CCS Sophomore of the Year
IAN HUTT, BRANHAM
Late-season runs are starting to become a trend at Branham High, and this past season it was a sophomore who helped trigger that run of success, as the Bruins captured the CCS Division 2 title and ultimately advanced to the CIF NorCal Division 3 semifinals.
Branham won seven straight matches at the end of the season, and Hutt’s scoring ability was evident from the start of that run. The sophomore notched goals in three straight wins to finish the regular season, including the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Leigh and another during a 2-1 victory against Overfelt in the Mt. Hamilton third-place game. The Branham defense took center stage during its march to the section title, but Hutt got back in the scoring column during a 2-0 NorCal win over Albany and produced the Bruins’ only goal in a 2-1 regional semifinal loss to East Union-Manteca.
“We didn’t know what to expect this season from Ian. We knew he was supremely athletic and skilled as a freshman, but he had trouble adjusting to the varsity level when he was called up last year,” said Branham coach Danny Kadah. “Even early this season, he was not a regular starter. We have rarely seen a player improve so much in such a short time.”
Indeed, after Hutt scored in a season-opening win over Cupertino, he took just one shot in the next three matches combined, which were all defeats. From there, however, Hutt became a scoring force. When Branham took to the pitch two weeks later after Christmas, Hutt scored once during a win over Cabrillo-Lompoc and added a brace during a win over San Benito.
By the time Hutt notched a hat trick during a win over Prospect and scored both goals during a 2-0 win over Leigh, it was clear that he had adjusted to the pace of play at the varsity level. Despite his quick adaptation and break-through level of success, Hutt continued to fit in seamlessly to a Bruins’ team which was gaining team chemistry at the same time.
“I never really thought of myself as the primary scorer, because everyone else on the team was so good as well. Whenever I didn’t play well, they would lift me up, and it mostly just felt like I was doing my job,” Hutt said. “Our midfield and defense did their jobs so well, and without them, I would not have been able to score as much as I did. And I certainly was not the only player who had success putting the ball in the net.”
That defense Hutt referenced certainly came up big down the stretch, as only twice after mid-January did the Bruins allow more than goal, and six of the final seven victories came by virtue of shutout, including a win over Mt. Pleasant in the CCS Division 2 title game, a game which was decided on penalty kicks. Hutt, meanwhile, finished the season with 19 goals scored, a prolific effort for a player on a defensive-minded team.
“This whole season, everyone was so positive and every day spent practicing was so much fun. Especially after losing in the finals last year, we really wanted to win it this year, for the captains, the coaches and everyone who helped me become a better player this season,” Hutt added. “I have probably watched the video of Chris (Sahagon) making the game-winning save a thousand times, and every time, it makes me smile.”
While it was Sahagon’s save in a shootout which enabled Branham to prevail and hang a section banner, Hutt showed the opponents in the Bruins’ NorCal bracket why he will likely be one of the top scoring threats in the CCS for the next couple seasons.
“By the middle of the season, he was the most dangerous forward in our league,” Kadah added. “We wouldn’t trade him for any striker in the CCS.”
For his efforts this season, we are pleased to recognize Branham’s Ian Hutt as the Prep2Prep Central Coast Section Sophomore of the Year.
Other players considered for this award include Mitty’s Thomas Pelino, Piedmont Hills’ Josh Gruba and Homestead’s Colin Fan.
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