Michael Murillo

Youth movement: Eighth-graders anchor Academy volleyball

September 18, 2013 By Michael Murillo

Most people expect to see teams full of seniors in varsity sports. Sometimes there are a number of talented juniors, and maybe even a sophomore or two. Once in a while, a special freshman might make his or her way onto the roster.

Academy at the Lakes volleyball coach Brian Gonzales rallies his young team during last weekend’s tournament at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School. The Wildcats have welcomed four eighth-graders to the team this year, a chance for them to build for the future. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

But even at a private school, you probably wouldn’t expect to find eighth graders. And at Academy at the Lakes, there isn’t a single eighth-grader on their varsity volleyball team: There are actually five of them. And four are starters.

But if opponents think they can take the young team for granted, the Wildcats say that would be a big mistake.

“I hope they don’t underestimate us,” said Julia Mollick, one of the starting eighth-graders on the volleyball team. “If we didn’t have some of them (young players), we wouldn’t have the team we have today. We’re a lot better with them.”

The older players have embraced the addition of their young teammates, Mollick said, offering advice and support as they prepare to face juniors and seniors from other schools.

While starting young talent has been good for team chemistry, it’s not a decision the coach made easily. Brian Gonzales, now in his second season with the team, had to really think about front-loading his varsity squad with eighth-graders.

“I went back and forth a little bit,” said Gonzales, who has nearly a decade of volleyball coaching experience. “I didn’t want to put that much pressure on them. I wanted to make sure they could handle that, being as young as they are.”

But after going through school-wide tryouts, those players emerged as the best options for the team, and he didn’t want them to be held back due to their age.

The need for experience also played a role in his decision, Gonzales said. While the girls could have participated as junior varsity players, the level of competition is very different and he didn’t think it would prepare them for high school-level opponents.

So far, he believes the girls have adjusted well to being varsity players, and meshed well as a motivated team. Mollick, who only started playing volleyball a couple of years ago, supports that belief with a real passion for her chosen sport.

“When you’re up in the air and you’re hitting that ball, I love it,” she said. “When I’m playing, my mind is clear.”

While Academy at the Lakes has had an up-and-down start to the season — they started at 3-6 after playing some big schools — Gonzales also has an eye toward the future when it comes to his team. With growing experience and years of eligibility left for his young athletes, he sees successful seasons in the future for the academy’s volleyball program.

“Two or three years down the road we can really have something there if we keep them all together,” he said.

Mollick agrees. She’s enjoying her time on the varsity team this year, but she knows the team could be something special if the young players grow and compete together in the future.

“I can’t wait to see how far we get,” she said.

Sunlake stays calm, steady even after Pasco upset

September 11, 2013 By Michael Murillo

Every high school football team has some optimism when they start a new season. But if your first opponent is considered the best in the county — riding a 38-game regular season winning streak — that optimism might be tempered.

Unless you’re the Sunlake Seahawks.

Sunlake Seahawks head coach Bill Browning doesn’t want his team to become content. Despite ending Pasco High School’s four-year win streak, there is still a long road to the district title. (File photo)

The Seahawks never trailed in a 17-6 home victory over the Pasco Pirates on Aug. 30. And even though the gridiron crew from Sunlake High School is considered a strong team in their own right, they know it was a special accomplishment to beat someone who hasn’t seen the losing column in the regular season since 2009.

“I hate to rank victories, but it was obviously a huge victory just from the fact that Pasco has dominated everybody in the regular season for so long,” said Coach Bill Browning, who has been with Sunlake’s football program since its inception seven years ago. That tenure includes a few previous losses to the Pirates, but Browning feels that other milestone wins in the school’s history contributed to a sense that they could finally turn the corner against the county’s regular-season juggernaut.

The Seahawks had a small lead when the marching bands took the field halfway through. While Browning was feeling good about his team’s chances, it wasn’t until the opening plays of the second half that he felt like it was going to be Sunlake’s night.

“It was a close game going in at halftime,” Browning said. “We went out (to start the third quarter), received the football and took the first play for a long touchdown. That was huge. I think that gave us the momentum in the second half and they (Pasco) could never re-establish that momentum.”

That play was a 64-yard touchdown run by the team’s starting fullback, junior Logan Wolfe. It was Wolfe’s second touchdown of the night and made him the team’s star in one of the school’s biggest wins. But he’s not interested in taking much credit for himself.

“The huge run would never have happened if it wasn’t for this team’s offensive line. They produced that huge hole for me to run through, so that 64-yard run was all them,” Logan said.

In fact, he credits his teammates on the other side of the ball — the Seahawks’ defense, which frustrated Pasco throughout the evening — with the key to the victory. He believes they have one of the best defenses in the state.

Whoever gets to share credit for the big win, Browning is making sure they don’t get too overconfident from it: The Seahawks’ reward for toppling the Pirates was a tough week of practice to prepare for their next game this past weekend.

Yet Sunlake persevered, beating River Ridge 25-0, and improving to 2-0 on the season.

The team’s goals are the same as before — win the district title and reach the state playoffs. But Browning acknowledges that the win gave the Seahawks a boost and a little swagger, and shows the athletes what they’re capable of accomplishing.

But Browning isn’t adopting any new swagger himself: With around 35 years of coaching experience and more than 20 years in the head coach’s role at schools like Hernando High School and Springstead High School in addition to Sunlake, he doesn’t allow himself to become too elated and dejected following a single game.

In fact, it wasn’t long after the Friday night win that Browning turned his attention to their next opponent.

“To be truthful, Saturday morning I was focused on River Ridge,” Browning said with a laugh. “I’m one who never gets too high, and I don’t get too low. I try to stay at a happy medium. Coaches who don’t do that get on roller coaster rides, and they’re the ones who have a tendency to burn out and don’t last very long in the game.”

Tampa Bay Rebels may look abroad for competition next year

September 11, 2013 By Michael Murillo

If you’ve never seen the Tampa Bay Rebels, a semipro basketball team that plays its home games at Freedom High School in New Tampa, you might wonder if they’re any good. Can a local team really play entertaining basketball at a high level?

According to team founder and head coach Fernando Rojas, you’d be pleasantly surprised.

Tampa Bay Rebels head coach Fernando Rojas gives his semipro basketball team a pep talk from the bench during last year’s 10-2 regular season campaign. (Photo courtesy of Fernando Rojas)

“My opinion is this: We play the highest level of basketball in the Bay area,” he said. “We have had players from the NBA’s Developmental League, players that played on NCAA championship teams, and many players with experience in European basketball. This combination of skill and maturity elevates the game higher than any college level.”

If Rojas sounds confident in his team, it’s because they have the history to back it up. Playing in the Florida Basketball Association, the team went 11-1 last year before dismantling the Heartland Prowl in the league’s championship game. And in 2013, they followed it up with a 10-2 regular season and another trip to the championship game.

This year, the Rebels came within a basket of back-to-back titles, losing 111-109 to that same Heartland Prowl club they defeated the year before.

According to Rojas, building a winner in such a short time — the club started operations in 2011 — is no accident. He follows a corporate philosophy, which involves individual responsibility and goal setting, and he wants everyone onboard.

That includes staff as well as players. Rojas’ director of scouting, Andrew Phillips, has been onboard since before the Rebels existed. Phillips was also involved with the Tampa Bay Sharks, a touring team Rojas founded before the Rebels, and he believes the Rebels’ success begins with its founder.

“I think a lot of it just has to do with leadership and the vision that Fernando has put into place,” Phillips said. “From an organizational standpoint, we try to have clear goals and objectives, and we’ve been fortunate to be able to meet most of those.”

Those goals include finding talent and executing on the court, but it doesn’t stop there. The Rebels stay involved in the community, Rojas said, and he believes it’s important for a local team to partner with local charities.

“We all live in the same community: Players, fans and coaches,” he said. “It just makes sense to participate and make the lives of others better.”

The Rebels already have supported groups like Boys & Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity, and will be involved with the Police Athletic League next season. Rojas said he hopes to work with others in the future as well.

The Rebels play their games at Freedom, but that’s not the only connection to the school. Rojas is in his fourth year as a volunteer assistant coach for the school’s varsity team, and he enjoys giving his student-athletes a chance to connect with veterans who have attained success at the collegiate and professional level.

“Bringing my semipro team to Freedom gives the young players an opportunity to see players who attended renowned college programs and follow their dreams,” Rojas said.

Even though the team’s season ended last month, the Rebels aren’t the kind of franchise to sit idle. Tryouts are scheduled for next March, and Rojas is looking into taking the team abroad to face some foreign competition.

And Phillips already is looking at improving the roster for next season with a focus on size at the power forward and center positions. He hopes to add players who will provide depth, and challenge existing team members for expanded playing time.

As part of his scouting, Phillips looks at local colleges and leagues for athletes who want to continue playing and have the skills to compete at the level the Rebels demand, which ensures that the team retains its local roots.

But regardless of the names on next year’s roster, Phillips has confidence in the team because he has confidence in the man guiding them.

“We know what we can do, we know what the goals are, and that they can be met,” Phillips said. “And there’s a willingness on (Rojas’) end to put in the time to get it done.”

For more information on the Rebels, visit www.tampabayrebels.com.

Land O’ Lakes runners race toward lofty goals

September 4, 2013 By Michael Murillo

Coaches don’t usually like to tip their hand before a season starts, and Kris Keppel has coached cross-country at Land O’ Lakes High School for enough years to have seen almost everything.

But as the Gators prepare to start their season, he can’t hide his optimism.

“This will be my 20th year coaching, and this is the best team I’ve ever coached,” Keppel said. “To me, it would be kind of a disappointment if we don’t finish sixth or higher.” Keppel is setting the bar high for the team, which competes at Class 3A in the state’s high school athletics program. None of his teams have ever finished better than seventh.

Yet the team’s preseason rankings (sixth in Class 3A) bolstered his confidence. And it doesn’t hurt his team returned three state qualifiers from last season — Tyler Stahl, Travis Nichols and Jake Poore.

Of course, as a veteran coach, Keppel is leaving nothing to chance. Those top runners have each logged around 1,000 miles in preparation for the season, and Keppel constantly challenges his team with a variety of courses around the Bay area, even going as far as San Antonio to find suitable terrain.

Keppel also keeps them focused with weekly and monthly goals, emphasizing the importance of training smart. “One of my quotes is ‘The small things make a big difference,'” he said.

Stahl has seen the wisdom of Keppel’s phrase during his years on the team (he’s been a member throughout his high school career), and is taking it seriously heading into his senior season.

“This summer I have stretched more, worked out more, have eaten healthier and done more core training,” Stahl said. “I definitely feel a difference when I run, and the little things have definitely benefited me.”

Those little things are already bearing fruit for the team: Stahl finished first at the Red Mule Labor Day 5k on Aug. 26. He also had familiar company at the top: Nichols (second) and Poore (third) ensured that Land O’ Lakes had a dominant showing and appear ready for that successful season Coach Keppel expects.

That showing is especially important for the team, since the location (McKethan Lake Park in Hernando County) is also the site of the district competitions on Oct. 24.

When asked about keys to the team’s success, Stahl said that their depth will play a big role — specifically their No. 5 spot, which is up for grabs heading into the season.

“I’m pretty confident that our top four will race well this year, but we really don’t have a definite fifth runner,” Stahl said, adding that he believes one of the team’s other 16 members will need to step into that spot and provide reliable performances.

“It rests in the hands of our fifth runner, whoever that may be,” Nichols said. “The fifth spot is being fought for by six guys who aspire to be under 17 (minutes in the 5-kilometer competitions) by the end of the season.”

Each runner will also have to make sure they get enough rest in order to have a successful year, since so many miles of running in practice and events can wear them down by the time they get to the state competitions.

As a result, their regimen includes eating right, getting rest and meeting specific goals for practices so they’re not wearing themselves out before their competitions and can meet their challenges with fresh legs.

And even after nearly 20 years of cross-country coaching experience, Keppel is showing no signs of fatigue, either.

“It’s just what I like to do. It’s coaching,” Keppel said. “There are some days that it’s hot out there, but I just plug away because I know that when Saturday comes, when I wake up, I’m excited. I want to see my guys run well.”

By Michael Murillo

Buddy Baseball a big hit with special needs community

August 28, 2013 By Michael Murillo

Athletes cheer each other on, talk strategy, share high-fives and enjoy the camaraderie of playing a team sport.

They make friends, celebrate good plays and congratulate each other while parents watch the games and support their children. After the game, everyone leaves with a smile and a desire to take the field again the following Saturday.

The only thing missing is the hard-core competition: There isn’t any. The score is an afterthought at best.

April Dean receives a game ball at Buddy Baseball, an organization that allows children with disabilities to participate in team sports with the help of on-field assistants who provide physical and emotional support. (Photo courtesy of Russ Oberbroeckling)

Just getting a chance to play is what matters, because the athletes might be in a wheelchair, have autism, or have some other physical, psychological or neurological challenge that makes playing more difficult. But none of those challenges prevent them from playing in the Buddy Baseball League, which partners each athlete with a “buddy” who guides them through the game, offers encouragement and allows them to take part in an experience that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

Now in its fifth year, Buddy Baseball plays its games on Saturdays, beginning in late September, at the Temple Terrace Recreation Complex, 6610 E. Whiteway Drive. But its players — boys and girls with special needs ages 10-22 — come from all over the Tampa Bay Region (some even as far away as Sarasota or Plant City), and the league provides helmets, bats and balls, as well as hat and T-shirt uniforms to all participants.

Each player is also assigned at least one buddy and will get a feel for their role during a designated practice before each scheduled game.

According to Russ Oberbroeckling, Buddy Baseball commissioner, the format allows disabled children to go from permanent spectators to instant athletes.

“They really can’t play baseball on a regular team because their disability holds them back,” Oberbroeckling said. “Now they can play on a team and be successful at it because they have a buddy there to help.” The activity also allows them to make friends and enjoy the camaraderie of organized sports.

Oberbroeckling also explained that the buddies, who are normally in the same age range as the participants, enjoy helping the players and being part of a special organization. But Buddy Baseball impacts people off the field as well: Parents get to cheer on their children and be part of a sports community that otherwise might not be available to them.

“It’s very social for the parents,” Oberbroeckling said. “For an hour and a half, they can go out to a baseball game, sit in the stands, enjoy the game and they’re meeting other people with similar situations.”

Amy Dean, a Lutz resident whose daughter plays Buddy Baseball, agrees that parents also benefit from the organization.

“We’ve gotten to where we know each other now, because the same parents tend to be there,” Dean said. They give each other tips and advice, and enjoy the games together.

But the biggest recipient is her daughter, April. The 20-year-old, who has hypotonic cerebral palsy, is starting her fifth season with Buddy Baseball (the league plays two seasons a year), and she’s gone from knowing nothing about the sport to practicing with her family between games.

“She’s looked forward to it from day one. Just absolutely loves it,” Dean said. The social component is also important, as Dean wants her daughter to be comfortable interacting and making friends in an atmosphere that includes people without disabilities, such as the buddies.

And April has had no problem making friends and enjoying herself at the games.

“I’ve been having fun at Buddy Baseball,” she said. “The coaches and the helpers, they help us with the batting and the pitching. We have a lot of fun at the games.”

While the Buddy Baseball League continues to grow in popularity (the league will have 90-100 players in two age divisions this season), it remains an expensive endeavor. A nominal fee for players only covers a small portion of the cost, and they offer a number of scholarships for families who might have financial difficulties. The league depends on outside sponsorships, donations and a charitable event to continue operating.

That event is the third annual Buddy Run 5k and Fun Run, which will be Nov. 3 at Lake Park, 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway. Last year’s event featured approximately 260 runners and raised more than $10,000 for Buddy Baseball and Congregation Beth Am, a Reform Jewish congregation serving Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Westchase and all surrounding areas. The event includes a competitive 5k Run at 8 a.m., a one-mile Fun Run at 9 a.m. and a Buddy Dash for runners with special needs only.

For information about the event, e-mail . To register online, visit www.active.com and search for “Buddy Run 5k.”

The upcoming Buddy Baseball season runs from Sept. 28 through Nov. 9, and registration ends on Aug. 28.

For more information about Buddy Baseball or registration, visit www.buddybaseball.org, e-mail , or call (813) 416-5742.

By Michael Murillo