The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kevin Weiss

Zephyrhills Police to have a changing of the guard

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Zephyrhills police chief David Shears is hanging up his uniform following 25 years of service.

His retirement, effective May 31, was announced during the Zephyrhills City Council May 8 meeting.

Zephyrhills police chief David Shears is retiring after 25 years of service. Shears has been the city’s police chief since 2008.
(Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The council then unanimously approved City Manager Steve Spina’s appointment of Zephyrhills police Capt. Derek Brewer to interim chief, effective June 1.

The city now will undergo a hiring process—expected to take several months—to fill the position permanently.

Shears, now 54, had 16 years on the force when he replaced former chief Russell Barnes in 2008.

Barnes resigned after accusations he created a “flex time” policy that allowed employees to receive time off instead of overtime pay for extra hours worked.

Brewer, like Shears, is a longtime member of the Zephyrhills Police Department. Hired as a patrol officer in 2002, Brewer served as a field training officer, patrol sergeant and lieutenant, before his promotion to patrol captain in 2014.

Brewer, 44, earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Hillsborough Community College, and attended the senior leadership training program at the Southern Police Institute in Louisville, Kentucky and the Florida Police Chiefs executive leadership training in 2014.
He also is slated to graduate from the Command Officer Management Program and obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saint Leo University this year.

Zephyrhills police Capt. Derek Brewer has been appointed interim chief, effective June 1. He’s been on the force since 2002. In 2015, Brewer won the City of Zephyrhills Employee of the Year award.
(Courtesy of Zephyrhills Police Department)

Besides regular law enforcement duties, Brewer is a member of several committees and organizations: Transportation Exception Plan Committee; Pasco-Hernando State College Technical Advisory Committee; Pasco County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task Force; Zephyrhills Code Enforcement Task Force; Zephyrhills Police Department Homeless Initiative; Zephyrhills Site Plan Review Committee; Florida Police Chiefs Association; and, Noon Rotary Club of Zephyrhills.

Additionally, Brewer has received numerous honors during his 15-year law enforcement career, including:

  • Pasco County Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year (2010)
  • William B. Eiland Officer of the Year Award (2012)
  • Tampa Police Department Appreciation Award (2013)
  • City of Zephyrhills Employee of the Year Award (2015)

In March, Brewer outlined the city’s 2016 crime statistics to the Zephyrhills city council.
The report — generated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation — found overall crime and arrests decreased in Zephyrhills last year, but violent crime and domestic offenses went up.
According to the report, the city’s total crime rate, which incorporates violent and property offenses, decreased 4.7 percent in 2016.

The city of Zephyrhills will undergo a hiring process to permanently fill the police chief vacancy. The search is expected to take several months.
(File)

Violent crimes rose 3 percent (a total of 51 offenses), while property crimes fell 5.2 percent (a total of 879 offenses).
The report also revealed a significant jump in citywide domestic-related offenses.

Those incidents, which include simple battery and assault, skyrocketed 27.6 percent, with 125 actual offenses in 2016.
Total arrests, however, decreased 12 percent (832 total) in 2016.

At that meeting, Brewer indicated that Zephyrhills Police is taking a more proactive approach toward narcotics arrests, using a special response team for surveillance and intelligence gathering “to attack the problem at a broader level.”

He also said the department is looking to take “a stronger approach to domestic violence cases.”

Brewer noted that addressing code enforcement and the homeless rate within Zephyrhills are some of the department’s other major focuses.

Published May 24, 2017

Land O’ Lakes High softball wins state title

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They finally did it.

On May 20, the Land O’ Lakes High Gators unseated powerhouse Plantation American Heritage 3-1, claiming the Class 6A Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSSA) softball championship at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.

The achievement marks the first fastpitch title for Land O’Lakes (29-3) and the first for a Pasco County program since Ridgewood High won in 1992.

On May 20, the Land O’ Lakes High Gators defeated Plantation American Heritage 3-1, claiming the Class 6A Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) softball championship at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach. The win marks the first fastpitch title for Land O’ Lakes (29-3) and the first for a Pasco County program since Ridgewood High won in 1992.
(Courtesy of Edwin Rodriguez, Land O’ Lakes Gators varsity softball)

Making the victory even sweeter: The Gators downed the same team that eliminated them in last year’s state semifinals.

And, it wasn’t the first time this postseason Land O’ Lakes exacted revenge.

The Gators twice beat Wesley Chapel High School — in districts and regionals —after the Wildcats bested them during an April 4 regular season game (2-0 loss).

Besides payback, the championship shows the Gators — in recent years one of the region’s premier softball program — can dethrone a state dynasty; American Heritage (25-4) was making its fourth straight championship game appearance and was trying to win its eighth title overall.

Likewise impressive, the Gators won in comeback fashion.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Land O’Lakes found timely hitting —base hits by Callie Turner and Tia Williams  — and benefitted from Patriot mistakes — hit by pitch, wild pitch— to build the lead for good.

Meanwhile, Turner, the team’s sophomore ace, kept the game within reach from the outset, pitching like she has all season long.

The University of Tennessee commit fired a complete game, allowing just five hits and striking out eight against a potent Patriots lineup (.447 team average, 24 home runs).

The Gators’ championship win culminated a pair of close playoff games.

The day before, on May 19, Land O’ Lakes edged North Fort Myers High 2-0 in the state semifinals.

And, on May 12, the Gators narrowly beat Springstead High 2-0 in the region finals.

For followers of Land O’ Lakes varsity softball, the championship isn’t an utter shock.

But, it’s likely eye-opening after last year’s graduation of Shannon Saile, one of the program’s all-time great pitchers.

Saile — now a freshman standout at Florida International University — amassed 517 strikeouts and a career 1.76 ERA in four seasons. She also compiled 41 wins, 31 complete games, 11 shutouts and five no-hitters in her prep career.

Moreover, Gators head coach Mitch Wilkins this season had to replace two key bats in then-seniors Tayler Holt (.347 average) and Kendall Tipton (.311 average).

No matter.

Projecting forward, a state title repeat in 2018 isn’t out of the question.

Armed with Turner (0.21 ERA, 249 strikeouts) and a budding star in sophomore Shelby Westbrook (2.10 ERA, 58 strikeouts in 43.1 innings), pitching won’t be an issue.

Hitting shouldn’t be a problem, either.

The Gators do lose centerfielder Jessie McCallister (.358 average, 17 RBIs) and outfielder Lexi Turner (.293 average, 19 RBIs).

But, the team returns just about everyone else, including sluggers Tia Williams (.444 average, 24 RBIs), Ashley Smith (.390 average, four home runs, 30 RBIs) and Brianna Lindner (.352 average, two home runs, 22 RBIs).

Not to be overlooked, Wilkins’ mentoring should provide a steadying force, too.

After a 13-13 mark in 2014, the team has since gone a combined 80-9 under Wilkins.

Published May 24, 2017

Sunshine Athletic Conference East spring awards announced

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On May 8, high school coaches from the Pasco County School District announced SAC (Sunshine Athletic Conference) All-Conference Teams, Athletes of the Year and Coaches of the Year, for the 2016-2017 spring sports season.

Selections were made for both the East and West Division.

The following high schools from our coverage area were represented in the East Division: Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

Spring Sports (Boys)
2016-2017 SAC East All-Conference Baseball
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch High School
Coach of the Year: Calvin Baisley, Land O’ Lakes High
Player of the Year: McCabe Sargent, Land O’ Lakes High

First-Team All-Conference
Pitcher: Tommy Mace, senior, Sunlake High
Catcher: Kolbe Lupinek, junior, Zephyrhills High
Infielder: Max Law, senior, Land O’ Lakes High
Infielder: Michael Wu, senior, Sunlake High
Infielder: Dustin Harris, senior, Land O’ Lakes High
Infielder: Corey Mills, senior, Pasco High
Outfielder: Colden Peeples, senior, Sunlake High
Outfielder: Ryan Capogrosso, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Outfielder: Kyler Roy, senior, Land O’ Lakes High
Utility/DH: McCabe Sargent, senior, Land O’ Lakes High

Second-Team All-Conference
Pitcher: Troy Klemm, senior, Land O’ Lakes High
Catcher: Jacob Ortiz, senior, Sunlake High
Infielder: Zach Balogh, senior, Pasco High
Infielder: Jackson Fiorelli, senior, Pasco High
Infielder: Marcus Gonzalez, senior, Zephyrhills High
Infielder: Malik Melvin, junior, Wesley Chapel High
Outfielder: Garrett Hester, sophomore, Pasco High
Outfielder: Brayden Lyman, senior, Land O’ Lakes High
Outfielder: Colton Bierly, junior, Wesley Chapel High
Utility/DH: Nate Stringfield, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High

2016-2017 SAC East All-Conference Boys Tennis
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch High School
Coach of the Year: Dave Wilson, Wiregrass Ranch High
Player of the Year: Noah Makarome, Wiregrass Ranch High

First-Team All-Conference
Noah Makarome, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Kanishkh Ramesh, freshman, Wiregrass Ranch High
Destiny Okungbowa, sophomore, Wiregrass Ranch High
Jonathan Judy-Hansen, sophomore, Zephyrhills High
Albert Xing, senior, Land O’ Lakes High

Second-Team All-Conference
Jared Abrams, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Josh Abrams, freshman, Wiregrass Ranch High
Caelen Arreola, freshman, Land O’ Lakes High
Mark Goulbourne, sophomore, Sunlake High
Matt Julien, junior, Sunlake High

Honorable Mentions
Harrison Phillips, senior, Pasco High
Jose Morales, junior, Wesley Chapel High

2016-2017 SAC East All-Conference Boys Track & Field
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch High School
Coach of the Year: Marvin Gray, Wiregrass Ranch High
Track Athlete of the Year: Dominic Moreno, Wesley Chapel High
Field Athlete of the Year: Zackary Carpenter, Zephyrhills High

First-Team All-Conference
4×800-meter relay: Nick Barbas, senior, Land O’ Lakes High; Adam Hahn, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High; Joseph Pineda, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High; Alex Normandia, junior, Land O’ Lakes High
110-meter hurdles: Dylan Ridolph, freshman, Wiregrass Ranch High
100-meter dash: Isaiah Bolden, junior, Wesley Chapel High
1600-meter run: Dominic Moreno, senior, Wesley Chapel High
4×100-meter relay: Cameron Wilcox, junior, Wesley Chapel High; Nick Merilan, senior, Wesley Chapel High; Dexter Leverett, junior, Wesley Chapel High; and, Isaiah Bolden, junior, Wesley Chapel High
400-meter dash: Dewayne Robertson, senior, Zephyrhills High
300-meter hurdles: Bryant Beacham, junior, Sunlake High
800-meter run: Dominic Moreno, senior, Wesley Chapel High
200-meter dash: Isaiah Bolden, junior, Wesley Chapel High
3200-meter run: Alex Normandia, junior, Land O’ Lakes High
4×400-meter relay: Dexter Leverett, junior, Wesley Chapel High; Cameron Boger, junior, Wesley Chapel High; Isaiah Bolden, junior, Wesley Chapel High; Dominic Moreno, senior, Wesley Chapel High
Shot Put: Zachary Carpenter, senior, Zephyrhills High
Pole Vault: Tucker Brace, junior, Land O’ Lakes High
High Jump: Tre’Pavis Mobley, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Long Jump: Vashaun Williams, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Triple Jump: Javion Hanner, sophomore, Pasco High
Discus: Dillon Teets, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High

Second-Team All-Conference
4×800-meter relay: Carlos Cruz, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High; Joseph Salerno, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High; Kevin Jaquez, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High; Nathan Taube, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
110-meter hurdles: Josiah Gadson, sophomore, Wiregrass Ranch High
100-meter dash: Nick Merilan, senior, Wesley Chapel High
1600-meter run: Alex Normandia, junior, Land O’ Lakes High
4×100-meter relay: Julian Gonzalez, freshman, Wiregrass Ranch High; Dada McGee, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High; Shamaur McDowell, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High; Adrian Thomas, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
400-meter dash: Ross Shirmohammad, senior, Land O’ Lakes High
300-meter hurdles: Dylan Ridolph, sophomore, Wiregrass Ranch High
800-meter run: Carlos Cruz, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
200-meter dash: Darren Johnson, senior, Sunlake High
3200-meter run: Joseph Salerno, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
4×400-meter relay: Jabriri Davis, senior, Sunlake High; Darren Johnson, senior, Sunlake High; Bryant Beacham, junior, Sunlake High; and, Jay Grant, sophomore, Sunlake High
Shot Put: KaSean Ridgel, sophomore, Wiregrass Ranch High
Pole Vault: Will Lovelace, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
High Jump: Vashaun Williams, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Long Jump: Jabriri Davis, senior, Sunlake High
Triple Jump: Kavion Marbra, sophomore, Pasco High
Discus: Zackary Carpenter, senior, Zephyrhills High

2016-2017 SAC East All-Conference Boys Weightlifting
Team Champion: Sunlake High School
Coach of the Year: Matt Smith, Sunlake High
Athlete of the Year: Caleb Huff, Sunlake High

First-Team All-Conference
119 pounds: Caleb Huff, sophomore, Sunlake High
129 pounds: Victor Velez, sophomore, Sunlake High
139 pounds: Alex Hall, sophomore, Sunlake High
154 pounds: Joseph Buscemi, senior, Sunlake High
169 pounds: Cris Galdos, senior, Sunlake High
183 pounds: Christian Austin, senior, Sunlake High
199 pounds: Sebastian Matzza, senior, Wesley Chapel High
219 pounds: Caleb Keeling, sophomore, Zephyrhills High
238 pounds: Chase Oliver, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Heavyweight/Unlimited: Nate Hawkins, senior, Pasco High

Second-Team All-Conference
119 pounds: John First, junior, Zephyrhills High
129 pounds: Connor O’ Malley, sophomore, Wiregrass Ranch High
139 pounds: Hunter Sweet, junior, Zephyrhills High
154 pounds: Josh Brown, senior, Land O’ Lakes High
169 pounds: Guiseppe Vanoni, sophomore, Sunlake High
183 pounds: Shamaur McDowell, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
199 pounds: Zac Masci, junior, Zephyrhills High
219 pounds: Michael Reyes, senior, Sunlake High
238 pounds: Bryant Reyes, sophomore, Sunlake High
Heavyweight/Unlimited: James Perez, senior, Sunlake High

Spring Sports (Girls)
2016-2017 SAC East All-Conference Girls Tennis
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch High School
Coach of the Year: Jewell Frye, Wiregrass Ranch High
Player of the Year: Kayleigh Heather, Pasco High

First-Team All-Conference
Kayleigh Heather, senior, Pasco High
Sitare Sriram, freshman, Pasco High
Precious Okungbowa, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Phoebe Teo, freshman, Wiregrass Ranch High
Raquel Julien, senior, Sunlake High

Second-Team All-Conference
Nathalie Sawczuk, junior, Pasco High
Madison Jender, junior, Pasco High
Paige Johnson, sophomore, Zephyrhills High
Jo’ Hide Pierre, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Pepe Bouzas, sophomore, Sunlake High

Honorable Mention
Shannon Chen, freshman, Land O’ Lakes High
Kelly Vester, senior, Wesley Chapel High

2016-2017 SAC East All-Conference Girls Track & Field
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch High School
Coach of the Year: Ryan McGee, Wiregrass Ranch High
Track Athlete of the Year: Natalie Abernathy, Land O’ Lakes High
Field Athlete of the Year: Arielle Boone, Sunlake High

First-Team All-Conference
4×800-meter relay: Julia Blankenbaker, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High; Abbie Dodge, sophomore, Wiregrass Ranch High; Kerry Reilly, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High; Brenna Moran, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
110-meter hurdles: Mya Neal, senior, Zephyrhills High
100-meter dash: Sydney Parker, sophomore, Wesley Chapel High
1600-meter run: Natalie Abernathy, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High
4×100-meter relay: Arielle Boone, junior, Sunlake High; Melissa Mowery, junior, Sunlake High; Jaymonda Calmes, sophomore, Sunlake High; Nia Johnson, freshman, Sunlake High
400-meter dash: Faith Mercer, junior, Wesley Chapel High
300-meter hurdles: Katelyn Ortiz, senior, Sunlake High
800-meter run: Kerry Reilly, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
200-meter dash: Kyra Swain, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
3200-meter run: Natalie Abernathy, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High
4×400-meter relay: Jaymonda Calmes, sophomore, Sunlake High; Gianna Levy, freshman, Sunlake High; Katelyn Ortiz, senior, Sunlake High; Skyla Morales, senior, Sunlake High
Shot Put: Lauryn Beacham, sophomore, Sunlake High
Pole Vault: Marissa Malozzi, junior, Land O’ Lakes High
High Jump: Antonia Beason, senior, Land O’ Lakes High
Long Jump: Zharia Wilson, freshman, Wesley Chapel High
Triple Jump: Cache Simmons, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Discus: Kaci Landry, sophomore, Sunlake High

Second-Team All-Conference
4×800-meter relay: Skylen Acuna, senior, Land O’ Lakes High; Elise Noll, freshman, Land O’ Lakes High; Estefania Acosta, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High; Natalie Abernathy, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High
110-meter hurdles: Emily Beasley, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
100-meter dash: Sydney Rouser, junior, Pasco High
1600-meter run: Kerry Reilly, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
4×100-meter relay: Vyctoria Boger, junior, Wesley Chapel High; Vivianna Cox, senior, Wesley Chapel High; Sydney Parker, sophomore, Wesley Chapel High; Zharia Wilson, freshman, Wesley Chapel High
400-meter dash: Skyla Morales, senior, Sunlake High
300-meter hurdles: Gianna Levy, freshman, Sunlake High
800-meter run: Brenna Moran, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
200-meter dash: Sydney Parker, sophomore, Wesley Chapel High
3200-meter run: Estefania Acosta, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High
4×400-meter relay: Vyctoria Boger, junior, Wesley Chapel High; Janine Dacre, senior, Wesley Chapel High; Sydney Parker, sophomore, Wesley Chapel High; Faith Mercer, junior, Wesley Chapel High
Shot Put: Porcia Boateng, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Pole Vault: Patricia Batchelor, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High
High Jump: Kasia Ramirez, junior, Sunlake High
Long Jump: Chelsea Kennard, freshman, Pasco High
Triple Jump: Arielle Boone, junior, Sunlake High
Discus: Janiya Buchannon, freshman, Wiregrass Ranch High

2016-17 SAC East All-Conference Softball
Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes High School
Coach of the Year: Mitch Wilkins, Land O’ Lakes High
Player of the Year: Callie Turner, Land O’ Lakes High

First-Team All-Conference
Pitcher: Callie Turner, sophomore, Land O’ Lake High
Catcher: Kameron Aitken, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Infielder: Tia Williams, junior, Land O’ Lakes High
Infielder: Bella Huff, junior, Sunlake High
Infielder: Shelby Westbrook, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High
Infielder: Kacie Lemanski, junior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Outfielder: Kacie Huber, junior, Pasco High
Outfielder: Samantha Hiley, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Outfielder: Jessie McCallister, senior, Land O’ Lakes High
Utility: Mariah Melendez, junior, Sunlake High

Second-Team All-Conference
Pitcher: Jordan Almasy, freshman, Wesley Chapel High
Catcher: Neely Peterson, sophomore, Wesley Chapel High
Infielder: Riley Baxter, junior, Sunlake High
Infielder: Ashley Nickisher, sophomore, Wesley Chapel High
Infielder: Ashley Smith, junior, Land O’ Lakes High
Infielder: Jordan Kadlub, sophomore, Pasco High
Outfielder: Morgan Herndon, freshman, Wesley Chapel
HighOutfielder: Cayley Gottschall, senior, Sunlake High
Outfielder: Jaime Valenta, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High
Utility: Alexis Ridolph, senior, Wiregrass Ranch High

Published May 24, 2017

Carrollwood Day names new boys basketball coach

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Teddy Owens, director of basketball operations at the University of Nebraska, has been named the new boys basketball coach at Carrollwood Day School.

Teddy Owens

Owens, who has been with Nebraska for the past four seasons, including the past three as the university’s director of ops, replaces Mario Lovett, who went a combined 26-53 in four seasons at Carrollwood Day.

Besides coaching, Owens, 35, will work in administration as a part of Carrollwood Day’s advancement and development team.

At Nebraska, Owens’ duties included handling the basketball program’s budget, coordinating the team’s travel, working with the Husker coaching staff on scheduling, and other responsibilities.

Owens previously was the head coach at Lincoln Christian High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the late 2000s, leading the program to the Class 2A state tournament in 2009 and 2010. He also was an assistant at several schools in the Tulsa area.

Before joining the Nebraska staff, Owens was a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma under Lon Kruger, and was a student manager at Oklahoma State University in 2003-2004.

Owens graduated from Oklahoma State and got his master’s from Oklahoma in 2013.

PHSC Student-Athletes of the Year

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Pasco-Hernando State College men’s baseball player Bailey Partlow and women’s cross-country runner Marffee Simbulan each were each honored with the college’s Dr. Debra J. Hay Outstanding Student Athlete Award, during an April 17 awards banquet.

Marffee Simbulan
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Each year, one female and one male PHSC student-athlete who “demonstrate excellence in the classroom, on the fields and courts, in leadership on campus, and with service in the community” is selected by the PHSC coaching staff to receive the Dr. Debra J. Hay Outstanding Student Athlete Award. Hay was a former dean of student services, who encouraged excellence and was an advocate for student athletes.

Simbulan, a PHSC sophomore from Pensacola, has a 3.94 grade point average. Her community service projects have included participation in a Phi Theta Kappa roadside clean-up event and the Special Olympics.

Bailey Partlow

Partlow, a PHSC sophomore from Westfield, Indiana, carries a 3.52 grade point average. A team captain and starting catcher for two years, Partlow has a career batting average of .308. His community service has included the annual Forest Lakes community park cleanup, the PHSC Quistas 5K Run and speaking to students at Bishop Larkin Catholic School in Port Richey.

Players for each intercollegiate sport at PHSC also were honored: Marisa French (coed cheerleading), Charlene Sanchez (cross-country), Kylyn Burbine (half-marathon), Danielle Christian (women’s volleyball), Charles Isaac (men’s basketball), Angelica Venzia (women’s softball) and Alex Reynolds (men’s baseball).

For information about athletics at PHSC, visit PHSC.edu/athletics.

Saint Leo adds three during spring signing

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The Saint Leo women’s basketball team has announced the addition of three more players to the 2017-2018 roster: Alani Gallagher, of Vestal, New York; Savannah Scott, of South Bend, Indiana; and Dashaun Jackson, of Miramar, Florida.

  • Gallagher,a 6-foot-1 center from Vestal High School, was named the BCANY (Basketball Coaches Association of New York) Class A Player of the Year following her senior season, where she averaged 15.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game.
  • Scott,a 6-foot-1 power forward, was a three-year letterman at South Bend St. Joseph High School, winning the Indiana Class 3A State Championship in 2017.
  • Jackson, a 6-foot-1 wing, was part of Miami Country Day High School’s Florida State Championship three-peat, winning the title in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Saint Leo women’s basketball coach Anthony Crocitto added three players during the spring signing period.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)

Jackson, Scott, and Gallagher join Delaney Bernard, a 5-foot-8 shooting guard; Brandi Bain, a 5-foot-9 wing; and, Montia Moon, a 5-foot-5 guard, who signed with the Lions during the fall signing period.

“Our first recruiting class is very special,” Crocitto said, in a statement. “We have       brought in kids from a few very different areas while addressing some weaknesses within our program. We have added size with three players being over 6-foot-1, shooting, and big game experience.”

Crocitto also noted the recruits have either won or contended for state championships in New York, Florida and Indiana.

Servin’ aces on the sand

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When Bethany Randall began playing beach volleyball nearly two years ago, she never envisioned it could lead to a Division I athletic scholarship.

“It really just started with trying to get in shape,” said Randall, a Land O’ Lakes resident and senior at Seffner Christian Academy.

Starting next spring, Randall will play women’s beach volleyball at Jacksonville State University, a Division I school in Jacksonville, Alabama — roughly eight hours north of Tampa and about 90 miles west of Atlanta, Georgia.

That’s quite an achievement, considering the sport became sanctioned in Florida just last year — through a partnership with the independent Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC) and the Florida Region of USA Volleyball.

Land O’ Lakes resident Bethany Randall began playing beach volleyball nearly two years ago. After competing in the sport as a senior at Seffner Christian Academy, she earned a scholarship at Jacksonville State University, a Division I school in Jacksonville, Alabama.
(Courtesy of Jeff Randall)

The inaugural 2017 season — comprised of 22 Florida schools — concluded in April with a state championship tournament at Hickory Point Beach, a 21-court beach volleyball facility in Tavares, Florida.

Besides Seffner Christian, several Tampa Bay area schools fielded squads in Year 1, including Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, Carrollwood Day School and Indian Rocks Christian School.

Similar to many girls, Randall grew up playing indoor volleyball, taking up the sport in middle school and playing all through high school.

She — like many peers — initially viewed the sand-based sport as just a fun, noncompetitive alternative to oft-expensive indoor club leagues.

“Honestly, before I realized it was a college sport, I didn’t think of playing it,” Randall said.

Before long, however, she was hooked.

“I picked it up as quick as I could,” she said.

“It just turned into something she fell in love with,” added her father Jeff Randall, also Seffner Christian’s beach volleyball coach.

As passion for the sport grew, her skill did, too.

She became Seffner Christian’s top-seeded player this past season — catching the attention of college coaches.

Though she considered in-state schools such as Florida Gulf Coast University and Stetson University, Bethany Randall couldn’t resist the out-of-state university’s offerings.

“I liked the family atmosphere — (the coaches) put a big emphasis on that,” she said. “As for the scenery, it’s in the mountains, so it’s just a different experience than Florida,” she said.

Aside from the obvious, several distinctions exist between indoor and outdoor volleyball, beginning with the size of the half courts — a beach volleyball square is eight meters and the indoor square is nine.

Also, beach volleyball is played between teams of two rather than six, with no substitutions. Matches use rally scoring and are best-of-three sets played to 21, though the third set is played to 15.

Similar to high school tennis matches, sand matches are officiated by the players.

And, each team fields four pairs per match, though only the top three pairs, or seeds, count toward the final results.

The sand sport, according to Jeff Randall, lends itself to well-rounded players, as opposed to primarily offensive or defensive volleyball specialists prevalent with indoor volleyball.

“You’ve got to be able to do it all. You’ve got to hit, you’ve got to pass, you’ve got to serve, you’ve got to receive, you’ve got to block. You’ve got to do everything.”

It also requires more strategy and game planning, plus accommodating for factors like wind speed and sun direction.

“It’s like a pawn game,” Jeff Randall said.

That — and the added responsibilities having just one teammate — makes the sport more challenging than the traditional game, Bethany Randall said.
“It requires a lot more athleticism,” she said. “Just moving in the sand, you have to be able to (quickly) get back down and get back up.”

Even so, Bethany Randall finds the sport ” a lot more enjoyable” than indoor volleyball.

Thousands seem to agree, as its popularity nationwide has risen in the past decade.
According to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), nearly 500,000 females ages 13 to 25 have taken up the sport since 2007.

Women’s beach volleyball, moreover, has been labeled the fastest growing NCAA sport — ever.

In 2012, there were just 16 Division I teams. It since has burgeoned to 54 during the 2016-2017 season.

And whether it’s college or high school, it doesn’t take much to sponsor a program — mostly because of low overhead costs compared to other sports.

“It’s such as easy sport to field,” Jeff Randall said. “There’s little equipment — you buy two balls, you go to a public court; and, you really only need six girls.”

From a coaches’ perspective, Jeff Randall anticipates the sport soon will be played in dozens more Florida high schools, and eventually will be sanctioned by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), the main governing body for high school athletics in the state of Florida

“Five years from now, it’s going to be so different — every school will have a team,” he said, assuredly.

The sport isn’t just reserved for the younger generation, either.

“It’s something you can play a long time,” Jeff Randall said. “I’m 47 years old and am still playing fairly competitive, where a lot of sports you’re just done at a certain age.”

Published May 17, 2017

Lutz Guv’na race debate set for May 20

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It’s campaign season again — in Lutz, that is.

The annual Lutz Guv’na Race is underway.

And, it kicks off with the 2017 Guv’na Debate on May 20 at the Old Lutz School, 18819 N. U.S. 41.

The event — which runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. — is free and open to the public.

Last year’s Lutz Guv’na candidates competed in several fun-filled activities, including a watermelon-eating contest. The annual Lutz Guv’na Race kicks off with the 2017 Guv’na Debate on May 20 at the Old Lutz School, 18819 N. U.S. 41. It runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
(File)

This year, three candidates will vie to raise the most money for their “campaigns,” with proceeds benefitting local nonprofits and community organizations.

Incumbent Guv’na Greg Gilbert, of Beef O’ Brady’s in Lutz, will square off against two first-time candidates: Kori Rankin from Kori Rankin Photography, and Jessica Sherman of Pinch A Penny in Lutz.

Throughout the fun-filled debate, the trio will field jocular questions from audience members and partake in other quirky activities, hoping to raise money for a good cause.

The event’s emcee will again be Paul Vahue of First Baptist Church in Lutz.

Attendees, meanwhile, can attach themselves to a candidate to benefit their campaigns; former Guv’na winner Stephanie Ensor of Flip Flop Embroidery Shoppe will offer a $100 campaign donation to the candidate who brings the most guests to the May 20 debate.

The annual charity event — which started in 1991— is sponsored by the Lutz Civic Association.

“This is what makes a small town a small town,” said Suzin Carr, ambassador for the Lutz Guv’na Race.

It typically raises several thousand dollars for about 20 beneficiaries, including scout troops, the Old Lutz School and Friends of the Library.

“They make community spirit what it is,” Carr said, of the beneficiaries. “They make Lutz a nice place to live.”
More than $100,000 has been raised in the past decade alone.

“There’s some years that are less, and some years that are more, but the impact…on these small groups is huge,” said Carr.

Last year’s event, like the others before it, proved particularly entertaining, thanks to a makeshift bowling competition, costume and watermelon-eating contests, and a Donald Trump-masked mystery candidate.

Besides various tasks and challenges, the debate regularly features plenty of laughs, as candidates offer up tongue-in-cheek answers to “hot button” issues surrounding Lutz.

The race continues through the Fourth of July weekend, where the winner is announced, and earns the coveted “sash” from the prior year’s winner.

The winner also typically earmarks 10 percent of what he or she raises to the organization of their choice.

Carr, a former two-time winner of the Guv’na Race, is actively seeking additional community involvement and volunteers for the Guv’na festivities.

“We want bodies out there,” she said. “When people don’t come out and support these kinds of programs, they die…and we certainly don’t want to see that.”

For more information, contact Carr at (813) 453-5256.

Published May 10, 2017

Traffic ‘relief’ coming to Pasco

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As Pasco County’s population booms, traffic relief is on the way.

That’s according to Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, the featured speaker at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast on May 4.

The commissioner provided updates to several county road projects, including: extension of State Road 56; widening of State Road 54; and, intersection improvements along Eiland Boulevard.
Those projects are crucial, Moore said, as growth continues.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore was the featured speaker at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast on May 4. He discussed a wide range of topics, including roads, code enforcement and economic development.
(Kevin Weiss)

The county recently crossed the 500,000-population threshold, and stands at roughly 505,000.

The figure is estimated to grow to 750,000 people by 2030, and over 1 million by 2040.

“We’re catching up (to Hillsborough County). We’re one of the fastest growing areas in the nation,” said Moore.

Specifically, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills are “probably the fastest growing…in the state of Florida.”

Knowing that, Moore said county leaders must be “proactive” and “forward-thinking” on “big-ticket items,” including road improvements.

Among the most ballyhooed is the four-lane extension of State Road 56 from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wiregrass Ranch to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

Construction on the 6.7-mile stretch is estimated to be complete sometime in 2019.

“Relief is definitely on the way,” Moore said. “It’s going to open up economic development opportunities in this area. But, at the same time, it’s going to relieve some of that traffic congestion that we see on (State Road) 54 coming into Zephyrhills or (U.S.) 301 coming into Zephyrhills.”

The county also is working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on widening the State Road 54 corridor from four lanes to six lanes, up through Morris Bridge Road.

Though he declined to provide a specific timeline, Moore said the right-of-way acquisition process is complete and the project will start “very, very soon.”

Meanwhile, design studies are ongoing for various intersection improvements along Eiland Boulevard in Zephyrhills.

The intersection of Eiland Boulevard and Geiger Road will feature a traffic signal system and a right turn lane for eastbound traffic from Geiger to Eiland. The existing dual turn lane on Geiger Road will be restriped for left turn movements.

A signalization project also is being planned at the intersection of Handcart Road and Eiland Boulevard, along with the intersection of Eiland Boulevard and Silver Oaks Drive.

“Eiland needs to happen — it’s going to happen,” Moore said.

Besides roads, Moore hit on the county’s ongoing code enforcement efforts.

Over a year ago, commissioners approved a plan to increase code enforcement efforts along major corridors to end blight, and clean up vacant commercial properties.

Moore said code enforcement continues to focus on major corridors, including U.S. 19, U.S. 41 and U.S. 301.

Stings are also planned outside the Zephyrhills city limits, within the next month.

Targeting dilapidated buildings, violators are fined $500 per day for blight like broken windows or damaged doors.

“It’s not fair for the legitimate business owners that live in the neighborhoods behind these buildings,” Moore said. “We know what it does — it brings property values down, it hurts economic development. Additionally, it’s just unsightly.”

Moore noted the blight ordinance “has done wonders for a lot of areas” in the county, since its implementation.

“We’re trying to clean up the area, and obviously increase property values and beautify the area,” he said.

Lastly, Moore addressed various economic development initiatives within the county.

Among the targets: a 440-acre site adjacent to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport and next to the CSX rail line.

The industrial land is currently undergoing a site certification process, with a boost from Duke Energy through the Duke Energy Site Readiness Program.

The site — once certified — could be a draw for a domestic or international corporation that specializes in manufacturing or distribution.

Within the next decade, Moore said upward of 2,000 to 3,000 jobs could be brought to that area alone, further supplementing the county’s tax base.

“If we can get that site certified, some great things will happen in this area,” Moore said.

Published May 10, 2017

2017 Hillsborough County All-Western Conference Baseball

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The 2017 All-Western Conference baseball teams are selected solely by Hillsborough County’s public school head baseball coaches. Only players from public school programs are eligible for the teams.
Athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were represented in both the American and National divisions.

American Division
First Team
Catcher — Danny Gutcher, Jr., Gaither High
Infielder — Chipper Holland, Sr., Gaither High
Infielder — Jose Cadenas, Sr., Gaither High
Pitcher —CJ Van Eyk, Sr., Steinbrenner High

Second Team
Outfielder—Cam Coakley, Sr., Steinbrenner High
Outfielder—Jordan Lala, Jr., Steinbrenner High

National Division
First Team
Infielder—Drew Ehrhard, Sr., Wharton High

Second Team
Pitcher-Austin Appel, Sr., Wharton High
Infielder—Leo Alfonzo, Jr., Wharton High