Falmouth Yachtsmen Fall Athletes of the Year

MALE:

J.P. WHITE, Senior-Soccer

Maine’s lone All-American
All-New England
Class B Class Player of the Year
All-State
Western Class B all-regional team
WMC all-star, first team
Senior All-Star
Team MVP

An often unstoppable force with the ball, White displayed a sense of the dramatic this fall, playing a crucial role in leading the Yachtsmen to yet another Class B state championship while earning recognition as the finest player in the state.

White grew up in Falmouth and like so many boys in town, started playing soccer at a young age. He came to the varsity team as a freshman, became a starter as a sophomore and won three state titles during his four years. White, who has also participated with the Seacoast United premier team and an academy team in New Hampshire, was in the middle of a lot of heroics this season.

The fun began in the opener against Cape Elizabeth, when White scored the game’s lone goal in the 72nd minute. He had three assists versus North Yarmouth Academy and scored twice while assisting on three other goals in a win over Poland. On Sept. 11, with Falmouth down 2-1 to Greely with time winding down, White might have scored his most memorable goal, tying the game with 3.4 seconds left (the Yachtsmen went on to win in overtime). White also had two goals against Traip and two more in a second win over Poland.

In the playoffs, White had a goal in a quarterfinal round win over Gray-New Gloucester, converted his penalty kick to help Falmouth survive Maranacook in PKs in the semifinals, assisted on the first goal in a regional final victory over Yarmouth, then took centerstage again in the state game against Camden Hills, burying a PK with 8:34 left, to give the Yachtsmen a 2-1 triumph.

White finished 2012 with 12 goals and 11 assists and for his career (in which Falmouth went 49-8-7), tickled the twine 25 times, while assisting on 24 other goals.

“I always want to get better,” said White, who certainly did every season. “I enjoy top competition. I always go 110 percent, even in practice.”

White was named to the all-conference, regional, state and New England teams and then was named Maine’s lone boys’ soccer All-American. Not too shabby.

White, who will play hockey this winter, hopes to attend and play soccer at Hobart College.

The Falmouth boys’ soccer program has produced an abundance of special talents over the years and this one belongs right at the top of the list. J.P. White, Falmouth’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year, always got the opposition’s best, but always rose to the occasion.

Coach Dave Halligan‘s comment: “J.P. has been one of the top players in the state the past four years. I think he’s the top player this year. He doesn’t just score goals. He makes things happen. Everything goes through him. His physical skills and technical ability make him a dangerous player wherever he plays on the field. Despite being double- and sometimes triple-teamed, he seemed to play a major role in every important goal that we scored this year. He had the ability to make the difficult play look easy. He made the players around him better. J.P. has the ability to take his game to the next level and will play next year at Hobart College. He is one of the all-time greats to play at Falmouth High School.“

Prior winners:
2011: Andrew Murry (Soccer)

2010: Tim Follo (Cross country)

2009: Gabe Hoffman-Johnson (Soccer)

2008: Gabe Hoffman-Johnson (Soccer)

2007: Jack Wyman (Golf)

2006: Nick Ford (Football)

2005: Adam Packard (Golf)

2004: Connor Hollowell (Soccer)

2003: Jimmy Velas (Soccer)

2002: Brandon Bonsey (Cross country)

2001: Brian Giggey (Golf)

FEMALE:

CASSIE DARROW, Senior-Soccer

Western B regional all-star
WMC all-star, first team
WMC All-Academic team
Senior All-Star

A terrific player, who has done and continues to do great things off the pitch, Darrow had a senior season to remember in leading the Yachtsmen to a program-first third straight state championship.

Darrow was born in Iowa and came to Falmouth at the age of 5. She soon stood out on the field and over the past two seasons has been one of the best players in the state. Darrow, who also plays for the Seacoast premier team, helped the Yachtsmen make a title run in 2011 and this season made the most of her goals.

Darrow’s first big tally this fall came in the fourth game, the only goal in a 1-0 victory at rival Greely. She also had a goal and two assists versus Wells. Statistics didn’t do her justice, however, as her ability to control the ball and find open teammates to help the attack proved impossible to defend.

In the playoffs, Darrow sparkled. In the semifinals, she scored both goals, including the game winner versus Gray-New Gloucester. Then, in the state final versus Hermon, Darrow buried a gorgeous shot in the first half to give Falmouth a lead it would never relinquish and the Yachtsmen went on to another title.

Darrow finished the year second on the team with six goals and four assists and had 23 goals and 13 assists for her career.

Darrow also runs middle distance in indoor track and has a lengthy resume of non-athletic activities.

Darrow, an avid rollerblader, plays the trombone in the band, is a member of chorus and the Civics and Service clubs. She raises funds for Safe Passage. She’s in the process of starting a soccer clinic for girls in Argentina, where she may spend a gap year. She wants to play in college and is interested in pursuing international relations or languages.

When you’re looking for the student-athlete ideal, look no further than the girl with the great field vision and deadly shot. Cassie Darrow, Falmouth’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, did it all and did it brilliantly.

Coach Wally LeBlanc’s comment: “On the field, Cassie is extremely creative with the ball. She has the softest touch with the ball of any player on our team. Her agility allows her to cut the ball against the grain and become quite dangerous when attacking goal. As much as I admired her abilities on the field these past two years, it is what she does away from the field that is so inspiring. She was the leader who began the Score for Safe Passage program so that she could raise money for those who are less fortunate than her. As I look back at the past two years that I have been able to work with Cassie, I can honestly say that she has enriched my life and made me a better person. There are not many athletes who have that type of impact during their high school years. She is such a wonderful person and has meant so much to the academic/educational communities at Falmouth High School.”

Prior winners:

2011: Caitlin Bucksbaum (Soccer)

2010: Kate Sparks (Volleyball)

2009: Emma Wilberg (Volleyball)

2008: Nicole Foley (Field hockey)

2007: Maddie Grygiel (Cross country)

2006: Emily Bowden (Field hockey)

2005: Riley Haddock (Field hockey)

2004: Riley Haddock (Field hockey)

2003: Hannah Millick (Field hockey)

2002r: Ali Hollowell (Field hockey)

2001: Whitney Huse (Soccer)