Published: 06/07/08

By Greg Oshust
Marietta Daily Journal Sports Writer

Taylor White was a big impact player for Walton all season long.

White made his biggest impact of all in the Class AAAAA state playoffs, where the senior midfielder and Kentucky signee scored crucial goals to help Walton go all the way to a state title.

As a result of his overall excellence on the field and clutch play when his team needed it the most, White is the 2008 Marietta Daily Journal/Cobb County Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

White, who could not be reached for comment, scored 17 goals and had nine assists in 2008, scoring the game-winning goal in Walton's 2-1, second-round state playoff victory over Harrison and adding a goal in the Raiders' 2-1 win over Collins Hill in the state title game.

"Taylor has been a crucial player for us," Walton coach Bucky Boozer said. "He was vital for us in our game against Harrison. He took the team on his back and just let it go."

After leading Walton to a second-place finish in a tough and competitive Area 6AAAAA, White saved his best for last in the state playoffs.

It was White's goal that made the difference in Walton's 2-1 win over Harrison, scoring on a penalty kick with 18 seconds remaining in the game.

He scored Walton's first goal of the game against Collins Hill on a header to put the Raiders ahead 1-0 as they went on to beat the Eagles and clinch the state crown.

The 2008 season was a fitting end to an outstanding high school career for White, who played a key role in Walton's state championship in 2006, and helped lead the Raiders to a state semifinal appearance in 2007 during his three-year high school career.

Boozer said White was a player who played his best in every game and filled any role that his team needed him to fill.

"He's just a consistent and solid player," Boozer said. "He can play anywhere - midfield, up front, he always did the job. He's the kind of guy that gave you a great effort in every game. He's the total package and he wants to win."

Now, White is headed for the collegiate ranks, moving on to the University of Kentucky.

Published: 05/15/2008

By Greg Oshust
Marietta Daily Journal Sports Writer

A few days after leading Walton to the state championship, Connor Barbaree has earned yet another accolade.

The Walton senior midfielder and Clemson signee was honored for his outstanding senior season with his selection as the 2008 Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

"It's really exciting," Barbaree said. "It's a great honor to win this award, to follow all the people who have gotten this award before me and have moved on to successful careers on the college and pro level. Hopefully, I will do the same as well."

Walton coach Bucky Boozer said Barbaree's selection honored him as much for his outstanding career as the 2008 season in particular.

"He was going up against so many good players in that it's not what you did that year, but what you've done your entire career," Boozer said. "Connor has been a strong player for us since he was a freshman."

Barbaree was honored for an '08 season in which he scored 16 goals and had nine assists to lead Walton to a 16-4 record and the Class AAAAA title, which the Raiders earned with a 2-1 win over Collins Hill last Saturday.

"We started slow, but then we really got things going," Barbaree said. "To play in the finals - you can't ask for more."

Barbaree is the third player from Cobb County in four years to win the award, with former Walton teammate Patrick Mitrovich winning in 2005 and Walker's Chase Neinken in '06.

The award, which is presented by Gatorade in partnership with RISE magazine, is given out for athletic excellence and for exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field.

Boozer, pointing out Barbaree's 3.42 grade-point average, said his senior standout shined off the field as much as he did on the field.

"Connor has a high GPA, so he's an outstanding student," Boozer said. "He is a very classy young man."

With his selection as Georgia Player of the Year, Barbaree is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award, which will be announced Monday.

Barbaree was also selected to the All-Region III team, which was chosen by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

In his four-year career at Walton, Barbaree scored 31 goals and 30 assists and also led the Raiders to the state title in 2006, scoring the lone goal in their 1-0 win over Harrison in the title game.

Click here to read the Rise Magazine/Gatorade announcement. 

Published: April 17, 2008

Walton freshman striker Kiana Nicholson was honored just to make the varsity soccer team as a freshman. Now she's making herself feel right at home. Nicholson scored six goals over the last two games. She came through with four in a non-area game against Marietta last Saturday where the Lady Raiders won, 8-2, and added two more Monday in Walton's 4-0 win over Lassiter on Monday.

* Height: 5-1

* Position: Forward

* Class: Freshman

*Age: 15

* Strengths: Shooting, dribbling down the sidelines and making strong passes

* She's working on: Scoring more and getting back on defense

* Favorite sports team: The U.S. women's soccer team

* Favorite subject: Geography

* Least favorite subject: Science

* Favorite movie: The Longest Yard

* Favorite food: Pizza

* Best sports memory: Making the varsity team as a freshman

* Not many know that: She's played soccer for 10 years

Boys Team
Juanaca Nandi (Chattahoochee), Alhagi Toure (Wheeler), Witt Carlisle (Fellowship Christian), Justin Clark (Marist), JP Snodgrass (Riverwood), Taylor White (Walton), Andrew Hein (Centennial), Jack McInerney (South Forsyth), Josh McCrary (Lassiter), Sean Merfeld (Chattahoochee).

Girls Team
Ashley Marks (Blessed Trinity), lolly Holland (South Forsyth), Kacie Hudson (Pope), Paige Randall (Riverwood), Mo Isom (Lassiter), Maddy Kill (Marist), Caroline Simpson (H. Innocents'), Christina Kyker (Blessed Trinity), Emme Graham (Walton), and Lindsey Donfrancesco (Pope)

Honorable Mentions went to other Walton players: Connor Barbaree, Marco Ferrara, Mike Fuller, Ben Yabrow, Lauren VanderBroek, Hannah Secunda, and Annie Pease.

Way to go Raiders!

Click here for complete list of Award Winners:  http://www.divarsity.com/templates/article.asp?article=1054#winners