News - Sports

Saturday, May. 17, 2008

Building a dynasty Trojans play in third straight title game tonight

Dynasty is a word that gets tossed around a lot in sports.

UCLA's basketball team fits the description, winning seven straight and 10-of-12 national championships from 1964-1975.

The Atlanta Braves were called a dynasty, winning 14 straight National League division titles from 1991-2005 -- 1994 was a strike season. During that span, they won only one World Series.

And how about the Indian Land softball team, the winner of seven straight Class A state championships and nine-of-10 from 1997-2006.

Don't forget Rock Hill High's wrestling team with its five consecutive titles from 1983-1987, and 14 from 1982-1997.

There is another on the horizon, the boys' soccer team at Northwestern. The Trojans are making their fifth trip to the Class AAAA state championship game today, and their third straight.

It will also be Northwestern's third straight showdown with Spring Valley for the title, with the game beginning at 7 p.m. at USC's Stone Stadium in Columbia.

Northwestern (No. 2 and 22-2) won 1-0 in 2006, Spring Valley (No. 1 and 25-0) won 3-2 last year, and earlier this season at Northwestern, the Vikings pulled out a 2-1 victory by beating the Trojans 4-3 on penalty kicks.

Can you fit Northwestern, 145-16-0 over the last six seasons, into the dynasty category? Depends on who's asked.

"When I think of a dynasty, I think of a team that has been successful over a period of time," Northwestern coach Dom Wren said. "You play the game to win, but can you determine 100 percent a dynasty is determined by how many championships a team wins?

"We try to be winners on and off the field. We get good players because our city has an excellent feeder system, either that or it's something in the water. But I'm glad to have it. And when they get to us, we teach them discipline and structure."

This year's edition has four seniors, the only starter being Corey Parks. The others are backups Chris Schultz, Chris Garcia and Matt Erb.

Parks' brother, sophomore Cody Parks, scored the winning goal in the Trojans' 2-1 win over Irmo in Tuesday's Upper State championship game.

Junior Robbie Benson is also part of a brother tandem, one that split up. His older brother, Vance, was a senior on last year's team and signed a scholarship with South Carolina.

"We feel really good about the state championship and about next year with 10 starters back," Benson said. "Corey will be the only person we lose. He's worked hard for four years and deserves his spot.

"Corey is a captain and does a good job. He is our leader on and off the field and sets a good example for our younger players."

One of those is freshman Ricardo Garbanzo. He is second on the team in scoring with 26 behind junior Enzo Martinez, the state leader with 49.

Garbanzo is a good example of the feeder program of which Wren spoke. He moved here with his family from Costa Rico when he was 6 and shortly after, began playing in local youth soccer leagues.

Now 15, Garbanzo is one of the Trojans' go-to guys. He benefited from Wren's system of opening up every position each year when a new season rolls around.

"It's really great to play on this team with some of the best players in the state," said Garbanzo, who's as quiet as a church mouse. "I think one of the things that makes our team good is that each day in practice we get to play against some of the state's top players.

"And the older guys, they are always helping me."

Corey Parks said he was "ecstatic" when his younger brother scored the winning goal the other night to rocket the Trojans back into the state championship game.

He became a starter last year and hopes he can put the championship game in the past tonight. He said winning it would be a great way to end his high school career.

"If we win, it will be one of the most memorable nights of my life," Park said. "If we lose, it could end up being my worst night ever. We've been building for this all season and it will be another great match between us.

"This one is special. The other night, I didn't care who scored the winning goal as long as we won, but I was proud of Cody. This year is the first time we've played on the same team since we were little kids. It's good that we are getting to share this experience together."