NEWPORT NEWS -- Right before his junior year, Deep Run's Brian Ownby heard the news that changed his attitude.

He accepted a scholarship to play soccer at the University of Virginia.

With his college future set well in advance, Ownby could relax. But he didn't fall complacent on the soccer field his remaining two years. Ownby took the opposite approach, knowing he'd need to seriously commit if he wanted to excel at the Division I level.

"I used to be the joker and just kid around," Ownby said. "I didn't care until U.Va. started talking to me. Then I realized it was starting to get serious. After I committed, I started trying more."

Ownby listed his scholarship offer to Virginia as his greatest moment in athletics in a media guide that highlighted the 37th annual VHSCA All-Star soccer game. He capped his high school career by playing in that game, in which he scored two goals and earned the team MVP in the East's 3-0 victory over the West at Captains Field at Christopher Newport University last night.

Six other area soccer players also competed. That list included Deep Run's Zach Summers, Cosby's Colin Fitzpatrick and Ben Jessee, Thomas Dale's Patrick Innes, James River's Chris Vonier and Midlothian's Ryan Taylor.

No area soccer players were in the VHSCA girls game, which the West won 4-3 on penalty kicks.

Ownby's two years of rededication helped lead to Deep Run's first Group AAA title six years after the program's inception. Ownby also earned Central Region and VHSCA player of the year honors this year.

Despite the program graduating eight seniors, Ownby feels confident the next crop of Wildcats can reach the bar he helped set in 2008.

"We have younger kids watch our games all the time," Ownby said. "It's nice we showed them winning states and letting them know they have a chance and can do the same thing."

"None of them are quite as good as Brian," Summers said. "But they're all solid. Maybe not this coming year, but the year after that might be another run for a state tournament."

They can look to Ownby's routine as a model to follow. After his commitment to Virginia, Ownby said he started practicing at full speed, no matter if it was in a scrimmage or in drills. His coaching staff with the Richmond Strikers U18 academy team reinforced that 11 players on the field will trump one or two superstars.

Summers, who also played with Ownby with the Strikers since 1995, also noticed his teammate no longer worrying about solely carrying the team. Ownby's 55 goals and 31 assists in his career at Deep Run illustrate his willingness to involve his teammates.

"With Brian on your team, you always got a chance no matter what," Summers said. "He's a threat every time he gets the ball. He has an amazing pace up top. The balls out of the back don't need to be as perfectly [placed] as it would with somebody else."

That skill also helped Ownby's other teammates -- a unit Summers described as "stacked." Four other players on the Strikers and Deep Run team are playing soccer in college. That includes Summers (VCU), Bryan Wharton (Hampden-Sydney) and Brandon Gary and Cameron Murray (VMI).

Without the supporting cast in other years, Ownby acknowledged he felt like the only option at times. His three-time player of the year awards in high school may suggest consistency. But Ownby still remembers in fondness when his changed attitude helped turn the tide.

GIRLS

Note: The East won 4-3 on penalty kicks
BOYS
West ------------------------- 0 0 -- 0
East ------------------------- 1 2 -- 3
Brian Ownby, 13th minute; Ownby, 55th minute; Nana Darko, 90th minute

East: