Heights’ McCleery savoring the playing time

Despite being among the top boys' soccer players in South Jersey, Haddon Heights senior Austin McCleery likely won't see his name on any postseason all-star teams.

McCleery is fine with that. Having his name appear in the starting lineup is satisfying enough.

That's because there was a chance his senior season could have consisted of just three games. That was the total he played before suffering a third-degree high ankle sprain.

McCleery missed five weeks with the injury, and it was originally suggested that he might not be able to return this year.

So imagine the feeling of McCleery when he realized he would return for the end of the regular season and more importantly for the postseason.

Now, he is helping Haddon Heights attempt to defend its South Jersey Group 2 title against a loaded field.

McCleery, an Inquirer second-team all-South Jersey defender as a stopper last year, has moved to defensive midfield, but is clearly on the offensive when helping the Garnets attack.

He had two goals in Tuesday's opening, 4-0 win over Barnegat in Group 2. That gave McCleery five goals in seven games.

Yet his value goes beyond scoring. He is 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, and few players that size are better in the air than McCleery and even fewer are as capable of controlling the middle of the field.

"He is getting his legs and wind back and obviously makes a big difference to us," Heights coach Jeff Eppright said.

When the all-conference voting took place, Eppright didn't put McCleery up for a spot because McCleery had played only three games at that point.

"It wouldn't have been fair to the other players, but everybody knows how much Austin means to our team," Eppright said. "He's a team leader for us."

As with many players who suffer an injury, especially during their senior year, McCleery just appreciates being back on the field.

"It was the worst feeling," McCleery said. "I have been doing this so long, and I wanted to play so badly."

Which is why when it was suggested that he might have to be shut down for the season, McCleery didn't consider that a viable option.

Playing high school soccer is a bigger deal to McCleery than to most. While many of South Jersey's elite players are involved with high-caliber club soccer teams, McCleery's only team is Haddon Heights.

"It really means a lot for me playing for Haddon Heights," said McCleery, who plans to play college soccer.

Last year's extended postseason run - which included the South Jersey title and didn't end until the Garnets lost to talented Cliffside Park, 1-0, in the state final - fuels McCleery this year.

"It is nothing you can explain, and it was such a great feeling being part of that team," he said. "It was an amazing year."

Haddon Heights will host Pemberton in Friday's South Jersey Group 2 quarterfinals. Every game could be McCleery's last, so he's taking time to savor each moment.

The ankle still hurts and often gets tweaked during games, but McCleery isn't complaining.

"I'm just so happy being out there, able to help out my team," he said.

Earlier this season, he refused to believe that his season was over. Now that he is back, McCleery is intent on doing everything in his power to extend his career as long as possible.