The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Keenan Kushner: Wharton’s Mr. Versatility

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

Keenan Kushner spends hours perfecting his craft, but unlike most talented people he doesn’t limit himself to one skill.

For the Wharton senior, it’s way more fun to be a dominating goalkeeper in soccer and an all-county violinist.

“I like doing both,” Kushner said. “I play soccer, and then I go home and play violin. They’re just completely different, two opposites that I take seriously. … There are some similarities like staying focused, but other than that it’s a lot different.”

Keenan Kushner spends as much time per week playing violin as he does soccer. (Photo courtesy of Kushner)

Kushner took to soccer first, picking up the game around age 4 with a recreational team in New Tampa.

“My dad (John) played soccer in high school, so I wanted to continue the family thing,” Kushner said. “I’ve always liked it, so I stayed with it.”

He made the move into the net soon after.

“I was a field player when I was younger, but I got kind of chubby so they put me in goal,” Kushner said. “I started at goalkeeper at U9. When I learned I had to be able to move around to be a goalkeeper, I lost a lot of weight so I could get better.”

The move appears to be a good one for the 6-foot Kushner, who’s started for the Wildcats since his freshman season.

Kushner was a first-team all-Western Conference selection last season when he racked up 72 saves with eight shutouts and a 1.1 goals against average in 18 games. He has 31 saves and two shutout in nine games this season.

“He’s been a rock for us,” said Wharton boys soccer coach Scott Ware. “He’s one of those guys who is very composed. He’s got a very calm approach. He’s just the solid part of the team that we haven’t had to worry about for the last four years.”

Kushner learned of his passion for music almost as early as he found soccer. He started playing in the fourth grade and has been first chair all-county since his sophomore year in high school.

He started a group with friends called Ceville String Quintet when he entered high school. Kushner and Co. had their first paid gig this year, playing at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Cross Creek Boulevard. They have performed at other events, including weddings.

Kushner said he enjoys being so involved in two very different activities, but it does demand most of his free time.

“I have class every day where I play for two hours,” Kushner said. “Then I try to practice at least another hour at home. … I’d say I spend about 10 hours with soccer and 10 hours playing violin each week.”

Grades are also important to Kushner.

He is in the top 5 percent of Wharton’s 2013 graduating class with a 5.76 weighted grade point average, which opens up the possibility of going to a very prestigious college.

“He’s looking at Notre Dame, and he’s got a good chance of playing there,” Ware said. “I’ve talked with the coaches there, and he wants to play. He could play at a bunch of schools, but academics are really important to him too, so he won’t just go to a school for the soccer. He’s an all-around kid.”

Kushner will compete in a soccer camp in January for several college coaches and is having auditions as well. He plans on getting a minor in music while majoring in biology, with the plan of going into premed.

“I might play soccer, I might not, just depending on what school I go to,” Kushner said. “I want to play soccer and violin and go to a good school. That’s the goal.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

Lacrosse tourney features record numbers

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By B.C. Manion

 

A national lacrosse tournament that nearly left Pasco County has drawn a record number of entries for this year’s event.

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions presented by Pasco County will feature 90 teams, in five divisions, seeking to win the title of national champion.

Opponents face off in a previous Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions championship game. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Miller)

The tournament, which will run from Dec. 29 through Dec. 31, has attracted teams from 20 states and two Canadian provinces, said Josh Gross, NDP’s senior director of lacrosse operations.

NDP, which is based in Colorado, operates the tournament and had considered moving it to IMG Academy, an elite athletic training facility in Bradenton. IMG had offered a number of enticements, but Pasco officials beat the offer and kept the tournament in Wesley Chapel.

The tournament has been in Pasco since 2008 and has a significant impact on the local economy.

Gross said the county made a short-term commitment to provide Internet capabilities in the press box at one of the fields, and also made a longer-term pledge to provide more fields to support the tournament.

In addition to announcing a record for the number of teams taking part in the tournament, Gross also said that organizers have decided to have the tournament every year from Dec. 29 through Dec. 31.

Previously, the tournament had dates in early January and the dates changed annually.

That became problematic, Gross said.

The new schedule also offers another advantage, Gross said.

“This gives teams a chance to play and celebrate the New Year,” he said. In the past, some games were scheduled as early as 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day, not exactly when people are at their best after celebrating the night before.

Many of the families who come to the tournament stay at Saddlebrook Resort Tampa, which is located nearby in Wesley Chapel, Gross said. So many of them stay there; it becomes like a second venue for the tournament, he added.

Gross applauded the resort for going out of its way to be family-friendly.

Saddlebrook offers affordable food options poolside, Gross said. It also has swim-up movies, allowing people to hang out at the pool and watch a movie on a big screen nearby, he said.

“They do a great job for New Year’s Eve,” Gross added.

While NDP organizes myriad events all year long, Gross said the lacrosse tournament is the one that he and his staff look forward to the most.

For one thing, it’s warm.

More importantly, though, the tournament showcases top lacrosse teams from across the country that have had to win a qualifying tournament in order to compete.

The tournament draws “the best quality of teams with the most on the line,” Gross said.

Van Gorden resigns as Zephyrhills Mayor

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New mayor will be elected in April

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Steve Van Gorden has resigned his position as mayor of Zephyrhills.

Van Gorden had already stepped down from his role as principal of Zephyrhills High and as president of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce in the midst of an investigation involving claims of sexual harassment. He was facing an impeachment hearing by the Zephyrhills City Council in January.

Van Gorden explained his decision in a letter of resignation that was dated Dec. 13, but submitted to the city the following day.

“After a great deal of personal reflection and in consultation with my family and close advisors, I have decided that it is in the best interest of all concerned that I resign my position of Mayor of Zephyrhills immediately,” Van Gorden wrote.

He went on to express his love for the city of Zephyrhills and his belief in its potential. Those facts made his decision to step down more difficult, Van Gorden wrote.

However, Van Gorden added, “Hardworking, taxpaying citizens deserve to have their money put to work on services and in leaders that focus on the improvement of their quality of life. I do not believe it to be in anyone’s interest to further debate or distract resources from that single priority.”

Van Gorden’s decision to step down from the mayor’s post came less than two weeks after resigning as president of the Zephyrhills chamber. Initially, he had taken a 60-day leave of absence, but he decided instead to step away from the position in a Dec. 3 letter. He said work obligations would make it impossible to remain in the post.

John Scott stepped in as chamber president, effective Dec. 5.

As Van Gorden leaves the mayor’s post, Zephyrhills City Council member Kenneth Compton will assume the role until a new mayor is elected.

City voters will choose a new mayor in the city’s next municipal election, scheduled for April 2, said City Manager Jim Drumm.

The city charter calls for a special election to be held, except in cases where the next regular election is within six months of the vacancy, Drumm said. The city will exercise that option because it wants as many voters as possible to participate in electing the mayor and it wants to avoid the expense of a special election.

Land O’ Lakes Christian students step up for area’s needy

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By Zack Peterson

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

Denise Smith’s voice rings like a silver bell through Suncoast Harvest Food Bank in Land O’ Lakes.

“C’mon, guys! The other group did 40 boxes in 40 minutes. Can you do the same?”

Around her, 13 seventh- and eighth-graders from Land O’ Lakes Christian respond with increased speed, cradling bags of Ragu spaghetti, boxes of Wild Berry toaster pastries and sleeves of Publix-brand saltines in their arms like ants frantically preparing for a bitter winter.

Smith cranes her neck and makes sure no one needs help lifting a box, crosses her arms and chuckles.

Troy Mintner, 4, at the food packaging event at Suncoast Harvest Food Bank. (Photo by Zack Peterson)

“They typically respond better with a little competition,” the 55-year-old teacher said.

Then she darts into action and helps a student sort an armful of goods.

The afternoon of Dec. 18 was the second time she bused her students to Suncoast to work on packaging food boxes, Smith said.

The activity is part of a broad, nonacademic elective module the private school implemented this year that teaches everything from capping a spark plug to changing a tire.

About a month ago, the class started on a different segment — nutrition. They priced out menus, discussed the food pyramid and learned about healthy diets and how bodies make energy from good food.

Then they segued into hunger, and how difficult putting food on the table is for some families.

The real goal, Smith said, was to establish an “inch deep, mile high” mentality. If students could see that they had the capability to help solve world problems, that people have needs, not just wants, then they could be tremendous forces in the community.

“I want them to recognize the needs of others,” Denise said. “The only way to really do that is hands-on, really serving people.”

Andrew Rondinella, a 13-year-old seventh-grader, said he’s undergone a change in thinking. He held a can of green beans up to his face and examined it before gently placing it on top of a brimming box of food.

“I realize that a lot of people in Tampa Bay starve now,” Rondinella said. “I was pretty surprised. … It’s nice to help the homeless.”

Rondinella was shaken from his insight by Smith’s booming announcement.

“Two more minutes, guys! Then we have to get back to school.”

The children revamped their efforts and scurried from box to box, capping some, double-checking others.

The group arrived at 12:45 p.m. By 1:25, they were rushing back to school.

“You got to do what you got to do,” said 13-year-old Maddie Jones.

Smith was silent, but she quickly broke a smile after hearing Jones’ selfless attitude.

“Watching them catch a vision of the needs of the community around them made it all worthwhile,” she said.

Chalk Talk

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West Zephyrhills conducts food drive for seniors

The student council at West Zephyrhills Elementary conducted a food drive to support Zephyrhills Meals on Wheels.

The council also heard a talk by Debbie Howton, from the Meals on Wheels program, who explained how the food they collected would help seniors who need help.

Students made posters, sent out flyers and encouraged classmates to bring in food to help senior citizens. The students collected 839 food items to distribute in the program.

 

Student citizens of December

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recognized these student citizens at a ceremony in their honor.

Each month, a student from each of the nine area schools is selected for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community.

The students who were honored are: Savannah Baptist of West Zephyrhills Elementary; Lailani Perez of Heritage Academy; Austin LaRose of Zephyrhills High; Mikayla Isbell of Stewart Middle; Matthew Ely of The Broach School; Michael Leach of Chester Taylor Elementary; Haven Queen of Woodland Elementary; Jocelyn Couron of East Pasco Adventist Academy.

 

Education foundation names interim director

The Pasco Education Foundation has named Larry Starnes as its interim executive director. He will oversee staff and operations, while the foundation searches for a permanent executive director.

Starnes has been both a member and a chairman of the foundation’s board. He also has served as the president and CEO of Patriot Bank and the area president for Wachovia.

 

Governor speaks at Florida Tax Credit program

Gov. Rick Scott was recently a featured speaker at a celebration of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program.

The program provides scholarships for students from low-income families.

Besides helping families, it also saves money for taxpayers.

“A Florida legislative committee estimates the scholarships will save $220 million over five years. That’s hundreds of millions of dollars that go right back into providing children access to a quality education,” Scott said during remarks at the Tampa Museum of Art, according to a release. Scott was speaking at an annual donor appreciation dinner that included 200 corporate leaders, legislators, educators and families who participate in the program.

The scholarship, in its 11th year, is serving 50,821 students in 1,322 private schools, and is fueled by corporate contributions that receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the state.

House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, was among the lawmakers in attendance. He sponsored a bill in 2010 that strengthened the scholarship and allows it to grow each year, so long as companies are contributing and more students are choosing it. For more information about the scholarship program, visit www.stepupforstudents.org or call (813) 258-2700.

 

College funding advice available

If you have questions about choosing the college that is the right fit for your son or daughter, The Right Fit Foundation wants to help. The foundation also wants to help parents pay the least amount possible for their child’s college education.

The foundation’s services are free. To find out more visit, www.therightfitfoundation.org.

 

Ryland Homes helps Watergrass Elementary

Ryland Homes of Tampa has donated $500 to the Watergrass Elementary Parent Teacher Association to help raise the money to pay for a shade cover for the school’s playground.

 

CrossPointe offers ‘40 Days in The Word’ classes

CrossPointe Church of the Nazarene, 919 Debuel Road in Lutz, is offering a course designed to help people not just to hear and understand Bible messages, but to put them into action.

The introductory message for the course will be Jan. 6, with the series of lessons beginning on Jan. 13.

Teens from the church will be participating, with messages specifically designed for junior and senior high students.

Kidzstreet children’s ministry will be studying a coordinating video-based curriculum called Rebels of the Book.

Preschoolers will also be studying a coordinating curriculum entitled All Aboard The Bible Boat.

For more information, call the church at (813) 949-7727.

 

Education foundation gets $15,000 grant

Wells Fargo has provided a $15,000 grant to support the programs and mission of the Pasco Education Foundation. During the past eight years, it has donated more than $70,000 to the foundation.

 

Lutz student graduates from RIT

Yi Wang of Lutz has graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Master of Science degree in print media from the institute’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

 

Watergrass students help Toys for Tots

In conjunction with reading the story Stone Soup, students in Amanda Hoffman’s third-grade classroom at Watergrass Elementary developed a service project for the Toys for Tots campaign. They created posters to show to family, friends and neighbors to solicit toys for children in need.

Trees can benefit after Christmas

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By BJ Jarvis

Pasco Extension Director and Horticulturist

 

Many keep a live tree up and decorated through the 12 days of Christmas, while others take it down immediately after Santa departs. Whenever your tree comes down, there is still useful life outdoors for those evergreen boughs.

Winter temperatures are expected to be a bit colder than normal this winter. A used December tree provides natural weather protection for tender landscape plants.

Those who can’t find a use for their old tree can drop them off at several recycling centers in Pasco County, such as the one at Starkey Park. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Seney, Pasco recycling coordinator)

Cut the boughs and stack undecorated limbs around tender perennials or new plants to add a blanket of protection. Far better than plastic (the worst) or blankets, even needleless branches reduce cold air movement on winter mornings, while buffering tender plants from winter’s drying wind.

Those with temperature-proof gardens can employ evergreen boughs to create a temporary home for wildlife. This season’s discarded tree provides a haven for migratory songbirds, rabbits, chipmunk, turtles and other watchable wildlife. Whether kept as a tree or cut into stacked boughs, the tree can provide shelter from predators for critters and protection during severe weather.

The neighborhood teen fisherman suggests tying a block to the tree, then sinking it in their favorite fishing hole to create cover and protection for the fish, just as it does for birds and mammals above the water line.

Gardeners are resourceful. Those making a resolution to start composting in 2013 can cut the limbs to create a floor for that new compost pit. Bare branches can become stakes for spring tomatoes or other plants that need a bit of support.

As we start the New Year, repurpose this year’s Christmas tree to protect landscape plants or to invite wildlife to take refuge in your backyard. At a minimum, if you can’t find use for your Christmas tree in the garden, recycle it at one of the county’s many convenient recycling stations so that it can be mulched to help prevent next year’s weeds.

 

BJ Jarvis is Director and Horticulturist for Pasco Cooperative Extension, a partnership between the University of Florida, USDA and county government. Gardening questions can be answered at or by phone at (352) 518-0156.

Alexis Bredeau ties Steinbrenner scoring record

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

Steinbrenner senior forward Alexis Bredeau scored in the 26th minute of a 10-0 victory at Leto Dec. 19.

The tally was Bredeau’s third of the night and her 23rd of the season, but it was the fact that it is the 78th goal of her career that had the most meaning.

It matches the fourth-year program’s all-time record, matching the number put up by 2012 graduate and University of Tampa forward Cici Gonzalez.

“I respect Cici so much,” Bredeau said. “She was my idol when I was a freshman. I played at Martinez (Middle) for half a year, and she used to come back and practice with us. Seeing her and playing with her, I just idolized her and want to be the player that she is because she has such hard-working methods and is so inspirational on and off the field. To be up there with her is a great feeling.”

Bredeau and Gonzalez played together with the Warriors (9-4) for three seasons, which included winning a state championship in 2011.

“She should definitely have her name in the record books because she’s one of the best players who has played at Steinbrenner,” Gonzalez said. She added, “It was always good playing with her, especially the year we won states. We really connected. We called ourselves the Terrific Two. … Everything we achieved every year we couldn’t have done without her.”

Steinbrenner senior forward Alexis Bredeau tied the program record for all-time goals by notching the 78th of her career Dec. 19 at Leto. (File photo)

Gonzalez scored her 78 goals during just three seasons with the Warriors. She also had 19 tallies while at Sickles as a freshman before moving to Steinbrenner when the school opened in 2009. She still has the record for goals in a season (33), but Bredeau claimed the mark for tallies in a game when she put up six in this year’s opener against Clearwater Central Catholic (CCC).

The record-matching tally was assists by sophomore Jessica Taylor, who said she had no idea what the goal meant until after the game.

“Me and Alexis just work really well together, and we play off each other well,” Taylor said. “It’s just instinct with her when she’s open. It’s cool to get that assist.”

Bredeau scored the game’s second tally off a cross from freshman Danielle Darius in the eighth minute. She followed with a corner kick she took in the 16th minute that snuck over Leto’s goalkeeper.

First-year Steinbrenner coach Angela Gillisse pointed out that Bredeau, who has a team-high 13 assists, has gotten her goals this season while incorporating everyone.

“The thing about her is she’s not selfish,” Gillisse said. “She could have had three goals in the first 15 minutes, but she looked for the right pass and didn’t just shoot whenever she had the ball. … Alexis doesn’t just shoot to shoot. If she has the best opportunity she takes it, but if not she recognizes that and keeps the ball moving.”

Bredeau, who has committed to the University of North Florida, started playing at age 4 with an indoor soccer league near Chamberlain High. She moved into competitive soccer four years later when she joined Hillsborough County United.

Bredeau didn’t become a forward until rather late in her career. She started out as a goalkeeper, moved to defender and then attacking midfielder, before finding her home up top around age 13.

She had 23 goals as a freshman and 24 as a sophomore, but the production slipped to eight last year. Bredeau also hit a dry spell after starting the season with that six-tally outburst against CCC, scoring only three times in the next seven games.

Things changed starting against Robinson Nov. 30 when Bredeau recorded two tallies. She has scored 14 times in the last six games, 2.3 per contest.

“I think what’s really pushed me is getting ready for college,” Bredeau said. “It’s pushed that college mentality in me. It’s clicking for me, and I know I need to do this much to be where I want to be.”

Gillisse also provided her with some additional motivation to set the record against Leto.

“Coach actually sent me a chocolate bar this morning with a note that said I needed three goals for the school record,” Bredeau said. “After that I was definitely ready.”

Steinbrenner hosted Alonso Dec. 21, but results were not available by press time. The Warriors host Wharton Jan. 9 at 6 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

Erik Thomas turns heads with eye-popping numbers

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By Jeff Odom

 

There are times when one may think Wesley Chapel forward Erik Thomas has a Superman costume beneath his navy blue uniform.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior is leading all Pasco County in scoring this season with an eye-popping 32.7 points per game after averaging 21.7 last year.

“I’m just trying to get seen and play hard on the court,” Thomas said.

Wesley Chapel senior Erik Thomas is averaging 32.7 points, 18.3 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 2.8 steals this season. (File photo)

He hasn’t just been seen — he’s turned heads.

Twice this season, Thomas set career-highs in scoring for the Wildcats. First, a 41-point night against Fivay Dec. 7 and then, just four days later, he broke that mark with 45 against Gulf.

He set the program’s all-time points record by scoring 30 in a 67-29 victory over district rival Pasco on Dec. 4. Thomas has 1,566 during his time in high school.

Teammate Brian Rodriguez said they absorb the energy and leadership Thomas displays on a nightly basis.

“He’s a leader and a natural scorer,” Rodriguez said. “When he comes off the bench or when he comes on the floor, he just ignites us. His hard work demonstrates to us that that’s what it takes to do that, and we feed off of him a lot.”

And while those scoring numbers have impressed, another category he leads in is making Wesley Chapel coach Doug Greseth smile — rebounds.

For the 10th-year coach who preaches getting on the ball fast break and wearing out opponents with aggressive defense, Thomas’ 18.3 rebounds stand out more than anything.

“Quite frankly, I’m more impressed with his rebounding than his scoring. I mean, he’s had four games where he’s had 20 or more rebounds,” Greseth said. “You just don’t find that in high school, and we’ve had some injuries, some illnesses, some suspensions and he’s really filled in, and to get that many rebounds is unbelievable.”

Thomas is also contributing stats usually associated with guards. He is averaging 3.9 assists and 2.8 steals.

In the offseason, Thomas went overseas to work with the Argentinean national team during its run in the Summer Olympic Games. He said seeing how much different the game is was eye-opening.

“I was there for like half the summer and then I got back and injured my hand and just had to come back strong, worked out, did conditioning and just got back into shape,” Thomas said. “It’s a brand new, different game. Everything’s different, and it’s about teamwork and down to the structure of basketball. So, it was a great experience.”

Thomas has received interest from several Division II and III colleges, including Saint Leo and South Alabama. He said his hope is that he will one day play for a major university, but for now, it’s about being there to aid in his team’s quest for a district title.

“We have to keep our head straight and keep playing,” Thomas said. “It’s a new season. We have to come out and play hard and do our job on the court. Everything else will settle through and work its way.”

Window of opportunity becomes beloved sisterhood

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By Jeff Odom

 

Steinbrenner girls basketball player Rachel Briere was just 6 years old when she found herself trying to get a better look at the YMCA’s basketball court.

The orange ball and the squeaks of sneakers on the wooden floor caught her attention almost immediately.

She was practicing gymnastics next door at the time. The trampolines and balance beams weren’t enough. She wanted to try basketball.

From left are Julien, Melanie and Rachel Briere. The sisters Melanie and Rachel have formed a special bound through basketball. (Photo courtesy of the Briere family)

“They had this little window that leads straight out to the basketball courts, and I used to see all of these people playing,” Rachel said. “So, I was like, ‘Mom, I want to try this,’ and I started and didn’t stop.”

Rachel’s career began on a children’s co-ed team.

“I was horrible in the beginning, but I was having so much fun,” Rachel said. “The first season I played made me so aggravated because it was co-ed and I was the only girl, so I never got the ball. But I remember that it was really a lot of fun, and I kept going with it and eventually people were telling me I can keep going and get better.”

As the years went by, Rachel began to get the hang of the game and played well enough to enter the rigors of AAU with the Florida Angels.

Her mother Josée, father Stephan and younger brother Julien and older sister Melanie sat in the stands cheering her on.

“First row, always right there,” said Rachel, now a sophomore center at Steinbrenner. “Mom’s always got her camera and dad’s doing stats on his tablet.”

Rachel didn’t mind the attention, especially from her sister.

At birth, Melanie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis. The condition made it impossible for her to live without extra care and the aid of a wheel chair.

Still, it didn’t stop her from being Rachel’s No. 1 fan.

Melanie wouldn’t just attend games, she would watch her sister practice while Josée took pictures.

“She’s definitely my No. 1 supporter,” Rachel said. “She’s so happy, and it just amazes me all of the time. I could have the worst game of my life and she’ll still be there saying, ‘Oh my gosh, Rachel, you did so great.’”

Two years ago, when Rachel was in eighth grade, things drastically changed for the family.

Melanie was admitted into the hospital, dealing with serious complications because of her condition.

Yet even in such a serious situation, Melanie’s focus wasn’t on what the doctors were saying. It was on Rachel’s basketball games and practices.

“Her biggest worry was that she couldn’t go to (my) practices anymore,” Rachel said. “She would say, ‘Rachel, what are you going to do? I can’t go to your practices.’ She really wanted to go.”

Melanie and Rachel made a deal that once she recovered, she could come to her games when she started at Steinbrenner.

She hasn’t missed one since.

“When we’re warming up and doing starting lineups, you’d look over and see Melanie with a big smile on her face,” Rachel said. “It’s amazing to have that kind of support.”

With Melanie watching again, Rachel had a season to remember last year. She started as a freshman and finished as the Warriors’ second leading scorer with 10.2 points and 5.6 rebounds during the team’s run to the Class 7A-District 9 championship.

The team fell short in the playoffs, though, losing a first round game to St. Petersburg in overtime.

“(After the last game), Melanie looked at me and said, ‘What are we going to do now?’ and I was like, ‘I don’t know, Melanie. We have a break now. There’s no more basketball,’” Rachel said. “She didn’t know what to do.”

This season, Rachel is averaging 10.7 points for the 14-1 Steinbrenner squad.

Win or lose, Rachel said there’s never a moment in the day that she’s not thankful for her sister.

“We have probably one of the best sister relationships because really the only thing she wants is to be with (me) at any moment,” Rachel said. “I’ll be sitting in my room listening to music and my dad will wheel her in, and she’ll watch me and we’ll talk about something. Sometimes when there’s song that she likes, she’ll sing with me. She’s just completely happy.”

Rachel and Warriors begin play in the Jaguar Invitational at Academy of the Holy Names Dec. 27. Their next nontournament game is at home against Riverview at 8 p.m.

Pressure finally present for academy boys basketball

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By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Academy at the Lakes boys basketball team set an expectation last season.

That year, the Wildcats (4-4) went 17-10, the first winning season in the program’s six-year history. They also made their first trip to the postseason and made the Class 2A regional finals.

The growth has been something fourth-year academy coach and athletic director Tom Haslam has been looking for.

“The first year we got drubbed,” Tom said. “In the middle of games, we were looking for a back door to sneak out of. We got beat thoroughly, and not because of lack of effort. We just weren’t ready. Second year got a little better, and then last year we made a big jump. We challenged for the district championship. To get to the regional finals you have to be a little bit lucky, but you have to be good too.”

Wildcats senior guard/forward Abaz Igwe is averaging 7.8 points and 3.3 rebounds this year.

Tom’s son Ethan Halsam, a sophomore guard, has been along for that growth the last three years.

“When I was in eighth grade we weren’t really expected to win,” Ethan said. “We wanted to give the other team a good game and not get blown out. This year we’re expected to win. It’s become part of the culture, and not just in basketball, but in every sport. It’s really exciting.”

The excitement comes with new pressures.

“It’s a lot different because in the back of our mind we don’t want to lay an egg,” Tom said. “We have a tougher schedule, and we’re playing a lot of big schools. The potential to not put up a good record is looking us in the face, but hopefully that makes us work harder. The idea is to get to Lakeland for the final four, and you’re not going to do that unless you’re battle tested.”

The academy brings back four of five starters, losing guard Jarrett Harvey (8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists*) to graduation. The squad gets a pair of junior transfers in point guard Malik Hall from Wiregrass Ranch and 6-foot-7 forward DeAndre Williams from Wharton.

“Those two new guys are potential starters, but losing Jarrett, his numbers weren’t huge but his leadership was,” Tom said. “As of yet we haven’t replaced that leadership.”

Hall gives the Wildcats a true point guard and Williams provides legitimate size, which they lacked last season.

“I played with Malik at Wiregrass for a couple years before I transferred here last season, so it was good to have some experience with him,” said junior guard Tony Arrington. “He’s a good player, and we got a big man, DeAndre, and he’s got good size and can catch down low and finish. We know how to give him the ball, and of course we’ve got a lot of shooters.”

Hall gives Tom more versatility with his lineup.

“Last year it was Ahkil McGill at point some nights and it moved around,” Tom said. “Malik really fills that role. He can score and plays at high level AAU in club. He also frees Ahkil up to play other positions, which he’s pretty good at.”

Williams playing more under the basket lets forwards Mikey Mauger and Evan Gordy stay more on the corners for easier rebounds.

“It takes a little bit of pressure off us to rebound too,” said Mauger, a sophomore. “It makes things easier.”

The additional size is something Tom welcomes, but he sees the squad’s strength on the perimeter.

“We’re still guard oriented, but we should be better on the inside, especially with defense,” Tom said. “We should defend better, but DeAndre has a lot to learn. He’s got a lot of talent, but he’s still new to the game. Once he starts to develop those instincts, he should be a force.”

Williams is averaging 9.4 points and 6.6 rebounds, but the majority of the Wildcats’ points come from the guards.

Ethan is leading the squad with 20.1 points per game while adding 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals. He had 864 career points before the academy started play in the Seffner Christian Tournament Dec. 21.

Hall is putting up 8.0 points and 3.1 assists, and guard Abaz Igwe is averaging 7.8 points and 3.3 rebounds.

“Our guards are interchangeable,” Mauger said. “They can all score and can handle the ball. It’s really fun to watch.”

Ethan said when those guards and post players come together, it’s something special to see.

“We’ve got a lot of new parts and new talents, and when they blend together it’s virtually unstoppable,” Ethan said. “We’ve got a good point guard, we’ve got good big men, we’ve got good shooters and we’re athletic and fast at every position.”

Tom said the team’s first goal is claiming the program’s first district championship, followed by a return to the regional finals.

“But to do that, we’ve got to get tougher,” Tom said. “Right now we’re not tough enough. We’ve got to defend and rebound tougher. We’ve got to be tougher on each other in practice. Right now we’re not doing that. We’re physically good enough, we’re tall enough, were fast enough. We have the skill to be a really good team, but if we don’t get tougher we won’t do anything.”

The academy starts play in the Shorecrest Prep Tournament Dec. 27. They will play in the Class 2A-Disrict 8 tournament Feb. 4 to 8 at Citrus Park Christian, with the final Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

*Last year’s stats

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker