Hernandez named Region’s top player

The NCSCA Region 8 coaches put together an inclusive All-Region team that includes players from three athletics conferences: The 1A/2A PAC 7, the 1A/2A Central Carolina Conference (Salisbury, Thomasville, West Davidson, East Davidson, Lexington, South David-son, North Rowan) and the 2A/3A Rocky River (Piedmont, Forest Hills, Central Academy, Monroe, West Stanley, Parkwood, Anson) 

SW Randolph sophomore Fernando Hernandez was named the region’s Player of the Year. He led the Cougars, and the state, in scor-ing with 49 goals and 26 assists. Both Hernandez and Salisbury senior Yahir “Yatti” Avilez were named to the NC 2A All State team.

SW Randolph head coach Jimmy Walker was named the region Coach of the Year after leading the Cougars to a 21-4-1 overall record, a PAC 7 Co-Conference championship and a 3rd round playoff appearance, the furthest they’d advanced since 2017.

Randleman Assistant Brian Vaughan was named the region’s Assistant Coach of the Year and was also awarded the State 2A Assistant Coach of the Year. Vaughan has been the assistant coach for 18 years at Randleman and the women’s coach for 17 years. 

Other local players who made the All Region Team: First team: Kaleb Freeman, SWR; Christian Garcia, RHS; Owen Leonard, RHS; David Lopez, SWR; Moises Ventura, THS. Second team: Chris Ayala, RHS; Owen Bailey, WHS; Ryan Black, WHS; Hunter Boyles, WHS; Mitchell Carranza, RHS; Jonathan Castillo, SWR; Andrew Cox, THS; Zack Cox, THS; Grayson Earls, THS; Cristofer Elorza, THS; Riley Foster, THS; Kooper Grant, WHS;  Hayden Hemming, WHS;  Gio Jaimes, THS; Cristian Jimenez, SWR;  Preston Jones, WHS; Chris Lopez, RHS; Johnathan Lopez, SWR; Dakota Ludwick, WHS; Daylin Ludwick, WHS;  Spencer May, THS; Ronaldo Murillo, RHS; Luarel Suarez Ortiz, WHS; Avery Plummer, WHS; Carter Queen, WHS; Gilly Torres, THS; Braydon Tyl, SWR; Francisco Vences,  RHS.