The Edict of 7/18/15Looked like a good showing for the girls, but how did the boys get beat that bad?
As you can see it's July 18 and that is three full weeks since the 2015 Clash of the Carolinas. The dust has settled somewhat and now is the time to reflect on this year's event and how we can improve moving forward.
I want to congratulate all of the participants in this year's Clash and hope everyone enjoyed the event. All told, the Clash costs in the neighborhood of $25,000 for a 1-1/2 day event. A lot takes place in a very short time!
This year's sponsors were outstanding and extremely generous and I want to thank specifically the following businesses: First Citizens; BSN Sports; Brine; Charleston Battery; NIKE; Lloyd's Soccer; Applebee's; Drs. Chris & Kristi Collins & Family of Saluda, S.C.; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; S&ME Engineering; and SCSoccer.com. Without these entities' support there is simply
no way that this All-Star game would be possible.
Staging two All-Star events in a span of 14 days is simply too much for the SCHSSCA and hopefully in the future we can avoid such scheduling scenarios though that depends on various parties. Ideally, we would like to see the Clash return to the month of July, specifically either 7/9 or 7/16 in 2016. We prefer the weekend of June 18 for the North-South Soccer Classic but might have to keep that event in its current weekend that will be 6/11 next year.
As for the 2015 Clash's actual matches, you cannot say enough positive things about the South Carolina girls squad. The Sandlappers were as good - if not better - than the Tar Heels in all phases of the girls' contest and a draw was a deserved result. However, for many in attendance and speaking with the NC representatives, a general consensus was that SC controlled most of the game and were the better side throughout the 90 minutes. The overall series stands at 1-6-2 in favor of North Carolina, but SC has tallied two draws in the past three outings.
In contrast was the boys match, that in many respects, was over before it started. The opening kickoff by SC went backwards which resulted in a throw-in and final-third possession and penetration by NC that garnered the Tar Heels an easy goal in the first three minutes and yet another moments later. By the time the official lineups and starters had been recorded in the score book it was already 3-0. A 4-0 halftime margin led NC coaches to start apologizing in the press box and the rout was on that ended 7-0. The Sandlappers looked shell-shocked early and often all afternoon. So, in a series that saw SC with a slight 1-0-3 advantage after the first four years, has seen NC reel off five-straight wins with this year's match being the most lopsided ever to gain a 5-1-3 lead in the series.
So, in approaching the decade mark of this event, the Tar Heels hold a commanding 11-2-5 record in the combined boys/girls matches. That has to change!
What can be done to make South Carolina more competitive in the Clash of the Carolinas? We recognize the fact that in terms of registered youth soccer players in the Carolinas that the state of North Carolina (75k) holds a 3:1 advantage compared to South Carolina (25k). But, that is not an excuse! Our top 18 players from the S.C. High School League, should be able to compete - and beat - the Tar Heels year-in and year-out.
How do we accomplish this goal?First, we must change the selection date and process to ensure that the best graduated senior soccer players are being selected.
One of the pitfalls that we ran into this year - and in recent seasons - is that one of the most prominent state universities has not allowed their signees to participate because of "University 101" or "Freshman Orientation". This year that resulted in two starters for the boys match being omitted from the boys team. A letter will be drafted and sent to all collegiate soccer programs in the Palmetto State to address these concerns.
Another player who was selected and also a probable starter had already committed to an out of country trip though the coach had nominated him for this event. The issue here is two-fold: (1) confirm with the player that they can/will attend this event if selected; (2) the coach needs to communicate these important dates with their seniors at the beginning of their academic years (i.e., August/September). Otherwise, do not nominate that student-athlete or at least indicate during the nomination process if that player is (un)available for one of the All-Star games.
The head coach must be able to "rank" and "defend" their nominees for the All-Star games. The days of entering a meeting and saying, "I can't select Player X over Player Y" is over. If you cannot make this determination then it will be made for you by the All-Star Committee. Nominations will be limited to no more than five players per program, but if more than one player is nominated then a "ranking" will have to be provided by the head coach with supportive comments.
Only players nominated by the
SCHSSCA Survey Monkey nomination system will be considered in the future. There
will be no on-site nominations entertained unless via emergency situation and approved by the All-Star Committee.
All nomination dates must be adhered to by the head coach nominating their players. We, as an Association, have been burned too many times by allowing an All-Star Committee member nominating someone from his/her region, area, or club, etc., without confirmation on whether or not that student-athlete could participate in that particular game.
In regards to the Clash, a preference will be given to student-athletes who have signed with NCAA Division I soccer programs or high level Division II institutions. It is imperative that the Clash players are training at a high level in preparation for their collegiate debuts in August.
The All-Star Committee will also include input from collegiate coaches, professional scouts, and club directors in consideration for players under evaluation.
Video is encouraged in the nomination process and the use of HUDL is paramount! Please consider this tool when formulating your 2015-16 soccer budgets.
It is a privilege to participate in an All-Star Game! Player's should be neat in appearance for the event. Obviously this does not mean the same thing as it did when the first North-South Soccer Classic was staged in 1989, but one comment we have received the last several years from our parent organization, SCACA, as well as sponsors, is the appearance of the student-athletes. In particular, for boys players, to have shoulder length hair or shorter and "not in the eyes". In addition, no piercings or jewelry on boys should be visible. The Clash and the North-South events have made it as player-friendly as possible by not requiring dress clothes for the banquets and to limit the amount of luggage required. We feel that this is a fair compromise for the student-athletes, sponsors, SCHSSCA and SCACA.
An added component to this year's selection process will be the opportunity for every high school senior soccer player to participate in the inaugural
Senior High School Soccer Showcase hosted by
Congaree Rapid FC January 9, 2016 at Brookland-Cayce High School in Cayce. Registration will be $75 per player and will include a long sleeve dri-fit shirt. This event has been approved by the SCHSL and CRFC will offer a morning session for the girls and an afternoon session for the boys. All-Star coaches from the Clash of the Carolinas and North-South Soccer Classic will be invited for evaluations. In addition, collegiate coaches from SC-NC-GA will be invited.
All of these measures are being implemented/enforced to, hopefully, assist the SCHSSCA on selecting the most deserving players for both All-Star Games. The All-Star Committee will select both the Boys and Girls squads for the Clash of the Carolinas and the coaches of that year's event will be entrusted to manage and lead their respective teams that All-Star weekend. However, once the coaches have been named for that particular season, they will be responsible for the communication and organization of their squad.
Again, the coaches will manage the team chosen by the All-Star Committee.Further discussion of the SCHSSCA All-Star events will take place at the Summer Clinc in Greenville and the Winter Clinic in Columbia. The SCHSSCA welcomes all comments and suggestions concerning the North-South Soccer Classic and the Clash of the Carolinas.