The Great Debate: MVP vs. Player of the Year

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1 clove garlic, smashed

St. Louis Rams is a good team,I like it.

Omar Reyes FC golden state team is playing BU 18 gold next season

Student...Mayfield didn't get anything of consequence done on the field this season, and Dyrek can't seperate herself from that. Soccer is a team sport.

There are a dozen players that get the attention of marking backs, including freshmen that should be left out of this discussion. After 3 or 4 years... all these coaches know the stronger players. The players have known each other for years, their numbers, etc. etc. because club is a very small world at the upper levels.

Omar Reyes does play for Golden State FC and the club is nice and all, but the kid is selling himself short by playing there. Cherif gave him a chance to play for his premier team and he didn't take the offer.Nevertheless, great player.

Paige Dyrek should win Player of the Year. She works hard and can play anywhere on the field short of keeper (though, I'm sure she could play that as well). She dominates with her own skill and speed on the field yet utilizes and incorporates the entire Mayfield squad, unlike many other strong players in the area. Opponents know her name and number; coaches have her man-marked throughout the entire game (and encourage their players to even rough her up a bit in the first few minutes of play.) She is clearly the player of the year.

Sorry, but there are 2 or 3 defenders every bit as good as Paige Dyrek. As for the argument about seperating Mayfield's lack of success from its players...Puhleeeze

No drop of rain feels that it is responsible for the flood either

Paige Dyrek is a no brainer! She carried her team and the entire league noticed it. Even though Mayfield did not have the year they wanted, their opponents took notice because of Paige. She dominated her opponents!

Player of the year girls soccer-
Hands down- Paige Dyrek from Mayfield Senior

how about La Salle girls soccer coach and the team. they had a great year. started really well and won FSHA tournament again. there league is tough but still made it through playoffs and lost in quarterfinals in pk's. heard was winning that game 2-0 half and went 2-2 missed penalty OT and lost in pk's. being a young team and first year coach not bad againts local teams as well.

There is no question which girl basketball player in this area is the best. ELIZA PIERRE! McDonald's All-American. Need I say anything else.

I think omar reyes plays for...fc goldenstate?

I think omar reyes plays for...fc goldenstate?

anony:
Dennis Flores is the 1 player from Pasadena who plays for a legitimate club team, Arsenal U-15 Gold.

WOW:
Definitely, PHS played without 6 starters against Rio Mesa(Eventual CIF Champion) and hung tough 2-1 until the last 15 mintues and ended up losing 3-1. No doubt in my mind Pasadena would have won CIF with all their starters; they had a great keeper, solid defense, and two amazing center midfielders in Dennis Flores(Sophmore) and Omar Reyes(Junior) all of whom should be considered for the area team.but in regard to the ineligible players, winning CIF COULD have happened. Kids have to learn school comes first.

The Real Truth,

I meant PHS boys soccer? I think Dennis from PHS is legit, but Omar Reyes is too.

PHS- Boys Basketball- George Toyama, Joseph Henson, Travis Flye.

Marshall Fundamental- Boys Basketball - Kyle Eaves, Brandon Bonar.
Boys Soccer- Robert Garcia, Erick Rodriguez, Luis Aguilar.

Blair- boys soccer- Frankie Castro

Muir - Boys soccer- German Alfaro, Victor Lugo

Give PUSD boys credit !!!

Did anyone go to the HS Showcase game last Sunday? I was there. Sinead Fleming from Sacred Heart was amazing. She is by far the best senior player in this area.
This is her year. She convinced me on Sunday.

Alverno players would not be MVP candidate sorry not at the top level. good players but not MVP level from all area. if you think they deserve a spot than compare them with top 5 in area. i would probably give you coach of the year but nothing more.

Boys Soccer Coach of the year Cherif Pasadena or Mike Monrovia. St. Francis great run in playoffs could also be in the mix. MVP should be Verso St. Francis or Dennis Pasadena plays Arsenal Club best center mid in area. if Pasadena had all the players i would say they go far in playoffs.

Girls Soccer Coach of the year should be Frank Pace or Alverno Coach. MVP is very hard this year but Vania Robles Arcadia would be the player. Shannon Brooks Monrovia, Abby Brogan Pasadena Poly, Fleming FSHA, Whitehead La Salle, Sommers Maranatha,

To Anony -- If you are talking about PHS girls

Laura Hill (Real So. Cal U-19 Premier) and Jasmine Williams (not sure of club LAFC?)
can play for anyone.

To Anon 2 - - Post said no Alverno player would start at FORWARD for Arcadia. R E A D.

Only Ann Marie's daddy & mommy would think she is better than Robles.

POY is Sinayed of Sacred Heart

soccer fan, whos is the one player on phs that plays for a legitimate club team?

PR man of the year: Lesse

Anonymous2....I have seen Alverno play twice, and I think that they are a solid D5 team that would have contended for 2nd or 3rd in the RHL, and maybe 3rd in Olympic

Cherif hands down coach of the year. Regular High schools coaches arn't even comparable

boys: Swanson- arcadia Jordan bell- st. Francis player of the year/mvp

girls: Ann Marie, sommers, zeeni

Cherif hands down coach of the year.
Swanson- arcadia Jordan bell- st. Francis player of the year/mvp

I've seen Arcadia, LC, Prep, Mayfield and FSHA play. They are good, but those of you who say that Alverno players wouldn't start on the AHS team are absolutely wrong. It would be nice if you saw them play first before making that statement. Ameenah Issa will be playiing for Kansas Wesleyan(NAIA) and Marina Lesse will be playing at PCC for Cherif next year. Personally, I think that All-area teams should be upperclassmen. Definitely need to have Alverno seniors on the All area team. Coaches should give their input for the MVP and leadership

Team that finishes 4th in League (St. Francis) can't have coach of the year. Sectionals are a one week event against somewhat lesser competition. Give Glen the Coach of the Week.

Pro League and All CIF Awards are usually based on regular season accomplishements.

Name one player on Alverno who would start for Arcadia? Thier forwards certainly wouldn't.

Boys Coach of the Year is Cherif. Girls Coach is FHSA
Boys Player: Verso. Girls Player: Fleming (although I wouldn't argue with Robles)

PR man of the Year: " Assistant" Coach Lesse.

Boys Soccer Coach of the year
St. Francis or Monrovia
MVP
Eric Verso, Dennis Pasadena center mid
Girls Soccer Coach of the year
#1 Alverno, #2 FSHA, #3 La Canada
MVP
Robles or Fleming

I have played with Brooks from Monrovia High School and Also Tangora from Arcadia and they were the best in out team and after 4 years I still see both of them in the newspaper. I am so proud of Brooks for getting a scholarship at NDSU and if she is not starting in her club I understand she been with the team for 2yrs, and with a new coach this year come on, you need to play club to know how it works. And for Tangora with her dad's experience and her brother she is gold mine. They are both MVP on my book. I love you both Pam

I really dont write only read the comments but it seems to me that all the Girls Soccer Team have a lot of drama, WHY??? it always private school against public schools, I give credit to all the players who got an athletic scholarship no matter if they go to an unknown college, if they start or not. But I do agree that each school should express their own MVP and we should all respect that. Starting in club or not is not an issue, we are looking for High School MVP. So stay focus on the subject and if you have nothing nice to say about a player dont. To all the High School Soccer teams we are proud of you. For Coach of the year I do agree it all the comments and they are the best because of just being a coach.

I really dont write only read the comments but it seems to me that all the Girls Soccer Team have a not of drama, WHY??? it always private school against public schools, I give credit to all the players who got a athletic scholarship no matter if its to go to an unknown college, if they start or not. But I do agree that each school should express their own MVP and we should all respect that. Starting in club or not is not an issue, we are looking for High School MVP. So stay focus on the subject and if you have nothing nice to say about a player dont. To all the High School Soccer teams we are proud of you. For Coach of the year I do agree it all the comments and they are the best because of just being a coach.

No doubt Cherif Zein should be coach of the year. His commitment to youth soccer in the area is incomparable and so is his love for the game. He runs his club, coaches high school for $800 a year as well as coaching PCC, and helps run the All-Star Showcase at ELAC every year. Though he is always criticized for his personality, he's produced tremendous talent and he pushes players to get to the next level, he teaches them that you must be strong willed to persevere because the obstacles they will face will be far greater than his criticism.Furthermore, he has never scouted players for the high school team, this year's team only had 1 player on a legitimate club yet they lost only 1 game. Some of the players from Pasadena should be considered for the all area team, they were one of the best defensive teams in the area in a very competitive Pacific League that sent 5 teams to the playoffs.

i second eric verso. you've seen this kid miguel. hes amazing.

I am also just about the only person who posts using their own name...I must be crazy but I just can't bring myself to post anonymously...as far as the other teams go I am very impressed with the coaching at Mayfield, Barry did an amazing job with his squad despite having been plagued with injuries, however the best coached team that we faced this year had to be LC, Louis and Cam do a fantastic job with the team, a whole bunch of solid players who play TEAM soccer. Allison Martinez-Davis did an amazing job of containing Alverno when we played Westridge, 5-0 game if not for her play. We did not play Maranatha (hope to next year) but you have to be impressed with the goal scoring of Jessica Austin, don't know why no one has mentioned her.
Promoting Alverno---yes! Promoting and proud of the kids on the soccer team---yes!
-Steve L.

Coach, that doesn't even pass the straight face test because you didn't even try to acknowledge any of the other teams you played

I wonder why only one coach posts here, and seems to be the only coach that feels the need to shamelessly promote his own players and agenda.

Pace doesn't post here, neither does Robison, Bilowitz or any other head coach.

...and someone called Flintridge Prep the kings of spin earlier in the season.

Girl's soccer MVP
Impossible for me to compare to ALL the top players on the other area teams as we did not get the opportunity to play all of them (hopefully next year!) what I can say is that without the following five players Alverno would have probably still won the Horizon League. Without any one of these 5 Alverno might not have won CIF...

Maha Abdallah
Ameenah Issa
Marina Lesse
Celina Minissian
Gaby Vasquez

Coach of The Year: Really, down to Three

Lou @ La Canada
Steve Lesse's Boss at Alverno
The Odd Couple at FSHA

Probably Have to give it to the Odd Couple at FSHA. They had a load of freshman and got better as the year progressed. Even if you don't like him (Pace) they did a heck of a job.

Player of the Year (final three)

Dyrek- Mayfield
Torres- Arcadia
Fleming - Sacred Heart

Take Dyrek out of the Mayfield line-up and they still miss the playoffs.

Take Robles out of the Arcadia line-up and they still lose twice to CV.

Take Fleming out of the FSHA line up they don't win Mission League.

Robles is a Sophmore, Dyrek is a junior: Award to Fleming

Boys Soccer Coach of the year
Monrovia
MVP
St. Francis Eric Verso

Girls Soccer MVP and Coach of the Year
FSHA won league and lost 2nd round
Zeeni-10, Fleming going D1, Harragin going D1.
La Salle quarterfinals and won FSHA tournament
Whitehead-10
Arcadia quarterfinals
Robles-11, Torres-11, Tangorra going D2
Maranatha won league and quarterfinals
Sommers
Alverno won league and cif
don't no names
Monrovia 2nd in league 1st round
Brooks going D1
La Canada won league and quarterfinals
don't no names
Pasadena Poly
Brogan going D1
MVP is very hard this year a lot talent.
i would give it to Abby Brogan or Vania Robles for player of the year.
Coach of the year couple of options
La Canada Coach winning league and quarters
FSHA Coach for being #1 and winning league first time
Maranatha winning league and quarters
Alverno winning league and cif champs
La Salle winning big tournament and quarters first year coach
Alverno should win coach of the year for winning first cif champs

To Anonymous 2:03

Agree on Shannon Brooks. But most of Alverno's girls wouldn't start at FSHA, Arcadia, LC or Maranatha

Shannon Brooks as MVP?? Are you kidding me i've seen this girl play. Nothing compared to other high school girls, she doesnt even start on her club team. Just because she's going to NDSU doesnt mean anything no one knows anything about NDSU. If you want a colmplete soccer player look at the Maranatha, La Salle, and even Alverno's squads they were the most successful teams in the area.

MVP Prep Soccer; although Mayfield Senior's soccer team didn't receive much press one of their Varsity players received many honors. Paige Dyrek who is a junior was awarded MVP offensive player for the prep league, 1st team all league for the 3rd year, MVP and best offensive player for Mayfield. This is quite an accomplishment since Mayfield didn't even make it to CIF. Paige has been playing club soccer since she was 8 years old. She has played with Santa Anita soccer club, Crown City United and for the last three years So. Cal Blues in San Juan Capistrano. Her team has won state and national titles.

Coach of the Year, Boys Soccer? - shouldn't even be a question - Mike Williams, Monrovia High. Only 4th year with the program - Had 85 kids tryout for program; won league; made it to the quarters only to lose to eventual CIF winner, and did it all with only 2 (TWO) club players. He turned week-end players into college hopefuls. What other high school coach can say all that? He has EARNED the honor of coach of the year!

There is no doubt that Cherif is one of the best trainers in all of SoCal, he also knows his soccer and is a great game coach. The problem is that his extreme arrogance has made him one of the poorest sports in all of soccer.

For coach of the year should be someone who cares for the player and the school, just as I had to learned how to walk, I learned to play soccer with the help of the best coach ever no matter if I went on Sunday or Wednesday and play with the boys he will just tell me learned and you someday be famous soccer needs to be in your blood, I had coaches that gave up on me or refuse to believe in me but he never did so it would be nice for my vote to go to CHERIF (El REY)

MVP should be from our local high school and if you havent see Shannon Brooks from Monrovia played you might know that I have played with her since 12yrs old at AYSO, she made all star team since she was 9yrs old, then she played 3 yrs in our Clifton Middle School all sports Basketball, Volleyball, Softball and Soccer. In High School as a freshman she played varsity soccer help her team reach SEMI-finals, has been in the varsity soccer for 4 yrs that commitment and also plays varsity softball for 4 yrs which makes her a very good MVP player. And last she is still playing Club Soccer, she is one of the only girls who has been playing soccer still.

Cherif Zein, coach of the year by far. It's his final season. He has trained individuals to be the best and reach their potential, whether it be in club or high school. Most of the talented individuals in the league are a product of his training. He has a clear understanding of the game and can create great players from scratch. He's a true master of his craft.

For Player of the Year for boys basketball, it should definitely Malik Speed. He was the best player in the area this year.

for player of the year for boys basketball in the area, it should be Malik Speed, its not even close.

Based on Roger Murray's definitions, Player of the Year should be thought of in the context of the person who would be MVP of the respective All-Area team. Thanks, Rog.

Swanson has only been on varsity for 3 years not four, he's clearly lead teams to Cif in prior years and despite Arcadia's record this year, he should be considered for mvp or player of the year. He is both the captain of cross country and soccer. Unheard of!

Tangorra is possibly third best player on that team. Robles is best. Chloe probably # 2. Tashiro may even be better all around player. No way is Tangorra Area MVP, sorry Mr. Tangorra

Interesting post. For MVP you would probably want to poll the coaches, ask them who their MVP was and pick amongst their candidates. Often a seemingly great player can be poison on a team and a team wins in spite of him. Also, players usually know who the MVP of their team is. Any player who is NOT a team MVP should not be considered a candidate for area MVP. There needs to be some criteria especially if you haven't seen all the candidates play.

There will be great coaching candidates every year. Again, there should be some criteria.

Did a team win league? Did they win CIF? Have they won either before? Did they win in a rebuilding year? Do they usually win? Sal Lopez winning last year with a .500 record was silly. The Maranatha coach deserved to win. The year before Sal clearly deserved to win. Look at the team. Look at how they grew during the year. Glen Appels or Cherif Zein could win every year. But they shouldn't win every year.
St. Francis finished 4th in Mission League this year. Even if they win sectionals Glen is not the coach of the year.

Use common sense. It seems pretty clear for boys and girls coaches this year.
Players not so clear cut.

For the Soccer all area team. I did not see anyone better than Matthew Swanson(Arcadia). He's been on varsity for the last 4 years I believe. I personally have played 9 years of soccer and he was always on the team to beat. Please consider this request, thank you.

As for the girls soccer all area team, AnnMarie Tangorra(Arcadia) is THE MVP. No one can match this girls skill, and she came through in the CIF playoffs with some HUGE plays.

Well for me the MVP should be #10 Shannon Brooks at Monrovia High School because as many of us watched her sitting being punish by her coach for any unreal reason she was humility and put down by other players in her team. But as soon as her Coach said okay #10 your going in she smile left her pain in the bench for another day, she gave her team and the audience something to talk about every ball, every play and every touch was perfect. She wanted to win for the MHS, Coach and her team, even thougt she did not get the credit. We were able to see Division I & Division II coaches scouting. Without Shannon in back the team would of lost a lot more games. She was a key player took the ball from defence to the goal, sometimes you would see her coming out of nowhere and scored. MHS played much better when she was in the game then when she was sitting in the bench. She is a true SOCCER PLAYER because with an offer to a Div I school if it would be me I would of just quit !!! and let the HS team be in last place, but she was the heart for playing soccer and someday she will be next MIA HAMM she has more articles written about her than any one else, so she has my vote to be Player of the Year. One day she will be famous !!!

For coach of the year for girl's basketball, how about the coach at La Salle? (can't remember his name). This year was a high point for La Salle girl's basketball; making the quarterfinals in CIF, winning league, and a one point winning 11 in a row. A great turnaround story - I can't remember when they last won league, or went to the playoffs.

I see there is a 3-6-09 blog thread for softball postings - how about keeping this thread on the topic "MVP vs. Player of the Year."?

jordan bell, goalkeeper for st. francis. youve seen this kid. hes legit

I just did a little research on your previous posts and it appears that you are from South Pasadena. Who are you to comment on interest in boys sports? Your football program is truly dismall and up to this point there has been no reason to even have stands at your baseball field much less make comments on a blog. And one thing I can guarantee is that if South Pasadena is successfull in baseball this year it has nothing to do with you. As a matter of fact it is probably despite you.

Humility is a virtue especially when you have nothing to brag about

Big Fat Mouth,

There are 80 comments combined in the last 3 softball pages with a combined total above all basketball and soccer pages combined. And when new info is put out, historically the softball pages go into the hundreds. Noone asked you anyway. Let me ask you why so many idiots like you want to comment on things that don't even relate to you?

Keep in mind that although the word "misogynist" sounds like something you might get in a seedy little room when your poor wife is away, it really means something far different.

It just so happens that scholarships for softball players in this area outnumber the boys twofold, especially in the RHL where it seems like you wallow.

there is no regualar softball coverage because when Miguel does put up a story on it, no one comments on it. compare that to the continuous stream of comments that come in on football, baseball and boys basketball.

To me the MVP provokes a reaction every time he/she touches the ball: Opponents say "Oh No, not ____" and fans say "Thank god"

MVP's (no order): Sommers-Maranatha, Clark-LC, Tangorra-Arcadia, Zinni-FSHA, Whitehead-LaSalle

Player of the Year (no order): Johnson-FSHA, Aalem-SP, Beebe-LC

Coach of the Year: Bilowitz took a rebuilding year a long way.

cmon Miguel,

Lets get some softball coverage going. Or is this going to be like the last couple of years where there was no coverage followed with periodic uninformed predictions?

Miguel,

Based on your criteria I think you should seriously consider Paige Dyrek from Mayfield as your MVP. Paige was selected by the Prep League Coaches as the League MVP and First Team All-League. I hate to say it, but Mayfield did not have a particularly good year and despite this Paige stood out as the league MVP.

To play at an MVP level when you team is not having a good year really shows that you are a talented athlete and also tough mentally.

If you are really serious about your definition of MVP then Paige definitely fits the bill.