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Three Rivers Conference champion East Bladen placed six players on the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association All-Region Team for Region 6. East Bladen assistant coach Dr. Ray Cross was selected as the Regional Assistant Coach of the Year.
Named to the Region 6 All-Star team from East Bladen were seniors Greyson Heustess, Ezequiel Arteaga, Keshaun Davis, Pierce Melvin and Dan Tatum and junior Gabe Barber. It was the second time that Heustess and Melvin have been named All-Region. It was also the most players that East Bladen has ever placed on the All-Region team.
Heustess led the Three Rivers Conference with 33 goals and 84 points and also contributed 18 assists and 87 steals. He posted six ‘Hat Tricks” and scored 4 goals in two different games. Heustess scored 3 goals in both Eagle wins over Whiteville and in a 5-1 victory over second-place St. Pauls.
Barber racked up 10 goals, 7 assists and 90 steals and helped control the midfield for the Eagles. Arteaga totaled 4 goals and 4 assists, but collected 108 steals and was an integral part of the East Bladen backline.
Tatum was credited with 4 goals and 3 assists and picked up 90 steals. The 5-8 defender was another key part of the Eagle defense. Davis dished out 4 assists and helped spark the Eagle defense with 60 steals.
Melvin played a key role in the Eagle defensive effort with 104 steals. He also scored 5 goals and dished out 27 assists.