The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Scotch Institute in Wesley Chapel offers expertise in ENT, hearing and sleep medicine

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In an era when many physicians are joining large multi-specialty groups, Dr. Brett Scotch remains independent as the solo physician of Scotch Institute of Ear Nose & Throat in Wesley Chapel.

Brett M. Scotch, DO, FAOCO Board Certified Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery
Brett M. Scotch, DO, FAOCO
Board Certified Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery

A board certified physician in Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Scotch values the independence that comes with operating his own practice.

“I can provide the highest level of quality care for every aspect of my practice,” said Dr. Scotch. “I offer continuity of care because patients always see me, never an assistant. This allows us to treat every patient as if they are a member of our family and many become lifelong patients.”

Dr. Scotch practices from a modern facility in Wesley Chapel in the Summergate Professional Center, located off SR 56 behind Sam’s Club. The convenient location just minutes from I-75 and the new Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel attracts patients from throughout Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties.

Dr. Scotch came to Tampa in 2005 while serving as a Major in the US Air Force Medical Corps at MacDill Air Force Base. When his service was completed in 2008, he stayed and founded his own practice.

Since then, Dr. Scotch has expanded his practice from traditional ENT services to providing extensive expertise in allergy treatments and sleep medicine. He was one of the first doctors in the area to perform balloon sinuplasty to replace traditional sinus surgeries and is the medical director of several diagnostic sleep labs.

Dr. Scotch left his native Massachusetts to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he received his undergraduate degree and met his future wife, Jodi. He went on to medical school at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale and then went on to complete a five-year residency in ENT and facial plastic surgery at Michigan State University affiliated hospitals.

What influenced Dr. Scotch to become a specialist in ENT medicine?

“It’s a wonderful mix of various populations – kids to seniors. My oldest patient is 100 and the youngest are infants,” said Dr. Scotch. “It’s a nice balance of surgery and office-based procedures, all which makes for a very interesting practice.”

Dr. Scotch sees patients in four core areas: sinus & allergy, ear nose & throat, hearing, and sleep. If hospitalization is required, Dr. Scotch has privileges at, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, which has a state-of-the-art sinus surgical suite where he performs sinus surgery if needed.

“Being in Florida, we see a lot of sinus and allergy problems,” said Dr. Scotch. “We try to get away from allergy shots and mostly use under-the-tongue allergy drops.” They are less invasive and usually a better tolerated treatment than traditional shots.

Daily allergy drops are conveniently used at home, typically give faster results and are very safe. They are especially great for kids – we have children treated as young as 4 years old.”

Another area where Dr. Scotch is a leading physician is in sleep medicine.

“Sleep is very important,” said Dr. Scotch. “Without enough sleep, it affects one’s energy level, general medical condition and overall health. It even affects weight loss and metabolism. If a sleep problem remains untreated, it can lead to early heart and blood pressure problems.”

Because sleep is medically necessary, most insurance companies cover treatment for sleep disorders, including insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea and sleep behavioral disorders.

“Often times a patient does not recognize the severity of the problem, but their bed partner does,” said Dr. Scotch. “Some studies estimate that at least 30 percent of adults and possibly as many as 50 percent of the population in some demographics snore. Multiple studies reveal a significant correlation between loud snoring and risk of heart attack and stroke.”

Dr. Scotch, who is certified in Sleep Medicine, has unique expertise in that he can treat all aspects of a patients’ sleep disorder, from non-invasive medical therapy to minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat snoring and sleep apnea.

Another area of expertise at the Scotch Institute is the identification and treat- ment of hearing loss. Working alongside Dr. Scotch is clinical audiologist Barbara Drobes, MS, CCC-A who has more than16 years experience working with pediatric and adult patients.

Hearing loss is a leading disability — 10 percent of Americans report that hearing loss affects their ability to understand normal speech.

“We help people suffering from hearing loss with multiple modalities – everything from counseling to natural remedies to hearing aids to surgery,” said Dr. Scotch.

In addition to his medical qualifications, Dr. Scotch is known for his warm, caring, and professional demeanor. He was awarded the 2011 Physician of the Year by the statewide Florida Osteopathic Medical Association for his devotion as a leader, educator, and role model, and more recently the 2012 Community Physician Award by Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

His office is located at the Seven Oaks Summergate Professional Center, 27406 Cashford Circle, Wesley Chapel. He can be reached at (813) 994-8900, or at www.ScotchENT.com.

This story is a feature of the advertising department. 

New cancer center provides convenience for patients

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By Jeff Odom

 

The new Cancer Institute Adult Outpatient Infusion Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz is offering more than just easily accessible service to cancer patients.

It’s giving them a little piece of home, too.

The center, located at 4211 Van Dyke Road inside the hospital, opened its doors in December. Right away patients noticed a difference with a relaxed setting to provide comfort during treatment procedures.

“It’s amazing,” said Lutz resident Mary Crook, a patient who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer. “I have zero complaints about the whole thing, and as far as the chemo center and what is going on there, it’s perfect for us.”

The hospital has made comfort a priority with high-definition televisions, wireless Internet and plenty of space for guests. The amenities are something Mary, along with her husband Bob, appreciates very much.

Mary Crook is receiving treatment at the Cancer Institute Adult Outpatient Infusion Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North after being diagnosed with colon cancer. (Photo by Jeff Odom)

“If I had to have this experience anywhere, I would want to have it here,” Mary said. “The people that take care of me are so wonderful, and the whole place is gorgeous. It’s top of the line.”

Patients staying in the center also have access to a snack bar, which offers sandwiches, treats and a variety of hot and cold beverages. Some rooms even accommodate guests spending the night with a pullout bed.

Bob, who is a manager at the Publix Supermarket located at the apex of US 41 in Lutz, said the location is perfect, because he can be to the hospital in as little as 10 minutes to support his wife.

“It’s good to know that I can be there, because that’s right up there in the top of the line in importance,” Bob said. “So far, everything that has gone down I’ve been able to be there with her for it. It’s good for me, because I can keep tabs on everything that’s going on, and it’s good for her because I can be there for the moral support.”

In addition to treatment facilities, the center includes a private education room for oncology nurses to consult with patients and their families, a pharmacy annex so chemotherapy can be stored and mixed on site and an expansive nursing station. There’s even an exit for patients to leave without disturbance.

The cancer institute’s director Brad Smith said in a release that the center is already making itself known as a solution to patients with busy schedules that would otherwise have to travel to the main hospital in Tampa or other cancer treatment centers like Moffitt.

“It can be challenging for cancer patients to maintain their busy treatment schedule, and when you are not feeling well an extra 20 to 30 minutes in the car can make a real difference,” Smith said. “Our cancer patients are very special to us. Knowing that the Cancer Institute Adult Outpatient Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is available to serve them is very rewarding.”

Mary said that she feels welcomed every time she comes for treatment, because the nursing staff always has time to talk with her and make sure she is doing well.

“It’s the most convenient place for the whole community, I believe,” Mary said. “They’ve got such a great staff with Angela (Papadopoulos), Kathy (Weinstein), and now all of the nurses that are coming into the infusion department call it the ‘social hour.’ We’re all in there chitchatting and whatnot. I just love all of those people.”

For more information about the Cancer Institute Adult Outpatient Infusion Center, call (813) 870-4123.

—Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter: @JOdomLaker

Wiregrass Ranch and Pasco County settle dispute

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By B.C. Manion

 

Pasco County commissioners approved an agreement Feb. 5 that settles a dispute over required road improvements in connection with the development of Wiregrass Ranch, a mixed-use project that covers thousands of acres in Wesley Chapel.

County staff and William Merrill, an attorney representing the developers of Wiregrass Ranch, have been working for months to hammer out a settlement agreement.

The completed document spanned hundreds of pages. It calls, in part, for the Porter family, the developers of Wiregrass Ranch, to create roads, provide right-of-way and accommodate transit.

The settlement also reduces or eliminates some of the requirements that were contained in the original development approval and extends project deadlines.

Entitlements for development were also changed.

The new plan calls for a total of 10,472 residential units, a decrease of 343 units from the previous plan. It also calls for approximately 1.26 million square feet of office space, which is a 200,000-square-foot increase. The maximum number of hospital beds has been boosted to 371 hospital beds, an increase of 271.

Other entitlements, which remain the same, are: 300,00 square feet of attraction and recreation space, 480 hotel rooms and 707 community college students.

One element of the agreement calls for developing the project’s town center with short blocks, a mixture of residential and commercial uses, bicycle and pedestrian connections and a grid road network.

Those design elements, which the county calls mixed-use trip reduction measures (MUTRM), will encourage people to use their feet to get around, rather than tooling around behind a steering wheel.

A study by Tindale-Oliver & Associates projects an 11 percent decrease in vehicle miles traveled when using this planning approach, said Cynthia Spidell, senior planner and Development of Regional Impact coordinator for the county.

The plan also calls for an elementary school within the town center, prompting Commissioner Kathryn Starkey to suggest the county needs to work more closely with Pasco County Schools to create opportunities for shared use of public projects.

Starkey said the county should approach Pasco Superintendent Kurt Browning to see if the new school’s play areas can be set up to be accessible for public use.

The walkable town center is just one of hundreds of details approved in the settlement between the county and developers.

The county and developer worked out myriad issues regarding the master plan for the Wiregrass project, which is so massive that it is considered to be a development of regional impact.

But the developer’s attorney told commissioners the two sides had not reached an agreement regarding the potential alignment of a planned road to link Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and SR 54.

Maps within the agreement show a road linking the two, and the agreement spells out that the developer must construct a four-lane road, but provide right-of-way for six lanes to allow for future widening.

The developer has agreed to build the road and provide the right-of-way.

But the alignment has not been decided, and the developer wants to know the general area where the road could go so it can sell land that is not within that area, Merrill told commissioners.

Merrill asked commissioners to remove any lines from the map that show a potential alignment and to instead use a red triangle to indicate the area where the road could go through.

County administrator John Gallagher and growth management administrator Richard Gehring warned commissioners about taking any action that might be later construed as an agreement to limit the options for where the road can go.

They said the whole point of making the connection between Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and SR 54 is to divert traffic to the east to decrease the volume at the existing intersection of Bruce B. Downs and SR 54.

That intersection is too close to Interstate 75, and the traffic volume is degrading the effectiveness of the area’s road network, Gehring said. The proposed road is intended to address that problem.

No matter what the map says, however, transportation experts told commissioners the specific alignment will require approval from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) because the new road will connect two state roads.

Starkey called for granting Merrill’s request, noting the Porters will have to disclose to any potential buyers that the specific alignment has not been determined and any alignment would have to be approved by FDOT.

Her motion passed unanimously.

Expert offers primer on building strong economy

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By B.C. Manion

 

When it comes to Pasco County’s economy, it appears better days are ahead, said economics expert William H. Fruth at a Feb. 1 luncheon at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio.

“A lot of things have bottomed out, so it looks like it’s not going to get any worse. That’s good news,” said Fruth, president of POLICOM Corporation, an independent economics research firm based in Palm City, which specializes in analyzing local and state economies and economic development.

“The question, of course, is how soon will it get better?” added Fruth, a member of a team working to develop Pasco’s new economic development plan.

The path to economic prosperity is not just a matter of adding jobs or new companies, Fruth told the audience of 200 political, business, education and economic development leaders at the Business Development Week luncheon, organized by the Pasco Economic Development Council (PEDC).

William H. Fruth

It’s essential to attract the right kinds of companies, the economics expert said. Fruth defines such firms as those not solely dependent on the local economy for their business and which employ large numbers of high-wage workers.

He understands the dynamics of what creates a vibrant economy because he’s evaluated data for more than 700 local economies in the United States and has created more than 200 economic and community studies.

He shared his expertise at the luncheon, offering a condensed primer on how local economies work.

Much like a bucket leaks water when it has a hole in it, every economy drains wealth, Fruth said. So, communities must have companies that will replenish their wealth, he said.

The problem is, there are a limited number of primary industries, and communities across the country are competing to attract or retain them, Fruth said.

To be competitive, communities must have the right mix of conditions as well as government policies and a welcoming attitude, Fruth said.

There are brighter days for Pasco’s job market on the horizon, Fruth predicted.

“It looks like you’re going to have some nice job growth,” he said about this year. He added, “Around 2017, employment levels will reach the levels that were the boom years.”

Pasco workers lag the nation, in terms of average salaries. Fruth said if nothing is done to attract high-wage jobs, that gap will widen.

“Your wage is really down there, and it’s going to take an effort to get it up,” he said.

It’s not enough for Pasco to merely go after companies that have a large number of jobs, Fruth said.

“The great myth is creating any kind of new job will help the economy,” Fruth said.

Low-paying jobs, however, dilute the strength of an economy and can contribute to a downward spiral, he said.

“It is projected that your wage in this county, by 2025, will drop down to 61 percent of the national average,” Fruth said, based on his projections. “There’s no reason to suggest that this will not occur if you do nothing about it.”

By attracting companies that offer high-paying jobs, the salary situation improves for workers on every rung of the pay-scale ladder, Fruth added. Employees in the $55,000 range compete for jobs paying $65,000, and employees in the $45,000 range compete for jobs in the $55,000 range and so on, he explained.

“When we talk about the quality of the economy, we talk about what people earn. I don’t make any apologies for that. There’s nothing more important than money, than for what money is intended,” Fruth said.

Money makes it possible to purchase better housing, better clothing, better food, more secure retirement, better healthcare and more vacation, he said.

When companies are choosing a location, they consider a broad range of issues, including utility costs, taxes, regulations and other factors, Fruth said.

“The community selection process, at the beginning, is a community elimination process,” Fruth said.

For instance, electric costs can range from 15 cents to 4 cents a kilowatt hour, he said. So, “if you use a lot of electricity, where are you going to go?”

The availability of land ready for development is a huge issue, Fruth said. Being ready for build means that the site has the proper zoning, is served by roads, water, sewer and electric utilities, and can be quickly permitted, Fruth said.

The speed of permitting is important because if it takes too long, companies will go elsewhere, he said.

Having available land is a fundamental requirement, Fruth said. If an area reaches build-out, there’s no room for existing companies to expand or new companies to move in or start up.

Pinellas County already lacks land for existing companies to expand, and Hillsborough County has a shortage of industrial real estate, he said.

“This is where you come, understanding Pinellas doesn’t have any industrial property, understanding that Hillsborough is running out of it,” Fruth said. “Pasco County needs to become the catcher’s mitt, for your existing high-wage employers in the region, when they need new facilities and when they have to expand.”

 

To learn more about how local economies work, visit www.policom.com and click on a link called The Flow of Money.

County revs up communications on Lutz trees

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By B.C. Manion

 

Hillsborough County is amping up its communication efforts regarding trees in the median of US 41, which runs through Lutz.

Residents turned out in force to a Jan. 24 meeting to raise objections when it appeared that the county would be cutting down dozens of trees in the median without any prior discussions with residents.

The county has pledged to work more closely with Lutz residents to resolve an issue regarding maintenance of the trees in the median on US 41. (File photo)

At that meeting, representatives from the county pledged to improve communications and work with residents to find solutions.

The county has followed through on that pledge. It has set up a website focusing on that issue.

It also recently sent out an electronic newsletter to those who signed in at the community meeting.

The website is intended to keep people in the loop on the issue, and the newsletter addresses questions raised during the community forum.

“This newsletter is written to respond to the questions and concerns raised at that meeting in an effort to provide answers to and strengthen our relationship with the Lutz community,” the newsletter states.

“Specifically, Hillsborough County staff, FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) and community representatives have agreed to work together to find ways to provide continued enhanced landscape maintenance for the medians that were the subject of our meeting.

“Until solutions are found, no trees or vegetation will be removed,” the newsletter states.

Lutz resident Donald Hassinger said increasing communications is a good move.

“We weren’t informed. Those trees were coming down,” Hassinger said, but he and others raised objections and the county opted to have the community meeting instead.

Mike White, founder and president of the Lutz Citizen Coalition, criticized county officials for failing to communicate with residents. He also stated that residents do not trust the county.

White had not seen the electronic newsletter, but said he welcomes an increase in communications.

The newsletter the county sent out provides questions and answers based on queries posed at the community meeting.

An excerpt of that Q & A is presented here:

Q. Why are trees in the US Hwy. 41 medians proposed to be cut?

A. As a condition of the maintenance agreement with FDOT to maintain the right-of-way next to US 41, Hillsborough County is contractually obligated to maintain the trees and groundcover in accordance with FDOT specifications.

In the absence of a third party landscape maintenance provider, Hillsborough County initiated the process of returning the right-of-way maintenance back to FDOT. In order to do this, FDOT directed Hillsborough County to remove some of the trees, groundcover and vegetation.

Q. How many trees are proposed for removal?

A. Of the 135 trees within the maintenance area, 91 are designated for removal, including 64 crape myrtle, 14 wax myrtle, seven live oaks, three Shumard oaks and three red

maple.

Q. Why were some trees designated for removal on US 41 and others not? Was it based on location?

A. To transfer the median landscaping back to the FDOT, Hillsborough County was directed to remove designated trees based on long-term maintenance needs and state safety criteria. Removal designation was based solely on type of tree material and condition, not location.

Q. How do we know what trees are proposed to be removed?

A. Trees marked with orange spray paint are designated for removal if the medians are transferred back the FDOT. Trees with colored ribbon will remain.

Q. How much maintenance is required for the crape myrtles?

A. Maintenance for crape myrtles typically includes trimming of trunk suckers and their canopy. This generally consists of keeping a clear area eight feet from the median to the bottom of any tree canopy.

To maintain the trees in accordance with state safety criteria, records indicate an annual cost of approximately $15,000.

The newsletter also addresses a question posed by Jan Smith, who has been active in Lutz issues for decades. She wanted to know who selected the trees that were placed in the median.

County records suggest the trees were installed during the widening of US 41 in the 1990s and were paid for through FDOT’s landscape reimbursement program. The trees planted were selected by FDOT, the county and Lutz residents, the newsletter states.

The newsletter also notes that the county never intended to pay for maintenance of the medians, but instead planned to rely on a third party to complete the work.

That never materialized, and the county historically has spent about $15,000 for tree maintenance and a third party has provided mowing at no cost to the county.

Speakers at the community meeting also wanted to know if a partnership could be created with FDOT to close off lanes so volunteers could maintain the landscape.

The county has pledged to explore all options and plans to discuss them at the next public meeting in mid-March.

For more information, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/us41medians/.

Chalk Talk

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Benefit concert planned

The Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel will present a special benefit concert featuring Phil Dirt and the Dozers to benefit the center’s educational programs.

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23. Tickets are $20 each, with special pricing for groups. Call the box office at (813) 794-8772 to order tickets or for additional information.

 

Bishop McLaughlin open house

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High is hosting an admissions open house from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 for seventh- and eighth-graders at, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill.

Those attending will have a chance to meet the school’s faculty and learn about financial aid and transportation.

Additional information is available by visiting www.bmchs.com or by calling Kathy Hinton-Scott, director of admissions, at (727) 857-2600 ext. 244.

 

Oakstead Elementary spring sprint

Oakstead Elementary is hosting its third annual Spring Sprint for a Healthier Generation on March 16. The 5K starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 1-mile at 8:15 a.m.

Participants of all ages are welcome, and awards will be given in categories beginning for children less than age 5 through adults older than age 60.

The event encourages families, as well as office workers, to get out and exercise together.

The packet pickup is March 15 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Oakstead, 19925 Lake Patience Road in Land O’ Lakes. On race day, the packet pickup begins at 6 a.m. at Rasmussen College, 18600 Fernview St. in Land O’ Lakes. Early bird pricing is available. To find out more, visit https://sites.google.com/site/oaksteadspringsprint/.

 

Seeking nominees for youth award

The Hillsborough County Commission is seeking nominees through Feb. 28 for its Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards).

Awards nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students in each of the following categories:

—Leadership – demonstrating positive impact on others in an ongoing endeavor, such as sports, academics and the arts

—Success despite difficult odds – overcoming tremendous personal difficulty to attain success and have a positive impact on others

—Volunteer or community service – allocating their discretionary time to helping others or completing a project that has added to the betterment of the community

The awards will be presented at a county commission meeting in the spring.

For additional information on the YEA! Awards, call (813) 274-6787.

 

Hillsborough schools get federal grant

The Hillsborough County public school district has received a $500,000 federal grant for a school-based health center. The grant was authorized under the Affordable Care Act and will allow the school district to construct a health center to provide services to children from economically distressed families living around the University of South Florida.

 

Saint Leo’s new business Affairs VP

Jeanne T. Plecenik has joined Saint Leo University as its vice president of business affairs. In her new role, she oversees finance, risk management, regulatory issues, human resources, technology services and facilities operations.

Before joining Saint Leo, she was vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

She currently is a doctoral candidate in finance and accounting at Pace University in New York City.

 

Moore Mickens’ students of the month

The Moore Mickens Education Center announced the students of the month for December: Abbie Musgrove, Jesse Malone, Ashley Nottingham and Maria Rosales.

These students were honored on Jan. 24 for achieving a 4.0 grade point average (GPA): Kelly Butterfield, Dustin Chancey, Mark Jordan, Edward Lombardi, Abbie Musgrove, Steven Reid, Jacob Stanley and Celeste Toj Yat.

These students were honored for achieving a 3.2 GPA or better: Tyler Bedell, Gilberto Bonew-Davila, Shay Cook, Ricky Costner, Amber Denney, Tyler Dennis, David Graves, Cassie Greene, Laelah Haynes, Ivan Hernandez, Dylan Hodock, Rachael Kolaric, Tabitha Lee, Wanice Matthews, Jose Mendoza, Jarrett Mobelini, Kristi Morris, George Newkirk, Jasmine Oquendo, Samantha Petersen, Donald Pitts, Sabrina Remick, Ingrid Rodriguez, Oswaldo Rodriguez, Joshua Taylor, Richard Thomas, Kaitlyn Thompson, Kate-Lyn Traver and Angelica Tull.

 

Odessa student makes achievement list

Jason Getreu, of Odessa, made the fall 2012 Academic Achievement List at Georgia Southwestern State University and was among 445 students recognized for scholastic success. To be eligible, a student must previously earn at least 15 credit hours, be enrolled in three to 14 hours of courses and earn a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

 

Lutz resident achieves dean’s list

Jaime Maier, of Lutz, earned a spot on the Loyola Marymount University Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester. Students named to the dean’s list have completed 15 semester hours and earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better. Additionally, a student must have completed all of his or her courses and never received an F in any course.

 

Hillsborough Choice applications

The Hillsborough Choice application period for elementary schools closes February 14. Applications are available online at http://choice.mysdhc.org.

 

Upcoming MOSI events

The Home School Inventor Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI). Prizes will be awarded. For more information, visit www.campfun.org.

The MOSI Robo Club will meet from 10 a.m. until noon on Feb. 23. This program, which is geared for children ages 9 through 14, gives kids a chance to work with electronics, build with parts and program robots to solve exciting challenges. Preregistration is requested. For more information, call (813) 987-6000.

The MOSI Game Designers Club will meet from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 23. Video game enthusiasts join the MOSI Game Designers Club. The club, designed for kids ages 11 through 17, provides a chance to learn about the latest gaming technologies and upcoming gaming releases. Preregistration is requested. For more information, call (813) 987-6000.

Steinbrenner tops Forest to reach state title game

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

The seniors on the Steinbrenner boys soccer team will never experience a district title after coming up short the last four years, but that thought doesn’t concern them.

The Warriors (20-2-3) have a much more important championship on their minds, namely the Class 4A state crown.

“Nothing would make me happier than to win a state championship before a district championship,” said Chad Ebright, the only coach in the program’s four-year history.

Senior midfielder Derek Gebhard scored in the 97th minute to send Steinbrenner to the Class 4A state title game. (Photo by Tim McClain)

Steinbrenner advanced to the state championship game by winning the 4A-2 regional title Feb. 5 with a 3-1 victory at Deltona Pine Ridge and followed with a 4-3 double overtime win at home Feb. 8 against Ocala Forest.

The Warriors entered the state semifinals outscoring their opponents 16-3 in their first three playoff games, but they were in for a much tougher test against a Wildcats squad that had allowed just four goals all season.

“They’d won every one of their games in this regional tournament 1-0, and that’s the way they play,” Ebright said. “They’re very disciplined, very skilled, they’re great with the ball and if they get a lead they usually can hold onto it.”

Senior forward Jason Collister said they wanted to play a very quick game to get past Forest’s central defenders.

“We wanted to play one-two, get off the ball, move, get open, and it worked just well enough tonight,” Collister said.

The game plan worked to perfection late in the first half as Steinbrenner scored three times in a three-minute span to go into halftime ahead 3-1.

Collister had two of the first-half goals, giving him eight in postseason play, and junior forward Austin Labban added the other.

The Warriors had eight shots on goal to the Wildcats’ two in the first half, but Forest turned up the intensity after the break with goals in the 51st and 69th minutes to tie the contest.

“I don’t even think it was that much of a lapse,” Ebright said. “They just outplayed us. Forest just played better than we did in the second half. We’re out here, and there’s only great teams left playing tonight. Right now it’s down to two, but any one of those four teams could have had the win tonight.”

Neither squad could convert in the first 10-minute sudden death overtime period, a trend that continued late into the second until Derek Gebhard ended the contest.

The senior midfielder fired home the game-winner in the 97th minute off a free kick taken by Enrique Barboto from 30 yards out.

“I saw it in the air, but then it disappeared until I felt it hit my leg,” Gebhard said. “I looked down, controlled it and kicked it as hard as I could.”

Barboto said he knew he had to put the ball in a good spot to avoid penalty kicks.

“I was just hoping I’d place it somewhere where one of my guys could get a good shot at it,” Barboto said. “I went over in my head where everyone was supposed to be. Gebhard was there to kick it in, and I guess it was meant to be.”

Gebhard moved to midfield from forward late in the season and has responded with six goals in four postseason games.

“He’s played well lately,” Ebright said. “I think the move from forward to midfield has opened him up well. He’s not getting the ball with his back to the goal now. He’s usually getting it on the outside on the run forward. That helps him out, as well as us.”

Ebright said the way his squad fought back from down 1-0 and giving up a 3-1 lead shows what they are made of.

“We fight; we have heart,” Ebright said. “The last couple games were easier than this one, but that doesn’t mean that they were easy by any means. I think we were consistent. We were able to put consistent pressure on the goal, and eventually find the back of the net.”

A sizable group of Steinbrenner fans packed into the stadium, including the student cheering group known as The Gold Crew.

Barboto said the crowd was the largest he’s seen at a home game during his time in high school, and added that the Warriors didn’t want to send them home without a victory to celebrate.

“We wanted to do it for all these people who came out here supporting us,” Barboto said. “Really, the emotions were running high all day. I’m so happy we were able to get out of here with a win and to know that our season isn’t over. This was for everyone in the Warrior Nation.”

 

//Spark that drives the Warriors

Gebhard said the worst loss of the season was dropping a 2-1 contest to rival Sickles in the Class 4A-District 8 championship game Jan. 26.

He also said it’s where Steinbrenner has drawn much of its motivation, drive and inspiration during its run to the 4A state championship game.

“Ever since that district loss we’ve made it our goal to come out and win states and be state champs this year,” Gebhard said. “This is unbelievable, everything that’s been happening for us.”

Collister added, “We were pretty devastated that we didn’t win that game against Sickles, but we bounced back, started a winning streak and hopefully we can get one more win.”

The Warriors have used the disappointment to go two rounds farther in the playoffs than any other team in the program’s four-year history.

“I think the loss to Sickles was kind of an eye-opener to these guys,” Ebright said. “We know we’re good, but other teams don’t allow you to win just because you’re good. We have to go out there and prove it every single game. In the Sickles game, we didn’t play poorly. Sickles just played great, but it showed these boys they have to step it up every round. It doesn’t get easier.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

Class 4A state final

Who: Steinbrenner vs. Naples Gulf Coast

When: Saturday, Feb. 16 at 1:05 p.m.

Where: Melbourne High

Address: 74 Bulldog Blvd., Melbourne 32901

Admission: $9

Sunlake’s run ends in the state semifinals

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By Don Trello

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

Michael Lee scored the winning goal at the 62-minute mark to give Ponte Vedra a 2-1 win over host Sunlake in the Class 3A boys soccer state semifinals Feb. 8.

The Seahawks (30-1) finished the most successful season in their six-year history by winning their second district title and first regional championship.

“At the start of the season I didn’t think we would get this far,” said Sunlake freshman goalkeeper Danny Hrenko.

Sunlake senior forward Connor Gilboy ends his season with a Pasco County record 60 goals. (Photo by Thomas Matzke of Sunlakesports.com)

The Seahawks took a 1-0 lead when sophomore forward Connor Spencer put a shot past Sharks (23-2-4) goalkeeper Kevin Shields in the 43rd minute off midfielder Allen Harasimink’s 30-yard pass.

“I saw the keeper come out, and I thought I just had to take it,” Spencer said. “I just volleyed it, and it went in. We had a heck of a season. You couldn’t ask for more from anybody.”

Ponte Vedra evened the score 1-1 on Michael Parado’s goal less than seven minutes after Spence’s tally.

“I thought we had chances early in the game,” said Sunlake coach Sam Koleduk. “We had about a 20-minute lapse on offense. Early, I thought we had three breakaway goals. Their goalie is the strongest one we’ve seen all year.

“We had a great group of kids that really worked their butts off,” he added. “They were very close-knit and coachable.”

The loss ends the high school career for Sunlake senior forward Connor Gilboy, who set a single-season Pasco County record with a nation-leading 60 goals.

“It’s been a really steep ride to come here my freshman year and win a regional title,” Gilboy said. “I had no idea it would be like this when I started here. I believe I was put in place and evolved through the soccer program’s biggest growth.”

Gilboy, who has a 4.4 grade point average, was also the kicker/punter on the Seahawks football team and is keeping his college options open.

Stanford and Wake Forest are among the schools showing interest in Gilboy’s soccer ability, while the University of Florida looked at him as a placekicker.

“It’s a tossup between football and soccer,” Gilboy said. “It might just be academics.”

Sunlake returns nine starters next season, and Koleduk said the Seahawks will continue the high level of play set this season.

“We have a very strong nucleus,” Koleduk said. “We will be deeper and stronger next year.”

Spencer, sophomore midfielder Chris Wilkerson and Hrenko should lead the talented crop of returning players.

“Chris is amazing; he’s our heart and soul down the side,” Koleduk said. “He had 27 assists and 12 goals.”

Spencer finished the season with 40 goals and has a two-year total of 64.

“Connor Spencer has a great touch,” said Koleduk. “He is the best pure goal scorer I’ve coached.”

Hrenko has been on the Florida State Olympic Development team the past two years, and was a member of an all-star team that played in England in 2011.

“It was difficult to put a freshman in goal, but from Day 1 I was confident in him,” Koleduk said. “He’s a state-level goalkeeper.”

Hrenko’s 21 shutouts are best in the nation.

“I’ve always been nervous,” Hrenko replied when asked about starting in goal as a freshman. “My teammates tell me to keep my head up. You always have to keep your mind in the game. It’s difficult at times, but you have to keep focused.

“I’m proud I lead the country in shutouts,” he added. “I owe a lot to my defense. I’m satisfied with the way I played this year, but we are going to step it up next year.”

 

Balanced scoring leads Freedom past Clearwater

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Freedom girls basketball team showed it is more than a two-player team in a 63-40 blowout of Clearwater at home Feb. 7 in the Class 7A regional quarterfinals.

The Patriots (23-3) had four players score in double digits, led by senior forward Faith Woodard’s 21 and sophomore guard Taylor Emery’s 15. Senior guards Whitney Ivey and Monet Williams added 13 and 10, respectively.

“We can all score the ball,” Williams said. “We don’t rely on just two people because we can all score, and we need to in case anyone falls down. We got to rely on everyone to pick us up, and that’s what we did.”

The balanced attack comes six days after Freedom won the Class 7A-District 9 championship with Woodard and Emery scoring their squad’s first 48.

Freedom senior forward Faith Woodard scored her 2,000th career point by putting up 21 in a 23-point victory over Clearwater Feb. 7. (File photo)

“We work on that every day in practice, spreading the ball around, and we’re getting back into it in the game,” Ivey said. “We’re showing people it’s not just two people. Everybody can play.”

The Patriots put that practice into play against the Tornadoes (23-5), who opted to double Woodard in the post while leaving the perimeter mainly unguarded.

“That’s what people fail to realize about that,” said Freedom coach Laurie Pacholke. “Yes, Taylor and Faith are going to put up their points, but you can’t just focus on them. Everyone else I put out there can go off, and that’s exactly what happened. Really, we’re a dangerous team. We’re not a two-headed monster that everyone says that we are.”

Ivey quickly shattered Clearwater’s strategy by hitting 3-pointers on the Patriots’ first two possessions.

“By her hitting the early 3-point shots opened up the middle on me,” Woodard said. “They tried to collapse on me, and you just can’t do that. We’re a well-rounded team.”

Pacholke said it was good to see Williams “come out of her shell” and score her season high, especially considering she was forced to the bench for much of the first half with three fouls.

“She really stepped up,” Woodard said. “She didn’t even let the three fouls affect her. She came in the second half and really got the job done and did what we needed.”

Woodard picked up an offensive milestone with 2:03 left in the game by hitting a free throw to reach 2,000 career points. She picked up her 1,000th rebound earlier this season.

“I’m happy to have 2,000 (points) and 1,000 rebounds, but I’m even more happy that I was able to do it with such a great team,” Woodard said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Freedom’s press defense frustrated the Tornadoes into many poor decisions, wild passes and shots from way behind the 3-point arc.

“Our key coming in was to disrupt them,” Pacholke said. “The key is to get kids to understand that when you’re putting a lot of defensive pressure on them, you might not get the steal right there, but you’re going to get a rushed shot, a travel, a bad pass, because they’re not accustomed to facing that. It’s great that it happened tonight because we can go back and watch it, and I can show them what consistent defense will do.”

The Patriots also won the rebound battle by pulling down 31, 11 from Woodard and five from Williams. Emery added four boards and four steals.

The victory comes a year after the Tornadoes eliminated Freedom from the playoffs in the regional quarterfinals 42-39. Emery said that shows the progression they’ve made the last 12 months.

“We got new people, the people we had coming back developed and we got a lot better working as a team,” Emery said. “We showed them what we’ve been doing the last year.”

Pacholke said it wasn’t a perfect game, but she was happy with the outcome.

“We had some ups and downs, but to come into a regional quarterfinal and win by 23, that’s a pretty big deal,” Pacholke said. “You don’t normally see games like that.”

The Patriots host district rival Steinbrenner Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. It is the fourth time the squads will meet this year, with Freedom winning the first three.

“Both teams will be ready, and this gym will be packed,” Pacholke said. “It’s great for Hillsborough County to have this matchup.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

Academy tops Walker Memorial 66-29

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By Don Trello

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

Academy at the Lakes girls basketball coach Karim Nohra knows his team will face a challenge when hosting undefeated Winter Haven All Saints’ Academy in a Class 2A regional semifinals Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.

The Wildcats (23-2) defeated Avon Park Walker Memorial (23-2) 66-29 on Feb. 7 to set up the matchup.

“I’ve scouted them, and they have two 6-footers in the lineup,” Nohra said. “You have to give (All Saints) respect.”

Academy advanced to the 2A final four last year, losing in the state semifinals to eventual champion Florida A & M University. The Wildcats lost four starters from that squad, and third-year academy coach Nohra said his players are still rounding into form.

Academy senior center Tatiana Manuel blocks a shot in the regional quarterfinals Feb. 7. (Photo by Tim McClain)

“Last year’s team was a better shooting team; defensively we are about the same,” Nohra said. “We are better off depthwise this year.”

Seniors Tatiana Manuel, Andrea Mauger and Timecia Cohen, who each scored in double figures against Walker Memorial, are the team leaders.

It is the first time the 6-foot-2 Manuel has played in the postseason after transferring from Brooks-DeBartolo this season.

“I actually thought I’d never make it this far,” Manual said. “I wasn’t always the best player. I played varsity at Blake in the ninth grade, and I realized I needed to work harder.”

Manual is averaging a team-high 8.9 rebounds and 6.0 blocks while scoring 14.5.

“I love playing defense, and I’m a pretty good shot blocker and rebounder,” she said. “I look at myself as kind of an all-around player. I’m kind of a perfectionist.”

Mauger said getting Manuel this year was like a “sigh of relief” in the post.

“She blocks a lot of shots and is a tremendous all-around player,” Mauger said.

Manual’s inside game is complemented by Mauger, who leads the team with 38 3-pointers and 18.6 points per game.

“My strongest point is that I’m versatile,” Mauger said. “I can shoot, grab rebounds and take it to the hole.”

Cohen, who missed last season with a torn ACL in her right knee, leads the team with more than 300 steals and 170-plus assists while averaging 13.0 points.

“This is my first season at point guard,” Cohen said. “Seeing the floor is the hardest part. You have to read the defense and make sure the offense goes like it’s supposed to go.”

The Wildcats play swarming, full-court, pressure defense and have held opponents to around 23 points per game.

“You have to be mentally tough to handle it,” Mauger said about the demanding Academy defense. “We start running in September every day, miles and miles, and every week it goes up.”

Nohra was effusive in his praise of Mauger, who transferred from Wesley Chapel her sophomore year.

“Andrea has been with me all four years,” said Nohra, who previously coached at Wesley Chapel. “I actually followed her from Wesley Chapel. She’s absolutely grown as a player. … Andrea is a workaholic and wants to get better. She’s the captain and responsible for the offense and defense on the floor. She brings intrinsics to the table, and is totally the brightest girl.”

Freshmen Janice Cassanello and Luz Santiago round out the Academy starting lineup, and seventh-grader Taylor Polasky has played in all but one game, including 10 starts.

“Santiago just came back from breaking her hand Dec. 27,” Nohra said. “Taylor started for her and averaged 6.0 points a game.”

Nohra left little doubt he is a demanding coach that seeks Bobby Knight-like perfection from his team when he vacated the bench along with Manual, Mauger and Cohen and went to the locker room with one minute left in the Walker Memorial game.

“We didn’t play very well,” he explained about leaving an assistant in charge. “Our press wasn’t up to my standards. I wanted to talk with the Big Three. It was important for me to give them a message.”