Two weeks since a solid showing at the state track meet, Bellmont’s Alexis Harvey was still in shape, and it showed in the Midwest Meet of Champions all-star meet at Northrop.
FORT WAYNE – If Britt Watts is closing out his career at Canterbury, he is doing it in impressive fashion. Only a junior, the forward may be playing his final match with the Cavaliers in Saturday’s Class A state championship against Covenant Christian.
Watts scored three goals in two matches at last week’s LaVille Semistate, and that followed a three-goal, two-assist effort at the Garrett Regional two weeks ago that earned him the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Player of the Week honor.
It’s all helped Canterbury (15-6-1) get the chance to defend its state title. But soon after the state championship, Watts will head to Carmel to take part in a nationally renowned soccer development academy, possibly with sophomore teammate Rece Buckmaster.
“It will definitely open up doors going to the academy, and it gives you exposure,” Watts said.
Cavaliers coach Greg Mauch said the contract for the academy will last until June when Watts will have to make the decision to continue at the academy for his senior year or return to Canterbury.
“A lot of it will depend on where he ends up signing for college and what that college coach recommends,” Mauch said. “You would be surprised by the number of college coaches that are willing to say stay and play for your high school team.”
Mauch said Watts has been getting looks from a lot of good college soccer programs and his stock is on the rise with his recent play.
Meanwhile, the Cavs will have the services of their leading scorer – he has 24 goals and 20 assists this season – for at least one more match.
“He’s grown up on the field quite a bit this year,” Mauch said. “He has worked on becoming a more complete player, as evidenced by 20 assists. That’s remarkable to have 20 assists in a season – for a forward. He has made tremendous strides in staying focused and staying engaged in the game and maintaining good position at all times so he can make those quick runs of his. He is very difficult to play against.”
Watts said his recent run has been more about his teammates.
“It’s mainly the team because they are helping me out,” he said. “I wouldn’t have made goals and gotten assists if it wasn’t for them. They are supporting me all the way through.”
Watts scored two goals in last year’s 3-0 win over Evansville Mater Dei in the first-ever Class A state championship match.
The No. 5 Cavs are the favorite against the No. 6 Warriors (10-12-1) after winning seven straight matches, including decisions over No. 1 Guerin Catholic in the semistate and No. 2 Bishop Luers in the regional.
“At the beginning of the year we were in a rut … we just decided as a team to pick it up and move forward,” Watts said. “The postseason was a new season for us. It was more of fine-tuning for us. We are definitely going to bring it and go all out. We don’t take any team lightly. We are not too nervous about it going in. It’s just another game.”
