Bratt runner-up for underclass P.O.Y. awardPowell High School senior midfielder Jordan Brown and junior defender Monte Nickles earned all-state honors in Class 3A soccer this season. For Nickles, it was the second year the Panthers' defender achieved post-season recognition.“Monte is just a tenacious defender and this year he displayed an increased confidence in his ball skills,” said Panther head coach Pat D'Alessandro. “He displayed an ability to beat people one-on-one this season and that greatly aided our ability to transition from defense to offense this season. He made us a more potent club.”The Panthers also got a boost this season from the play of Brown at midfield. The senior displayed versatility by also playing a couple games in goal for Powell during the regular season. “Jordan really elevated his game,” said D'Alessandro. “He sees the field and understands the tactics of the game well, but he added a scoring punch to an already existing all-around game. He was great this year with headers in the air and getting in front of the goal.”The Panthers narrowly missed a third post-season honor as junior midfielder Drayson Bratt finished as the 3A runner-up in balloting for underclassman player of the year honors. Despite rating high in polling for the award, Bratt's name did not appear on the all-state lists.“That happens sometimes,” said D'Alessandro. “Nobody was out to get him or anything. Kids sometimes fall through the cracks as coaches vote and try to spread out the distribution of players named all-state. It was nice to see him finish so high in the underclassman player of the year honors and get that acknowledgment for what he did this season.”Bratt finished his junior season with 18 goals, the second-highest tally at his position in 3A ball this spring. The Panthers wrapped up the 2009 season with a 9-8-1 overall mark. The team advanced to the 3A consolation game before falling to Jackson.

Bratt runner-up for underclass P.O.Y. award

Powell High School senior midfielder Jordan Brown and junior defender Monte Nickles earned all-state honors in Class 3A soccer this season. For Nickles, it was the second year the Panthers' defender achieved post-season recognition.

“Monte is just a tenacious defender and this year he displayed an increased confidence in his ball skills,” said Panther head coach Pat D'Alessandro. “He displayed an ability to beat people one-on-one this season and that greatly aided our ability to transition from defense to offense this season. He made us a more potent club.”

The Panthers also got a boost this season from the play of Brown at midfield. The senior displayed versatility by also playing a couple games in goal for Powell during the regular season.

“Jordan really elevated his game,” said D'Alessandro. “He sees the field and understands the tactics of the game well, but he added a scoring punch to an already existing all-around game. He was great this year with headers in the air and getting in front of the goal.”

The Panthers narrowly missed a third post-season honor as junior midfielder Drayson Bratt finished as the 3A runner-up in balloting for underclassman player of the year honors. Despite rating high in polling for the award, Bratt's name did not appear on the all-state lists.

“That happens sometimes,” said D'Alessandro. “Nobody was out to get him or anything. Kids sometimes fall through the cracks as coaches vote and try to spread out the distribution of players named all-state. It was nice to see him finish so high in the underclassman player of the year honors and get that acknowledgment for what he did this season.”

Bratt finished his junior season with 18 goals, the second-highest tally at his position in 3A ball this spring.

The Panthers wrapped up the 2009 season with a 9-8-1 overall mark. The team advanced to the 3A consolation game before falling to Jackson.