The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kevin Weiss

Tae Kwon Do Champs!

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(Courtesy of Habib Fayiz)
(Courtesy of Habib Fayiz)

Several students from the Wesley Chapel Martial Arts Academy collected first place honors at the Egypt Shriner’s Tae Kwon Do tournament on Nov. 5 in Town ‘N Country. From left: Jacob Williams, 8, first place in both Sparring and Forms; Joseph Levesque, 13, first place in Sparring; Raquel Tortorelli, 6, first place in Forms; Logan Laffey, 8, first place in both Sparring and Weapons; and, Andrew Levesque, 12, first place in both Sparring and Forms.

Adult tennis team places second at nationals

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(Courtesy of Juan O’ Campo)
(Courtesy of Juan O’ Campo)

The Tampa Bay Tennis Team, representing the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Florida Section, finished second at the USTA 40 & Over 8.0 National Championships, held Nov. 4 through Nov. 6, in Surprise, Arizona. The group lost to a team from Daniel Island, South Carolina, 2-1 in the championship match. In front, left to right: Kerryn Ellson, Kay Caldwell, Mary Paul, Ann Douglas, Lynn O’Brien, Linda Wolf and Mary Miller. Back, left to right: John Green, David Biren, Albert Alhadeff, Thinh Duong and Brian Kenney.

Saint Leo WBB adds three during fall signing period

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The Saint Leo women’s basketball team has announced the addition of three players to the 2017-2018 roster: Delaney Bernard, of Greenwood Village, Colorado; Brandi Bain, of Castle Rock, Colorado; and, Montia Moon, of Long Island, New York.

  • Delaney Bernard, a 5-foot-8 shooting guard, has averaged 13.6 points per game and has made 159 career threes on 35.0-percent shooting during her four-year varsity career.
Saint Leo women’s basketball coach Anthony Crocitto added three players during the fall signing period. (File Photo)
Saint Leo women’s basketball coach Anthony Crocitto added three players during the fall signing period.
(File Photo)

Saint Leo head coach Anthony Crocitto said Bernard will play on the wing, and is a “great fit” to the program.

“Delaney is a top shooter in the class of 2017,” Crocitto said, in a release. “We recruit shooters and expect Delaney to have her shot ready upon arrival at Saint Leo.”

  • Brandi Bain, a 5-foot-9 wing, is described by Crocitto as having “fantastic upside.”

“Her defense is exceptional, and she plays very unselfish basketball,” Crocitto said. “Brandi is already a solid fundamental player; we expect only growth from her moving forward.”

  • Montia Moon, a 5-foot-5 guard and three-sport high school athlete, is a “workhorse,” according to Crocitto.

“Montia plays for one of the best high school programs in New York and is certainly well-coached, the Saint Leo coach said. “She can defend just about anyone at the guard position, and is a strong, quick blue-collar point guard who will give us more depth.”

Moon, Bain, and Bernard are the first signees for the 2017-18 season for Crocitto.

Land O’ Lakes student visits White House, talks science

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Not many high-schoolers are like Logan Beatty.

The freshman at Land O’ Lakes High School is a member of a select group.

He was one of 11 youths nationwide chosen to participate in President Barack Obama’s first-ever Kid Science Advisor program on Oct. 21.

Eleven students nationwide were chosen to participate in the Kid Science Advisor program, held on Oct. 21. (Official White House Photo)
Eleven students nationwide were chosen to participate in the Kid Science Advisor program, held on Oct. 21.
(Official White House Photo)

The 14-year-old submitted an essay to the White House last spring, outlining the importance of exploring the world’s oceans in developing better technology.

“I used some of the inspiration that I have from living in Florida, and going to do beach cleanups,” Beatty said.

More than 2,500 essays were submitted nationwide, for the Kid Science Advisor program. Beatty was selected to represent the Southeast region.

“You don’t get that many opportunities to get your voice heard — especially as a student,” Beatty said.

Beatty and others participated in a roundtable discussion about future STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) ideas with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, senior Administration officials, and various pioneers of scientific discovery.

Among the people he met were Dr. John Holdren, President Obama’s chief science advisor; Charles Bolden, current NASA administrator; France Cordova, director of the National Science Foundation; and Scott and Mark Kelly, retired astronauts who are twin brothers.

Logan Beatty, a freshman at Land O’ Lakes High School, was selected to participate in President Barack Obama’s Kid Science Advisor program. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
Logan Beatty, a freshman at Land O’ Lakes High School, was selected to participate in President Barack Obama’s Kid Science Advisor program.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

It was an experience that Beatty is unlikely to soon forget.

“It was really cool,” Beatty said, “because I’m not sure how often (kids) are able to do things like this.”

During his visit, Beatty was able to explore the West Wing of the White House, touring the Roosevelt Room and the Oval Office.

“It was really incredible,” he said about the White House. “When we first went in, they had two different layers of security, which was a very long process. But, once we did get inside, it was just random, little details that stood out — like the black floor tiles actually had fossils in them. And, we got to see the library of the Executive Office, which was really cool. I liked some of the architecture.”

White House officials initially told Beatty “there was no way” the group of kids would meet President Obama.

Yet, a short time later, President Obama walked through the back door of the Roosevelt Room, to the group’s surprise.

“I nearly stopped breathing,” Beatty said with a chuckle. “We saw him for about five (minutes) to seven minutes. It’s more than most people get to see President Obama, especially in his office.”

Beatty, who’s in the Land O’ Lakes High School’s pre-International Baccalaureate (IB) program, is a busy student.

In addition to a rigorous pre-IB curriculum workload, the teenager is a member of several school clubs including Model UN, photography and drama. He’s also involved in Boy Scout Troop 707 in Land O’ Lakes.

“I get it all done, somehow,” he said, “Mostly losing sleep.”

Land O’ Lakes assistant principal Jeff Morgenstein described Beatty as an “outstanding student.”

“When I look at the students that come into our (IB) program, Logan really exemplifies the idea that they want to make a difference in their community, in our nation and in the world,” said Morgenstein, “and they do that through ideas, through conversation and being part of things that are bigger than them.

“Doing things to make the future better — that’s who he is.”

Published November 23, 2016

Lacrosse fundraiser rescheduled to March

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The PascoLax Harley Jam, organized by the Pasco County Lacrosse Alliance (PCLA), has been rescheduled.

The event, originally slated for Dec. 3, will take place on March 25, from noon to 6 p.m., at the Concourse Rotary Pavilion, 15325 Alric Pottberg Road in Spring Hill.

The shindig, which organizers intend to hold annually, will feature a rock/country concert and a reverse raffle.

The Pasco County Lacrosse Alliance’s PascoLax Harley Jam has been rescheduled to March 25. The event will take place from noon to 6 p.m. at the Concourse Rotary Pavilion, 15325 Alric Pottberg Road in Spring Hill. (File Photo)
The Pasco County Lacrosse Alliance’s PascoLax Harley Jam has been rescheduled to March 25. The event will take place from noon to 6 p.m. at the Concourse Rotary Pavilion, 15325 Alric Pottberg Road in Spring Hill.
(File Photo)

Concert performers include three Tampa-based bands: Soul Circus Cowboys, Jaded and Phoenix. The grand prize to be raffled off is a choice of either a 2017 Harley-Davidson SuperGlide, or a $20,000 cash prize.

Tickets for the concert/raffle are $100, while concert-only tickets are $10 per person.

Only 2,000 tickets — 1,000 raffle and 1,000 general admissions — will be sold.

Food trucks and other vendors will be present, and 98 Rock will provide a live remote from the concert.

All net proceeds from the benefit will help the PCLA provide funding for several Pasco County high schools to offer boys and girls lacrosse programs.

Sunlake, Mitchell, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch high schools will offer club lacrosse programs, for the 2017 season.

Anclote, Land O’ Lakes and Zephyrhills high schools, meanwhile, are expected to form boys and girls lacrosse programs, for the 2018 season.

The PCLA, a nonprofit organization, is also assisting the transition of the programs from a club-level sport to a Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)-sanctioned sport, beginning with the 2018 spring season.

Eric Handman, fundraising director of the PCLA, said the fundraiser will help subsidize the expenditures to operate each school’s boys and girls lacrosse programs.

“It costs a lot to fund a team,” Handman said, “when you consider refereeing fees, bussing, field use, goals and equipment.”

David Mazursky, president of the PCLA, told The Laker/Lutz News in September that he estimates equipment and operational costs for the lacrosse organization will total about $15,000 per school. Whatever funds aren’t covered through sponsorships will trickle down to players in a “pay-for-play” model.

According to its website, the PCLA is looking to set the registration fee in the same arena as Hillsborough County’s, which decreased from $390 to $320 over the past three years.

“The goal is eventually to get the pay-to-play fee more reasonable,” Handman said.

For more information, visit PascoLaxHarleyJam.com or PascoLax.org.

Published November 23, 2016

New tennis center on tap for Zephyrhills

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Pasco County residents longing for greater tennis opportunities soon will have that wish granted.

Todd Vande Berg, planning director for the city of Zephyrhills, unveiled plans for a two-story, outdoor tennis facility, designed to United States Tennis Association (USTA) standards.

The Zephyrhills City Council gave Vande Berg a consensus to proceed with an engineered site plan and an architect plan, at its Nov. 14 meeting.

The facility, presently known as the Zephyrhills Tennis Center, will be located on 4.7 acres of donated land at The District at Abbott’s Square, a new real estate development situated north of Dean Dairy Road and west of Simons Road.

This rendering of the Zephyrhills Tennis Center shows 10 courts (eight clay, two hard surface), three mini-courts and one exhibition court. The tennis center is also expected to feature a pro shop, a multifunctional community room, and two office spaces. A second level, if added, will contain an observation deck, players lounge, and concessions. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)
This rendering of the Zephyrhills Tennis Center shows 10 courts (eight clay, two hard surface), three mini-courts and one exhibition court. The tennis center is also expected to feature a pro shop, a multifunctional community room, and two office spaces. A second level, if added, will contain an observation deck, players lounge, and concessions.
(Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The estimated $2.19 million project will likely include 10 courts (eight clay, two hard surface), three mini-courts and one exhibition court.

The tennis center is also expected to feature a pro shop, a multifunctional community room, and two office spaces.

A second level, if added, will house an observation deck, players lounge, and concessions.

The facility was initially expected to feature a “50-50 mix” of five clay and five hard surface courts. However, the USTA advised Vande Berg to plan for additional soft surface, clay courts.

“Most people prefer playing on a soft court,” Vande Berg said. “Wherever you go now, most courts in Florida are going with a majority clay courts.”

Though ground has yet to break on the forthcoming project, the planning director has already received several inquiries for its use.

“A lot of interest is out there,” Vande Berg said. “I’ve gotten calls from people in New England who want to run the facility. We have colleges asking if it’s going to be available this summer for training.”

The facility, too, opens the door to hosting local and regional USTA-sanctioned events.

“We could bring in some pretty good sized tournaments,” Vande Berg said.

“It will be an economic draw for not only Zephyrhills, but all of Pasco County,” he said.

“You could bring in probably 50 to 100 kids and their families that would be staying the weekend to play in tournaments,” he added.

Vande Berg said the tennis center will be funded over the next two fiscal years. He noted that recreation impact fees from The District at Abbott’s Square and other developments should total about $2.13 million, all but financing the entire project.

Other possible funding sources include: USTA grants, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grants, Penny for Pasco, and partnerships with Pasco County Parks and Recreation, and Pasco County Tourism.

“This isn’t a city of Zephyrhills project. This is a countywide project,” Vande Berg said. “There’s going to be a lot of countywide people using this facility.”

Memberships will be required to access the facility, though Vande Berg indicated that prices will be “more economical” for Zephyrhills residents, compared to non-residents.

“We need to fully vet that aspect out,” he said, “to see exactly what our community is comfortable with…”

Vande Berg and City Manager Steve Spina have sought direction from other tennis facilities in nearby communities, including Auburndale and Plant City.

The eight-court Cindy Hummel Tennis Center, in Auburndale, has yearly memberships ranging from $107 to $240, for unlimited court access. Meanwhile, the 10-court Plant City Tennis Center offers individual annual passes for $350, and family annual passes for $700.

In east Pasco, many residents have pleaded for additional tennis facilities and programming.

During a May open house at the Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills, several residents told The Laker/Lutz News the foremost reason they use Zephyr Park is because of its tennis courts.

One east Pasco resident, Fred Hall, was particularly vocal about the subject. “The single most used thing in (the) park is the tennis courts,” Hall said, in May. “Those are used in the morning from 7 a.m., until the lights go off at night. Seven days a week.”

Published November 23, 2016

Sophomore paces Wharton boys cross-country

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Wharton High School’s Tre Rivers is quietly making a name for himself as one of the state’s top distance runners. And, he’s just a sophomore.

The Wharton High boys cross-country team picks sophomore Tre Rivers up after he led the squad to second place in the Class 4A District 6 meet. Rivers won the individual district title at the meet. (Photos courtesy of Kyle LoJacono)
The Wharton High boys cross-country team picks sophomore Tre Rivers up after he led the squad to second place in the Class 4A District 6 meet. Rivers won the individual district title at the meet.
(Photos courtesy of Kyle LoJacono)

On Nov. 5, Rivers placed ninth in the Class 4A FHSAA Cross Country Finals at Appalachia Regional Park, crossing the finish line in 16:16.09, a 5K personal record and the fastest time of any Hillsborough County runner at the state meet.

“It was a goal I had, but I never thought it would actually happen,” Rivers humbly said of his top-10 state finish.

His secret to success?

“I just stay relaxed, said Rivers, “and just be confident.”

The rise to becoming one of the state’s top cross-country runners has been rather swift for the underclassman.

Rivers, who began running competitively at 8 years old, focused exclusively on track throughout middle school, mainly competing in sprints and middle distance races.

“Track was like my niche,” said Rivers, whose older sister, Bryanna, recently signed a track scholarship with the University of Massachusetts.

Wharton sophomore Tre Rivers (in navy shirt) won the individual district title at the Class 4A District 6 meet.
Wharton sophomore Tre Rivers (in navy shirt) won the individual district title at the Class 4A District 6 meet.

But, it wasn’t until he started high school that his penchant for running long distance was realized.

As a freshman, Rivers ran his first high school cross-country race in a rather uneventful time of 20:33, a 6:38 pace per mile. By the start of the 2016 cross-country season, however, Rivers had slashed his 5K mark to 17:34, a 5:40 pace per mile.

Wharton cross-country coach Kyle LoJacono said he knew Rivers had the ability to be a “very strong runner,” but first had to gear his training regimen towards longer, sustained runs that incorporated cross country terrains, like hills and trails.

“We knew that once we got his distance base built back up that he was going to really cut (time),” LoJacono said.

“With him, the longer it is, usually the better.”

Rivers, who now holds the school’s sophomore 5K record, is eyeing the Wharton all-time record of 15:55, set in 2005, by Ryan Courtoy.

Tre Rivers outkicks Plant junior Walker Thomas to the finish during the Class 4A District 6 meet this year. Rivers won the individual district title at the meet.
Tre Rivers outkicks Plant junior Walker Thomas to the finish during the Class 4A District 6 meet this year. Rivers won the individual district title at the meet.

“That would definitely be within his reach,” said LoJacono, “especially with the fact that we know his work ethic is going to continue.”

That work ethic, LoJacono said, often helped inspire Rivers’ fellow teammates throughout a grueling cross-country season.

“He never, ever cheats you on a workout. He will give max effort,” LoJacono said. “He kind of sets that standard for everybody else, and because he works so hard every single day, it gives everybody else that goal.”

It surely worked, as Wharton reached the state finals for the first time since 2008, finishing in ninth place (out of 20 teams).

“What really was the key,” said LoJacono, “was Tre being that No. 1 every single day.”

“He gets stronger as the race goes on,” the Wharton’s third-year coach added.

“It really kind of allows everybody else to do the same thing, because they see, ‘Wow, look at that,’” LoJacono said.

With no seniors on the roster, the Wildcats’ recent success — like Rivers’—doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.

All of Wharton’s other top runners are expected to return in 2017, including: Noah Damjanovic (17:18.91 at states), Sahil Deschenes (17:30.46), Frank Goldbold (17:34.72), Casey Pleune (17:46.76), Denarius Murphy (18:44.99) and Ryan Anders (19:18.20).

“This groups wants to establish itself.” LoJacono said.

In the meantime, Rivers will look to continue his success this spring — on the track.

Last season, he set school track records for freshman in the 3,200-meter (9:58.68), 1,600-meter (4:36.14) and 800-meter (2:07.83) races.

“I really can’t live without the other,” Rivers said of competing in both track and cross-country.

Published November 23, 2016

Triple play!

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(Courtesy of Land O' Lakes Athletics)
(Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes Athletics)

A trio of Land O’ Lakes High School varsity baseball standouts recently signed their National Letter of Intent to play collegiate baseball. From left: shortstop/catcher Max Law (University of North Florida), right-handed pitcher Troy Klemm (Palm Beach Atlantic University) and McCabe Sargent (Saint Leo University). If you have information on other signings, please email .

Former Wiregrass Ranch quarterback receives award

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Charleston Southern’s Shane Bucenell (Courtesy of Charleston Southern University)
Charleston Southern’s Shane Bucenell
(Courtesy of Charleston Southern University)

Charleston Southern’s Shane Bucenell, a former quarterback at Wiregrass Ranch High School, was named the Big South Freshman of the Week for his role in a 48-26 win over Liberty University on Nov. 12. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound signal-caller threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns, and added a 57-yard rushing score. It is the second time this season Bucenell has received the weekly freshman honor. Through seven games, Bucenell has passed for 933 yards and 13 touchdowns, and rushed for 255 yards and 3 TDs.

Saint Leo basketball standout reaches 1,000 points

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Saint Leo’s Marcus Dewberry (Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)
Saint Leo’s Marcus Dewberry
(Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)

Saint Leo men’s basketball senior Marcus Dewberry eclipsed 1,000 points for his career after opening up the 2016 season with back-to-back 30-plus point games. Dewberry, a native of Lakes Wales, became the 23rd Lions player to reach the milestone.

“Marcus [Dewberry] is not only one of the best athletes I’ve ever coached but also a great individual,” Lions head coach Vince Alexander said, in a release. “It is an incredible feat to get 1,000 career points.”

In October, Dewberry was named a preseason All-American by the Division II Bulletin.