Best LA high school player ever?

[timaeus]

Should Kreis be on this list? I think he only played 2 or 3 years for Mandeville.

[coachray40]

Kries definitely belongs. Another Mandeville player that might be thought of was Randy Fortenberry (circa 1995). Dude moved here from Iowa or somewhere and was immediately the best player in the state. Wasnt there long so, probably doesnt warrant consideration. I saw Pate score one of the nicest goals I have ever seen at Lee HS in a state playoff game--took a long throw in and flicked it over the defender on the first touch out of the air, ran around him and hit it full volley into the upper 90--freakin sick goal. Josh Henderson--wow, thats a blast from the past. Guy was the Jason Garey of his era( I believe his single season goal record was the one Garey broke). Guy was big--real big, like 6' 2" and 190-- strong and fast. Interesting how so many of the names on this list are more recent.

Good list Timeaus

[Veteran]

Let me add a name for you coachray.

Scott Yerby should be on this list for sure. He had the scoring record before Josh broke it. He was part of 3, maybe 4 state titles at Catholic in the early 90's.

But for my money, Jason Kreis was the best. He wasn't the huge high school player that a lot of these guys were, but he was the best import that LA ever called its own.

[dbeasely17]

Stephen Pate went on to play for Nottingham Forest for a couple of years back when they were in the Premiership.

[ManUsucks]

Henderson went to Bishop Sullivan (St. Michaels).

[soccerstud722]

I think you would have to say Kries right now since he has played and excelled a bit more at the professional ranks than the rest. I'm still going to reserve my vote and throw it out again once garey gets more PT and Lapira moves on from the college ranks.

[dbeasely17]

playing in the premiership is pretty impressive... moreso than the MLS anyway

[timaeus]

Not entirely. There are some pretty bad teams in the Premiership, ones that most MLS teams could beat.

[malcom]

I wouldn't say most MLS teams...but a few.

[ontheRun24]

theres gonna be bad teams everywhere...the point is he went to a different level.

[loveofthegame]

i would say joseph lapira. not only did he have an amazing high school career, but he will no doubt win ncaa player of the year this year, he is leading the ncaa in goals and points and his team is in the elite 8 and he still has another year to play. a few other names i would mention is Nick Lambert (brother martin late 90's), Will Wilson (central lafourche), Ross Thevenot (st louis)

[soccerstud722]

But you Can't say BEST EVER until they show their worth at the next level too. Like you wouldn't say Reggie Bush is the best player to ever play at USC. He may have had the best college carreer, but has yet to prove himself at the next level.

[Bish]

Well, the thread is the best "high school" player ever. I guess you could take it as who was the best when they were playing high school ball in LA.

[soccerguy2628]

what about jared munts? i think he graduated from mandeville in 2000 or 2001. He is playing for the Chicago Fire right now.

[soccerstud722]

catchafishbish said:

Well, the thread is the best "high school" player ever. I guess you could take it as who was the best when they were playing high school ball in LA.

Ok I'll give it to you...I guess I have to go with Joe because of the bias that I played Select ball with him for a few years. haha.

[archiegemmill78]

Pate trained with Notts. Forrest for a week and also had a trial at Burnley. He did play for Shamrock Rovers until 9/11 then he returned state side. Jared Muntz would never get it b/e no one knows what he did at Mandeville except for people in the North Shore. I think it would have to be Jason Garey as the best high school player with Joe Lapira 2nd. However, Jason Kreis is the best professional player from Louisiana. Timaeus, I think there would only be a couple of teams from the MLS that could survive the pressure of 38 premiership games and those two would struggle to stay above the relegation zone.

[numeroquattro]

i would say garey but if we would go to after high school i think joe gets it if he keeps playing like he's been playing..but like i said if we are talking about just high schooli give it to garey

[L4S]

the thing with kreis, is that LA hadnt really seen a player of his caliber. he was impressive to watch & very intimidating. others have surpassed him in the hs game, but he left a permanent mark on LA HS soccer

[happyjack]

Pate gets my vote, followed by Lapira and then Josh Watson from St Pauls as well. Kreis had almost no impact at the high school level. Jones and Wilson were flashes in the pan at the hs level, had the talent but both dropped off significantly. Garey was good, but was fairly one dimensional - give him the ball and let him score. Randy Fortenberry was good, on a team that beat Jesuit for the state championships. I would also include Yerby, big guy (6'3" or 4"), very fast, great control, loved to play with his back to the goal and distribute. Another was Jose Londano from Covington. This goes back to the late 80s or early 90s (I'm getting old so I can't recall exactly). 4 year starter on a weak team, held several scoring records for the school and the district. Went to Evansville and played A-league for a number of years. Also the kid from Vandebilt a couple years back. Can't think of his name, but definitley made a difference when he was in the game (played club for NOSA).

[lakeview]

Sean Picou?