Player of the Year Parker Patterson shouldered the load for Mililani
Mar. 31—Mililani's Parker Patterson decided to go from a physical style of play to a more cerebral approach after suffering an early-season shoulder injury.
Mililani's Parker Patterson decided to go from a physical style of play to a more cerebral approach after suffering an early-season shoulder injury.
It didn't stop him from once again being the backbone of a dominant Trojans back line.
Patterson, a senior defender, was named the Honolulu Star-Advertiser boys soccer Player of the Year as voted on by a panel of coaches.
"First off, this is an awesome award, " Patterson said. "I feel honored just to be nominated for this in general. To get it is something else."
Patterson, who finished with six goals and four assists, was part of a Mililani team that outscored its opponents 94-2 and finished 16-0-0 en route to claiming the Motiv8 Foundation /HHSAA Division I Championships in February.
"He is basically the rock on defense, " Mililani coach Steven McGehee said.
Mililani had six players on the Stellar Eleven, while state runner-up 'Iolani had three, and semifinalists Punahou and Baldwin each had one.
Patterson and 'Iolani senior defender Michael Kostecki were repeat first-team selections.
Patterson's season got off to a painful start.
The day before leaving for a preseason tournament on Hawaii Island, he dislocated his left shoulder during practice.
To reduce the chances of doing more damage to his shoulder, he wore a brace most of the season and said he had to be more calculating on the pitch.
"Honestly, when we were watching film and looking at old games, especially like junior and sophomore year, I would see myself being more physical and more man-to-man and getting in the attacker's face, " Patterson said. "This year, I noticed that just knowing I have this injury it taught me to back up a little, analyze my awareness on the field and be positionally aware of where everybody is."
Despite being more cautious, Patterson said he still dislocated his shoulder in the OIA championship and in an HHSAA quarterfinal game. He didn't miss any games.
On March 5, Patterson said, he had surgery to repair his left shoulder, which also had two fractures and a torn labrum.
"He's such a battler that he would fight through things that some other kids wouldn't be able to deal with, " McGehee said.
The Trojans joining Patterson on the first team are senior defenders Justin Tilton and Mau Uiagalelei, senior forwards Kai Martin and Skyler Vail, and junior midfielder Caleb Ishizaka.
'Iolani was represented by sophomore midfielder Devin Lee and sophomore goalkeeper Brayden Obrero.
Punahou senior forward Andrew Lovell and Baldwin senior midfielder Guiness Ruiz Rockett also were voted to the first team.
Island School's Sean Magoun and Mark Ure were named Co-Coaches of the Year after leading the Voyagers to the state Division II title.
It was the first state title in any sport for the school from Lihue with a high school enrollment of 182.
