The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

County opts for automatic garbage collection

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Decision goes against majority opinion

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Automated garbage collection is coming to Hillsborough County beginning Oct. 1.

With the current waste contract ending this year, Hillsborough County commissioners unanimously approved the new system Jan. 10 after months of input from the community.

Customers will continue to receive twice-weekly garbage collection, once-weekly recyclables collection and once-weekly yard waste collection, but the new automatic service will pick up trash with a robotic arm on special trucks. The county estimates that households will save $30 a year in rates and more than $52.7 million total during seven years.

Residents will have to purchase two county-issued carts, one for waste and one for recycling. The cost is $50, but will be paid for across seven years, according to the county.

Waste Management, Republic Services and Waste Services Incorporated will continue to be the county’s waste collectors after each submitted the lowest bid proposal last year.

The decision to opt for automated service, as opposed to the current manual system, did come against the popular opinion. In a poll taken by the county at various public meetings, 62 percent of people favored the old model.

Most of the people who spoke at the Jimmy B. Keel library in November seemed content with the current system and voiced concerns about having trouble hauling larger trash cans, damaged or stolen bins and job loss that could come with going the automated route.

Area resident David Lubin told The Laker/Lutz News he was outspoken in favor of keeping the current manual twice-a-week system because of its quality in yard waste pick-up and the relationship he has with his waste collectors.

While some aren’t pleased with the decision, county administrator Mike Merrill told the board it was the best choice to go with automated.

“This contract will allow us to get to a place we’ve never been before,” Merrill said.

Commissioner Al Higginbotham, who represents District 4, was one of the primary supporters in the automated system.

He said he understands the frustrations of some, but reiterated that it is the best option for residents, and praised the savings being passed along.

Higginbotham added that there will be some reduction in the jobs, but the county plans to transition those workers facing re-assignment within their company or looking somewhere else for a job.

“We’ll have the same type of service and frequency with a twice-a-week pick up and continue with the recycling, but we’re going with automation” Higginbotham said. “We’ve never seen (this) accomplished in Hillsborough County. It’s a proud moment for this board and a proud moment for me as well.”

For more information, visit HillsboroughCounty.org.

Standard Pacific sets sights on Wiregrass Ranch

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By B.C. Manion

 

Standard Pacific Homes has acquired 675 acres in Wiregrass Ranch and plans to build nearly 1,200 homes.

The homebuilder is planning to build homes in four Wiregrass Ranch neighborhoods, off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Chancey Road’s new extension.

The homebuilder will offer 20 all-new architectural designs and is aiming for the move-up market, said Frank Messina, Tampa president for Standard Pacific Homes.

This rendering depicts the Standard Pacific Homes’ Italianate exterior style. (Image courtesy of Standard Pacific Homes)

Standard Pacific Homes is planning models that will be in the $300,000 to $600,000 price range, with exterior styles including Italianate, Spanish and European cottage.

While the company hasn’t decided on an official name yet, it is referring to its new development as Standard Pacific Homes’ Wiregrass community. A grand opening is planned for early 2014.

The homes will range from 1,800 square feet to 5,000 square feet and will be built with today’s lifestyles in mind, according to a company release providing project details.

For instance, Messina said, the homes will feature a valet area in a space just off the garage. The room is designed to provide a convenient place for people to charge their telephones, hang their backpacks and store items they buy in bulk.

Another notable feature will be a gourmet kitchen that flows into an expansive great room, an ideal space for entertaining and everyday life. The homes also will introduce an indoor/outdoor living concept, as well as master suites outfitted with spa-like master baths, according to the release.

The homes are designed to allow in plenty of natural light, Messina noted.

The housing development will also boast an upscale amenity center, including a community clubhouse, tennis courts, a lap pool, a lagoon-style pool, a community play field and a walking trail system.

The development will be less than two miles from The Shops at Wiregrass. It also is close to the area’s schools and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

College courses are also expected to be available in the community beginning in January 2014 when Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, a new satellite location of Pasco-Hernando Community College, is scheduled to open.

The community is also close to an area that Pasco County plans to use for either a sports complex, to attract national tournaments, or as a regional park, if the sports complex fails to materialize.

Standard Pacific Homes acquired the land from Sierra Properties.

“We’re very excited about this piece of property,” Messina said. “We consider this property to be the crown jewel in that submarket (of Pasco). It’s very rare that you find a piece of land like this in what we term is an A location where the price of land is moving up.”

Standard Pacific Homes is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders. It has been building homes in the Tampa area since 1989, Messina said. It has built in numerous successful projects in Pasco and Hillsborough counties, including Seven Oaks, Trinity, Wilderness Lakes and the recently opened Cordoba Estates off Livingston Avenue.

For more information about the homebuilder, visit www.standardpacifichomes.com.

 

 

Officials to discuss fate of US 41 trees

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By B.C. Manion

 

News of a plan to cut down trees in the median on US 41 in Lutz created such a stir that Hillsborough County hit the brakes and arranged a community meeting to discuss the issue.

Scores of trees along US 41 have been marked with orange paint and ribbons, and that piqued the curiosity of some area residents.

When Donald Hassinger, of Cypress Cove, noticed the trees, he called the staff at Hillsborough public works to find out what was going on.

Hassinger said he learned the county planned to chop down some of the trees and to remove the vegetation in the median because the county can’t afford the maintenance.

This isn’t the first time the trees have been threatened.

They were nearly cut down a few years ago, but a private landscaper stepped forward and volunteered to maintain the trees, Hassinger said.

That arrangement has ended, and a Hillsborough staff member told Hassinger that the trees would be cut down on Jan. 14. That was before Hassinger and others questioned the county, which then decided to call a community meeting Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lutz Community Center, 101 First Ave. N.E. in Lutz.

The county’s public works staff will discuss the state-recommended maintenance needs of the trees and will explain what the tree markings mean, according to a county release. County staff will also listen to public comments and answer questions.

Representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Planning Organization have been invited to attend.

For additional information, call (813) 272-5275.

Business Digest

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Viable Vapor opens in Wisteria Plaza

Gina and Vince Sankoe have opened Viable Vapor, a retail store selling electronic cigarettes, at 6755 US 41 in Wisteria Plaza.

The couple opened the store after Gina began using electronic cigarettes and became interested in learning more about them. After much research and testing, she chose products that she considered the most effective and satisfying. She then began converting family members to electronic cigarettes and began developing plans to open a retail location.

 

Honorary mayor candidates’ fundraisers

Pam Oakes and Lisa Rogers, who are vying to become the honorary mayor of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, have scheduled fundraisers in their quest to raise the most money for the chamber and for their respective charities.

Oakes has scheduled a Toast of the Town fundraiser between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the Black Lake Professional Office Park, 5420 US 41 in Land O’ Lakes. The cost is $20 per person, with chamber members enjoying a discounted rate of $10 per person. The event is being hosted by Cooper Financial and Pizza Villa.

Rogers is throwing a Masquerade Party at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave. in New Port Richey.

Guests are invited to wear their finest evening attire and enjoy a wide assortment of hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction and best-dressed contest. Tickets are $60 for individuals and $100 per couple. For more information, call Lisa Rogers at (813) 458-9672 or visit www.facebook.com/MasqueradeBallLisaforMayor.

The chamber has used the annual mayor’s race to raise money since 1965, and in an item posted on its website, it notes, “This position can be bought.”

 

Hungry Harry’s to raise money for Oasis

Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que is having a fundraiser for Oasis, a pregnancy center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 4.

The barbecue restaurant will donate 20 percent of the proceeds from those dining in or taking out meals.

Hungry Harry’s is at 3116 US 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

 

East Pasco Association of Realtors names board

The East Pasco Association of Realtors celebrated its annual installation of board members and awards banquet.

The association’s officers and directors are president Jessica Floyd, president-elect Sue Pearson, past president Greg De La Rue, secretary/treasurer Linda White and directors Chris Shasheen, Roxann Tanner, Corin Hall, Deanna Pelfrey and Patty Hurlburt.

The association also recognized Rhonda Johnson as affiliate of the year and Jessica Floyed as realtor of the year. The association also donated $1,500 to Habitat for Humanity of East Pasco.

 

Small business workshop

Saint Leo University’s Small Business Development Center is offering a workshop called Starting Your Small Business from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 23. The session will be in Room 225 in the university’s Donald R. Tapia School of Business, 33701 SR 52.

The cost is $25. To register online, visit www.sbdctampabay.com/training. For information, call (888) 929-2221.

 

Women-N-Charge to meet

Women-N-Charge is having a networking session and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 1 at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in New Tampa.

Lori Bainumm, director of corporate training at Pasco-Hernando Community College, is the featured speaker.

The cost for the luncheon is $15 online by registering at www.women-n-charge.com by Jan. 29. After that, the cost is $18. For more information, call (813) 600-9848 or email .

 

Women Build gets under way

A crew of women volunteers began building a Habitat for Humanity house on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12 as part of this year’s Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program. The program challenges women to devote at least one day to help eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. This is the fifth Women Build house being built by Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County. Those interested in volunteering, sponsoring or making a donation should call (352) 567-1444, email or visit www.habitatpasco.org.

 

Brett Uravich joins Florida Hospital Zephyrhills

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills has hired Brett Uravich to serve as the hospital’s physician liaison.

In his new role, Uravich will be responsible for building, developing and managing relationships with both independent and employed physicians.

Before joining the hospital, Uravich was regional marketing manager for Advanced Imaging Centers in Leesburg.

 

FGUA approves $49.2 million purchase

The Florida Government Utility Authority (FGUA)’s board has approved spending $49.2 million to purchase most of the water and wastewater systems, currently owned by Aqua Utilities Florida and Crystal River Utilities located in Florida.

As part of the process, FGUA plans to stabilize rates and will continue to improve the quality of service for these customers.

In Pasco County, three water systems and three wastewater systems were purchased as part of the agreement. The Aqua purchase also includes systems in Alachua, Citrus, Hardee, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Polk, Putnam, Seminole and Volusia counties.

The purchase is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Taylor Morrison has high expectations for 2013

Taylor Morrison had a good year in 2012 and is expecting an even better year in 2013, according to a company release.

With nearly 20 active new-home communities in the West Florida region, the developer and builder has new projects in the works and expects 2013 to continue in a positive trend.

“We are moving full speed ahead with land purchases, new models and amenity centers, fresh design ideas, and we have added new staff members to support that growth,” Steve Kempton, division president of Taylor Morrison West Florida, said in a release. “Looking back to the boom times and the economic downturn that followed and played such havoc with the housing market in recent years, I am extremely encouraged with our sales numbers this year and am optimistic that more good news is in store in 2013.”

The West Florida division recorded significant successes in 2012. As of Oct. 31, home sales were 23 percent higher than they were in the same period during the previous year. Traffic at sales centers increased by 28 percent and closings were up as well.

Taylor Morrison has developed three new communities of its own in the West Florida region, including Arbor Woods in Wesley Chapel.

 

Wiregrass Ranch rides comebacks to district championship

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

Nothing came easy for the Wiregrass Ranch girls soccer team in the Class 4A-District 8 tournament, but the top-seeded Bulls came out as champions.

Wiregrass Ranch (19-2) needed second-half comebacks against Sickles in the semifinals and tournament host Steinbrenner (14-5) for the title, winning both contests 2-1.

“It’s hard coming back, and it does mess with your mind being down,” said Bulls senior forward Berlin Waters. “We fought so hard to pull it together against Sickles, so we knew we could come back and beat (Steinbrenner) tonight.”

The district crown is the second for the seventh-year program, but Wiregrass Ranch coach Eddy Costa sees a difference with being champions as the only team from Pasco County in 4A-8.

Wiregrass Ranch senior forward A.J. Blount, left, battles for possession with Steinbrenner senior midfielder Lauren Garris.

“One thing I was honest with them about was that even though we were the No. 1 seed, everyone was talking about Steinbrenner being the team to beat,” Costa said. “Until this team won a really big district like this, no one was going to believe we were for real. It goes back to the first day I met them when I told them they have to believe to achieve.”

The victory not only ended the Warriors’ 11-game winning streak, but also snapped its three-year run as district champion going back to the program’s inaugural season.

“We have a lot of respect for Steinbrenner,” Costa said. “They have a lot of very talented players, and we knew the best way to play Steinbrenner is to not let them play and get the ball to their key players.”

Senior goalkeeper and Navy commit Dayton Wetherby almost single-handedly kept the Bulls in it by making seven of her 13 saves during the first half.

“I’m in awe of how good she did,” said Waters, a Saint Leo University commit. “She put the team on her back with all the saves she had.”

The Warriors broke through in the 33rd minute when Alexis Bredeau headed home a cross from Jessica Taylor. The tally is her 33rd this year, matching the program-record for goals in a season set in 2010-11 by current University of Tampa forward Cici Gonzalez.

The Warriors carried the 1-0 lead into halftime. Costa said his comments during the break were no different than any other game.

“We talk about the positives first, and then it’s not about the negatives; it’s about things we need to improve,” Costa said. “I basically pointed out to them that we’re not winning the ball, and we were letting them get right in front of us. We were ball watching. We needed to play the ball a little more directly to A.J. (Blount) and Berlin.”

Wiregrass Ranch wasted little time putting the plan into action.

Waters tied the contest in the 43rd minute with her team-leading 27th tally off a cross from Blount, who was fed by Anne Cypriano.

“My first instinct is to draw their keeper Stephanie (Hirsch) out and to draw that last defender in, and behold Berlin was right there,” said Blount, a University of South Florida commit.

Blount put her squad up for good five minutes later when freshman Chloe Lipovetsky sent a through ball up the middle. It was the senior forward’s 24th goal this season; she was anything but confident while making the run.

“Normally my mentality is that I’m going to score that, but against Sickles I had three opportunities and didn’t put any of them in. That almost cost us not making the finals, so I was just thinking this better go in, because if it doesn’t my mom might tell me to walk home,” Blount said with a smile.

Wetherby again stepped up for her team in the 49th minute by stopping Danielle Darius’ point-blank shot to preserve the 2-1 lead. Bulls’ central defenders Hannah Eder and Lauren Gordon limited any scoring chances after that.

Wiregrass Ranch got a boost from Cypriano and Eder, who sat out of the semis because of an injured back and a virus, respectively. Cypriano was visibly in pain throughout the contest.

“(Cypriano) was struggling, but she was determined to play no matter what,” Costa said. “Hannah Eder was 50 percent. She still has a little bit of that virus, but we’ll take 50 percent of Hannah Eder.”

Wiregrass Ranch needed overtime to get past Sickles in the semifinals Jan. 16.

The contest reminded Wetherby of last year’s semis against Freedom when the Bulls fell in penalty kicks.

“We were all really nervous,” Wetherby said. “We all remembered how last year went. After that game we knew we had to fix something. We spent two hours working on defending Steinbrenner’s style of play, so I think it helped us and kind of woke us up.”

The Bulls fell behind in the eighth minute and entered halftime down 1-0.

Waters evened the score in the 65th minute after tapping in the third rebound off a corner kick, and she came through again with four minutes remaining in overtime.

In the extra period, Blount fired a shot that hit the post and bounced to Waters’ feet, which she buried home.

“I’ve never seen a more determined soccer player, boys or girls, than Berlin Waters,” Costa said. “She may not always be on her A game, but she’s going to kick and scratch and claw and fight for that ball. That’s the best way to describe Berlin Waters. She will not stop.”

Steinbrenner travels to Lakeland Jan. 23 for the regional quarterfinals to take on George Jenkins.

Wiregrass Ranch hosts Lakeland Jan. 23 for its regional quarterfinals. If they win, the Bulls would host the semifinals Jan. 26 against the winner of the Steinbrenner-Jenkins matchup.

Regional games start at 7 p.m.

 

//Bulls back in the playoffs

The Wiregrass Ranch girls soccer team came out of nowhere two seasons ago to win their first district title and make the playoffs for the first time.

The Bulls won 23 games that season, one more than the combined total during the program’s first four campaigns, but were unable to make it back to the postseason last year. They made up for it this year by claiming the Class 4A-District 8 title with a 2-1 victory over Steinbrenner.

“This year I didn’t feel like people thought we could do this,” said senior forward A.J. Blount. “People were saying how we didn’t deserve the No. 1 seed. … I was happy we were able to prove everybody wrong.”

Six seniors remain from that first playoff squad, which reached the regional finals: Berlin Waters, Dayton Wetherby, Anne Cypriano, Hannah Eder, Lauren Gordon, Ashley Murphy and Blount.

Wiregrass Ranch coach Eddy Costa said the seniors have been the squad’s leaders, but also pointed out the contributions of several freshmen.

“Chloe Lipovetsky has been a big part of the team all season, and then we called two freshmen up for the district tournament,” Costa said. “I had Hannah Erdmann and Camille King start at the left and right back spots. They had no varsity experience, and they really stepped up. Camille was our leading scorer on (junior varsity), but she did what we needed.”

Waters said missing the playoffs last season has the upperclassmen more determined this year.

“The last time we went to regionals we got a little cocky,” Waters said. “We know this time we have to stay focused and make sure that we go in there with the right mindset to make it to states.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

Wiregrass Ranch rides comebacks to district championship

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

Nothing came easy for the Wiregrass Ranch girls soccer team in the Class 4A-District 8 tournament, but the top-seeded Bulls came out as champions.

Wiregrass Ranch (19-2) needed second-half comebacks against Sickles in the semifinals and tournament host Steinbrenner (14-5) for the title, winning both contests 2-1.

Steinbrenner junior midfielder Dani Eule, left, and Wiregrass Ranch senior defender Lauren Gordon fight for the ball during the district finals. (Photo by Tim McClain)

“It’s hard coming back, and it does mess with your mind being down,” said Bulls forward Berlin Waters. “We fought so hard to pull it together against Sickles, so we knew we could come back and beat (Steinbrenner) tonight.”

The district crown is the second for the seventh-year program, but Wiregrass Ranch coach Eddy Costa sees a difference with being champions as the only team from Pasco County in 4A-8.

“One thing I was honest with them about was that even though we were the No. 1 seed, everyone was talking about Steinbrenner being the team to beat,” Costa said. “Until this team won a really big district like this, no one was going to believe we were for real.”

The victory not only ended the Warriors’ 11-game winning streak, but also snapped its three-year run as district champion going back to the program’s inaugural season.

Costa said the plan was to mark Dani Eule and University of North Florida commit Alexis Bredeau.

“We have a lot of respect for Steinbrenner,” Costa said. “They have a lot of very talented players, and we knew the best way to play Steinbrenner is to not let them play and get the ball to their key players.”

Goalkeeper Dayton Wetherby almost single-handedly kept the Bulls in it by making seven of her 13 saves during the first half.

The Warriors broke through in the 33rd minute when Bredeau headed home a cross from Jessica Taylor.

“Alexis made a fantastic run on a diving header,” Wetherby said. “Perfect ball across and solid reaction.”

The tally is Bredeau’s 33rd this year, matching the program record for goals in a season set in 2010-11 by current University of Tampa forward Cici Gonzalez.

“She’s just been the heart and soul of this team,” said Steinbrenner coach Angela Gillisse. “If I need her to play in the midfield, she’ll play in the midfield. If I need her to play all the way back, she will. We can really rely on her.”

The Warriors carried the 1-0 lead into halftime. Costa said his comments during the break were about playing the ball more directly to Waters and A.J. Blount.

Wiregrass Ranch wasted little time putting the plan into action.

Waters tied the contest in the 43rd minute with her team-leading 27th tally off a cross from Blount.

“My first instinct is to draw their keeper Stephanie (Hirsch) out and to draw that last defender in, and behold Berlin was right there,” Blount said.

Blount put her squad up for good five minutes later when Chloe Lipovetsky sent a through ball up the middle.

The Bulls scored on their only two shots on goal in the second half.

“They finished the few opportunities they had, and we didn’t finish on the 20 we had,” Gillisse said. She added, “I told them the further we go the fewer opportunities we’re going to have. We had plenty of free kicks and corners, and we did nothing on them.”

Gillisse said she told her players to keep their heads up after the contest.

“The season is not over,” Gillisse said. “They saw two teams leave after the semifinals crying because their season was done. They don’t want to go home empty-handed next week. We need to keep moving forward, we aren’t out, and let this be a fire lit underneath them.”

Steinbrenner topped Gaither 6-1 in the semifinals Jan. 16. Bredeau and Eule each scored twice, while Taylor and Madison Whitmill each added a goal.

The Cowboys (7-6-3) got their tally from Haley Knowles.

Wiregrass Ranch needed overtime to get past Sickles in the other semifinal.

The Bulls fell behind in the eighth minute and entered halftime down 1-0.

Waters evened the score in the 65th minute after tapping in the third rebound off a corner kick, and she came through again with four minutes remaining in overtime.

In the extra period, Blount fired a shot that hit the post and bounced to Waters’ feet, which she buried home.

Steinbrenner travels to Lakeland Jan. 23 for the regional quarterfinals to take on George Jenkins, the squad that knocked the Warriors out of the playoffs last season.

Wiregrass Ranch hosts Lakeland Jan. 23 for its regional quarterfinals. If they win, the Bulls would host the semifinals Jan. 26 against the winner of the Steinbrenner-Jenkins matchup.

Regional games start at 7 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

Land O’ Lakes tops Sunlake for district title

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Seahawks advance as runner-up

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Class 3A-District 7 girls soccer tournament final turned out to be a battle of cross-town rivals Jan. 18, with top-seeded Land O’ Lakes defeating Sunlake 2-0 to claim consecutive league championships.

The Gators (17-4-4) and Seahawks (10-8-4) played to a scoreless tie in the first half, but junior forward/midfielder Catherine Gray put her squad up 1-0 in the 45th minute on her ninth goal of the season.

Senior midfielder Holly Nasello added her team-leading 14th tally of the season in the 75th minute.

Sunlake sophomore midfielder Cassidy Kallenborn scored the opening tally in the 2-0 win over Pasco in the district semis.

The Seahawks (10-8-4) will have to wait for their first district crown but qualified for the first playoff berth and clinched their first winning season in the program’s six-year history.

“Before the year, we had a team meeting to discuss what our goals were and what we need to work on,” said Sunlake coach Jami Finan. “Every game after that was like baby steps, and that’s kind of what we’ve been doing all season long.”

Land O’ Lakes needed overtime to defeat tournament host Wesley Chapel 1-0 in the semifinals Jan. 16.

“It’s hard to get through the semifinal game,” Vicky King said. “You come in as the No. 1 seed with a target on your back the whole time.”

The Gators dominated possession and piled up nine shots on Wildcats (7-9-2) goalkeeper Autumn Cooper while allowing none in the contest.

“It was really frustrating because we knew that we could score, but it just wasn’t happening,” Gray said. “We were dominating the game, but we had nothing.”

Gray changed that in the final minute of overtime when she chested in the game winner off a header attempt by Savanna Ronk.

“Coach King was telling us to follow every single ball in the box for rebounds or if the goalie makes a mistake,” Gray said. “I followed it into the back, and it worked.”

The game-winning attempt was created by a cross from sophomore midfielder Mitsy Audate.

“It took a lot of work late in a long game,” Audate said. “I didn’t know I had it in me to get it all the way across. I just knew I had to give it everything I had.”

Gray said she couldn’t waste the chance.

“When I saw her making the run I was just thinking we need to put this in the back of the net,” Gray said.

Sunlake defeated Pasco 2-0 in the other semifinal.

Senior goalkeeper Maya Kamat, who has been on the varsity squad since her freshman season, made three saves for her ninth shutout of the season to help secure the postseason berth.

“To do it my senior year and to know that we’ve progressed every season is just an amazing feeling,” Kamat said. She added, “We knew that we’d beaten Pasco the last couple of times, but we knew it could be anyone’s game. To get through, I’m just really proud of my team.”

Neither squad was able to gain an advantage in possession in the first few minutes. The tide changed in the Seahawks favor when sophomore midfielder Cassidy Kallenborn buried home a loose ball rebound in the 15th minute.

“The first 10 to 15 minutes set the game’s tone, and she set the tone with that goal,” Kamat said of Kallenborn’s tally.

Emily Higgins added an insurance goal in the 70th minute.

Sunlake was without its leader in points Cassidy Place (eight goals, seven assists) in the semis because of an illness.

“It’s a little upsetting not having a key player, but it just pushed us to work a little harder,” Kallenborn said.

Kallenborn added that everyone on the squad recognized they could earn the playoff berth.

“We knew from the start that we had a lot of talent,” Kallenborn said. “We knew with the girls we had we could do this. We all mesh well together and work hard off each other.”

Land O’ Lakes hosts Hudson and Sunlake travels to Mitchell Jan. 23 in the regional quarterfinals. Both games start at 7 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

The talented Mr. Litton

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Wharton junior does it all

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Chase Litton’s 6-foot-6 frame is a common sight for fans of Wharton athletics.

The junior has been the quarterback for the Wildcats football team since halfway through his freshman season, the same year he stepped into the starting lineup as a forward for Wharton’s basketball squad.

“For me, football is more of a passion game,” Litton said. “It takes a week of preparation to play one team. With basketball you have to just jump in and play. Football is a lot more stress because you have to focus on that one team and the defenses they run. In basketball you have to just know the plays and execute regardless of the team. … Basketball is just fun. I play it because I love it. I love the coaches and the players. For me, it’s like a stress release.”

Wharton junior Chase Litton became the football program’s all-time leading passer this school year. He has 5,510 yards and 41 touchdowns. (File photo)

His outlook on each sport is opposite, but the results for the Wildcats have been the same — success.

Litton has the program record for career passing yards, which stands at 5,510, while also setting the single-game mark with 404 set as a junior in the Class 8A regional quarterfinals at Orlando Dr. Phillips. The signal caller has thrown 41 touchdowns in his career while adding another six scores on the ground and 401 yards rushing.

Wharton is 18-15 since Litton joined the squad, a stretch that includes two playoff appearances.

Litton’s junior campaign was by any statistical measure his finest, setting career-highs in passing yards (2,732), passing touchdowns (23) and rushing scores (four), while guiding the Wildcats to an 8-3 record.

Litton said the game started slowing down for him in his third year as a starter.

“My freshman year I jumped right into play Tampa Bay Tech as my first start, and the speed was just crazy,” Litton said. “I felt like I was the slowest one on the field. I didn’t really know defenses; I didn’t know reads, and then my sophomore year I went out there and was just playing. This year I felt like I was so much more focused. I put more time and effort into it because I knew if I did that I could control the game just by myself. I could slow it down and hit the open receiver. The game was just so much easier.”

When the season ended at Dr. Phillips, Litton immediately switched into basketball mode.

“Stepping right in from football each year is quite a testament to his athleticism and hard work,” said Wharton basketball coach Tommy Tonelli. “When they lost on a Friday night to Dr. Phillips he was the first guy at practice on Saturday. He had one more practice before our first regular season game against IMG Academy, and he didn’t miss a beat.”

Litton said Tonelli has been understanding about splitting time between the gridiron and the hard court.

“He tells me during football season I can just focus on that, and then when it’s basketball season I can just focus on basketball,” Litton said.

Litton has helped the 18-2 Wildcats climb to the top of the Class 8A-District 7 standings. He is averaging 11.5 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds through the first 19 games.

Teammate Sir Patrick Reynolds said Litton’s work has helped propel the basketball squad to its fast start.

“My main man Chase, he’s very athletic,” said Reynolds, a senior forward/guard. “He goes to work every day, and he never lets up. He’s always coming through big for us.”

Litton said balancing football and basketball with school and the rest of his life isn’t very hard, as he’s been doing it since picking up the games at age 6. What is more difficult is staying in the right frame of mind.

“For football I have to stay calm, cool and collected,” Litton said. “I can’t go out there all hyped up because I’ll overthrow passes or get too jittery and fumble. For basketball it’s the opposite mentality. It’s more high tempo the whole time while you run the play.”

The traits of his positions are also very different.

As a quarterback, Litton sets up others to score touchdowns. As a forward, it’s his role to be that scorer, while senior point guard CJ McGill gives him the assists.

“I like having CJ being the quarterback and I’m the receiver,” Litton said. “It’s the exact opposite from football when I’m making the passes for other guys to score.”

Litton said his focus is playing football in college and has several of the top programs in the country interested in him.

“Florida called me the other day,” Litton said. “I’ve been talking with LSU, Georgia and I’m getting a lot of handwritten mail from Alabama. I mean like literally every day from Alabama. That’s really cool. Then I get a lot of stuff for basketball from Florida State, which is pretty cool, and if it comes down to two schools I might want to play both sports. Right now my focus is football for college except during basketball season. I’m all about this team right now.”

Litton and the Wildcats play at district rival Alonso Jan. 22 and at cross-town rival Freedom Jan. 23. Both games start at 8 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

A house divided — at least for one night

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By Don Trello

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

It looked like a typical NCAA Division II women’s basketball game when Saint Leo University stepped onto the court to play the University of Tampa (UT) Jan. 16 at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.

But the coaching situation and the final score of the game were certainly atypical, as Saint Leo (8-7, 3-2 SSC) coach Nikki Jessee’s squad upset Sunshine State Conference rival and No. 15 ranked UT (11-2, 2-2 SSC) coach Tom Jessee’s team 64-44.

“We are the first couple in the history of (NCAA) basketball to coach against each other,” Tom said. “There are fathers and sons coaching against each other, but it’s different when it’s your wife. … It’s very strange to look down at the other bench and see her; it’s a weird feeling in your stomach. The strangest thing is she is going to feel sorry for beating me. We will talk a bit about the game, but the truth is it’s just another game.”

Saint Leo University women’s basketball coach Nikki Jessee speaks with her husband Tom, who leads the program at the University of Tampa. (Photo by Mike Carlson)

Nikki coached at Lynn University in Boca Raton from 2007 to 2009 and Tom has been at UT since 2002. Nikki was one of Tom’s assistants from 2009 to 2010 before being named Saint Leo’s coach in 2011.

“We met when I was coach at Boca Raton and started dating in 2007,” Nikki said. “We have been married 3.5 years.”

The Jessees share competitive coaching mentalities but walk an emotional tightrope when their teams play each other.

“It’s an odd feeling; I don’t know how to describe it,” Nikki said about coaching against her husband. “The competitive juices take over and you’re happy when you win, but sad for him when he loses.”

Nikki’s record against Tom is 4-4 overall, including 2-1 since she came to Saint Leo.

“Tom has built a national powerhouse at Tampa and dominated the league,” Nikki said. “Saint Leo has never had success. I came here because I know we can have success.”

Tom echoed his wife’s feelings about competing against each other and gave her unconditional support with two exceptions.

“We are both competitive people, so losing hurts,” he said. “That’s the person you go to because they are a loved one. The only difference is when you win or lose against each other. … We both have a job to do, and I want her to win every game except for the two times we play each other. It’s a very, very strange feeling in your body as a human.”

The Jessees have a daughter, Rudi, who will be 3 years old in March. Their lifestyle might be a little more hectic than other working parents because of their unique careers.

“We don’t see each other as much as other people because we are typically on different schedules at various times,” Nikki said. “We actually have to sit down and do a calendar for six months. … Tom takes Rudi to school, and I pick her up. We both take her on recruiting trips. The grandparents are at whatever game our daughter is at, and some of our players babysit.”

Saint Leo junior guard Teresa Manigrasso commented on the attention generated when the Jessees coach against each other.

“We know they are married, but it doesn’t play a factor,” she said. “I definitely feel people make too much of the coaches being married. It’s about the team and playing good basketball.”

UT senior forward Moriah Hodge indicated playing Saint Leo is a little different than against other teams because of the coaching situation.

“It’s hard not to think about the coaches being married, and I really want to win for (Tom),” Hodge said. “We see coach Nikki once and awhile at our practices, but at the end of the day she’s just the other team’s coach.”

Manigrasso led the way for Saint Leo offensively, pouring in 23 points while dishing out five assists and pulling down five rebounds. Hodge scored 13 with six rebounds for UT.

The squads will rematch at Saint Leo Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m.

The Lions plays at SSC rival Eckerd Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m., the same day and time the Spartans travel to conference opponent Florida Southern.

 

Victor Obi: Gators’ force in the paint

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

Victor Obi commands attention without a word.

The senior center doesn’t have to say anything for his opponents to notice him thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame, and within minutes of playing Victor they realize that he uses every bit of that height to grab rebounds, swat away shots and command the paint.

“I try to do everything,” Victor said. “I try to do everything I can and everything coach asks me. If I have to score, I’ll score. If I have to rebound, I’ll rebound. Whatever the team needs me to do.”

Victor has done just that this season by leading his squad with 12.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.

Land O’ Lakes senior center Victor Obi blocks a shot. He is averaging 2.9 per game this season, along with 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds. (File photo)

“He’s averaging a double-double, and there are only three or four kids in the county doing that,” said Land O’ Lakes coach David Puhalski. “That means the world to us because we can count on him to score and rebound. … He’s a great enforcer inside. We play a lot of help defense, and he’s able to rotate over and deflect the ball. He’s the defensive stopper for us.”

Seth Galbraith became Victor’s teammate earlier this year when the junior shooting guard moved from Ohio. He said he’s never played with someone as tall before.

“He’s big and can do it all, and when he blocks a shot it gets us pumped up, and you can see it brings the other team down,” Galbraith said.

Victor’s ability and size makes an impact on the game even when he doesn’t touch the ball.

“It’s easy to pass it to him because he’s big, but also he draws their attention,” said Victor’s brother Mike Obi, a sophomore point guard. “Drawing double teams into the post gives everyone else open shots.”

Victor dabbled in other sports, such as football, growing up, but said he never got serious about anything other than basketball.

“I started just because my parents put me in basketball, but then after watching players like Dwayne Wade and LeBron James I just fell in love with it,” Victor said. “Watching them made me want to get better.”

He also got better by learning from former teammate Max Bartels after being called up to the varsity team as a sophomore.

Bartels, who was a senior during the 2010-11 season, is also a 6-foot-5 center.

“I picked up certain things from him,” Victor said. “I was young when I first came on varsity and he was a senior, so he would come to me and tell me where to be, to come out and play strong and I learned those certain character traits from him.”

Bartels was also a scoring and rebounding machine for the Gators, but there is one thing Victor has on his former mentor — his ability to swat away shots.

Victory has blocked 128 shots during his time on the varsity roster while adding 418 points and 370 rebounds.

“Blocking is something that’s just always come naturally to me,” Victor said. He added, “Coach asks a lot from me in the paint. I try to go down, post up, rebound, block shots, so I take a lot of pride in that.”

The demands to produce are even higher on Victor this season as he is the only returning starter on a squad that went 22-7, claimed a district champion and won a playoff game last year.

“I feel a little pressure, but I think we’ll be OK,” Victor said. “We’re just young, a lot of guys moving up from (junior varsity). We just need to figure that out, get some chemistry going and we’ll be fine.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker