.

Chadwick will be playing at Greensboro College this fall, the first Pride commitment in five years to be an East-West all-star. He said he is looking forward to spending more time in Greensboro.

“I took a tour of the school, saw the campus life and the record of the school and decided I liked it quite a lot,” Chadwick said.

The 5-9 Chadwick played as an edge defender on the back line, a departure from his high school career.

“(I was) more of a central defender,” Chadwick said of his high school play. “From what the coaches say, I’ll probably be playing an outside back (for the Pride).”

Nate Stephens, a Grimsley alumnus who will attend N.C. State in the fall, was Guilford County’s only selection to the game. The midfielder started for the West squad.

It was the fourth win for the East squad in the last five games of the rivalry.

East 1 1 — 2
West 0 1 — 1

Goals: East — James Johnson 2 (37:50, 61:11); West — Jeremy Dennis (45:58).

Assists: West — Danny Sasano.

Shots: East 11, West 14.

Saves: East (Clayton Adams) 6; West (Montrell Morgan) 4.

Corner kicks: East 2, West 4.