The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kevin Weiss

MLB draft selects former Gaither player

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The Seattle Mariners selected Camryn Williams, a former Gaither High shortstop, with the 1,167th pick, in the 39th round of last week’s Major League Baseball Draft. Williams helped guide Gaither to its first FHSAA 7A State Championship, batting .338 with eight extra-base hits and seven stolen bases. Williams has signed to play collegiate baseball at Dallas Baptist (Texas) University, which is widely viewed as one of the nation’s premier Division I baseball programs.

Pasco Middle receives fishing grant

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Pasco Middle School in Dade City was one of the first five schools named as a recipient for the FLW (Fishing League Worldwide) Foundation Florida High School Fishing grant program.

The other recipients were in other parts of the state.

The grants, offered through a two-year initiative with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), are available to Student Angler Federation (SAF)-affiliated high school fishing clubs in Florida in the amount of up to $500 per school to establish new or expand existing clubs.

The goal of the Florida High School Fishing grant initiative is to support fishing as a high school sport by helping to recruit new anglers, retain existing anglers and reactivate lapsed anglers. Florida High School Fishing clubs that have at least 10 SAF members or are interested in becoming an SAF-affiliated club and are recognized by their school are eligible and encouraged to apply for the grants.

The Florida High School Fishing Grant Application is available at FLWFishing.com/Foundation. Applications are generally reviewed within three to five business days, but may be as long as four weeks. School sponsors are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

More information on the FLW Foundation is available at FLWFishing.com/Foundation.

PHSC cheer team tryouts

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The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) cheerleading team is holding open tryouts for its 2016-2017 season on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21.  Tryouts begin each day at 9 a.m. in the Fitness Center, in building K on the West Campus in New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road. A tryout preparation session for the upcoming season will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 15. Stunting and jumping skills are required; tumbling skills are recommended. The tryout preparation session will include practicing with peers and receiving tips from coaching staff; participants will also receive a cheer tryout application packet.

The PHSC cheerleaders compete at the state and national level, promote school spirit on campus and at all home basketball games. Team members also are required to support additional PHSC athletic programs, host fundraisers, and participate in community service projects throughout the year.

Male and female PHSC students, including incoming freshmen, returning sophomores and transfer students in good academic standing may try out. Cheerleading tryout requirements and additional information can be found at PHSC.edu/athletics/cheerleading.

First-time Guv’na candidate enjoying the ‘campaign’

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Andre Pamplona is relatively new to the area, having moved to Lutz from Miami just last June.

But, that didn’t stop the general manager of Royal Lanes Bowling from jumping into the race to become Lutz Guv’na.

Pamplona was first encouraged to run by Suzin Carr, who serves as ambassador for the annual race for the honorary title. Carr is the only one who has been named Guv’na twice in the Lutz charity event.

Andre Pamplona is a candidate for the Lutz annual Guv’na Race. Pamplona is the general manager of Royal Lanes Bowling, at 1927 Brinson Road in Lutz. (File Photo)
Andre Pamplona is a candidate for the Lutz annual Guv’na Race. Pamplona is the general manager of Royal Lanes Bowling, at 1927 Brinson Road in Lutz.
(File Photo)

For Pamplona, it was a “no-brainer” to throw his name into the hat, and “help the community” through fundraising.

Having a storefront property in Lutz has made fundraising efforts relatively seamless.

“One of the things we already do a lot here at Royal Lanes is try to make a venue for nonprofit organizations to raise funds in a very inexpensive way,” Pamplona said. “We try to gear it to as many different groups as we can,” he said.

“It’s one of those things where the community is aware of (the Guv’na Race) because it’s been around for so many years, so it wasn’t really something I had to pitch too hard,” he added.

As one of just two Guv’na candidates, Pamplona has also been able to make several newfound personal connections while acclimating himself to his new surroundings in West Central Florida.

“Everyone’s been very receptive,” he said. “I was able to meet a lot of people in the community that otherwise would have just been patrons of mine, but they don’t see me face-to-face and you don’t get to say ‘Hi’ all the time. So, you’re able to meet different people in the community.”

Pamplona has already raised “quite a bit of money” through a few fundraising events at the bowling alley. He’s also received some donations from bowlers at Royal Lanes.

Not big contributions, mind you.

“It’s been nickels and quarters at a time,” he said.

Whether he wins this year or not, Pamplona said he’d “definitely” consider getting involved in Guv’na festivities again.

“Because I have the (bowling alley), it makes no sense for me not to do it every year,” he said.

“Even if I don’t run, I’ll maybe get behind a candidate to hold events here at Royal Lanes; a lot of people that ran in the past didn’t have a storefront or a brick-and-mortar, so it was hard for them to raise funds.”

One aspect of the Guv’na Race that Pamplona won’t soon forget is his participation in last month’s amusing Lutz Guv’na Debate at the Old Lutz School, where he squared off against fellow Guv’na candidate Greg Gilbert, of Beef O’ Brady’s, in a mostly tongue-in-cheek event. That’s where Pamplona unveiled his campaign slogan: “Raising the education of bowling.”

“It was a lot of fun,” he said about the debate. “The good thing about it was instead of being a serious or tense thing, we came up with a lot funny answers here and there; the watermelon-eating contest was the best part.”

The Guv’na race continues through the Fourth of July weekend, where the winner is announced, and earns the coveted “sash” from the prior year’s winner. Last year’s winner was Jennifer Rankin, who raised more than $9,200 throughout the 2015 race.

The annual charity event— which started in 1991— is sponsored by the Lutz Civic Association, and benefits about 20 local causes, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Old Lutz School and the Friends of the Library.

The winner of the Guv’na Race may also earmark 10 percent of what they raise to the organization of their choice.

If you’d like to contribute to Pamplona’s campaign, call (813) 949-3606.

Published June 15, 2016

Making 3s with ease

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Justin Dargahi has a penchant for knocking down 3-point shots.

So much so that he holds the Guinness World Record for the most 3s made from NBA range (23 feet, 9 inches) in one minute.

Firing three after three inside the Land O’ Lakes High School gymnasium, Dargahi knocked down 26 treys in 60 seconds on Jan. 4, breaking the previous set mark of 25. His feat became an official Guinness World Record in early May.

Justin Dargahi broke the Guinness World Record for most 3-pointers made in one minute (26) on Jan. 4. (Photos courtesy of Justin Dargahi)
Justin Dargahi broke the Guinness World Record for most 3-pointers made in one minute (26) on Jan. 4.
(Photos courtesy of Justin Dargahi)

“I’ve always been the best shooter on my team in school,” said Dargahi, the head JV (Junior Varsity) coach for the Land O’ Lakes girls basketball team and former basketball player at Cambridge Christian School. “Shooting was always easy to me.”

The skill comes so easily for Dargahi that he claims he makes anywhere from 75 percent to 80 percent of 3-pointers he attempts when he’s “just shooting around for fun.”

He figures he can make about 95 percent of his free throw attempts, too.

“Anytime I was on a (school) team, I would always be the technical free-throw shooter,” said Dargahi, who began playing organized hoops at 11 years old. “I had a green light to shoot 3s most of the time. It was always like, ‘If we need a three, let’s get (Dargahi) the ball or set a screen for him.’

“In games, I would show off sometimes shooting 10 feet behind the (3-point) line,” he said.

Out of curiosity, the JV coach decided to look into some of the timed 3-point records a few years ago. When he saw some of the record totals, he realized he might have a decent chance at knocking down some of them.

“When I saw that record of 25, I was like, ‘I could get that,’” Dargahi said, with an air of confidence in his voice.

On his first attempt at the record, he nailed 18 shots.

While impressive for most, Dargahi knew he could shoot at a much higher clip.

This is an image of the Guinness World Record certificate of Justin Dargahi’s feat.
This is an image of the Guinness World Record certificate of Justin Dargahi’s feat.

“I had a lot of bad luck; I had one of my friends helping me, and we weren’t clicking,” Dargahi said. “It just wasn’t scripted too well.”

To better organize a record-breaking strategy, Dargahi reckoned his best chance was to enlist the help of some of his JV roster at Land O’ Lakes.

About eight or nine of his players aided Dargahi by fetching loose balls and rapidly handing them to him at the top of the three-point arc as he continually fired from deep range.

The strategy worked, as he eventually knocked down 26 shots after a January JV practice.

“It was still kind of shocking when he got it,” sophomore Land O’ Lakes JV captain Claire Valeski said.

“We were all happy and all thought he would get it, but then again, it’s one of those things that’s like the luck of the draw,” she said.

Dargahi’s shooting philosophy was fixated on conserving energy.

“If I’m not on a great pace, I would stop. If I only have five or six (made 3s) after 20 seconds, instead of consume all my energy, I would just stop,” he said.

He also uses his arms more than his legs.

Dargahi admits he wished he could’ve put the record out of reach — perhaps making 29 or 30 3-pointers — knowing full well he may have to attempt the endeavor all over again if someone surpasses his current mark of 26.

While a prolific shooter during his high school career at Cambridge Christian, Dargahi didn’t receive much interest from college coaches.

“It’s hard when you’re 6 feet to play big-time college basketball, even if you are the best shooter,” said Dargahi, a 2007 graduate of the University of South Florida (USF). “I probably should’ve practiced on other stuff like dribbling and my defense.”

Instead, Dargahi settled for playing intramurals at USF, and occasionally entered shooting contests — which he typically won.

The love of the game and high-pressure competition led him into coaching, where he said he enjoys watching his players mature and develop their skills over the course of a season.

Despite his proclivity for making shots, Dargahi said he doesn’t particularly work with his JV players on their shooting technique.

“It’s hard for me to see through their eyes, because to me, it’s so easy,” he said. “I can’t get along their thought process, so I’m probably not the best shooting teacher.”

But, that doesn’t stop him from giving his players a few tips along the way.

“I would tell people: ‘Don’t worry about your form.’ The best shooters — a lot of them have weird form,” Dargahi said, noting that former NBA great Reggie Miller would cross his arms during his 3-point attempts. “I think form is totally overrated; I think (setting your) feet is more important. Do whatever you’re comfortable with.”

Dargahi doesn’t plan to end his shooting record quest anytime soon. The Land O’ Lakes hoops coach also has his eyes set on breaking the record for most made free throws in one minute (52) and the most 3-pointers made in two minutes (44).

Published June 15, 2016

Greenwood wins coach of the year honors

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Chris Greenwood, left, was named the 2016 Dave Williams Division II National Golf Coach of the Year. He helped guide the Saint Leo men’s golf team to the school’s first-ever national championship on May 21. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)
Chris Greenwood, left, was named the 2016 Dave Williams Division II National Golf Coach of the Year. He helped guide the Saint Leo men’s golf team to the school’s first-ever national championship on May 21.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Saint Leo University head men’s golf coach Chris Greenwood was named the 2016 Dave Williams Division II National Coach of the Year Award by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
The third-year coach led the Lions to back-to-back NCAA National Championship appearances, but this season concluded with a title in hand. The No. 2 Lions defeated No. 1 Chico State 3-2 in the national finals on May 21 in Denver, Colorado, to culminate in the University’s first-ever team National Championship. During the season, Greenwood guided Saint Leo to 11 top-five tournament finishes. Prior to working at Saint Leo, Greenwood served as the Director of Golf at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for one year, and also spent seven seasons as the head men’s golf coach at Lynn University in Boca Raton. A former golf pro, Greenwood spent 12 years on the Canadian Golf Tour before becoming a college coach.

Yoga classes begin June 15

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The Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex is offering adult yoga classes each Wednesday, starting June 15. The classes will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center. There’s an introductory cost of $3 per class from June 15 to Aug. 17. Classes are $6 each after Aug. 17. For information, email Aurelio Fernandez at .

New rules for ‘live contact’

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The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) recently announced new football practice procedures that limit live contact. The procedures, which aim to improve player safety, take effect Aug. 1, the first practice day of the 2016 season.

The FHSAA has implemented new practice procedures limiting live contact during regular season practices. (File Photo)
The FHSAA has implemented new practice procedures limiting live contact during regular season practices.
(File Photo)

During the regular season, live contact will be restricted to 30 minutes per day and 80 minutes total per week. Live contact — defined as drills with game-like conditions where players are taken to the ground—will not be allowed to occur on more than two consecutive days, and cannot exceed three practice days per week.

“Player safety has and will always be the number one goal of the FHSAA,” outgoing FHSAA Executive Director Dr. Roger Dearing said in a release. “Protecting our student-athletes is paramount in growing the game of football and this administrative procedure is a step in the right direction.”

From day six of preseason practice (Aug. 1) through the Monday of the first regular season game, live contact will be limited to 40 minutes each day, with no more than two straight days of live contact. During two-a-days, only one practice can include live contact and cannot surpass 40 minutes. On that Monday, the regular-season guidelines come into effect for the remainder of the season.

Western Conference baseball teams selected

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Several athletes from our coverage area were named to the All-Western Conference baseball teams. The teams are selected by the public school coaches in Hillsborough County.

American Division
Coach of the year: John Crumbley, Steinbrenner

First team
P Gavin Gillespie, senior, Gaither

P CJ Van Eyk, junior, Steinbrenner

DH Ryan Russell, senior, Steinbrenner

Second team
OF Jose Cadenas, junior, Gaither

INF Bradley Hession, senior, Steinbrenner

INF Chipper Holland, junior, Gaither

1B Patrick Morris, junior, Steinbrenner

OF Kenny Rodriguez, junior, Gaither

National Division
First team
P Jonathan Baughman, senior, Wharton

INF Drew Ehrhard, junior, Wharton

OF Dalton Smith, senior, Freedom

Western Conference softball teams selected

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Several athletes from our coverage area were named to the All-Western Conference softball team. The teams are selected by the public school coaches in Hillsborough County

American Division
First team
P Hailee DeCicco, sophomore, Gaither

IF Bethany Kursch, senior, Gaither

C Elizabeth Mason, senior, Gaither

Second team
OF Amelia Iacovino, junior, Steinbrenner

National Division
First team
C Maddy Hall, senior, Freedom

OF Gracie Seidl, junior, Freedom

Second team
P Ashlee Markovitz, senior, Freedom

IF Lauren Hall, junior, Freedom