Seminole is No. 1

The latest state poll is out, and Pinellas County now has TWO teams ranked No. 1 in their respective classification.

The latest member of the club? Class 5A Seminole, which joins Class 3A No. 1-ranked CCC as the local schools who can wave their foam fingers with pride.

The Warhawks have earned their first No. 1 ranking since the great national championship team of 2001. At 17-0, the Warhawks are one of only three undefeated teams in the state, along with Class 2A, No. 1 American Heritage and Class A, No. 2 Merritt Island Christian, which is listed at 10-0.

Seminole got eight first-place votes, with the other one going to No. 2 Plant. Three other local teams are ranked in the top 10 -- Jesuit (4), Land O'Lakes (9) and Dunedin (10).

CCC (17-1) remained No. 1 in 3A, Canterbury dropped one spot to No. 3 in Class A where Cambridge is up to No. 5, and Pasco dropped to No. 10 in Class 4A.

The rest of the poll is right here...just click below...

More Countryside magic at Dunedin tourney

   Last year, Countryside made a surprising run all the way to the final at the Dunedin Spring Classic, knocking off the hosts along the way.
   Monday, the Cougars showed more of that Englebert bewitchment, stunning Class 3A, No. 5-state ranked Florida Christian 7-6.
   The Cougars had lost 12 of their last 13 games coming in to the tournament. They trailed 5-2 before rallying to take a 7-5 lead in the botom of the sixth inning. Florida Christian (14-3) made a run in the top of the seventh, scoring a run and putting runners on 2nd and 3rd, but sophomore Kyle Parry shut 'em down to get the win.
   Some of the other highlights:
   Clearwater Central Catholic walloped Northeast 17-0. No, really. Joe McLemore had three doubles, Cody Slaughter homered, and Ryan Weber overcame some early wildness (wow...Weber and wildness in same sentence, don't see that often) to dominate. A big crowd showed up to watch, and there was quite the buzz in the crowd when Weber hit 92 mph on the speed guns.
   East Lake beat Canterbury 6-5, overcoming two deficits and the top of the seventh inning, when the Crusaders tied the game. In the bottom of the seventh, however, Canterbury freshman pitcher Adam Graves  (who pitched very well) looked like he was going to strand a runner and take the game into extras when a fly ball -- a cliche-scarred writer might call it a can of corn -- was dropped in left, allowing the winning run to score.
   Palm Harbor knocked off Pinellas Park in a loser's bracket game 11-4 as Craig Roepke doubled three times.
   Winner's bracket games today:
   Dunedin-Tates (Ky.) Creek and East Lake-St. Petersburg at 5 p.m., Countryside-Tarpon Springs at 8 p.m.
   Elsewhere:
   It should also be noted that Clearwater picked up a huge win at a tournament down south, defeating Palm Beach Gardens 5-4 with a run in the 7th and another in the 9th. PBG is ranked No. 8 in Class 6A. Sweet.

   

Plant at Alonso: Dream matchup or naptime?

On paper, not even we could have dreamed up a better game than Friday's non-district tilt between Plant and Alonso. It features two of the top teams in Hillsborough County, not to mention the top two teams in our Times' Hillsborough County Super Seven.

And to add to the drama, it might feature a matchup between the county's top two pitchers: Alonso's Alex Panteliodis (7-0, 1.30 ERA) and Plant's Mychal Givens (6-0, 0.49 ERA)

But here's the problem. The next day, both teams will play their first game of the Saladino Tournament at UT. In fact, the Ravens (14-1) have will open the tournament with a 1 p.m. start against Wesley Chapel just 18 hours against their first pitch at Plant (16-1). The Panthers open with a 7 p.m. game against Jefferson.

That leaves both coaches figuring out how to use their pitchers heading into the week-long tournament. Panteliodis, for example, had pitched in early-week games, but Alonso coach Landy Faedo said he won't use his ace tomorrow night and will save him "for later in the week." That's not a guarantee A.P. will pitch against Plant, but we think Faedo is entertaining the idea of pitching his ace against the Panthers.

Meanwhile, Plant coach Dennis Braun wouldn't commit on Friday's starter, only saying that "We have a lot other things to play for" since it's a non-district game.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Sportswriting fraternity loses brother

There was sad news out of Ocala today, where longtime Ocala Star-Banner high school sportswriter Vince Murray passed away after a lengthy illness. A St. Pete High graduate, Vince was 56. He had worked with the Star-Banner since 1979. During his time there, he wrote about every great athlete the area produced, from NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper to NBA guard Travis Mays.

More than anything, Vince loved basketball. He was a tireless promoter of the sport, was one of the first in Florida to compile recruiting lists and helped create the Diamondback Challenge, arguably the state's premier one-day basketball showcase. Thanks to his efforts, dozens of high school athletes earned college scholarships. "Wherever there was a big game, Vince was there," Tampa Prep coach Joe Fenlon said. "I'd get something in the mail from him just about every month. He wanted to know where my kids were going, who was hot, who was not. He was at the pulse of high school basketball."

Several years ago, Vince was severely hurt in a car accident. He spent much of his time after that confined to a wheelchair, but he never lost his passion for high school sports. The people he wrote about -- usually teenage athletes -- always came first. To those of us who knew Vince, he will be missed terribly.

A story about Vince's life can be found HERE.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Charles gets his dream offer

Plant tight end Orson Charles always dreamed of playing football as Miami.

While scholarship offers began mounting for the 6-foot-3, 230-pound junior, there was one he eagerly anticipated. And on Monday afternoon, Plant coach Robert Weiner pulled Charles out of a workout to tell him the good news from Coral Gables -- that Miami was the latest school to offer Charles a scholarship.

"I was about to cry," Charles said. "I thought it was coming, but I didn't think it was coming this soon."

Charles admits it will difficult to turn his back on the Hurricanes, especially considering that Miami has been a tight end factory for the NFL -- Kellen Winslow, Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen are just a few recent first-rounders to come out of the "U" -- but he said he will take a close look at the academics at all the Florida state schools he's been offered (Florida, Florida State, USF) before narrowing his list. Charles wants to major in architecture.

"I think they have a leg up becuase they're a private school," Charles said of Miami. "So I would get more one-on-one attention."

Charles, a transfer from Riverview, will be busy the next two weekends, taking unofficial visits to Georgia and Florida the next two weekends along with a teammate, Plant's highly-recruited quarterback Aaron Murray.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how Georgia uses their tight ends," Charles said.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Plant's Murray enlisted in U.S. Army All-American Bowl

Plant quarterback Aaron Murray has accepted an invitation to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the premier all-star game for high school seniors played annually at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Plant coach Robert Weiner said.

The game will be nationally televised on NBC on Jan. 3, 2009.

Murray had also recieved an offer to play in the ESPNU/Under Armour High School All-American Game in Orlando, but the two games are being played at the same time.

Invitations to play in the U.S. Army game are exclusive, and Murray was among the first offered to play in the game, Weiner said.

The game had included the nation's top high school quarterback's, most recently the likes of Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State), Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame) and Florida's Heisman Trophy-winning QB Tim Tebow.

Armwood lineman Matt Patchan was selected to play in last year's game, but was unable to participate.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

 

Cambridge soccer standout headed to Appy State

Kyle Sims, a standout soccer player for Cambridge Christian, will sign a letter-of-intent with Appalachian State 3 p.m. Thursday at the school. Sims was a Times honorable mention All-County choice as a senior after helping the Lancers go 16-6-3.

A forward/midfielder, he finished with 12 goals and 10 assists. Appalachian State plays in the Southern Conference. The Mountaineers went 6-10-3 this past season.

"It's a great opportunity for him to demonstrate the ability that he has to play the game," Cambridge coach Kevin Hickinbotham said. "He's a strong player and a great team player. Hopefully, he'll help improve their squad as much as he did ours. He's real excited about it."

Sims was a four-year starter at Cambridge. He was team captain during his junior and senior seasons.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Note: Here's a photo from Sims' signing ... pictured -- Kammie, Earl & Kelley Sims (Kyle’s sister and parents), Kyle and Coach Kevin Hickinbotham. (photos courtesy Brooke Nierengarten)

Brandon guard has one offer, another coming?

Brandon guard Tarron Stewart has one Division I scholarship offer, and it appears likely he will have a second fairly soon, Eagles coach Mark Hermann said. Longwood, which is located in Virginia, was the first to pull the trigger. Now, it looks like the Citadel will do the same. Stewart is expected to visit the school sometime in April. "Any time you bring a kid in on a visit, there's pretty much an offer on the table," Hermann said. The Citadel plays in the Southern Conference, the same league as Davidson, which just reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Stewart, a 6-foot guard, averaged 16 points a game as a senior for the Eagles, who reached the Class 5A final four. He led Brandon with 16 points in a state semifinal loss to Lakewood.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Bay Area Batting Order:

Leadoff: Chamberlain (16-1)
Last week's ranking: 1st
Last week's results: def. Hillsborough 11-2; def. Gaither 5-1; def. Middleton 13-0; lost to Plant 2-1 (8 inns.)
Despite an extra-inning loss to Plant, the Chiefs' body of work so far (i.e. 5-1 win at Gaither, previous win against Plant) keeps them atop our list.

Second: Countryside (16-2)
Last week's ranking: 2nd
Last week's results: def. Alonso 10-0; def. East Lake 6-1
The Cougars are getting it done with their Bache (as in Alyssa) and their bats. Countryside collected 10 hits in that romp against East Lake.

Three-Hole: Land O'Lakes (13-0)
Last week's ranking: 4th
Last week's results: def. Central 21-2; def. River Ridge 5-3; def. Mitchell 5-4
Coach Jamie Martin's club has defeated all-comers in Pasco County. The bat of senior Michelle Bradley (8 HRs) has more pop than the soda aisle at the new Publix in Connerton.

The dish on Cooley

To date, Plant hoops standout Sheldon Cooley, a junior, has one scholarship offer. It came from Tennessee Tech. But Plant coach Mike Phillips says the following schools also have inquired about the 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard, who averaged 22.1 points and 8.7 rebounds this past season on his way to earning county Player-of-the-Year honors from the Times: Army, Brown, East Tennessee State, Florida International, Lehigh, Marshall, Ohio, Stetson, Tennessee-Martin, Tulane, USF, Virginia Tech, Western Carolina and Western Michigan. To those of you who have seen Cooley play, I pose this question: Based on his skills, what level would he be best suited for in college? Feel free to break it down for us.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Waller makes his choice

Tampa Prep senior forward David Waller, a first-team Times all-county pick, has committed to Amherst College, Tampa Prep coach Joe Fenlon confirmed Monday. The 6-foot-6 standout picked the Division III power over Princeton and Penn. The Lord Jeffs won the Division III national title in 2007 and were the national runnersup in 2008.

"They're perennial top five in the country," Fenlon said.

Waller averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds a game as a senior. He helped lead the Terrapins to the playoffs.

"He made the decision early on that he was looking only at highly academic institutions," Fenlon said. "He had many opportunities. He could have signed with mid-Division I programs. But he and his family know that eventually the ball is going to stop bouncing. Going to Amherst will open a lot of doors for him later in life."

Waller visited the school in November.

"I didn't want to try to play for an Ivy League championship and hopefully get in the NCAA Tournament," Waller said. "At Amherst, they play for a national championship every year. And the academics are fantastic."

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Trojans offer Giles … the Troy Trojans

Gaither running back Jarvis Giles has picked up scholarship offers No. 13 and 14. The latest teams to get into the mix? Troy and North Carolina. Because Giles, a 5-foot-11, 178-pound running back, already has offers from schools such as Florida and Florida State, this might not seem all that significant. But at the Times, it is. You see, two members of our staff are proud Troy alums -- high school sports editor Traci Johnson and staff writer Joey Knight. If by chance Giles makes a visit to Troy, Johnson suggests he check out the following eateries: Half-Shell, which also is a good place to catch a game, and either Mossy Grove (a converted 1850s schoolhouse) or Sisters' Restaurant, both of which are known for their fantastic Southern Cooking.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Toledo suffers first loss as a Gator

Alonso grad Tommy Toledo no longer is perfect. Now a freshman pitcher for the Florida Gators, Toledo suffered the first loss of his college career Sunday in a 6-3 defeat at home to LSU. He had won his first four starts in a Gator uniform. Six days ago, Toledo (4-1) was named Southeastern Conference freshman of the week. On Sunday, he allowed four earned runs in 5 and 1/3 innings. Despite the loss, the standout right-hander still has a 2.70 ERA.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Tampa Prep grad named NCAA Diver of the Year

Tampa Prep alum Chris Colwill, a standout for the Georgia Bulldogs, was chosen Sunday as the NCAA  Diver of the Year following his performance this weekend at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Federal Way, Wash. A senior, Colwill won the 1-meter springboard title and finished second in both the 3-meter and platform to cap a remarkable college career. In 2006, he won both springboard events. You can read more about his efforts HERE.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Privately speaking

YOUR DAILY DOSE
1. Wow. How about those baseballing private schools in Pinellas County Saturday night?
   Northside Christian beats Dixie Hollins 15-5.
   St. Petersburg Catholic beat Lakewood (who was beating Seminole the previous night through five innings) 16-2.
   Clearwater CC beat Palm Harbor 11-5 at Dunedin.
   Snap!
2. Canterbury will get its shot at taking down one of the bigger public schools when it meets East Lake  at the Dunedin Spring Tourney Monday at 5 p.m. East Lake lost a 4-3 heartbreaker to Dunedin Friday night.
3. CCC shortstop Sam Mende hit a pair of homers against PHU, giving him 7 this season. James Dowdell also blasted one out, and now has 5.
4. St. Petersburg opened its Dunedin experience by shutting out Pinellas Park 9-0 behind pitcher J.C. Fortunato. Jacob Barnes homered.
5. Welcome back, Dan Genna, who finished serving his suspension for practicing on a Sunday against state rules. His Spongers, led by pitcher Joey Kase, posted their third straight win when they whipped River Ridge 12-0 (again, at Dunedin Spring tourney). Genna should definitely celebrate by taking today OFF!

Cambridge hurler tosses perfect game

Matt Fishman was perfect Friday.

The Cambridge Christian pitcher faced 15 batters in a 20-0 five inning-win over Citrus Park Christian and retired every single one of them. But it was close.

With two outs in the fifth, Fishman ran the count to three balls and two strikes. On the next pitch, a popup was hit to shallow center that looked certain to drop. Chris Brown made sure it didn't. With a diving catch, the outfielder preserved the no-hitter, and of course, the perfect game.

"The funniest part was that Matt said to Chris, 'I owe you a steak dinner,'" Lancers coach Rick Shears said. "And Chris said, 'Heck, you owe me a surf and turf at Red Lobster."

A sophomore, Fishman (4-1) struck out seven. He recorded five ground outs and three fly ball outs. Afterward, the team mobbed both Fishman and Brown.

Cambridge is now 14-1.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Plant alum not so Marvelous in UM spring game

Plant grad Robert Marve had a so-so performance at best today in the Miami Hurricanes' annual spring game. Now for the good news: His chief rival for the Canes' starting QB spot was equally mediocre. According to numbers just posted by the Miami Herald, Marve, a redshirt freshman who led the Panthers to the Class 4A state title as a senior, was 10-of-22 passing for 93 yards and two interceptions. True freshman Jacory Harris (Miami Northwestern), however, was only 9 of 17 for 64 yards. Miami coach Randy Shannon said earlier this week the team likely wouldn't pick a starting quarterback until August. But you have to figure a strong effort by Marve today would have helped. To see a complete play-by-play from the game, go HERE.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

QB or RB for Aycock?

Chamberlain standout Dontae Aycock will land at a Division I-A program. That's not even up for debate. But the question is this: Which position will he play at the next level, quarterback or running back?

Aycock, whom Rivals.com rates as the country's 183rd best prospect for the Class of 2009, is being recruited to play both. Of the five major programs to offer him a scholarship thus far, four of them (Duke, Kansas, USF and Vanderbilt) would like him to play running back. The other, Georgia Tech, is recruiting him as a QB.

An all-county signal caller last fall, Aycock has a better than average arm, but he is only 5-foot-10. And that's probably why many project him to play tailback.

"Most see him probably at running back," Chiefs assistant Brian Turner said. "But I hope someone gives him a chance at quarterback. I think he can play there. He's a very good quarterback."

From what Turner says, Aycock is fine playing at either spot.

"He doesn't care," Turner said. "Whatever gives him a chance to get on the field."

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Tampa Prep's Colwill wins NCAA title

Former Tampa Prep star Chris Colwill, a senior diver for the Georgia Bulldogs, has claimed one title and one second-place finish at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Federal Way, Wash. Colwill, who grew up in Brandon, won the 1-meter springboard Thursday with 407.25 points. Needing 69.25 points on his final dive, Colwill stuck his reverse 2.5-somersault pike for 76.8 points. On Friday, he was second in the 3-meter. To read more about Colwill's NCAA title, go HERE.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Ex-Durant star expected to make Tigers' roster

Just call the Detroit Tigers Hillsborough County's team. The squad is likely to open the 2008 season with three players from Hillsborough County on the roster -- starting pitcher Kenny Rogers (Plant City), designated hitter Gary Sheffield (Hillsborough) and utility player Ryan Raburn (Durant). The first two were locks to make the team. Raburn was not.

But late Friday night, MLB.com reported Raburn is "expected" to be on the roster when Detroit begins the regular season Monday. As a mid-season callup from Triple-A last year, Raburn, 26, batted .304. Despite that, he had been on pins and needles recently as Tigers manager Jim Leyland pondered how he would finalize the team's 25-man roster.

Raburn's versatility was key to him making the squad. He can play second or third base, and any position in the outfield. He batted .245 this spring.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Pitching gives Jesuit tourney title, promise for future

Daniel Gibson is just a sophomore, but Jesuit coach Richie Warren had enough faith in the young lefthander to tab him as the championship game starter if the Tigers reached the finals.

"He's young but we don't want to use that as an excuse," Warren said. "Everyone wants to make excuses for the young guys."

Gibson didn't disappoint Friday, leading the Tigers to a walk-off 2-1 win over Seattle Prep in the Jesuit Spring Break Invitation. After allowing a run in the third inning, Gibson allowed just one hit the rest of the way. He finished with a complete-game six hitter, striking out a career 12 batters.

And that effort came after Gibson's first start since Feb. 19. Plus, he hadn't pitched more than 2 2/3 innings in a single outing, having been mostly used in relief.

"I like this better," Gibson said with a smile. "It gives me more time to prepare."

After soaking up this win, the Tigers (17-2) face a daunting end to the regular season. They close out the season with Tampa Catholic, Land O'Lakes, Sarasota and Clearwater Central Catholic before heading into the district tournament.

Warren has reason to be optimistic. Pitching is always the key to long postseason runs. And senior Matt Brazis (one earned run in his past 21 innings of work) and Greg Holsen (one earned run in his past two starts, both complete games) have been superb of late. Add a dependable Gibson to the fray and the Tigers could be tough to beat.

“After the first couple of innings, (Gibson) got locked in,” Warren said. “If we can get a win out of Gibson like that, and with the way Brazis and Holsen are pitching, I think we are ready to make a serious run here.”

The Tigers celebrated the win, which was clinched after Brian Traina's successful safety squeeze, with a pile near first base. Minutes later, Warren received his first Gatorade bath as Jesuit coach.

"Hopefully, we have one more of those left," he said, hinting at a long postseason run.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Charles' number of offers continues to climb

Plant tight end Orson Charles received two more scholarship offers today. Purdue and South Carolina are the latest schools to offer the 6-foot-3, 230-pound junior, Plant coach Robert Weiner said.

Charles, a transfer from Riverview, has become a popular recruit. He has a number of offers from high-profile schools, including Florida State, Florida, USF, Auburn and Iowa. He is still awating an offer from Miami.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Bradley ties home run record

TRINITY - Land O'Lakes star Michelle Bradley tied the Pasco County single-season home run record Friday with two home runs in two at-bats in a 5-4 win at Mitchell. She also threw 14 strikeouts.
Bradley crushed a grand slam over the leftfield fence for a 4-0 lead at  in the top of the first inning for her seventh home run of  the season. Then she belted a solo shot over the opposite field fence for a 5-0 lead in the second for her eighth home run to tie the record.
Pasco's Colena Lazar is second with six. She went 3-for-4 on Friday in a 9-1 win at Springstead. One of her hits bounced off the outfield fence.
Pasco County's home run record was set two seasons ago by Mustangs junior Olivia Kline. She 
is tied with River Ridge catcher Sarah Simon with four.
-- IZZY GOULD
izzygould@gmail.com

Ijjas going to Duke

Clearwater Central Catholic kicker Jeff Ijjas has signed with Duke. Ijjas picked the Blue Devils over Colorado, Colorado State and Florida. He was first-team, all-county and all-state this past season, when he hit 13-of-17 field goals and averaged 40 yards per punt. He also had three kicks of more than 50 yards, including a 51 and 54-yarder.

-- BOB PUTNAM

Doug Smith is new Tampa Prep boys soccer coach

Tampa Prep named Doug Smith, an assistant coach on the Terps' back-to-back Class 2A state champs, its new boys soccer head coach today to replace highly successful coach Jose DaCosta, who resigned after coaching the Terps for 14 seasons.

"He's built a fine program," Smith said of DaCosta. "He certainly set a high standard and I'm going to do my best to make sure it stays there."

Smith inherits a program that has won three state titles in the past four seasons. He played college soccer at Maryland, where he was captain of a breakthrough Terps team that was ranked 15th in the nation in 1995. He was also a volunteer assistant for a Maryland team that went to the NCAA Final Four in 2003. An Ohio native, he spent his early college soccer days at the University of Hartford, and transferred to Maryland when his coach Sasho Cirovski came to College Park.

Smith also played indoor soccer professional soccer, most recently with the Florida Thundercats of the NPSL in 1998-99. As a Tampa Prep assistant, Smith, 34, often participated in practices with players.

"As long as my health will allow," Smith said. "I think there's always a benefit to playing alongside someone who has played at the college level or professionally. I've spent most of the past 20 years either playing or coaching soccer, so I think with that experience, there's a lot to pass along."

Smith teaches history and social sciences at Tampa Prep, a factor that was important in his hiring.

"Number one, he had a great resume," Tampa Prep AD Carol Chalu said. "No. 2 he is a teacher here. We love our coaches being teachers here to be accessible to the kids at any time."

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

16 Black takes second at national event

How good is volleyball in the Tampa Bay area? Consider this: The Tampa Bay Juniors 16 Black team, which includes many of the region's top talents, took second at the prestigious Big South National Qualifying Tournament last weekend in Atlanta.

"That," said Plant outside hitter Maddie Martin, a member of the squad, "is the best our team has ever done. I think we played real well."

The team, which played three matches a day over three days, also included Rendall Buell (Plant), Katie Daorai (Plant), Davi DiSalvatore (Countryside), Becca Howard (Berkeley Prep), Leah Jordan (Plant), Kaitlin Liguori (Alonso), Shelby Mander (Pasco), Ali McCurdy (Plant), Chelsea Parker (Berkeley Prep) and Lindsay Young (Berkeley Prep). It was coached by John Coup and assisted by Jason Bouchard.

The event brought 750 teams of various age groups to Atlanta.

Martin, by the way, already has received a few scholarship offers -- even though she's only a sophomore. The 6-foot-1 standout also has gotten letters of interest from several of the country's elite programs.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Clearwater applicants named

The Times obtained the names of the coaching applicants for the Clearwater boys basetball position. Sixty-four applied, including 12 head coaches of programs in Florida. The applicants also came from 16 states.

As expected, Pinellas Park's Allen Carden and Palm Harbor Unviersity's Mike Walters applied. So did Clearwater assistant Jon Cabino and Largo assistant Mark Carter. East Lake's Joe Bloznalis did not apply.

Tyrhon Crawford, head coach at Orlando Evans, which is always a power in 6A, dropped out of the running.

Clearwater principal Keith Mastorides and athletic director Kathy Biddle will whittle down the list during next week's spring break. Biddle said they will start interviewing candidates within the next three weeks. Mastorides said he had not heard anything about Jack Coit returning to coach another season.

-- BOB PUTNAM

For the list of applicants click here:

Seattle team has eye in Jesuit tourney prize

They're from Seattle, but Jesuit's opponent in the Tigers' Spring Break Invitational championship game is no ordinary cup of joe.

The Tigers (16-2), winners of nine straight, will face Seattle Prep, a team that -- like Jesuit -- has one all three of its tournament games, tonight at 7.

Here's the dirt on Seattle Prep, from the Seattle Times:

The Panthers are playing with a purpose. Head coach Ed Paulter returned to the field just two weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery for his 23rd season of leading Seattle Prep.

Prep (5-1) was 14-2 last season, winning the Metro League's Mountain Divison before losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Paulter is an interesting fellow. He is an avid mountain climber, has scaled the 14,410-foot Mount Ranier 25 times and already has a summer trip planned to Tibet.

He also has some talent. Ace pitcher Anthony Drobnick, who was 8-1 with a 1.86 ERA last season, has signed with Washington State. Infielder Andy Bethel has signed with Washington, is a defensive stalwart and hit .458 last season.

Here's the link to the Seattle Times' story on Seattle Prep that ran before the season.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Photo credit: Seattle Times/Seattle Prep's Anthony Drobnick, Andy Bethel and coach Ed Paulter (L to R).

Marvelous effort won’t clinch job, but it could help

The University of Miami's spring game is Saturday at Fort Lauderdale's Lockhart Stadium, but reports out of Hurricanes camp suggest the team's quarterback race will not be decided this weekend. In fact, according to the Miami Herald, "the decision of who will start as quarterback in the Aug. 28 opener against Charleston Southern could come as late as a week before the game -- maybe even later." What that means is this: No matter how well former Plant QB Robert Marve does or doesn't play Saturday, it won't be the deciding factor on whether he will become the starter.

''It's another day,'' UM offensive coordinator Patrick Nix told the Herald.

Marve, who will be a redshirt freshman in the fall, is locked in a heated battle with true freshman Jacory Harris and Cannon Smith, also a freshman. For his part, Marve appears patient with Miami coach Randy Shannon.

"That's the head man,'' Marve told the Herald. "He makes the rules around here, so I'm cool with whatever he says. We're trying to win games here. We're not trying to find out who's this and who's that. We don't know any position right now."

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Meet the forgotten Tiger

On a Middleton baseball team with shortstop Corey Thomas, a USF commit, and first baseman Jamie Mallard, a UCF commit, it's easy to overlook Jarryd Reid. But Tigers coach Vernon Slater says college coaches and professional scouts have taken notice of the senior outfielder, who is batting .304.

"The scouts really like him," Slater said. "A lot of them are helping him get into school. They like him that much. Colleges have respect for a scout's opinion, and that's helped him."

At last check, Florida A&M, Hillsborough Community College and Santa Fe Community College had shown the most interest. SFCC coach Johnny Wiggs, once a standout pitcher for the Florida Gators, was in Tampa this week to watch Reid play.

In Slater's opinion, Reid, who also was a pretty good linebacker for Middleton, is a raw talent who has yet to approach his full potential. But because Reid has a high upside, the coach said he wouldn't be shocked if Reid gets drafted in June.

"There's a chance," Slater said. "He's a fast, strong kid. He's got all the talent to become a great player."

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Leto football sends four to college

Leto held a ceremony Friday recognizing four football players who have signed letters of intent to play college football.

Falcons tight end Darius McRoy defensive back Marquis Nedd have signed to play at Glenville State, a Division II school in Glenville, W.V.

Two other players are going the JuCo route. Linebacker Donnie Wise has signed to play at Erie Community College in Western New York. Defenslive lineman James Guyton will play at Coffeeville Junior College in Kansas. Wise and Guyton are Times All-County honorable mention honorees.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

With or without star, Plant tennis is solid

Plant senior Joel Samaha, the tennis team's No. 1 player, has played in only five of the squad's 10 matches, but the way Panthers coach Michael McWilliams sees it, this is a good thing. That's because Samaha has a reason for being absent; he regularly plays in USTA events throughout the state.

"I find that competition is much better than practice," McWilliams said. "By him going and playing with higher competition, that's best for Joel. In return, it's best for the team, too."

Here's why: When Samaha, who will play for Yale, misses a Plant match, everyone else gets the experience of playing up a spot. For example, Dylan Tozier, the team's No. 2 player, has faced several No. 1 opponents, and fared quite well. McWilliams hopes all of this will make Plant, which is 8-2 this season, better prepared for districts. And beyond if advances.

Samaha, by the way, is 4-1.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Four Terps soccer standouts sign on the dotted line

Two new Class 2A state titles banners -- celebrating this winter's remarkable runs by the Tampa Prep boys and girls soccer teams -- are already handing on wall of the school's gymnasium.

On Friday morning, Tampa Prep celebrated four key members of those teams at a college signing ceremony in the gym.

Boys goalkeeper Brad Sienkiewicz, the Times' Hillsborough County Player of the Year, signed with USF. Team captain Ryan Griffin, who had 17 goals and 15 assists this season for the 27-2-2 Terps, signed with UT, where he will have the opportunity to play right away. Both are four-year starters for Tampa Prep.

Sienkiewicz likened the jump to college to playing at Prep as freshman.

"We're older now, but we're going to be the little fish in a small pond," Sienkiewicz said. "We know guys are going to be stronger and faster and more experienced. We know there's going to be a transition period, but it's an exciting thing. We'll have to adjust."

Girls scoring sensation Chelsea Klotz, who tallied 64 goals last season and was the Hillsborough County Player of the Year, signed with USF and Carrie Field (6 goals, 11 assists) signed with Western Carolina.   The girls team went 27-1-1 and beat national No. 1 Delray Beach American Heritage on penalty kicks in a classic state final.

Klotz and Field are also teammates on the RSL Florida club team (Griffin and Sienkiewicz also play in the RSL Florida boys club team), and ended their high school careers with high school and club state titles.

"That was one of our goals and we accomplished it," Clotz said. "It's definitely a new beginning for us."

Said Tampa Prep AD Carol Chalu: "Academically our kids are all at different levels, but they all work hard, and I think that transfers to our athletic programs. .. We like to take academics very seriously, and the same goes for athletics."

NOTE: Click on photos for larger size. Photo 1 (L to R) Brad Sienkiewicz, Ryan Griffin. Photo 2 (L to R) Chelsea Klotz, Carrie Field

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Kiwanis Invitational at Hernando (full results)

The Kiwanis Invitational ended last night with Wesley Chapel's girls and Nature Coast's boys taking home team titles. Here is a link to the full results:Kiwanis Invitational at Hernando
Or you can click the link below to view them directly on the blog.

-- IZZY GOULD
izzygould@gmail.com

Twisted Metal: Brazis recovers from early bat barrage

That familiar ping of ball on barrel was music to Fordham Prep's ears in the opening innings of Thursday night's Jesuit Spring Break Invitational semifinal. 

The kids from the Bronx have been banned from using metal bats in New York City games this season. Only wood and composite wood are allowed in the five boroughs. But in Hillsborough, metal was fair game, even though the other New York City team, Regis of Manhattan, stayed with the wood.

But Fordham Prep dusted off the old metal sticks and won its first two games of the tourna ment, and they had Matt Brazis, who has pretty much been unhittable regardless of lumber, on the ropes in Jesuit's eventual 7-0 win over the Rams.

Brazis, who allowed just one earned run in his past three outings heading into Thursday's game, was forced to rely on his fastball because he didn't have a good grasp of his slider. He allowed four hits in the first three innings -- the Rams were raking -- but emerged from two early jams unscathed thanks to his defense. Leftfielder Austin Hartzler threw a runner out at home on the fly to end the second, and a drawn-in infield helped Brazis work out of a bases-loaded jam in the third.

“They hit the ball well,” Brazis said. "My defense kept me in the game. If th ey don’t make some of those plays, it’s a different game.”

The Tigers (16-2) then took advantage in a five-run third that included just one hit, but had two errors and four hit batsmen.

Even though it was tough going early, Brazis (4-1), who allowed seven hits in seven shutout innings, won his third straight decision and has allowed just one earned run in his past four outings over a span of 21 innings for a 0.43 ERA in that time.

Jesuit will face Seattle (Wash.) Prep (5-1) in tonight's final at 7.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Plant’s Jackson “on a mission”

When Plant track and field standout Lovell Jackson was disqualified in controversial fashion at regionals last year (he was late to his event, but there was a dispute as to why), his focus immediately turned to this season.

And he's having great success because of it.

This spring, Jackson, who signed with Wake Forest to play wide receiver, has been sensational in four events -- the long jump, 100 meters, 200 and 4x100. In the latter, he teamed with T.J. Glover, James Harrell and Allen Sampson to set a school record earlier this week (42.14 seconds).

"He would have easily made it to state (in 2007 had he not been disqualified)," Panthers coach Shawn Balow said. "Ever since then, he's been on a mission."

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Memory lane with Billy Reed

Billy Reed was Hillsborough's baseball coach for 26 years, and to say he had a few good players there would be an understatement. On Thursday, Reed, who is 76, lives in Tampa and still enjoys attending local high school games, ranked the five best all-around players he coached while with the Terriers.

T1. Kiki Jones. Jones was the 15th overall pick in the 1989 amateur draft, but never had great success after high school. Jones was the first of three first-round selections that year by the Dodgers, but became the only one never to make the majors. He finished his pro career with a 23-20 record. As a senior at Hillsborough, he posted a 1.14 ERA.

T1. Gary Sheffield. The Detroit Tigers star has 480 career MLB homers. At Hillsborough, "he had only two strikeouts" one season, Reed said. He also was a very good shortstop/pitcher. Sheffield is known for his power, but it's worth noting that he also carries a lifetime MLB batting average of .296. Six times, he has finished in the top 10 in the MVP voting.

3. Dwight Gooden. Gooden, later a star in the Major Leagues, played pitcher, right field and third base for Reed. Because of Gooden's recent legal woes, it's easy to overlook just how good he was. During his career in the Major Leagues, he won 194 games (with 112 losses), was the 1984 National League Rookie of the Year and 1985 NL Cy Young Award winner. For years, he was known to many as Dr. K.

4. Carl Everett. How good was Everett? In 1990, he was drafted 10th overall by the Yankees. Three years later, he reached the majors with the Florida Marlins. An outfielder, Everett later became a standout with Houston and Boston, posting .300 seasons with both. In 1999, he batted .325 for the Astros. Baseball-reference.com reports Everett made more than $44 million in the majors.

5. Jason Romano. As a senior at Hillsborough, Romano batted .428 and slugged nine homers. He was so good that he earned the annual Saladino Award, which goes to the county's top player. Romano went 39th overall in the draft and reached the majors (he played several positions), but had minimal success once there.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Bulls joining Reebok fray

Reebok's efforts to inject its product onto high school playing fields in the bay area appears to be spreading out to another football program.

Bloomingdale is in the early stages of working out an outfitting deal with Reebok, a deal identical to the one Hillsborough recently signed with Reebok (as detailed by the Times here). It is not a total sponsorship. The Bulls will purchase a shoe deal with Reebok for its NFL Equipment label, and Reebok will outfit the team with practice clothes and outfit sideline staff with Reebok apparel at no additional cost.

"I think Reebok is really bending over backwards to become a factors in the area and I think thats good for the programs here," new Bloomingdale coach Jason Stokes said. "It's great because it's going to give our program some exposure that our kids deserve."

The school can purchase uniforms from Reebok for reduced price, but Stokes said they won't likely purchase new uniforms because their uniforms are still new.

Reebok's mission to crash into the high school arena is focused around giving high school players the opportunity to play same caliber of equipment as NFL players. Reebok is the official outfitter of the NFL. 

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Plant Panther hoop camp info

Plant boys basketball coach Mike Phillips is hosting the Panther Basketball Camp this summer at the school. There are six camp sessions for kids ages 6-14 of all skill levels. All sessions are fundamentally based and will resemble a 2.5-hour Panther practice. The $75 cost covers 12.5 hours of instruction, awards and a camp T-shirt. For more information, call (813) 272-3033 ext. 266 or email Phillips at Michael.Phillips@SDHC.K12.FL.US.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

County presents winter sports awards

The Hillsborough County winter sports awards, which annually recognizes top public school athletes for their achievements on the field and in the classroom, were presented this morning at the school board building downtown, and for the first time an award went to the county's outstanding cheerleader.

Bloomingdale senior Kristen Cook was the inaugural recipient of the Williamson-Snapp Outstanding Cheerleader Award. Cook, a two-year team captain, led the Bulls to the Large Varsity Division state championship in this year's first FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championships.

"I think it was really a breakthrough moment for cheerleaders and cheerleading," Cook said of Bloomingdale's state win. "I think it shows we're really athletes, that you don't have to throw a ball to be an athlete. We throw people. ... The other athletes, the soccer players and the wrestlers and everyone, know we're athletes because they see us practicing in the cafeteria after school every day."

Cook, who holds a 4.08 grade point average, said she plans to attend HCC and then move on to Southeastern University in Lakeland.

Cook was one of three Bloomingdale student athletes recognized along with girls basketball player Paris Moore and wrestler Austin Figari.

Moore, the winner of the Dottie McGauhgin Female Basketball Player of the Year award, averaged 18 points a game her senior season for the Bulls. An exemplary defender, she set school records for steals in a game (14) and steals in a season (136). She carries a 4.69 weighted GPA. She is a Times All-Suncoast second-team selection. She hasn't decided on a college yet, but is leaning toward attending Rollins College in Winter Park.

"Actually this award does mean more because other people voted it on it, not just my coach, but other coaches," Moore said. "It's good that it recognizes your academics and you're rewarded for what you do in the classroom."

Figari, the recipient of the Tom Wells Wrestler of the Year award, was a four-time state qualifier. He won at least 35 match in each year of his high school career, capped with a 42-win season as a senior. A two-time team captain, he holds a 3.6 GPA.

"It's good to know that all the hard work pays off," Figari said.

Armwood point guard Adam Sollazzo won the Alston "Mac" McGauhgin Award for the top male basketball player in the county. Sollazzo, a Times All-Suncoast first-teamer, ranked 11th in the state and second in the county in scoring (21.7 points per game). He was also named the MVP of the FACA North-South Boys Basketball All-Star Game in Daytona Beach. The East Tennessee State signee carries a weighted 4.6 GPA.

Also, Brandon wrestling coach Russ Cozart was named the Joel Medgebow Wrestling Coach of the Year. Cozart's Eagles won their eighth straight Class 2A state title while nine wrestlers advanced to states. Over his 28 years as Brandon head coach, Brandon has won 19 state wrestling titles and holds the record for the longest winning streak in high school sports.

The County also recognized the winter teams with the top average GPAs. The Plant girls soccer team had the highest team GPA (3.785) of any team. Armwood (3.277) topped all boys basketball teams, while Newsome (3.485) held the top girls basketball team GPA. Chamberlain's wrestling team (3.250) was was tops. Newsome's boys soccer team's 3.383 GPA edged Plant by .065 and East Bay's cheerleading squad had the top GPA (3.530).

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Chamberlain standout has “evolved” on the court

Jamie Mera was good enough to reach the state tennis finals as a freshman. But the truth is, her skill then was nowhere near where it is today. So says Mera's coach at Chamberlain, Mike Zanatian.

"Her game," he said, "has evolved."

When she started at Chamberlain, Mera was a power player who relied predominantly on her serving and baseline play to win. Today, she does a little bit of everything, and that's why Mera, who signed with Missouri last fall, is 7-0 and has devoured most of her competition.

"She's become a complete tennis player," Zanatian said. "She hits sharp angles, crosscourt shots and she volleys really well. Her game has really improved."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Can Patchan play defense?

When Armwood star offensive tackle Matt Patchan, the most highly recruited local football player to sign in February, inked with the Florida Gators, most of us assumed he would see his first playing time on offense. But word came out of Gainesville on Wednesday that because of need, the Gators have moved the prized recruit, who early enrolled in January, to defense -- at least for the time being.

Can Patchan make the transition? And will this be a temporary or permanent move?

The answer to the first question, the guess here is, "yes." Patchan, who is 6-foot-7, 265 pounds, wasn't a typical offensive lineman at Armwood. He's not bulky, but lean. He not only has good footwork, but very good footspeed. And let's not forget, that shortly after Patchan arrived at Armwood last year via transfer from Freedom, Hawks coach Sean Callahan said Patchan was as good -- if not better -- as a defender than former Armwood star Torrey Davis, who also plays for the Gators. Patchan's incredible speed was on display in the Hawks' playoff loss to Miami Washington in December. Late in the first half, he took off from his spot at defensive end and registered a sack, which at the time was a pretty important play.

As for the second question, I have no clue what will happen in the future. The Gators need bodies on defense and that is something Patchan can provide. How he performs likely will determine where he plays in the future.

What do you all think? Which position is Patchan better suited to play -- offensive tackle or defensive end? And why?

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Huertas, Rodriguez take soccer award

Last night in Apollo Beach, Freedom forward Bobby Huertas and Newsome midfielder Rudi Rodriguez were named the Jose A. Alvarez Award winners as Hillsborough County's top male and female soccer players (as voted on by county coaches). Huertas, a senior who will play for Saint Leo, scored 36 goals for the Patriots, who reached the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Rodriguez, who will play for Troy University, had five goals and five assists for a region finalist squad, but was known more for her defensive abilities. The award has been handed out 24 years, making it one of the area's oldest and most prestigious prep honors. Here's a photo of the two with Jose Alvarez, the man for whom the award is named. (photo courtesy of the Alvarez family).

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Clearwater job creates buzz

Clearwater principal Keith Mastorides said there are 56 applicants for the boys basketball job. Included in that list are some head coaches of small colleges. The deadline is midnight tonight (Thursday). The names will be revealed to the Times on Friday. Stay tuned.

-- BOB PUTNAM

Holsen holds it down for Tigers

Jesuit advanced to the semifinal round of the Tigers' Easter Invitational Tournament tonight with a 3-1 quarterfinal win over Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.).

Tigers pitcher Greg Holsen (4-1) was nearly perfect against Regis, throwing a complete-game one-hitter. The senior struck out 12, issued no walks and faced one batter over the minimum, allowing only a leadoff triple in the second. Holsen lowered his season ERA to 1.48.

The win marked the Tigers' eighth straight victory.

Jesuit (15-2), which has outscored the opposition 17-5 over its first two games, now advances to Thursday's 7 p.m. semifinal against Fordham (Bronx, N.Y.) Prep, a 7-0 winner over Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.). The Tigers will turn to ace pitcher Matt Brazis (3-1, 2.31) in that game. If the Tigers advance to Friday's title game, they will likely start Daniel Gibson (1-0, 3.15) in the championship.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

East Pasco pitching duel favors Pirates

For Zephyrhills coach Bruce Cimorelli, the pain of a 3-1 loss Wednesday night to rival Pasco was offset by pride. Lots of it.

"I thought we stood toe to toe with them," he said.

Throw to throw would be more accurate.

Before arguably the season's biggest crowd at Pasco's Death Valley, Pirates senior right-hander Aaron Brandt and Bulldogs sophomore righty Tyler Guy waged a brisk pitching duel, combining to allow only eight hits. The decisive one, ironically enough, was provided by a face all too familiar to the 'Dogs.

Zephyrhills transfer Dylan Giella, wielding one of the area's hottest bats since moving to the leadoff spot, provided the game-winning RBI with a fifth-inning double, and later scored the insurance run.

"I'm not gonna lie...it felt pretty good," said Giella, adding he left Zephyrhills on good terms. "I knew they weren't going to come out here and lay down. I knew it was going to be a tough game. They gave us everything we wanted."

Giella's winning hit ruined a three-hitter by Guy, and snapped the resurgent Bulldogs' (11-5, 9-4) three-game win streak. Pasco (13-1, 11-1) now has a two-game lead over Nature Coast (10-3, 9-3) in the Class 4A, District 8 race with four district contests to play.

More important for now, it also has right-handed ace Dustin Brown well-rested for Thursday's conference showdown at Land O'Lakes, although Pasco will be playing for the third time in as many nights.

Complete-game wins by Henry Johnson and Brandt on consecutive nights made that possible. On Wednesday, Brandt (4-1) threw only 86 pitches, fanning four.

"I think we're one of the only teams in the county that could pull that off," said Giella, whose club finishes a four-day, four-game grind Friday at Wiregrass Ranch.

"With Aaron and Dustin throwing, you know what you're going to get from them. Henry threw great (Tuesday) night (against Nature Coast). ... We're probably one of the only teams in the county that can pull off this stretch of games and be okay with pitching."