Correa, Mitchell, coach Brannigan named All-Stars
Players also make state squad
BY LINDAWILLIAMS
More honors came this week for the Nantucket varsity boys' soccer team. As a result of the team's first appearance in the state finals, Coach Rich Brannigan was selected to coach the Eastern Massachusetts Division 3 South All-Star team against the Division 3 North All-Star team this Friday, Nov. 24, at 12:30 p.m. at Canton High School.

The Eastern Massachusetts Soccer Coaches Association also selected scoring phenom Caio Correa and attacking mid-fielder Caleb Mitchell for the Eastern Mass. Division 3 All- Star team. Once that team is complete the committee then nominates a few players for the state All-Star team. These are the top players in the state regardless of school size or the division the players are in. Last week both boys received word that they had made the state All-Star team as well.

Brannigan will be coaching 15 of the 20 players on the roster that Nantucket faced in the past, with several on teams recently seen during Nantucket's run to the finals. Brannigan sees great things for this team on Friday. Included on the roster are Tyler Hebert from Sacred Heart who finished just behind Correa with 49 points to Correa's 55, and four other top 10 scoring leaders: Ryan and Matt Shea from Hanover, Colin Henry from Hanover and Scott Bukoski from Bourne. "After looking at the roster I am psyched, and it should be fun. Out of all the players, I am familiar with 15 players because we played against them, saw them play or coached against them. It is pretty cool.

"I am also excited for Caio and Caleb too," Brannigan said.

College coaches will be on hand with the Division 3 game being the "nightcap" or third game out of three played that day. "That means that more people will be around watching, and it will be a great showcase for the boys," Brannigan said.

This will be the second appearance at the All-Star game for Mitchell, a senior, who was previously selected to the squad in his sophomore year. Correa is also making his second appearance, having gone last year as a freshman. Most of the other players on the roster this year are seniors.

Brannigan is looking forward to the game for many reasons. "This is an awesome way to end the season. It is an honor to be asked to coach the game first of all. Second, to have the opportunity to work with these kids as teammates rather than as opponents is great and creates a bond and a relationship with the other players we face during the season and the playoffs, and with the coaches. Hopefully this works to do that."

One more honor will be bestowed on Correa before his departure for Brazil on December 4. The Boston Globe has named him among the top 18 players for its All-Scholastic Award, its version of the All-Star team. This award also encompasses all divisions, and honors student athletes for performance in the classroom and on the field.

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