8 combined Bobcats, Lady Cats recognized by region
By Robbie Bills
Sports Editor
Region 7-3A soccer coaches met at the conclusion of the state playoffs to vote on yearly superlatives.
Gilmer High’s Simon Phipps was voted coach of the year following the Bobcats’ 10-5-1 season and third straight trip to the state playoffs.
Midfielder Julien Withrow was voted to the all-region first team, as was fellow senior defender Alex Lopez. Senior forward Melvin Oxlaj and freshman goalkeeper Talyn Curtis landed on the second team, while senior defender Miguel Lopez Velasquez received an honorable mention.
For the Lady Cats, senior defender Cadence Smith was voted to the all-region first team, and senior midfielder Reagan Boling garnered a second-team nod. Sophomore goalkeeper Caitlin Henderson received an honorable mention.
“Cadence and Reagan have been natural leaders and on-field coaches since they were very young. They deserve the recognition,” said head coach April Nicholson. “Caitlin stepped into an impossible situation. She always had a great attitude and was willing to learn.”
Phipps said he was surprised to win the award after West Hall and East Forsyth made deeper runs in the state tournament.
“I think the thing that I appreciate most about the award is it is an award given by the coaches to the coaches, and that really means a lot to me,” Phipps said. “As I have always said, though, it is not just about me as head coach. Taylor Johnstone has done an amazing job over the last four years as my assistant, and he has been fundamental in the development of this program.”
Phipps expressed gratitude toward Lady Cat coaches Nicholson and Josh Fountain and GHS athletic director Matt Johnson for their continued support. Phipps also thanked wife Karen, who he said “has encouraged me to be the best I can be as a coach.”
“The boys were amazing this year, and as I have said before, I have never seen football like that played at ‘The Huff.’ It was a pleasure and an honor to be there for some of those amazing games this season,” Phipps said. “If it was not for them and the way they have bonded and played as a team, there would be no award, so I am thankful to them and all the hard work and effort they put in.”
Withrow was a four-year varsity letter winner and three-year captain. He capped his senior season with nine goals and 14 assists. Lopez was a stalwart for GHS on the defensive end and also added a goal on the year. Phipps described him as a “real calm, steady and reliable player.”
Oxlaj also netted nine goals on the season to go along with two assists after he was sidelined by an injury as a junior.
Curtis stepped in net after GHS lost its starter in the opening weeks of the season. He went on to have three shutouts versus region opponents and only gave up five goals in seven region matches.
Lopez Velasquez gave Phipps flexibility with his ability to play as a central defensive midfielder or along the back row.
“The seniors went to state three times in four years, and actually, if you take out the COVID year where we only played one region game before they canceled the season, they were three for three with state qualifications,” Phipps said.
“Whichever way you look at it, is a truly exceptional achievement by this group of players.”