PREP BOYS SOCCER: Five to watch

Tye Hastings, Jackson

Senior forward

A first-team All-Wesco selection the past two seasons, Hastings is extremely dangerous within 20 yards of the net. The Western Washington University-bound senior, currently sidelined with an injury until April 1, has collected 29 goals and eight assists in his three years at Jackson. A captain on the field, Hastings also boasts a 3.6 grade-point average in the classroom. “Tye is a leader on the field with his verbal commands and his understanding of the game,” Jackson head coach Brett Norton said. “Tye is a natural born teacher and uses his skills to educate his teammates on the game to make them individually stronger players that benefits the team.” Norton expects Hastings to explode back on the Wesco South scene once the striker returns from his injury.

Dalton Alumbaugh, Stanwood

Senior goalkeeper

Stanwood’s net-minder earned a spot on the All-Wesco North first-team list last season thanks to a strong year in goal. Alumbaugh, who missed 31/2 games because of a hand injury, earned a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Snohomish, one of just two wins for the Spartans last season. The April 23 win over Snohomish, a 4A state quarterfinalist in 2009, knocked the Panthers out of first place in the Wesco North. “Dalton has all the characteristics of a high level player,” Stanwood head coach Scott Willsie said in an e-mail. “Passion for the game, the killer instinct goalkeepers especially have to have, an extremely high work ethic and commitment to continued improvement. His natural ability combined with his drive to succeed is what sets him apart from the rest.”

Michael Harris Shorecrest

Senior midfielder/defender

Harris, the 2009 Gatorade State Player of the Year, proved his worth to the Scots program by helping the team earn a 22-1-0 record with six goals and eight assists as a midfielder and defender. Shorecrest earned the class 3A championship in its seventh consecutive tournament appearance last season and the University of Washington-bound senior also honed his game this offseason playing for the Snohomish United select team. Snohomish United recently completed a 16-0 season and won the Washington State Championship with Harris as one of the captains. “Freshman year, I have no idea, but I think he has a good chance to get some playing time,” Harris’ father and select team coach Gary Harris said. “I think he’s going to play probably outside defender for UW.”

Brendon Gundry, Snohomish

Senior forward

Gundry scored 13 goals and five assists while earning All-Wesco North first-team forward honors for state quarterfinalist Snohomish last season. The speedy striker took a summer off from playing select soccer to refresh and refocus. “He truly has the speed and the technical ability to play with that speed which is what makes him so dangerous,” Snohomish head coach Dan Pingrey said. “… He’s one of these classics that you don’t find too often where he’s just got a nose for the goal and his whole thought process is shoot first, look to pass second. … That being said, people really look to put him under and that creates opportunities for others to finish as well. I look forward to him having a good season.” Pingrey added that while some colleges have shown interest in Gundry, the 3-year letterman hasn’t decided on a route to traverse in terms of his soccer future.

Jose Garibay, Monroe

Senior midfielder

After starting as a freshman and scoring a goal in his first varsity game, Garibay skipped playing soccer for Monroe for two years to commit himself to his club team. As a senior, Garibay is back for a Bearcats team looking to improve with seven returning starters from a team that went 12-6-0 in the regular season and earned a berth to the 4A District 1 tournament. “Jose is one of the most talented players I have had the pleasure of coaching,” Monroe head coach Ryan Schaeffer said. “He will bring the level of our play to the next level not only on the game field but improve our players on the practice field by his leadership skills and the way he helps mentor and motivate our team to better themselves.” Schaeffer also noted that Garibay’s vision and unselfish play help make him on of the area’s best.

Mark Nelson, Herald Writer