Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

The Carrollwood Day School (CDS) girls tennis team won consecutive regional championships by defeating Tampa Prep 4-1 at home April 11, which comes with a spot in the Class 1A state meet.

Patriots coach Susan Most said her team was well-prepared coming into the regional finals because they knew what to expect from the Terrapins after facing them in districts.

“I feel that this win was a concerted effort by the entire team working together,” Most said. “Throughout the season, that has been one of the major reasons that these girls are so successful, because they pull together and work together throughout the entire season and have made a commitment to (win).”

The afternoon at Hillsborough Community College was not without drama, as CDS No. 1 Jackie Fitz-Randolph was dealt the difficult task of facing rival Paige Leavy for the second time in less than a week. The two battled in a three-set marathon for the singles district title April 5.

“At first I was kind of confused, because I figured that I just played her for over three hours (in districts), why do I have to play her again?” Jackie said. “I was more excited than nervous, because it was such a great match last time. It was going to be great again.”

Jackie battled through the back-and-forth match and the heat, hardly showing any signs of frustration. She prevailed 7-5, 6-3 in the three-hour bout, which included a 10-minute rain delay midway through the second set.

“I don’t know if it really helped or hurt me, that rain delay,” Jackie said. She added, “I didn’t want to go three sets, and I knew (staying calm) was definitely one of the keys you have to do if you want to win. Obviously, you can let out a few shouts if you’re mad, but I’ve learned to keep calm in any situation, and if you believe in yourself you’ll be able to get through anything.”

One of the most pivotal matches of the day was the No. 5 singles contest between CDS’ Casey Brynjolfsson and Tampa Prep’s Yasmin Hamzah.

Brynjolfsson said she knew going in it was up to her to help pad the lead and keep the match from going into doubles.

The freshman didn’t disappoint.

Despite a 4-0 deficit in the first set, Brynjolfsson pulled herself together and defeated Hamzah 6-4, 6-1.

“I was making unforced errors and I had to kind of cleanse myself and keep going,” Brynjolfsson said. She added, “Since I’m a freshman, this will be my first year going to states, so that was my job to (get the win), and it’s awesome.”

Other victories for CDS included No. 2 Lauren Fitz-Randolph, Jackie’s sister, 6-1, 6-1 over Izabella Basket and No. 3 Sarah Yaffe 6-1, 6-3 against Megan DaSilva.

No. 4 McKenzie List was the lone Patriot in the loss column, falling 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) against Alexandra Benbadis.

Most said she is happy for her team, and that its experience of reaching the state tournament last season will pay big dividends the second time around.

“It’s so exciting,” Most said. “It was so much fun last year, and the girls really loved the experience, and I think that’s one of the elements that made them work harder is that they had been there before and they saw that it does take a lot of hard work and commitment as a team, and that was definitely a huge motivator for them.”

The 1A state tournament is at Red Bug Lake Park in Casselberry April 15 to 17.

 

Gators topped by Forest

The Land O’ Lakes girls tennis team had its season ended at Ocala Forest for the second straight year April 9, falling 5-0.

The Gators did manage to make the playoffs for the third straight season, and its No. 1 duo of Kavya Avancha and Cori Arndt become the first doubles squad in program history to earn a state berth.

The Class 2A state tournament is at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs April 14 to 17.

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Wiregrass Ranch girls tennis player Star Makarome kept her perfect season intact at Plant during the Class 4A regional semifinals April 9.

The Bulls ace took down Panthers’ top player Blair Martin 6-1, 6-2, moving her record to 10-0 for the year. Makarome said she was nervous entering the match against Martin, a senior who led Plant to a state championship in 2011 and tied for the top honor last season.

“I knew she was really famous around Tampa,” Makarome said. “A few days before I was constantly thinking about the match. I knew I had a big task in front of me. Right before the match I didn’t feel nervous anymore, so it’s a good thing I calmed myself down.”

Makarome, who finished as the Class 4A state singles runner-up last season, had never played Martin in singles before.

“I don’t know what I did honestly,” Makarome said with a laugh and a smile. “I just tried to hit everything as hard as I could.”

Makarome said the score doesn’t indicate how difficult it was to win.

“It was 6-1, 6-2, but that match was like an hour and 45 minutes,” Makarome said. “This time I wasn’t the first one done. … Every game went to duce. She had a few chances. I didn’t lose serve the whole match, so that really helped me.”

Makarome secured the win by breaking Martin, who double faulted on match point. The win moves the sophomore’s all-time record to 22-1, with the only loss coming in last year’s state singles championship match.

Plant, which also defeated Wharton 5-0 in the regional finals April 11, beat the Bulls 4-1, but Makarome still advances to the state singles tournament April 17 to 18 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs.

“I hope to replicate what I did last year and get one step better,” Makarome said. “Last year was a really great experience. I played some really good players, and I think I have a better feel for who’s there and who’s not. … I’m just going in to play like it’s another Florida tournament.”

Makarome will be joined by teammate Tiffany Garner, a sophomore, in the state doubles tournament for the second straight season. The duo was knocked out in the first round last season.

“I think this year we’ll be more prepared,” Makarome said. “We played really great together during districts. I couldn’t ask for anyone better going into the state doubles tournament.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Steinbrenner senior Jon Marc Carrier sensed something different about the track and field team early this season.

Carrier, who joined the squad as a sophomore, said it was more than just the improvements of the returning athletes and the new additions.

“We got a couple new guys, but the mindset has just changed,” said Carrier, a sprinter/jumper. “We got older and wanted to compete and be the best. … We want to put our footprint down, Steinbrenner High School, in the county before we go off to college.”

The Warriors have benefitted from several additions, many of which are seniors like thrower Logan McKnight, distance runner Derek Gebhard and sprinter Trey Johnson.

First-year coach Mike Bosco, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant, said getting those new athletes to compete was one of his first goals.

“That’s half the battle, and then coach (Cedric) Roberts is so good with the technical side of the sprint events, all the little nuances of block starts and hand movements,” Bosco said. “It’s been really fun to see everyone improve so much. … Kids at our school just want to compete and put their names up on the banner we have in our gym and make a name for themselves.”

McKnight had always played baseball during the spring, but decided to give the shot put and discus throw a try.

“My dad threw in high school, and I remembered watching the Olympics and thinking I could do that,” McKnight said.

McKnight, who won a conference championship in the shot with a program record 46-feet, 5-inches, said the importance of form versus strength needed for a good throw surprised him.

“You see bigger, stronger guys out here who don’t throw as far as me, so it’s been a lot of work on the technique,” McKnight said.

Gebhard, who has signed to play soccer at Florida Gulf Coast University, said he found technique to be as important in his events.

“After my first 400 I felt stiff, and I just thought this has never happened to me with soccer,” Gebhard said. “I had to figure out the strategy, and there are definitely strategies that you have to figure out to help you with it, and it makes a big difference with your time.”

Steinbrenner has also been boosted by the healthy return of junior Jake Carroll and senior Kendall Pearcey. The sprinters missed last season with a torn ACL and a broken ankle, respectively, suffered playing football.

Bosco said the improvements to the sprint, hurdle and field athletes was something he wanted to build because he was confident in what his distance program, known as The Boss Cross, would deliver.

“Day 1 of practice we told them, ‘Guys, we know what we have distancewise with Boss Cross,’” Bosco said. “‘We know what those guys are going to give us, but if we want this to be a track team everybody has to buy into their roles and work hard.’ We think this can be a district championship team. From Day 1 they’ve bought in and stepped up so the distance group doesn’t have to carry us.”

Carroll added, “We knew the long distance kids were going to keep doing what they always do. We wanted to get to that level.”

The combination has given the Warriors the points need to win their four dual/tri meets this year while also taking the Nash Higgins Relay. Gebhard said the victories have provided a reason to keep pushing.

“There’re guys who are really good, and whenever you have a talented team it pushes everyone to get better, and it really helps the team build during the year,” Gebhard said. “Then the success as a team gives us motivation to keep working hard.”

The mentality shift has been welcome by Carrier. He joined the squad just to get faster at football, a sport he signed to play at Dartmouth College.

Now, he’s been bitten by the track bug.

“It’s been crazy how far it’s come,” Carrier said. “First off, it was mostly football guys just doing track to stay in shape. We were just kind of in the middle of the pack trying to compete. This year we’re winning events with our athletes and as a team, and we think we have a chance to win districts. We’ve grown so much so fast.”

The Warriors will look to win their first district championship at the 3A-8 meet at Gaither April 17, followed by regionals at Leto April 24 and states at the University of North Florida May 3.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Pole vaulting isn’t for everyone.

The event takes speed, strength and, some would say, insanity to execute.

Most high school track and field teams have one, maybe two, brave enough to focus on the pole vault. At Wharton, there are six girls scoring buckets of points for the Wildcats.

The group has a pair of experienced seniors in Britainy Smith and Ashley Cahill leading the charge.

“I started as a freshman, and I didn’t even really know what it was,” Smith said. “I was on the cheerleading team, and a senior (London Enos), who actually won states her junior and senior year, she told Ashley and I to come out and try it because they needed new pole vaulters when she left. We said, ‘Why not?’”

Ashley was also following in her older brother Alan Ford’s footsteps as a Wildcats vaulter.

“When I first came out there was a little bit of fear, but once I started I knew it was where I wanted to be,” Ashley said. “Running down a runway is such a good feeling, especially when you PR.”

Smith, whose personal record (PR) is 11-feet, earned district titles the last two years and placed 10th at states during her sophomore season.

“Making it to states was so exciting,” said Smith, who plans to walk on at the University of Alabama. “I wasn’t expecting it. I was just trying to jump. I just wanted to PR at regionals, and I made it to states. Junior year was a little rough, didn’t make it, stuff happens, but this year I’ve been trying to work harder, focus on techniques and breaking bad habits. That’s helped me a lot.”

Ashley (PR 10) made her first state appearance in 2012, where she finished ninth.

“Regional was so hard because there were a bunch of us at the same height, so it came down to attempts,” said Ashley, who wants to walk on at the University of Florida. “Going to states was so exciting, and Britainy and I want to go together this year.”

Sophomores Mandy Lewis (PR 8), Khalesha Gibson (PR 8) and Abby Delisle (PR 7-06), along with freshman Amber Cahill (PR 7), round out the vaulting group.

“We’re like sisters, and it’s nice to have five teammates watching and telling you good job after a jump,” Ashley said. “They can also see something that the coach didn’t, and because we know each other so well we can say something another way that works for each of us.”

Delisle was convinced to compete by Smith and Ashley, who are her cheerleading teammates. Amber picked it up to follow her older sister Ashley.

Gibson needed some recruiting from coach Wes Newton, who also leads the cross country squad.

“I wasn’t going to do track,” Gibson said. “I was conditioning with the cross country team, and one day when I was stretching (Newton) told me that I looked like a pole vaulter.”

Lewis needed no encouragement.

“I always thought it looked really, really cool,” Lewis said. “I always wanted to try it. … It looked scary, but I like challenges.”

Delisle said the seniors always help the underclassmen while they prep for a run at states.

“They know what it’s like to just be starting out,” Delisle said. “They were where we’re at a couple years ago, and they do whatever they can to help.”

Gibson added that the performances of Smith and Ashley are motivating.

“They’re at 10 and 11 feet, and that’s where I want to be as a senior,” Gibson said. “I look up to them.”

Only four of the six can compete in any meet. The coaches use that as motivation, but the vaulters don’t feel like they’re working against one another.

“It’s not really competition; it’s just fun being around each other,” Amber said.

Delisle added, “You’d think you wouldn’t want someone to be better, but we’re always helping each other and really happy when any of us does well.”

Newton said the group gives them a big advantage.

“We’ve had a lot of good ones here, and it’s an event that really helps us because most teams don’t have so many pole vaulters,” Newton said. “It lets us score a lot of points in meets, and that sometimes makes the difference.”

Wharton used that edge to score 28 points in the pole vault at the Western Conference National Division meet to help claim the team title this year. Smith and Ashley also took first and third at the county championships to score 16 in the Wildcats’ runner-up effort.

“We know some teams don’t even have pole vaulters, so it’s a great feeling to be able to get those extra points that we need,” Gibson said. “It lets us know that we’re a big part of the track team.”

The vaulters and the rest of Wharton’s squad compete at the Class 4A-District 6 meet at Leto April 17.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Wesley Chapel track and field athletes participated in the Class 2A-District 9 meet April 12 at Berkley Prep, and three Wildcats girls earned spots in regionals by placing in the top four of their event.

The top Wesley Chapel performer was senior Courtney Prengaman, who finished as the district runner-up by clearing 5-feet, 2-inches.

Prengaman, a Samford University signee, is the defending 2A state champion and was going for her fourth straight district title, but came up four inches short of Anclote freshman Emily Gauvey’s jump.

“I’m not sure what happened,” said Wildcats girls coach Brad Allen. “I don’t know if she’s having trouble with the pressure, and actually she usually does very well with pressure. That’s why in the past we’ve had her jump with the boys in meets.

“The thing was it looked like she wasn’t getting her feet over quick enough,” Allen continued. “Her back was getting way up and over. … We can fix that because she has the power to get over without a problem. She’s got everything she needs to get the job done.”

Prengaman will still be either the No. 1 or 2 seed at regionals because she cleared 5-08 earlier this year during a meet at Sunlake, which matches the best performance in 2A this season.

Fellow Wesley Chapel senior Abby Hudak earned a spot in regionals for the fourth straight year by placing third in the pole vault (9-06). Hudak, who is seeking her first state berth, has been fighting through ligament inflammation linked to a broken left ankle suffered a few months before the season during a skateboarding accident.

“I think I am capable of getting there,” Hudak said. “I’ve got two more weeks to get healthy and get better. Yesterday and the day before in practice I was doing pretty well. I was getting over the 10-foot bungee easy. That’s what I wanted to do today, but my leg just got very inflamed. I think there was a lot of mental stuff today too watching other girls PR when I still haven’t PRed this year.”

Bob Leidel, Hudak’s coach with Florida Pole Vault Academy, said she has been besting her personal record (PR) of 10 regularly at practice.

“Some days she’s actually close to clearing 11 and easily clearing 10,” Leidel said. “The injury that she had definitely played into the amount that she can practice and the quality of her practices, but she has had some really good jumps; they just haven’t happened in meets this year. Hopefully next week it happens at regionals.”

Sakari Worrels rounded out the Wildcats’ regional qualifiers by taking fourth in the long jump (15-07), besting her previous PR by seven inches. The senior last ran track while in eighth grade.

“I liked running track, but I always played AAU volleyball during the spring and couldn’t,” Worrels said. “I just wanted to see what I could do. I figured whatever happened would happen, and I’m really happy right now.”

The trio competes at regionals at Titusville Astronaut April 18. Those who finish in the top four at the meet will earn a spot in states April 27 at the University of North Florida.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

First-year Carrollwood Day School (CDS) track and field coach Travis Hall showed he has a budding crop of young Patriots at the Class 1A-District 8 meet April 12 at Calvary Christian.

The CDS boys, who scored only 15 points at the same meet last year, totaled 48 to finish fifth at the event. The girls posted 36, eight more than a season ago, to place fourth.

“It’s been fun, and I think they (the kids) have fun too,” Hall said. “We sacrifice points to build team camaraderie and overall sportsmanship.”

The two standouts of the day were Elias Earley on the boys side and Kailiece Harris for the girls.

Earley won district championship in the 200 meters (22.97 seconds), which also set a new personal record. The sophomore also took second in the 400 (52.02) to earn a regional berth.

“After running the 400 I was so tired (for the 200),” Earley said. “I didn’t expect to win, but once I hit the turn and I saw only the Seffner kid (Robbie Shell) in front, I just kicked it into gear.”

Harris, who is only a seventh-grader, won the 400 in 59.27. She also helped the 4×400 relay take third.

The Patriots duo will be joined by four teammates at regionals.

Sophomore Lauren Meaney took second in the 1,600 with a time of 5:50.07. Freshman Stephen Yafee placed third in the 400 (53.84), and seventh-grader Jack Pironti got the fourth qualifying spot in the 1,600 (5:08.67).

Pironti fought off a late attempt from Seffner Christian’s Danny Pontello to keep his qualifying spot.

“I never thought I could do it,” Pironti said. “I usually lose those because the other guy has longer strides. I was surprised I actually beat him.”

Senior Adam Morse also qualified with a fourth-place throw in disc (108-feet, 9-inches), but the Patriot effort belonged to the youth.

“As more students see kids like Harris and Jack they will come out and join the team,” Hall said. “It’s going to help us being a strong program the next couple years.”

Academy at the Lakes senior Alex Gittens also qualified for regionals in the girls 800 by placing fourth (2:36.20).

Advancing athletes compete in regionals at Orlando First Academy April 18. Those who finish in the top four of their events earn a berth in states April 26 at the University of North Florida.

 

//‘Canes claim four district titles

The Bishop McLaughlin girls track and field team captured four titles at the Class 1A-District 9 meet April 11 at Clearwater Central Catholic.

Hurricanes senior Camill Baumrucker claimed championships in the long (16-feet, 2-inches) and triple (33-09.50) jumps, while juniors Rachel Verscharen and Desireé Nathe took first in the discus throw (93-11) and high jump (5), respectively.

Nathe also earned a regional berth by taking third in the 400 meters (1 minute, 4.37 seconds), as did sophomore Kate Comfort by finishing as the district runner-up in the 800 (4:43.60).

The ‘Canes earned 79 points to place fourth at the event, while the boys totaled 15 to take sixth at the eight-team meet.

Advancing athletes compete in regionals at Shorecrest Prep. Those who finish in the top four of their events earn a berth in states April 26 at the University of North Florida.

–Kyle LoJacono

 

 

 

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

Kailiece Harris is on a mission to become the first girl in Carrollwood Day School (CDS) track and field history to earn a state medal.

The 400-meter runner enters regionals, which is April 18 at Orlando First Academy, as the No. 2 seeded competitor after setting her personal record of 59.23 seconds at the USF/Steinbrenner Invitational earlier this year.

If she reaches states and finishes in the top eight, she earns a spot on the medal stand, and will do so as a seventh-grader.

“(Kailiece) has surpassed even her own expectations,” said first year Patriots coach Travis Hall. “We all knew she could compete, but I don’t think even she knew the level of talent she’s discovered this year.”

Kailiece won the 1A-8 district championship in the 400 (59.27) April 12.

She still remembers her first encounter with track, which she picked up at age 6.

“I remember we were just driving in the car by Hillsborough High School and we saw a bunch of kids my age practicing,” Kailiece said. “We pulled over and asked how old you had to be to practice. They said 6, and that’s when I started.”

Her father Kay Jay, a former member of the track and field team at Tampa Bay Tech, said Kailiece has more than 70 medals from different meets, including winning the Junior Olympics in long jump in 2007.

Kay Jay sought out the experience of Roosevelt Cooper, her AAU coach.

“It’s unbelievable how strong she is,” Cooper said. “Most kids her age are not anywhere near that powerful.”

They have developed her power with a technique called overspeed, which is when the trainer tethers themselves to the athlete and runs, dragging them to faster times.

“As long as I know how fast she can run, I can pull her,” Cooper said.

The Harris track bloodlines also run through Kailiece’s younger brother Kyle, 10, whom Kay Jay said can already run in 5-kilometer races with adults.

“We use him (Kyle) as a rabbit for Kailiece,” Kay Jay said. “We put Kyle on the track in front of her and tell her go catch him.”

Kay Jay said Kailiece can easily outrun her little brother in a flat out race, but it makes for a great challenge and family entertainment that can’t be had anywhere else.

The top four performers in each event at regionals advance to the 1A state meet April 26 at the University of North Florida.

 

 

By Don Trello

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

Sunlake coach Dick Rohrberg might be the high school equivalent of former St. Louis Cardinals managers Whitey Herzog and Tony La Russa when it comes to what he believes it takes to play winning baseball.

Herzog’s teams were known for the ability to manufacture runs using base hits, walks, stolen bases, hit-and-runs and sacrifices. His managerial style was dubbed Whitey Ball and became known as small ball, which La Russa took to a new level during his tenure.

“I want kids that want to learn the game and get better,” said Rohrberg, who is in his fifth season as Seahawks coach. “I want them to be fundamentally sound and play the game the right way.”

Rohrberg’s background includes stints as an assistant coach at Dayton University and 12 years as head coach at Chamberlain. He also works as a talent evaluator for the Baseball Factory.

“(Assistant coach) Mike Peeples played AAA for the Rockies and Jays,” said Rohrberg. “My background is college and his is pro baseball. This is his first year as assistant coach, and we complement each other well.”

Sunlake practices and pregame preparations mirror those of college and professional teams starting with batting practice, including emphasis on bunting skills and work on fielding. Players are constantly in motion and not allowed to sit on the bench.

“I tell the kids to decide what fun is,” Rohrberg said. “I ask them if they want to come and goof around and not become better baseball players or if they want to come out and learn how to win. … We have 14 players, and every one of them is willing to put the work in and they are getting there. We’ve shown we can be competitive.”

Sunlake (8-8) has the chance at its first winning season since 2009 when it was 13-12. Major contributors to the resurgence are senior first baseman Travis Doyel and junior left-handed pitcher David Castillo.

“Castillo has a tremendous upside and could be a premium pitcher if he works hard,” Rohrberg said. “He’s an aggressive hitter with quick hands that puts the ball in play.”

Castillo is 3-2 with a 1.28 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. He also is the second leading hitter on the team with a .340 batting average.

“I was a pitcher and outfielder my freshman year, but I didn’t make the team,” Castillo said. “My brother was a senior starter, and I thought I was better than him. I never got to play with him, and that motivated me to try harder.”

Castillo made the junior varsity team his sophomore year as the No. 1 pitcher.

“I didn’t move up to the varsity, but it wasn’t a big deal,” Castillo said. “I’m an aggressive hitter and I love hitting, but I like pitching best. I just love playing baseball.”

Doyel leads Sunlake with a .368 average, and has also seen duty as a pitcher.

“This is the best start the team has had since I’ve been here,” said Doyel, who started as a sophomore. “We are making contact and hitting the ball harder. … Last year we would get into a losing streak and just let it happen. Now the team plays hard to the last inning. We are all tired of losing.”

Castillo and Doyel combined to pitch the first no-hitter in school history March 4 in a 10-2 win against Anclote.

“I was happy about the no-hitter, but I could have done better,” said Castillo, who pitched four innings and struck out 11 batters. “I had five walks and gave up two unearned runs because of a bad pickoff throw and a wild pitch. … I didn’t know about the school not having a no-hitter until after the game. It’s good to make history, but I’d like to do it again.”

Doyel relieved Castillo and pitched the last three innings. Doyel was somewhat bemused when he recalled the unusual ending of the game.

“David let me know there was a no-hitter and I better not give it up,” Doyel said. “I knew we never had a no-hitter, and that was extra motivation. … I walked two guys with one out in the seventh inning. Then there was a fly ball to left and Castillo dropped the ball. He picked it up and threw to third for a force out, and the third baseman threw it to second to complete a double play. I never saw a game end like that.”

Rohrberg said he hoped to use the first no-hitter as a building block for his program seeking its first playoff berth: “It’s something you can build on.”

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Freedom flag football team clinched the top seed in the District 16 tournament by winning its final three league contests.

Securing the No. 1 spot appeared nearly impossible for the Patriots (6-1, 5-1) after dropping a 12-6 home contest to Steinbrenner April 1 thanks in large part to the Warriors’ (5-2, 5-1) fourth-quarter interception returned for a touchdown.

“After we lost to Steinbrenner we knew we’d have to win our last three district games to have a chance at the No. 1 seed,” said Freedom coach Dennis Derflinger. “That was a really tough loss because we had the ball near the end zone when they intercepted it, so we go from looking like we’re going to take the lead to losing by six.”

The Patriots responded with a win at Wharton three days later, but faced a much tougher challenge April 8 when two-time defending district champ Alonso came to their field.

The squads entered halftime 0-0, but the Ravens scored on their first possession after the break to go ahead 6-0.

“We didn’t have any doubt that we could come back because we trust each other,” said senior linebacker/wide receiver Ashle Thompson (32 flag pulls, 368 receiving yards, five touchdowns). “We knew what we had to do to beat them. That’s all we were focusing on.”

Sophomore rusher/wide receiver Taylor Mort (eight sacks) rose to the challenge by scoring on a 2-yard run with about four minutes left in the fourth quarter. Senior Veronica Bell tacked on the extra point with a catch over the middle to put the Patriots ahead for good 7-6.

“We have some extra point plays that we’re pretty confident in,” Derflinger said. “The bigger thing was stopping them on their extra point. I tell them that can be the game when you stop an extra point, and it was for us.”

Derflinger pointed to a key 24-yard pass from senior quarterback Missy Dunbar (13 touchdowns) to sophomore wide receiver Mackenzie Dyer to set up the winning score.

Alonso beat Steinbrenner April 4, tying the three squads atop the district. The outcome gave Freedom the inside track for the top seed because the Patriots have three road wins within the league to the Warriors’ and Ravens’ two, which is the third tie-breaker.

Freedom just had to beat Sickles at home April 11 to clinch the No. 1 seed.

The Gryphons (1-6) scored on their opening possession to go ahead 6-0, but the Patriots responded with three first-half touchdowns to win 21-6.

Sickles threatened to make it a one-score contest, but senior linebacker Lauren Repp’s interception with 2:40 left in the contest iced the game.

“I saw that she was going to throw over the middle, so I thought I could make a play on it,” said Repp, who had a game-high nine flag pulls. “Just stepped in front and caught it.”

Dunbar completed 14 of 25 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. She also picked off three passes while playing safety.

Sophomore running back Tia Jackson (355 yards, four touchdowns) had 72 receiving yards, including a 52-yard touchdown. Thompson had five catches for 94 yards and a 30-yard score.

The District 16 tournament is at Alonso April 22 to 24, with the final April 24 at 7 p.m.

Freedom hosts East Bay April 15 and Chamberlain April 18 to close the regular season. Both contests start at 7 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Land O’ Lakes baseball coach Calvin Baisley wasn’t sure what to expect from his team against Wiregrass Ranch April 10 after a puzzling loss to Ridgewood two days earlier.

It took the host Gators (17-3) just one pitch, a lead-off home run by senior Dylan Harris, to give him the answer he was looking for as his squad got to Bulls (13-6) pitcher Zach Drury early en route to a 7-3 win.

“Our kids respond to a challenge,” Baisley said. “We have faced the best pitchers around, and they take it as a challenge. … Dylan just got right on that first pitch, and that set the tone from there.”

Harris, a Saint Leo University signee, said he was looking for a good pitch to drive early in the at bat.

“I was trying to get our team started, and we hadn’t been scoring runs the last few games,” Harris said. “I saw a pitch elevated in the zone, and I got it and drove it out.”

After Harris’ homer, Drury walked Josh Nissen and allowed Alex Reynolds to reach on an error.

That’s when they broke it open.

Pitcher Zach Whitaker singled to right field to score Nissen, followed by Quintin Perez’s two-RBI base hit to left field two batters later to extend the Land O’ Lakes’ lead to 4-0. Drury ended the inning with two strikeouts.

The Bulls responded in the second inning.

Alex Goebel, Shane Bucenell and Alex Fernandez each singled to start the frame. Goebel scored on Ryan Girard’s fielder’s choice, and a wild pitch allowed Bucenell to score from third.

A single to center by Austin Drury made it 4-3, but that’s all Wiregrass Ranch would get.

“I was just getting bad luck on a few hits and I threw good pitches, but they were able to get a few bloopers,” Whitaker said. “I tried not to get too rattled, because sometimes I let my emotions get the best of me.”

The Gators took advantage of three walks, a Connor Stephens double and another error to add three more runs in the second inning to go ahead 6-3.

Drury departed with one out in the third after an infield single by Austin Conner, another wild pitch that allowed another run to score and a double to right field by Harris. The Wiregrass Ranch junior finished with five earned runs, four walks and five strikeouts in his second-shortest outing of the season.

Whitaker kept the Bulls scoreless for the next three innings, but it wasn’t easy.

Wiregrass Ranch loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth, but came up empty. The Bulls also had runners in scoring position in the fifth, but again couldn’t take advantage as Nissen relieved Whitaker and forced a groundout.

Nissen stifled the Wiregrass Ranch offense the rest of the way with six straight ground balls to secure the win.

“I know they’ve got good hitters, but I wanted to make sure I hit my spots and pick up Zach,” Nissen said. “He worked hard out there on the mound all night and he got some jams, but our hitting and defense had our back.”

Land O’ Lakes travels to Central April 17 and Wiregrass Ranch plays at cross-town rival Wesley Chapel April 16. Both games start at 7 p.m.