03/28/2024
Spread the love

East Bladen grad Gabe Barber continued to pile up the postseason awards Tuesday as he was notified of his selection to the United Soccer Coaches High School Scholar All-America Team.

“Congratulations on being named one of the nation’s best on the field and in the classroom for the 2019-2020 academic year,” wrote Haroot Hakopian in the notification letter. Hakopian is the national chairman of the High School Scholar All-America Committee.

“Gabe’s selection to the team is a first for East Bladen and Bladen County,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “It is impressive and a big honor.” The entire team will be announced Thursday.

Barber had earlier been named the 910Preps Boys Soccer Player of the Year, and the Three Rivers Conference Boys Soccer Player of the Year. He also received All-State, All-District and All-Conference recognition and was awarded the Wilburn Clary Medal Scholarship by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.

Barber led the Eagles to their third straight Three Rivers Conference championship this season by scoring 24 goals and dishing out 22 assists. He finished his career with 50 goals and 50 assists as East Bladen reached the 3rd round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs.

Two Scholar All-America certificates and a medal will be mailed to Barber – one certificate is for him and the other certificate is for East Bladen to display at the school.

Barber will also receive an invitation to attend the annual United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony on Saturday, January 9 that will honor all of the All-Americans and Scholar All-Americans for youth, high school and college soccer in 2020. The event will be held in conjunction with the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention in Anaheim, California.

About Author