The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kevin Weiss

Player commits to Webber International University

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(Courtesy of Nelson Garcia)
(Courtesy of Nelson Garcia)

Sunlake senior softball player Cassidy Roberts signed her letter of intent to Webber International (Florida) University on April 15. Roberts, the Seahawks’ starting shortstop the past three years, wrapped up her high school career with the following numbers: 95 games played, .408 batting average, .451 on-base percentage, 137 hits, 52 RBIs, 82 runs and 20 doubles. She is accompanied by Sunlake coach Nelson Garcia in the photo.

 

Passover begins April 22

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The holiday of Pesach, or Passover, is an eight-day festival celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. This year, it runs from April 22 to April 30. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Following the rituals of Passover allows the Jewish community to relive and experience the freedom of their ancestors.

The symbolic foods of a Passover Seder include maror, saltwater, charoset, zeroah, beitzah and karpas. (Courtesy of Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue of Wesley Chapel)
The symbolic foods of a Passover Seder include maror, saltwater, charoset, zeroah, beitzah and karpas.
(Courtesy of Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue of Wesley Chapel)

Observances: Passover is divided into two parts. The first two days, April 22 and April 23, and the last two days, April 29 and April 30, are full-fledged holidays. Holiday candles are lit at night, and holiday meals (Seders) are enjoyed both days. The middle four days are referred to as chol hamoed, or semi-festive “intermediate days.”

Seders: The highlight of Passover is the Seder, which is observed on each of the first two nights of the holiday. The Seder is a 15-step, family-oriented tradition and ritual-packed feast.

The focal points of the Seder include:

  • Eating matzah, which is unleavened bread
  • Eating bitter herbs to commemorate the bitter slavery endured by the Israelites
  • Drinking four cups of wine or grape juice to celebrate the newfound freedom
  • The recitation of the Haggadah, a liturgy that describes the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The Haggadah is the fulfillment of the biblical obligation to recount the story of the Exodus on the night of Passover.

Symbolic Seder foods:

  • Maror—bitter herbs, usually horseradish, to serve as a reminder of the bitterness of slavery
  • Saltwater—symbolizing the tears of the slaves
  • Charoset—sweet paste made of fruit and nuts, symbolizing the mortar the

slaves used to build the Egyptian pyramids

  • Zeroah—shank bone, representing the Passover sacrifice
  • Beitzah—hard-boiled egg, symbolic of life and birth associated with the spring season
  • Karpas — a leafy green vegetable, usually a piece of lettuce, symbolizing hope and redemption

Some traditional Ashkenazi Passover dishes include gefilte fish, matzah ball soup, brisket, tzimmis (sweet carrot and fruit dish), and macaroons and sponge cake (made from matzah meal) for dessert.

Bigger Menu for Passover: In December, the Conservative Jewish movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards issued a ruling allowing the consumption of kitniyot (legumes) during Passover. For thousands of years, Ashkenazi Jews have followed the tradition of not eating kitniyot on Passover. (The custom was not adopted by most Sephardi Jews.) Kitniyot includes beans, corn, rice, millet, peas, soybeans, peanuts, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, mustard and sometimes garlic.

Passover events

Where: Chabad at Wiregrass, 2124 Ashley Oaks Circle in Wesley Chapel
What: Community Passover Seder with Rabbi Mendy and Chanie Yarmush, complete with a gourmet Passover dinner, traditional songs, stories and spiritual insights.
When: Friday, April 22 at 8:30 p.m.
For more information, call (813) 642-3244, or visit ChabadatWiregrass.com.

Where: Congregation Kol Ami, 3919 Moran Road, Tampa
What: Morning: Taanit Bechorim (Fast of the Firstborn), followed by a breakfast.
Evening: Shabbat and Erev Pesah I Services
When: 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., on Friday, April 22
For more information, call (813) 962-6338, or email .

Where: Congregation Mekor Shalom, 14005A N. Dale Mabry Highway
What: Mincha (afternoon) service followed by a Seder. There will be a brief prayer experience at which kaddish will be included.
When: Friday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m.
For more information, call (813) 963-1818, or visit MekorShalom.org.

Where: Congregation Beth Am, 2030 W. Fletcher Ave.
What: Second Night Passover Seder
When: Saturday, April 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, call (813) 963-1818, or visit MekorShalom.org.

Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue of Wesley Chapel
Where: Lexington Oaks Clubhouse, 26304, Lexington Oaks Boulevard
What: A Passover Seder Meal with Jews and Gentiles celebrating together
When: Friday, April 22 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $15 for adults, $7 for children (ages 5 to 11)
For more information, call Rabbi Ed Marvin at (813)-270-6361.

Published April 20, 2016

Next up: competing at internationals

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Nine students from Torchbearer’s Christian Academy, in Dade City, have qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention (ISC), sponsored by Accelerated Christian Education.

The convention, held at the University of Central Missouri from May 21 to May 26, typically draws more than 4,000 youth worldwide to face off in approximately 150 events in the categories of music, oratory, art, athletics and academics.

Nine students from Torchbearers’ Christian Academy qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention, sponsored by Accelerated Christian Education. From left, Assistant Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Todd Smith, students Joshua Piankowski, students Kevin Hernandez, Jonathan Garza, Jose Hernandez, Gavin Womack, Savannah Jones, Roberto Garza, Rebeka Torres and Jesus Avila, and Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Tim Smith. (Photos courtesy of Torchbearers' Christian Academy)
Nine students from Torchbearers’ Christian Academy qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention, sponsored by Accelerated Christian Education.
From left, Assistant Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Todd Smith, students Joshua Piankowski, students Kevin Hernandez, Jonathan Garza, Jose Hernandez, Gavin Womack, Savannah Jones, Roberto Garza, Rebeka Torres and Jesus Avila, and Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Tim Smith.
(Photos courtesy of Torchbearers’ Christian Academy)

The event is deemed to be the highlight of the school year for hundreds of schools and home-schools who follow the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum.

To qualify for the international convention, Torchbearers’ students had to place in the top six in at least one event category at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention, held from March 28 to April 1 in Hudson. They competed against hundreds of 13-and-older students from 23 other schools across the state.

Ninth-grader Rebeka Torres fared particularly well at regionals, placing first in four individual categories: Social Studies Research, Website Design, Watercolor Art and Vocal Female Solo. She also placed second in the Scrapbooking category

“I had a great time,” Torres said. “I think it was a really good experience, and it creates a lot of responsibility for what you’re doing, and it builds your character in what you can do…for the future.”

Torres competed in regionals two years ago, recently becoming more comfortable in the art events.

Ninth-grader Rebeka Torres placed first in four individual events at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention in Hudson.
Ninth-grader Rebeka Torres placed first in four individual events at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention in Hudson.

“In the beginning, you’re sort of hesitant in the art,” she said. “I actually messed up once, so I had to do it all over again. I think once you start laying out the colors and matching them, I think it’s easier.”

Another Torchbearers’ student, 11th-grader Roberto Garza, stood out at regionals. Garza placed first in two individual categories: Science Exhibit Research, and Pen and Ink Art. He also finished second in the Vocal Male Solo.

“It was my first time, and I was pretty nervous,” Garza said. “It makes you overcome your fear of being on a stage in front of people. It pushes you to your limits, because you don’t know you’re able to do (something) until you start.”

Despite being a small school with an enrollment of about 70 students, Torchbearers’ puts a “big spotlight” on the fine arts, according to Principal Jan Yarbrough.

“The greatest importance is sometimes they carry this through,” Yarbrough said. “They’ll find that they’re good in art and they can go into commercial art, or they find out they’re good with singing.”

In preparing for regionals, Yarbrough said many of the students would practice at nights, balancing busy schedules to keep up their academics.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” she said. “You find out those that have integrity and are going to stick with it.”

Eleventh-grader Roberto Garza placed first in two individual events, including the Science Exhibit Research category.
Eleventh-grader Roberto Garza placed first in two individual events, including the Science Exhibit Research category.

Torchbearers’ elementary teacher Natalie Ocampo, who participated at both conventions a decade ago, guided the students in their projects throughout the school year.

“I did it when I was their age…and it was wonderful to see them develop their talents,” Ocampo said. The competitions also let students meet others who share the same interests, she said.

“I think it helps with their confidence—a lot of them come in very shy and into themselves not thinking they can do it,” she said.

The International Student Convention brings students together from several different countries, including the Philippines, South Africa and Canada.

Assistant principal Shalom Ocampo noted it’s encouraging for Torchbearers’ students to meet and compete with others who come from different backgrounds, yet follow a similar curriculum.

“This curriculum, because it’s so individualistic and unconventional, sometimes you tend to feel like, ‘Oh, I’m the only one,’ but thousands of students are using the same curriculum,” he said. “It opens up your mind …and you feel the camaraderie and that same desire to make sure you do excellent work.”

Even though nine students qualified, the school officials are unsure if they’ll actually make the trip to Missouri this year due to the expenses involved.

In 2014, they sent three students to ISC, which was held at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Torchbearers’ Christian Academy
Nine students qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention, held in Warrensburg, Missouri, from May 21 to May 26. They recently competed at the 13-and-over Sun Coast Regional Student Convention in Hudson.
The winners were: Jesus Avila, Jonathan Garza, Roberto Garza, Jose Hernandez, Kevin Hernandez, Savannah Jones, Joshua Piankowski, Rebeka Torres and Gavin Womack.

Published April 20, 2016

Brunchies set to open this summer in Lutz

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A new brunch restaurant is expected to open this summer in Lutz.

Bill Kranich and Janet Folsom, owners of Brunchies of Tampa, at 14366 N. Dale Mabry Highway, are opening a second location of the popular eatery, at 24400 State Road 54 in Lutz.

Kranich hopes to open the brunch spot by Aug. 1, adding the timing depends on the completion of Pasco County’s building permit process.

The owners of Brunchies of Tampa are opening a second location in Lutz. The restaurant will replace the former Stage Left Bar & Kitchen, at 24400 State Road 54 in Lutz, shown here. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
The owners of Brunchies of Tampa are opening a second location in Lutz. The restaurant will replace the former Stage Left Bar & Kitchen, at 24400 State Road 54 in Lutz, shown here.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

The restaurant will replace the now-closed Stage Left Bar & Kitchen, across the street from Ferman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Tampa.

Brunchies, which prides itself on “good food and good service,” will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Catering services will be available, too.

With relatively sparse brunch options in Lutz, Kranich believes the area is an ideal fit for opening the eatery’s second location.

“One thing is, we live out there,” the restaurateur said. “There’s just upside potential with all the growth, and plus, there’s a definite need for a really quality breakfast place up there.”

According to Kranich, the 3,500-square-foot restaurant will have about 120 seats, smaller than the 190 seats at the original Carrollwood-based location, which opened in 2004. However, the Lutz location will have a pet-friendly patio, which expects to seat up to 30 patrons.

Deemed as serving “upscale quality breakfast, brunch and lunch,” Brunchies of Tampa offers wide-ranging breakfast options such as eggs benedict, omelets, waffles and pancakes. Lunch fare consists of an assortment of sandwiches and salads.

The restaurant’s specialties include its Guava-Stuffed French Toast, Blueberry Crunch Pancakes, Chorizo & Eggs, Corned Beef Hash Skillet, and Shrimp & Grits, Kranich said.

The restaurant owner has already hired a few employees for the Lutz location, and plans to have a total staff of about 25.

The possibility for even more Brunchies popping up around the Bay area isn’t out of the question, Kranich said.

“Everything is wide open,” he said.

Published April 20, 2016

A dominant ‘Sargent’ on the mound

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Land O’ Lakes High School junior Lance McCabe Sargent admits that if you watched him throw two years ago, you’d never expect him to be one of Tampa’s top prep pitchers.

“I didn’t have the best mechanics,” said Sargent, who doubles as the Gators’ starting third baseman. “When I’d go in from third (base) to pitch, I’d be all around the place, just kind of poor mechanics. I’d just go on the mound and throw because I had a pretty decent arm, so I’d just sling it.”

Lance McCabe Sargent has the lowest ERA (0.49) in Pasco County. His presence on the mound is one reason why Land O’ Lakes High School stands at 19-3 overall. (Photos courtesy of Lorraine Sargent)
Lance McCabe Sargent has the lowest ERA (0.49) in Pasco County. His presence on the mound is one reason why Land O’ Lakes High School stands at 19-3 overall.
(Photos courtesy of Lorraine Sargent)

Through 43 innings, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-hander boasts a miniscule 0.49 ERA — the best mark in Pasco County — making him one of the area’s toughest pitchers to face.

Though he’s always had a powerful arm, the Land O’ Lakes coaching staff wasn’t quite sure they had a pitching gem on their hands, until the start of the season.

“Their first words to me were, ‘Why haven’t you told me you could pitch before? Why haven’t you asked me to throw in the bullpen?’” said Sargent, who’s in his first year pitching on the varsity level after throwing extensively in summer travel ball.

“We had an idea he was a pitcher, but he didn’t pitch at all last year,” said Land O’ Lakes head coach Jeff May. “We didn’t know how good of a pitcher he was going to be — we just knew that he had a very good arm. He was a little wild when he first came up with us, but…as he’s gotten bigger and stronger, he’s been throwing harder, and it kind of dawned on us, ‘Hey, let’s give him a shot,’ and he’s performed really well.”

Sargent’s path to success this year began in the offseason and over the summer. He worked extensively with Tampa-based pitching instructor Anthony Telford, a former MLB middle reliever who spent parts of 10 seasons playing for the Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers throughout the ’90s and early ’00s.

Telford focused on improving Sargent’s pitching motion and follow-through, which has allowed the Land O’ Lakes standout to increase his fastball velocity from 82 mph to 89 mph, paving the way for a dominating junior season.

Once his senior year rolls around, Telford wouldn’t be surprised to see Sargent’s fastball velocity increase even further, perhaps reaching the low-to-mid 90s.

In addition to his duties on the mound, Sargent is the starting third baseman for the Land O’ Lakes Gators.
In addition to his duties on the mound, Sargent is the starting third baseman for the Land O’ Lakes Gators.

“He’s certainly strong enough,” Telford said. His arm action works real well — he has the athletic ability. What we focused on mostly with McCabe was just the mechanics…. of trying to get him to be able to throw the ball in the strike zone consistently.

“There’s a lot more development. He’s got the physical ability, and the thing that he does the best is he loves to compete,” Telford added.

In addition to a blazing fastball, Sargent is equipped with a curveball, slider and changeup — which he uses to keep opposing hitters off-balance.

“On the lower part of the lineup, I throw more changeups just to not waste the curveball,” said Sargent, who models his game after New York Mets all-star pitcher Jacob deGrom. “In the 3, 4 and 5 hole, I’ll mix in a curveball, because they’re a little bit better hitters.”

The difference in pitch speed between his “violent” fastball and changeup has allowed Sargent to be virtually unhittable, and roll through opposing lineups with ease in the process.

“When you throw harder, it’s going to make your off-speed pitches that much better, and he’s got a very good off-speed pitch, too,” his varsity coach said. “It’s a good one-two punch.”

“He’s got a natural ability that you can’t teach a lot of guys, which when you’re a coach, you’re immediately drawn to it,” May added. “He’s in the learning curve right now of becoming a good pitcher; he’s got the tools, and he’s (still) learning the game of pitching, too.”

Sargent’s current stats and high ceiling have already caught the eyes of several major Division I collegiate baseball programs, including the University of Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Alabama A&M, Stetson University, Radford (Virginia) University and High Point (North Carolina) University.

As he manages the extra attention — getting inundated with phone calls and messages from college coaches — Sargent is trying to stay focused on the task at hand: leading Land O’ Lakes (20-3) through a deep playoff run.

Beyond that, the right-hander has a more ambitious long-term goal in mind.

“My main goal has always been to play in the big leagues,” he said. “Since I was a little kid, that’s what I grew up wanting to do.”

Lance McCabe Sargent
Land O’ Lakes junior starting pitcher and third baseman
Pitching Stats: 43 innings pitched, 3 complete games, 7 wins, 0.49 ERA, 53 strikeouts, .137 opponent batting average
Batting Stats: .394 batting average, 1 home run, 6 extra base hits, 17 runs, 16 RBIs
Travel Club: Orlando Scorpions
College interest: University of Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Alabama A&M, Stetson University, Radford (Virginia) University and High Point (North Carolina) University.
MLB pitching comparison: New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom

Published April 20, 2016

Land O’ Lakes softball primed for deep playoff run

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Land O’ Lakes High School softball coach Mitchell Wilkins is taking things “one game at a time.”

Despite wrapping up a marvelous regular season (24-2-1), the third-year coach is trying not to get ahead of himself in looking at the pathway to a state title, though he knows his team matches up well against most opponents.

Head Coach Mitch Wilkins has led the Gators to two straight 20-win seasons. The team will compete in the Class 6A FHSAA regionals, starting April 20. (Courtesy of Land O' Lakes Football)
Head Coach Mitch Wilkins has led the Gators to two straight 20-win seasons. The team will compete in the Class 6A FHSAA regionals, starting April 20.
(Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes Football)

The Gators are rolling into the playoffs as one of the state’s hottest teams—reeling off 15 straight wins, many by large margins of victory.

“I think we’re set,” the third-year coach said. “I have in my mind how I want to approach as we go through regionals.”

To win the Class 6A FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) state title, the Gators will have to win five straight games in the process, starting on April 20.

But, Wilkins is careful not to look too far ahead.

“I can’t be distracted by that, because we know what happened last year—we lost in the second round at the districts semifinals and didn’t get to go any further — so we have to look at each game and figure out what’s the best approach for that game before we start looking at a state championship.”

After finishing 24-3 last season—district semifinals’ hiccup aside— Wilkins knew he had an established team with lofty expectations entering the 2016 season.

“We knew we had good players, but we wanted to see how they matched up — and so far so good,” Wilkins said. “We’re really happy with what we have, not only one through nine, but we’ve got weapons on the bench that I can put in and feel just as comfortable having play.”

One player that Wilkins is always comfortable playing is senior ace pitcher Shannon Saile (four no-hitters, 0.66 ERA), who’s struck out 221 batters —which ranks fifth in the state. Her ability to throw all her pitches—fastball, curveball, screwball, riseball— in each quadrant of the strike zone has made the FIU (Florida International University) softball commit a nightmare for opposing hitters.

“She’s been a monster,” her coach said. “She hits both sides of the plate. …She loves to pitch at the bottom of the strike zone.

“She gets a lot of swinging strikes—pitches out of the zone—because the (opposing) girls know they have to be ready and swing early, because she throws so hard.”

Averaging more than two strikeouts for every inning pitched, Saile’s presence in the circle has taken a significant burden off of the team’s defense, Wilkins said.

“Defensively, when I only have to account for one out an inning — that is such a blessing,” the Gators coach said. “That takes a lot of stress off our defense. The most stressful thing they have is waiting to see if somebody’s going to hit the ball and put it in play. …They have to stay on the balls of their feet the whole time, if somebody does hit it.”

Giving the Gators additional assurance heading into the postseason is the emergence of several young players, including two-way freshmen Callie Turner and Shelby Westbrook, and sophomores Brianna Lindner, Ashley Smith and Tia Williams.

“We have a good mixture of youth and veterans,” Wilkins said, noting eight of the team’s 14 players will earn their first varsity letter. “This year, we are better pitching, but we haven’t hit quite as well as we did last year—but we haven’t needed to. In the same respect, we’ve played better competition this year.”

That “better competition” includes Springstead (24-1)— a team the Gators fell to 1-0 in extra innings in the season opener—whom Land O’ Lakes may rematch if both teams reach the regional finals.

“We know they’ve made some improvements since then, and we’ve made some improvements since then, so it’ll probably be a little bit different game,” Wilkins said, adding, “we’re confident we can play with them.”

“We feel — especially with Shannon pitching and our defense, and the emerging offense from our sophomore starters — that we can compete with anybody in the state.”

Land O’ Lakes Gators softball
Head Coach: Mitchell Wilkins (3rd year)
Record: 24-2-1
Player to watch: Senior pitcher Shannon Saile (15-2 W-L, 0.66 ERA, 221 Ks, four no-hitters)

“Shannon’s been great. She’s done everything we’ve asked her to do and more. She elevated her game a couple summers ago when she realized she had the opportunity to be the No. 1 pitcher. She added some miles per hour to her pitching speed and worked on her different pitches to be that dominant pitcher. She has worked hard to become that.” –Coach Mitchell Wilkins

Sophomore sluggers: Brianna Lindner (.375 avg., 4 HRs, 26 RB)
Tia Williams (.463 avg., 4HRs, 30 RBI)
Ashley Smith (.443 avg., 2 HR, 16 RBI)
X-Factor: Freshman Shelby Westbrook (29 runs scored, 16 stolen bases)

“Shelby has really emerged as a weapon just with her speed. She creates a lot of havoc when she’s on base. All she has to do is put the ball in play, and it’s a really good opportunity for her to get on base.” –Coach Mitchell Wilkins

Published April 20, 2016

Chamber hosts golf tournament

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The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 30th annual golf tournament on May 13 at the Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club in Lutz. Registration begins at noon with a Shotgun Scramble Start at 1 p.m. Cost is $70 for an individual, and $260 for a team of four. Registration includes greens fees, golf cart, range balls and a barbecue awards dinner. There will be an opportunity to win $10,000 for a hole-in-one contest. Tickets are also available to network at the awards barbecue for $15 each. For information about registration and sponsorships, visit CentralPascoChamber.com, or call (813) 909-2722.

Youth gymnasts head to regional championships

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Four youth gymnasts from Premier Gymnastics in Wesley Chapel will compete in the USA Gymnastics Regional Championships in Asheville, North Carolina, from April 22 to April 24. Ryan Elizabeth Avery, 12 and Kaitlyn Christiano, 11, will participate in the Region 8 Championships as Level 6 gymnasts, while Elizabeth Aitken, 12, and Dallas Cornish, 13, will compete as Level 7 gymnasts. To advance to regionals, the girls beat out several hundred competitors at their State Championship competition in February.

Sunlake’s Basilone ties school home run record

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Sunlake High senior catcher Gianna Basilone hit her eighth home run of the season against River Ridge on April 7, tying the school single-season record set in 2009 by Samantha Dittman. Basilone now holds the school record for most career home runs with 15. She currently leads all of Pasco County in the category, and is batting .476 with 36 RBIs. She plans to play college softball at Oklahoma State University.

Zephyrhills football star tears ACL

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Rising senior running back Antwione Sims will miss a portion of the 2016 regular season after he tore his ACL at a football camp about a month ago. Last year, Sims rushed for a school-record 2,093 yards and 24 touchdowns, and was named a third-team, Class 5A all-state selection. The 5-foot-11, 196-pound back has offers from five schools, including Boston College, a Football Bowl Subdivision school. The next player up on the depth chart is rising junior Elijah Thomas, a 5-foot-6, 150-pound scat back. Thomas rushed for 222 yards on 18 carries in 2015. The Bulldogs will be led by first-year head coach Nick Carroll.