Last Starting Lineup of the year. CCC you next year.

Okay, this is it, the final Starting Lineup, and as an added bonus you get foolproof, bet-the-mortgage postseason prognastications. Consider it my gift to you.

  1. (2) Clearwater Central Catholic (23-2)
  Hey, you guys look familiar...what's the name again? Oooooooh yeah, CCC. Well, welcome back, fellas. That's what wins against Pendelton and state-ranked Jesuit and Cardinal Mooney will do for ya. Well, that and a loss by Seminole.
   Postseason forecast: SUNNY. WEAR SUNBLOCK. I predicted CCC would win the Class 3A title in the beginning of the season, and they haven't done anything to make me change my mind. Heck, if I could, I'd double down at this point. Unless you believe I have jinxing powers, in which case, all bets are off.

2. (4) Brandon (18-6)
   From unranked to No. 2 in two weeks? That's just madness! Madness I tell you! But the Starting Lineup does have a thing for hot teams (See Warriors, Osceola). And just in case you thought the whole Saladino thing was a fluke, the Eagles picked up two more wins this week and have now beaten Plant, Alonso, Hillsborough (twice) and Middleton in their last five games.
   Postseason forecast: SUNNY. Watch for storm clouds coming in from Winter Haven and Land O'Lakes. Otherwise, I'm not willing to put the Eagles in the state semifinals, but at this point I wouldn't be surprised.

3. (1)  Seminole (23-1)
  I've said it before and I'll say it again -- good job losing the PCAC title game guys. No, seriously. Who needs the pressure of trying to navigate their way through the playoffs with an undefeated record hanging around their neck. Instead of worrying about not losing, the Warhawks can now focus on winning. And yeah, those are two different things.
   Postseason forecast: STORMY. After watching the Warhawks lose to Dunedin, I like this team. Hate that region though. Plant, Jesuit and Charlotte were all ranked in the last 5A poll, and defending state champion Venice, Dunedin and Clearwater lurk. Toughest region in the state.

Too hot to handle, too cold to hold, there's more Starting Lineup goodness if you click below...

4. (5) Alonso (21-3)
   The Raven bats have been a little pedestrian of late, scoring just 15 runs in their past four games even though Sherman Johnson (.492), Alex Panteliodis (.394) and Tyler Ding (.388) are all still stroking the ball. But the pitching has been stellar, allowing two runs or less in three of those games.   
   Postseason forecast: SCATTERED SHOWERS, DEVELOPING INTO THUNDERSTORMS NEXT WEEK. The Ravens have the 1-2 pitching punch (Panteliodis and Ray Delphy, and Ding has four saves) but have to get by a tough St. Petersburg team in the district semifinals. And if they don't  win the district, a trip to No.1 Sarasota likely awaits. Glunk!

5. (7) Land O'Lakes (22-3)
   The Gators are on fire, beating Jesuit 2-1 (lefty Trey Dahl whiffed 13) and winning their past seven games. Dahl is now 9-0 with 88 strikeouts in 55 innings, and righty Matt Fuglesang is 7-2 with 91 strikeouts in 51 IP.
   Postseason forecast: SUNNY, SCATTERED CLOUDS. The Gators still aren't explosive enough on offense to rate them a state contender just yet, but if you believe that pitching and defense wins championships, then this might be the team for you. With the new best of three format in the region finals, and a region that is a little soft (save for Brandon and Winter Haven), I'm kind of liking their chances.

6. (2) Plant (21-3)
  The Panthers came out of Saladino and dropped another game to a Sickles team that is heating up, so they will head into the postseason with two straight losses. They can still mash the ball, but is the pitching staff deep enough to put them back on track? These here blogs are saying no way, but we'll withhold judgement 'til after districts.

   Postseason forecast: HURRICANE REGINA 3 IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. (Get it? Region 3...hahhahaha. Lord, I crack myself up sometimes). The Panthers lost starting pitcher David Bergin, who quit, so that might hurt. But Bergin was only 1-2 and had allowed 6 earned runs in his last 11 IP, so maybe not? Regardless, playoffs haven't been kind in recent years.

7. (NR) Dunedin (18-6)
  Stop me if you've heard this before: I just (wait, hold on) can't figure out (come on, lemme finish) this baseball (fine...I'll stop).....baseball team! Ha. Yeah, so anyway, they beat previous No. 1 Seminole 6-5 to win another PCAC crown, and Max Kreuter is now 9-0. But how about that closer Jake Rogers? Close game, top of order up for Warhawks, Rogers in for first time, throwing peas. Most exciting and tension-filled inning of the year.
   Postseason forecast: RAIN EXPECTED. NO, MAKE THAT JUST CLOUDY. WAIT, OVERCAST WITH INTERMITTEN SHOWERS. OH HECK, I DUNNO. Seriously, I don't. They have enough talent to make it to state...or lose in the district playoffs.

8. (NR) Sickles (17-5)
  The Gryphons have won 10 of 11 games, and are one of Hillsborough County's hottest teams. They beat Plant last week, and if they can just avoid Alonso, who has beaten them three times this season, they'd be even more impressive. They scored 79 runs their first 16 games, but have 65 in the last six.                  
   Postseason forecast: COVER THE PLANTS. START A FIRE. The Gryphons will have to get by Gaither, which is 1-1 against Sickles this year, and probably Alonso again. And if they lose to Alonso again, it's off to Sarasota. Brrrrr.

9. (NR) Undecided
You make the call:
Tampa Catholic (16-6) No. 6 last week. Has time off cooled the Crusaders off?
Osceola (17-7): No. 9 last week. Winners of 11 of 12, and you can probably make that 12 of 13 as they play winless Gibbs in first round of district.
Pasco (20-5): District is tougher than it looks, but pitching is deep deep deep.
St. Petersburg (15-9): FIve straight win, including triumphs over Dunedin, Clearwater and Mitchell. Big sleeper team.
Jesuit (19-6): 1-4 in last five, but losses have been to Tampa Catholic, Land O'Lakes, Sarasota and CCC.

---JOHN C. COTEY
johncotey@gmail.com

Comments

Seminole no 3 not right
not reading anymore

[Bryan]

Hurricane Regina 3 just got downgraded! Charlotte loses & out, Bergin quits Plant a little weaker!

[Warhawk Supporter]

They loose 1 game all season, and not even a regular season game at that, and they get downgraded to #3? Their only loss is a 1 run defeat to powerhouse Dunedin, a team they beat a week earlier. In fact, did they not beat CCC earlier this season?

I know, no love for the Warhawks. I guess it will take a berth in states to get some respect from their own county.

[Trash]

The SP Times sports section is trash. They writers are some of the worst. They need to go back to Sports Journalism School and learn write about sports the right way!

[Cotey]

Seminole did not beat CCC this season. The two teams did not play. Why does this keep coming up?

Also, the Warhawks lost their last game. Name me a poll where the No. 1 team doesn't drop after losing, especially when the team right behind it beat two state-ranked teams the same week.

The Real Rankings...
1)CCC
2)Seminole
3)Alonso
4)Brandon
5)Plant
6)Dunedin
7)Land O' Lakes
8)Sickles
9)Osceola
96783) Gibbs... still undefeated in the 2008 playoffs... for now.

*Best Chance of winning states: CCC, due to being in 3A.

*Sarasota will most likely end Alonso's run at some point.

*Seminole will face too many tough teams in 5A to win states. They wont face Gibbs, Dixie, or Lakewood in states. sorry

Wow some of you just don't get it....these rankings don't mean anything. Quit whining and go play.

Kollenbaum is a big doofis and bad attitude. Good luck to the college that picked him up. Does his pitching coach stay in the same dorm?

Northeast beat Lakewood 8-0

heres da real rankings

1. CCC
2. Plant
3. Alonso'
4. Seminole
5. Brandon
6. Dunedin
7. Jesuit
8. Land O lakes
9. Clearwater

times writers kno nothin about high school sports

9:07
When you have to sound cool and put
"Da Rankings"
I doubt you have any idea what your talking about...

[Raul Davilla]

In watching Brandon play this season, I beleive that they can play with any of the top 6 teams. Plant and Alonso are as tough as they come so they are deserving of the #2 ranking. CCC would not intimidate the young Brandon team at all but too bad they will not meet since Brandon is in 5A..As for Alonso, the scouting report is out on how to beat them..Was not surprised they got beat tonight by St.Pete..But for all of the teams in the county..Brandon starts 7 sophmores and 1 freshman so they are going to be around for the next 2 years on top.

[Boycott]

The only comment that should be posted is, Cotey has never played baseball and has no clue, so please Boycott this site.

[I AGREE]

BOYCOTT

[spencer]

so 11:53 u say that seminole has no pitching besides tim? you are a joke go watch them play and come back to me with the truth and yea seminole should b number 2 not 3 behind someone who has 6 losses sorry try again

ST.PETE BEATS ALONSO - BOYCOTT IS CORRECT ABOUT COTEY! I AGREE

plant should be No. 1. they have the most potential and can get very hot very quick

Yes, 12:21 I did go & watch them play & Mr.Submarine boy who pitched against Dunedin got rocked & ultimately helped in the demise of that game,oh & the little fact that the starting line up couldn't hit off a kid that hasn't pitched in 3 years, sooooo thats the truth

[rus]

Dunedin saves their #1 pitcher for the PCAC vs Seminole with their #3+ and manages to hold on for a 1 run victory in a game that is completely meaningless. Agree with most comments re: this poll. The main purpose is to promote CCC baseball, beyond that it's a crapshoot.Seminole, after the above loss(the only blemish on it's record)drops to 3rd behind a 6 loss team? They only dropped to 2nd in the STATE poll for goodeness sake!!Next 2 weeks should be very interesting to watch. "nice job losing the PCAC game" yeah-so now I(COTEY) can Justify ranking CCC #1 which I(COTEY) would have done anyway since this is the last poll of the season and I(COTEY) promised Todd.

hey its dixie and were rebels! tonight seminole is goin to get stomped. All we need to do is lay our gloves on the field and they will beat themselves. i hope they throw submarine bithc so our hitters will have a career day.. thanks ladys for the warm up before states

[HS FAN]

Osceola? Palm Harbor spanked them in the PCAC.

[dapper]

What's up with Cotey's zany delivery of his final rankings? It reads as if he sprinkled his morning cereal with cocaine. And that hahahahahaha bit came across as some hideous, fey little awful sound. Like a witch. Anywya, it's probably a toss-up in Pinellas between CCC and Seminole. Also Cotey, please take a new picture for you headshot in the paper. The whole angled pose is really too hungry looking.

#4 and #6 done wild Cotey

[Bryan]

Whats going on in the Tampa district with Jesuit, Hillsborough , middleton? Who's in and who's out?

[Birdy Watts]

Rankings mean very little when it comes to the playoffs, just ask Alonso & Charlotte, play the games and the cream will come to the top!

osceola started only 4 kids that actually play...it was a meaningless game and its not worth taking the risk of anyone getting hurt just before districts.nice try though 9:46...we all know the south is better anyways

the boy who pitched in the end of the dunedin/seminole game was great lets see some more of him

thats no boy...
thats A MAN!
Tim L for president!

Gaither beat sickles!!

Hey 8:29 , you will absolutely never convince anyone that the loss to Dunedin was meaningless. what a rediculous thing to say, there is not a kid in that dugout who didn't hate to see that happen.you keep making yourself believe that! and don't bother coming back saying on paper it didn't count.you know you would have rather been beaten by Gibbs.

i know that rankings dont matter and people shouldn't get all fired up about them. But rankings shouldnt be put on this site until the st.pete times gets actual writers to go out and watch the games. This guy that is posting the rankings hasnt even seen half these teams play. All we can do is sit back and see how far the bay area teams can advance in states

[cotey is dumb]

cotey should be banned to covering lacrosse only
cotey sucks

Seminole 24-1

Lacrosse? i wish that was a HS sport.

Uhh 9:36.....it is a high school sport buddy. Just not around here.

Way to go Seminole USA Today Top 25 National Rankings just came out and you did it! Keep up the great work!

23. Seminole, Fla. (23-1)
Previous: Not ranked. Results: Only loss was to Dunedin. Patrick Eckelbarger threw a five-hit shutout in a 6-0 win vs. Countryside (Clearwater). Nash Reling is 7-0 for the Warhawks.

good try dixie theres always next year lol

Be patient and just keep playing,CCC can't stay this good forever three or four years is usually the limit,just ask todd hehehehehe.....

[anyonebutcotey]

Guys,
Thank you for bashing Cotey.
If you need any further proof that his high school sports coverage ability is garbage, consider the fact that he did a feature story on a middle school high school basketball player and put it on the front page of the sports section... That is a complete no-no in the sports writing world. Shame on him and the editor.

Link to Rankings

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/baseball/super25.htm

10:15 Why are you hating on CCC? It doesn't even make sense if you're not even in their classification. That's just shows how ridiculous people are. You should want as many teams possible to represent this area every year.

tim lamereaux for seminole is god! northeast is goin down!

seminole / nehi will be the game of the year, should be a good one to watch! where's the location & time?

Seminole / Nehi at Seminole Friday 7pm

lets go seminole 24-1!!! game tonight!

[Lou]

Seminole should have no trouble beating Northeast, because they are simply a much better team. Dunedin is playing much better, but they have to shake the underachievement label. CCC will win the state because they have the best pitcher in the state (Weber) and the best hitter (Mende). Kudos to St. Pete High for going over to Tampa and beating Alonso and Gaither. They have pretty good players that no one knows anything about.

benson is the trainer of the year hands down

[hs scout]

there is not one good reason why st. pete is not in the top 10. they are 18-10 and have won the last 5 in a row. they beat alonso twice and dunedin, but there still in the top 10. i dont get it. these rankings are false and need to be corrected

You think Weber is the best pitcher & Mende the best hitter and because of that CCC will win state, Gee I wonder If that's another CCC fan. By the way no 1 pitcher or hitter can win state.

Do you not think, that there is at least one other team in Florida who have 3 ofthe greatest pitchers in the state, and a whole line-up worth of hitters...
No doubt that CCC is amazing, but im sure there is somebody else out there...

[Lou]

I'm not a CCC fan, I'm a neutral fan that likes all the Pinellas teams. I hope they all win state titles. I've seen alot of baseball around the area and Mende and Weber are two of the best at their positions. No other team has two impact players like these two, the other remaining teams have good solid players, but not quite at their levels. Dunedin is loaded with talent and if they continue to improve, they have a chance. Seminole has the best team chemistry, they are very well coached and execute the fundamentals very well. You'd better know how to field bunts when you play them.

St. Pete high is playing its best baseball at this time. No one really know anything about they're players, but they can play. Everything give CCC, Dunedin, and Seminole all the credit. But if I were a 6a team, this is one club that I wouldn't want to play. They are hotter than a fire right now.

go seminole

[ftl]

nick gaines owns tim lamoreaux!

Nick Gaines is FAT

nick gaines is my hero

Palm Harbor started about as many of their regulars as Osceola did, and Osceola still got spanked. Even watching Osceola warm up you could tell they are nothing but a scrappy second rate team from a third rate school. PHU put up 9 runs against Tarpon when they were pitching a very efficient Joey Case, and 5 against Clearwater's Goodman Younger tandem, that for most of the year had a 0 .00 ERA. PHU deserves some love in the ranks

[WHEN IS THE NEXT GAME]

CAN'T FIND ANY SCHEDULE

Game Schedules and Brackets link-

http://www.fhsaa.org/ba/2008/brak5.htm

[ftl]

seminole is garbage
they give their kids hits when the other team makes errors
and take hits away from their opponents and count them as errors

[wheres the press?]

Noel Thomas' name should have been mentioned in the paper. he pitched a heck of a game and only gave up 2 earned runs. Two of seminoles hits were errors but they counted them as hits. One of northeasts errors occured with 2 outs which caused 2 runs to score.

What about Stephen Attaway's 2 RBI Double!!

Next week should be very interesting, Plant should have no problem with Palm Harbor, they are just a way better team.If Palm harbor wins, it will be the upset of the year. Chamberlain is a decent club, if Dunedin doesn't come ready to play, there is a chance they could be defeated. We all know the history of Dunedin around this time of the year. Seminole is very tough at home, so I don't think Northport has too much of a chance.The games on Friday should real exciting. CCC should breeze this week.

Seminole wins districts and u get a 4in article on it. Come on st pete times do like u do the bucs 20 pages after every game.....joke

Seminole makes national and we get a 1 inch article. joke

Tim L is awesome

Times can't even get it right on who's who and who did what in the games. Joke

PPARK!!!

[Chad]

What a joke. Seminole is 25-1 and ranked #3. Where did they get this guy? Ranked #23 in the Nation but not #1 in the area?? I'm Baffled.

[Seminole 25-1]

Now, about the comment where it says that Seminole gives there players hits when the are errors and errors when they are hits. The people doing the scoreboard have no idea whats going on. They are a bunch of joe-blows that want to jack up there kids stats. Martello would have at least 5 more errors this year if it wasn't for daddy helping him out

The people running the score board are not the offical scorer so why does it matter?

Seminole plays good defense and they always hit with runners on base. I've been to at least 6 Seminole games and Martello has always made the plays. He doesn't always look pretty, but he makes routine plays, isn't that what infielders are supposed to do.
I like Seminole, but I still think CCC is a better club. They have more thump through out their lineup and they always seem to step it up when they play good clubs. Seminole has a stronger chance of being upset in the regionals than CCC.

nick gaines is garbage. timmy lam owns the whole county

Martello always makes the routine plays look extremely harder than what they are. Seminole would be unstoppable if they had a good shortstop

seminole will never be unstoppable. they have an easy road to the regional finals where theyre going to play dunedin or plant. theyre gonna lose 2 straight vs either one. plant and dunedin are too good to lose to seminole. especially twice in a year on dunedins part

Ppark Is The Best Anyway!!!

[seminole sucks]

tim lamoreaux owns the whole county except for nick gaines
4 for 6
with a double and a game tying homerun in the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs
and martello has missed 2 fly balls in 2 games vs NE

seminole didnt get anything on my dawg noel.

flyballs are routine but he can not catch a cold

Tim L is the best pitcher in p-county and in the state and in the nation and in the world and in the universe and the solar system b4 the big bang and he could strike out god b4 he made light and he beats throws baseballs at kids that talk crap especially fat kids and huge ogres

watever mom that is is prolly mad because Tim L never called her back