Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The only thing bigger than the expectations around the Gaither football team this season is the transformations to offense and defense.

After making the 2011 Class 7A regional finals with a 9-4 record, the Cowboys lost 24 seniors, including seven key members of its defense, its leading receiver and four starting offense linemen.

Adding to the changes, Gaither shifted its offense twice since the end of last year.

The result is an 8-2 record, consecutive playoff berths and the program’s first district championship since 2007.

“I go into every season knowing there’s going to be change, so I just take it and roll with it,” said second-year Cowboys coach Jason Stokes. “There’s going to be goods and bads, ups and downs, injuries and nice surprises. You just try to stay even keel and portray that to your kids so they find a way to win no matter what.”

The plan during the spring was to become a triple option offense.

“After I saw our personnel when we got it live on grass it just wasn’t working out,” Stokes said. “I did what any coach would do, which was fit our offense to our personnel. … Basically it’s a wing-T base out of a spread look.”

Junior quarterback Alex McGough has thrived in the system. He has completed 99-of-171* passes for 1,541 yards and 20 touchdowns to just four interceptions.

McGough said his stats have come because he has plenty of playmakers to throw the ball to, like wide receiver Marcus Brown (372 yards, five scores) and running backs Shug Oyegunle (468 yards, seven scores), Vu Le (435 yards, six scores) and Josh Bell (115 yards, one score).

“Any of those guys can take it for a touchdown any play,” McGough said. “I just have to get them the ball.”

Add in the power running of 6-foot, 200-pound Jamri Cord (156 yards, one touchdown), and the Cowboys have several ways to attack the opposition.

On defense, Gaither’s new starters have responded by limiting opponents to 15.7 points per game while forcing 21 turnovers and recording 32 sacks.

One of the biggest disruptions for other teams has been senior defensive end Ernest Suttles. The University of Iowa commit has 12 sacks while adding 88 tackles and four forced fumbles.

“The beginning was going to be rough after losing some key players on the line, at linebacker and defensive backs,” Suttles said. “Jeshua Williams (three sacks) has stepped up at defensive end and made a lot of big players. Logan Marshall (80 tackles, five sacks), Jamari Cord (73 tackles, five sacks) and Matt Williams (106 tackles) have been big as returning players at linebacker. We just needed to mesh. Bumpy beginning, but with practice and talking we’ve come to a mutual understanding of what we need to do.”

The defense got some reinforcement to its linebacking core in the form of Dom Neglio. The senior played running back the last two years, but has filled a need at the weakside spot to the tune of 85 tackles.

The secondary returned two starters in juniors Amani Oruwariye (three interceptions) and D.J. King (69 tackles). The unit added in junior Javon Hammond (three interceptions) and senior Danny Bonham (53 tackles) to complete the defense.

The only thing that’s been unchanged from last year is Gaither’s kicking game.

The Cowboys return kicker Dalton Gilson and punter Jared Gremley.

Gilson is Gaither’s all-time scoring leader with 171 points. He has hit four field goals and converted 31 extra points while turning 42 kickoffs into 36 touchbacks.

Gremley is averaging 44 yards per punt with a long of 61 and dropping 11 of his 28 kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

The changes in players and schemes have come with growing pains, but another difference with this year’s squad is welcomed by Stokes.

“These kids believe in themselves,” Stokes said. “They believe they can get it done, and that’s from last year. They saw what they were capable of if they listened to their coaches, show effort and execute. Seeing that Gaither can win, I think that confidence made the difference this year.”

The confidence of winning the Class 7A-District 7 title is also a boost.

“We’re going to take this district championship and let it vault us into the playoffs,” Stokes said. “We now know what it takes to get to the third round, so now the goal is to get that regional championship. … I want these kids to know that these coaches believe in them. I know we can go far.”

The Cowboys host Newsome Nov. 16 for the Class 7A regional quarterfinals. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

*All stats through nine games

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Freedom girls basketball team went 6-15 five seasons ago, the fewest win total in the school’s 10-year history.

Coach Laurie Pacholke was brought in the next year to help restore the winning ways of a program that had made the postseason five times in its first six campaigns.

The Patriots missed the playoffs during her first season at the helm, but improved their record to 19-6. They have made the postseason the last two years, but just making it beyond districts won’t satisfy anyone at Freedom in 2012-13.

The Patriots are focused on the Class 7A final four in Lakeland.

“There’s no secret our expectations are to get to Lakeland,” Laurie said. “As much as you say it in the past as a goal, this year, really because of the talent and commitment that we have, it’s a realistic goal. They know if we don’t reach it, then it’s a letdown. That’s our only acceptable outcome, but I’ve got the kind of kids who will step up to that challenge.”

Part of that mentality comes from the fact that Freedom loses only one starter, Shadé Williams, from last year while bringing back a trio of seniors who were freshmen during Laurie’s first year in guard Neena Pacholke (7.5 points) and forwards Lauren Repp (3.9 points, 2.6 rebounds) and Ashle Thompson (3.1 points, 2.7 rebounds).

The group is used to their coach’s ways and is ready to take the program to a level beyond the regional quarterfinals, where their season has ended the last two seasons.

“We weren’t really happy with what we accomplished last year, so we want to have a better year this year,” Repp said. “We’ve tried to outdo what we did the year before and set higher and higher goals. We won districts my sophomore year, but it hasn’t been enough for any of us.”

The Patriots also return sophomore Taylor Emery, who led the team with 18.3 points and 3.1 steals while adding 3.2 rebounds as a freshman. The 5-foot-9 guard said she still feels like she must show she belongs.

“I feel like I have to prove myself every day,” Emery said. “There’s still competition for playing time. … I have a little bit more confidence, but we’re a new team, so I know I have to step up my game even more to get to our goals — states.”

Freedom is also bolstered by a pair of senior transfers from Riverview in point guard Monet Williams (9.3 points, 5.4 assists, 3.5 steals, 2.5 rebounds) and 6-foot-2 forward Faith Woodard (21.4 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, 3.1 blocks, three assists).

“There’s a little pressure, but nothing we can’t handle,” said Woodard, a Georgetown University commit. “Yes, we have a target on our back, but can definitely get it done.”

Woodard said that confidence comes from seeing her teammates’ efforts.

“Just practice has been amazing,” Woodard said. “Coming from Riverview, this is just a totally new team. Everyone goes hard. It’s just wonderful.”

Neena, Laurie’s daughter, said she already has chemistry with Woodard and Williams because they played on a travel club team as freshmen and believes they will fit right in.

“It’s kind of overwhelming just thinking about getting them this year,” Neena said. She added, “It’s kind of weird to think how long we’ve known each other, but now we’re all on the same high school team.”

Point guard was a position the Patriots was looking for answers at last year. They lost two-year starter in Laurie’s daughter Kaitlynn, who led the squad with 15.3 points, 8.8 assists and 5.3 steals during their district championship run two seasons ago.

Williams is still working back from her second ACL tear in less than a year, the latest happening in June during rehab. Laurie said they are working her back slowly, but is excited about adding her to the mix with junior Bella Gibson (3.3 points, 1.7 assists).

“Getting Monet is huge,” Laurie said. “Once she gets healthy, she’s kind of like Kaitlynn. She’s a hard-nosed kid who’s a great floor general. I don’t think she ever got the credit at Riverview, but I think she can come into this team and do what we need. Also, Bella did a great job coming along. I’d have to say we’re much more confident in our ball-handling skills this year.”

Laurie is also psyched about what Woodard adds at both ends of the court.

“Faith is one of those kids who is just so versatile,” Laurie said. “Yes, she’s a post, but she can also go out on the wing. Defensively, she can guard anybody, so she allows you to do so many things. Offensively, she’s just a matchup nightmare. … Having her alongside Taylor really helps because it’s more balanced. To have all that on (Emery’s) shoulders as a freshman was tough. In our fall league with her and Faith I could tell it’s going to be fun.”

Laurie said she is as excited to tip off the season as her players are.

“I’m chomping at the bit,” Laurie said. “Even having to go through tryouts was tough because you can’t do the teaching in tryouts that I want to jump right into. We’re going to use that excitement to build on. I’m telling them they’ve got to get out of their comfort zone. I’m excited about challenging this team, because I don’t have to worry about our 13th or 14th kid slowing things down because everybody is at that high level.”

Freedom hosts the 7A-9 district tournament Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, with the final Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. The Patriots open the regular season at Alonso Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

One of the biggest additions, figuratively and literally, to any Hillsborough County school’s athletic program came when Faith Woodard transferred from Riverview to Freedom last summer.

The 6-foot-2 senior, who has committed to play basketball at Georgetown University, said the move was to take advantage of the better scholastics at the New Tampa school.

“Academically, this is a better school then I was used to,” Woodard said. “I knew I wanted to be ready to go to college, so I thought this would better prepare me to go to Georgetown. This school will get me academically fit.”

Her addition is welcomed by members of the Patriots basketball team, who see the forward as a key piece to a run at states. Woodard put up 21.4 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, 3.1 blocks and three assists per game at Riverview last year.

“She’s really amazing,” said senior guard Neena Pacholke, who played with Woodard on a travel team as freshmen. She added, “She’s so smooth in the post and can score from almost anywhere.”

Woodard’s first experience with Freedom’s program came as a freshman, when the Patriots defeated Riverview 65-46. She liked what she saw.

“They always play aggressive and hard, and that’s what I really loved about the team,” Woodard said. “Most people often confuse it with being a mean team, but they play hard and aggressive, and it’s great to be with a team like that. … I’m so ready because everyone is always hyped and ready to play. That’s the mindset we need to take it over the top.”

Woodard said she has also adjusted to school life at Freedom.

“It gets better and better every single day,” Woodard said. “Being the new kid on the block the first couple days was kind of hard, but after about three days I felt like I was at home, like I’ve been here all my life.”

Woodard was also a standout track athlete at Riverview. She reached the Class 4A final in four events, where she captured the high jump title (5-feet 8-inches) and placed sixth in the 400-meter (56.74 seconds).

“I’m about 90 percent sure that I might want to do track again this year,” Woodard said. “I’m almost there.”

Track can wait for the spring. Right now, Woodard is anxious for the opening tip of her senior year on the hard court.

“I have a countdown on my iPhone right now for our first game,” Woodard said. “I’m so ready to play with my team and deliver. Beat everyone’s expectations and then some.”

Freedom’s first regular season game is Nov. 13 at Alonso at 7 p.m. Her first home game is Dec. 3 against Hillsborough at 8 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

Bulls boys take third

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wiregrass Ranch girls cross country team had little trouble claiming their third regional championship in four years Nov. 10 at Lecanto High.

The Bulls totaled 71 points, 36 better than second-place Sarasota. The seventh-year program earned the crown without freshman Madison Conway, one of its top four, because of bronchitis.

Wiregrass Ranch was paced by senior Nikita Shah. The Harvard University commit won her first individual regional title by completing the 5-kilomter course in 18 minutes 32 seconds.

“Not a half-bad time,” Shah said. She added, “There’re some steep hills on this course, and those do take a lot out of you and you have to recover after the hills. It’s all about who can recover first and continue at a race pace. I won’t say it’s the toughest course in the world, but it’s a pretty tough course; one of the harder in Florida I’d say.”

Shah will be one of a handful of girls with a legitimate shot at hoisting the Class 3A state title Nov. 17 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. Her best time this year is a 17:48, which is her personal record (PR) and the second-fastest performance in the classification this season.

“Today I just wanted to set the pace and not worry about the time,” Shah said. “Next week at states I’ll be going for maybe a PR and hopefully beating all the other girls there. … I have a positive attitude going into that race. I’m going to go into that race just being confident knowing I’m going to put my hardest race in (and) see where that gets me. I’m going to go for a state championship hopefully.”

Fellow Bulls senior Berlin Waters took sixth at the meet by running a 19:41. Waters was 28th at the same meet last season.

“I was hoping for top 10 at least,” Waters said. “Knowing that I got sixth, I’m just so proud of myself.”

Waters started running with the program last season and said she had little expectations other than it improving her cardiovascular performance for soccer, her primary sport.

“I didn’t think I’d come close to being top 10 at regionals, especially after last year,” Waters said. “When I was third at conference I saw that I could really step it up. Now that I’m getting sub 20s I’m really confident.”

Waters played a soccer game the night before regionals and still managed the sixth-place showing.

“This was the first meet she hasn’t had to leave right after to go to a soccer game too,” said seventh-year Wiregrass Ranch coach Don Howard. “She played last night, came here this morning and finished sixth place in the cross country regional running a sub 20. That’s not any easy thing to do.”

Besides Shah and Waters, Howard said the 23rd and 30th finishes by sophomore Addie Cornwell (20:39) and senior Chelsea Davis (20:49), respectively,  helped carry them to victory.

Howard said the goal is a top-five performance at states, which would be the best finish in program history.

“I have really high hopes for Wiregrass this year,” Shah said.

As for the boys, the Bulls finished third with 113 points, 72 behind the championship pace of Sarasota.

Wiregrass Ranch ends a string of three straight regional titles, but the squad lost two of its top runners Ermias Bireda and Patrick Hill for most of the first half of the year with shin inflammation. Ben Hall also missed the Sunshine State Conference meet in October after undergoing surgery.

“It was the first time we had everybody run in their correct slots with Ermias one, Ben (Hall) two, Thor (Alastre), Patrick (Hill) and Andy (Hippely),” said sixth-year Bulls coach Chris Loth. “It’s taken us awhile to get there. … We’re as healthy as we’ve ever been, and it’s at the right time. Everybody worked hard enough during the summer to where we missed some time during the year and we’re fit at the end.”

Bireda, the squad’s top runner, finished seventh with a 16:19. The senior pulled a muscle in his back at districts the week before.

“That back still isn’t healed,” Bireda said. “The last mile it started acting up on me.”

Bireda finished 15th at states last year when he set his PR of 16:09.

“This season is not where I wanted it to be, but it’s not bad,” Bireda said. “I still have one more meet to make up for everything. I want to go out big. It’s my last race of high school. Cardio is great and my legs feel strong. As long as my shins and back hold up I should have a good run. … We have a physical trainer at our school Ms. Jen (Stollery), and I’ll be seeing her every day this week.”

Loth said Bireda’s ability to return after a tough season shows the kind of talent he has.

“To miss so much time and still be seventh at a very tough region shows he’s an elite athlete,” Loth said. “He’s the highest caliber kid I’ve ever coached, aerobically.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Steinbrenner boys cross country team finished as a regional runner-up for the first time in the program’s four-year history Nov. 10 at Lecanto High.

The Warriors took three of the top-10 spots to total 55 points, 14 behind Sarasota.

“We really wanted to beat Sarasota,” said Tyler Lima. “We wanted to try and get between their top two guys. Matt (Magee) had a good chance to win it because he was out front late, but he fell back with about a half mile left. When I saw that I started to push and moved from eighth to fourth. I wasn’t going to let that second Sarasota guy beat me.”

Tyler took fourth by completing the 5-kilometer course in 16 minutes 11 seconds. It is the best personal performance at regionals for the senior, who placed eighth at the same event last year with a 16:44.

“That shows you how much this region has progressed,” Tyler said. “Chris Cerreta, who was our fourth guy today, he ran about what I did last year and was out of the top 15. That shows you how tough this region is, which is good because you want competition. There are some really good teams here like Sarasota, Wiregrass and Land O’ Lakes.”

Magee (16:15) finished sixth, Tanner Biles (16:31) was 10th, Cerreta (16:51) placed 17th and Zach Lima (16:59) took 20th.

The runner-up honor is the best performance at regionals for the program, which finished fourth the last two years.

“Region has never been our meet,” Tyler said. “Sarasota is a good team. It’s not like it was an upset that we didn’t win, but we really wanted to win. Now we’re going to states with confidence. … There have been teams, like us two years ago, who finish fourth at regionals and step it up a lot at states. We were state runner up two years ago, and we’re going to go all out.”

It will be the last meet for Steinbrenner’s top five, who are all seniors. Except for Biles, who transferred from Freedom last year, the group helped start the program in 2009.

“You don’t want to get too emotional,” Tyler said. “These guys are like my brothers and we want to win for each other. If you think about it being our last race too much you won’t run your race. Plus, we’ve still got track.”

The Class 3A state meet is Nov. 17 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.

 

PHOTO: Travis Nichols

Land O’ Lakes junior Travis Nichols took third at regionals with a 16:09. He and his teammates are wearing a patch in support of their teammate Steven Barnabei.

 

//Land O’ Lakes runs for Steven Barnabei

The Land O’ Lakes boys cross country team made states for the seventh time in eight seasons, and did so without No. 5 runner Steven Barnabei.

Barnabei, a junior and team captain, had surgery to remove a brain tumor the week before regionals, which was Nov. 10 at Lecanto High.

“We’re pretty shook up after what happened to Steven,” said junior Travis Nichols. “We’re trying to bounce back from that, not just with people moving up a spot, but mentally too. Hopefully we can do well at states for him.”

Nichols said the team learned of Barnabei’s diagnose Nov. 2, the day of districts. They are wearing a patch with his initials on their jersey.

“We’re running for him the rest of the year,” Nichols said. “He’s doing better now. He’s starting to walk. He’s having trouble gripping things and with slurred speech, but he’s a lot better.”

The Gators took fifth place at regionals by totaling 146 points. Nichols finished third in 16:09 behind Sarasota’s Zackery Summerall (15:54) and Sickles’ Abdin Fator (16:00).

“I’m happy with 16:09,” Nichols said. “My place, I wish I could have competed better with those top two. Wish I was there to try and outkick them at the end.”

Land O’ Lakes junior Tyler Stahl (16:35) and senior Jake Poore (16:37) placed 11th and 12th, respectively.

Nichols also gave credit to freshman Austin Dotson, who ran an 18:27 to finish 70th.

“Austin is really coming on at the end of the year,” Nichols said. “He’s running his best races right now.”

 

//Tedesco advances to states

Freedom girls cross country runner Annie Tedesco placed 12th at regionals Nov. 10 at McIntosh Middle in Sarasota by completing the 5-kilometer course in 20:47. The performance earned the junior a spot at the Class 4A state meet.

The Patriots girls totaled 181 points to place seventh, one spot and nine points away from advancing to states. Freedom’s boys and the Wharton girls were also unable to get beyond regionals.

 

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

The Steinbrenner volleyball team was swept at home for the first time in two years, but that didn’t stop first-year coach Laura Stegenga from smiling.

The Warriors (19-9) fell 25-12, 25-11, 25-16 against Venice in the Class 7A regional finals Nov. 10, ending their season one match shy of the state tournament.

It was Steinbrenner’s first trip to the regional finals in the program’s four-year history after being knocked off in the semis the previous two seasons.

“I’m just extremely proud of them, and that’s what I told them in the huddle,” Stegenga said. “I said to them, ‘You have never gotten this far and it’s going to take more than one time getting here to just be able to pull it out like that.”

The Indians (26-3) dominated the first set without trailing. Steinbrenner was no match for their offense, giving up 19 points before taking back-to-back points.

The Warriors kept it closer early in the second thanks to senior outside hitter Madison Seuzeneau (12 kills) before Venice pulled away with 11 of the final 12 points.

Stegenga said there was some nervousness, especially facing a team like Venice.

“There were those first-game jitters, absolutely,” Stegenga said. “In the second game, they started pulling it together.”

The Warriors’ best shot at winning a set came in the third. They got off to a 6-4 lead, but Venice crept back in with three straight points.

Another five-point streak put Steinbrenner into a deep hole and the Indians closed it out by scoring eight of 10 to advance to states.

“The third game was the team that we’ve been working in practice,” Stegenga said. “I’ve got a young team. … We can only go up from here. They did a great job. I know there’s some tears out there, but I want them to be proud of themselves.”

To earn a berth in the regional finals, Steinbrenner won at Clearwater 27-25, 25-11, 25-14 Nov. 6, but it was not without drama.

The Tornadoes (21-8) pounced early in the first set against the Warriors, forcing Stegenga to call two key timeouts.

Stegenga said she promised her team doughnuts if it could find a way to win.

“I swear they’re just like kids, still,” Stegenga said. “Even at the competitive level they play, they still get excited about doughnuts.”

The small bribe paid off as Rachel Mathison (10 kills) and Seuzeneau (17 kills) led Steinbrenner to a come-from-behind victory, scoring seven of eight points and then the final two for the opening set.

“Our rotation was a little messed up in the beginning,” Mathison said. “We were like, ‘Oh no,’ but we just did what we know how to do and we just clicked and we were focused on finishing.”

That’s exactly what the Warriors did.

Steinbrenner dominate the second set and didn’t let up in the third.

The Warriors had scoring streaks of six, five and five points to finish off the Tornadoes, who ended Steinbrenner’s playoff run in 2011 with a five-set win in regional semis.

Seuzeneau, the only four-year varsity player on the squad, said it was remarkable to reach a goal four years in the making.

“It’s honestly incredible,” Seuzeneau said. “I’ve stepped back and watched us lose this game (before), and it was absolutely amazing to finally win.”

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Blank stares and silence told the story of the night for the Academy at the Lakes seven-man football team as the clock ticked down Nov. 8.

Despite a seven-point halftime lead at home, the Wildcats (7-1) gave up six touchdowns after the break en route to a 60-26 loss to Kissimmee City of Life Christian Academy in the state quarterfinals.

Academy coach John Castelamare told his players to be proud of what they accomplished this season, especially after facing adversity before it started with multiple opponents cancelling games.

“We met our match,” Castelamare said. “It wasn’t about who’s the better team here. It was about who wanted it more, and I think (City of Life) wanted it a little bit more. … I’m proud of them. I just wish we were practicing on Monday though.”

After fumbling on first down to open the game, the Wildcats hit their stride as quarterback Max Stepanents used his legs to move the ball.

Following consecutive runs of 16 and 13 yards, Stepanents found wide receiver DeAndre Williams for an 18-yard gain to set up Ahkil McGill’s rush from 18 yards out to get the academy on the scoreboard first.

Then, after the Warriors (10-3) tied the game at six apiece, Stepanents hit Jack Fishman for a 48-yard touchdown streak to regain the lead.

Stepanents (3-for-10, 75 yards, two touchdowns) would come through again with a 37-yard run in the second quarter to set up a 9-yard scoring strike to Williams to extend the lead to 13.

City of Life answered with another touchdown in the second quarter, before the Wildcats defense sacked quarterback Kolin Funk in his own end zone for a safety.

Castelamare said everything seemed to be clicking going into halftime.

“We had them for a while; we had a good first half,” Castelamare said. “I think the kids played hard enough, but then they started to play a little harder than we did.”

The Warriors turned momentum — and the lead — to their side by scoring on every possession after halftime.

The City of Life defense forced the academy to punt on its first two drives of the third quarter, while its offense racked up points with touchdowns of 65 and 75 yards for running back Michael Santiago to take its first lead of the game.

The lone score for the Wildcats after halftime came off of a 3-yard run from Fishman to draw his squad within six, but that’s as close as it got.

The Warriors scored four more times in the fourth quarter, all on long runs, to pull away with the victory.

“We definitely had a great trip, a great season,” said Stepanents, who finished with 66 rushing yards on nine carries. “This was pretty tough for everyone. We pretty much gave up in the second half and shouldn’t have done that.”

Castelamare credited City of Life for making the adjustments it needed to win.

“They’ve lost a couple games over there and we hadn’t lost any and they didn’t know what that tasted like and we now know what it feels like,” Castelamare said. “They’ve got some horses over there and we didn’t do a good job of wrapping up and tackling, but they’ll be alright.”

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Two years ago, the Wharton girls soccer team captured the program’s first postseason berth and district championship.

“That was probably the best experience of my life,” said senior defender Sam Lawrence. “It was crazy. We were just unstoppable at that point I feel like. We were on a high. We want to repeat it.”

The Wildcats (4-0-1) were agonizingly close to making it back-to-back playoff appearances last season. They lost 3-2 in penalty kicks to Newsome in the Class 5A-District 7 semifinals.

“When I think about the game, it brings back all the feelings of how we just put everything we had out there,” said senior forward Ashni Deschenes, a Stetson University commit. “Sometimes it’s just not enough. For me, it drives me to work harder this year and encourage my teammates to work harder so that maybe if we’re put in the same situation it’ll be another outcome.”

That determination to get back shows how far the program has developed since Denis Vukorep became the coach seven years ago.

“As the years have gone by, we’ve slowly gained confidence each season,” Vukorep said. “I think the girls believe that they can win, and I think that across the county and state we’re a lot more respected. The girls feel that, and the confidence has helped us get better.”

Wharton lost seven seniors from the 2011-12 squad, six of whom were starters. Deschenes (14 goals, six assists) said she looked up to those players.

“Our captains last year (Emily Belanger and Baylee Dozark) were kind of like the moms of the team,” Deschenes said. “You could go to them for anything. Now that Sam and I are captains this year, I can only speak for myself, and I hope to be in that same mom role and be a great leader for my teammates.”

Vukorep said the loss of those seniors will hurt the squad, but is confident in the players still wearing Wildcats blue.

“It sounds weird to say when you lose six seniors who were starters, but I feel like with the kids who have gotten better and the new players we can potentially and should be even better than last year,” Vukorep said. “I guess it’s odd, but I think we will be better. You look at girls like Ashni, Leah Chisolm, Laura Johnson, Lexie Oeth, they’re going to be a formidable attack. We’ve got good senior leadership with Sam Lawrence in the middle of the field, and she’s going to be able to calm down the freshmen.”

One of the places that was hit most by graduation was goalkeeper.

The Wildcats lose three-year starter Heather Montgomery, who allowed 21 goals in as many games with 107 saves and six shutouts last season.

Stepping into the net is senior Courtney Bodamer, who was on the squad two years ago and said she learned a lot from watching Montgomery.

“She helped me with everything,” Bodamer said. “Confidence is a big thing, and then with skill and (she) taught me more about the game in high school. I was really thankful to have her. … I’m a little nervous, but I think we’ll have a good team. I just have to bring my game.”

Vukorep has a plan to help ease Bodamer into the mix.

“From what we’ve seen, Courtney will be able to make the saves that we need,” Vukorep said. “We’re hoping that the other 10 girls on the field limit her exposure to some of those shots. Try to force them to take shots that are savable and not giving up breakaways and set pieces.”

Vukorep said playing in 5A-7 with teams like Newsome, Plant and Bloomingdale will force them to get better quickly. He added, that, mixed with their new winning mentality will benefit them this season.

“Everyone in our district understands if you get out of our district, then you have a chance at a state championship,” Vukorep said. “I think that within our group we don’t look at it as we almost beat someone. There’s an expectation that we are going to go to regionals. Four years ago we didn’t have that expectation, and I think now it’s not a matter of if we make regionals. It’s, OK, we are going on to regionals. I think that expectation is one of the biggest difference.”

The 5A-7 tournament is at Plant Jan. 15 to 19, with the final Jan. 19 at 6 p.m.

Wharton hosts district rival Durant Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

A 16-4-2 record, a district championship and a second-round playoff appearance.

It would be one of the most memorable seasons for most girls soccer programs.

Steinbrenner is not most girls soccer programs.

The Warriors (2-3) won the 2011 Class 4A state title in the program’s second season and graduated only three players from that championship squad. Losing 2-0 at Lakeland George Jenkins in the regional semifinals felt like a disappointment.

“We didn’t go as far as we wanted to last year,” said senior forward Alexis Bredeau, a University of North Florida commit. “I think it’s time again to prove ourselves. We’re a better team than what happened.”

Along with fuel to regain the mountain top is a new voice preaching structure, purpose and discipline.

Former Durant and University of Tampa (UT) defender Angela Gillisse was named the fourth-year program’s third coach in July, replacing Robert Woodard, who resigned after one year at the helm.

“I wanted them to know I’m the coach, and we’re playing by my rules,” said Gillisse, who has coached for 14 years. “My rules will always be for the betterment of the team. I’m looking out for their best interests, but we have to have structure if we want to go far in the playoffs.”

Many returning players said the regimented style has been a plus.

“It’s much more organized, and everything is much more set,” said senior midfielder Marley Opila, a Jacksonville University commit. “We don’t have to worry about if everything is set up. It’s going to benefit us a lot to just practice and play. … She came in and laid down all the rules. She didn’t second guess herself. That really set the tone.”

That’s not to say Gillisse has been a drill sergeant.

“I want them to have fun, and the more they enjoy the game, the more they’re going to want to play,” Gillisse said. “I talked with them about the disappointments, and we said we’re moving on to this year. They want to move on, and they have a lot of goals.”

Gillisse has also worked on team building.

“She’s taking time out of her day to come and see us at our lunch and stuff like that to talk with us,” Bredeau said. “We’re doing meals this year before games, which we haven’t really done in the past. We’re also taking bus rides together. … We need that team bonding.”

Junior defender and UT commit Miranda Gonzalez added, “Last year we were like a group of this and a group of that. It’s a lot better than last year.”

Junior midfielder Dani Eule said the entire attitude has changed.

“There’s so much excitement and intensity to get into the season,” Eule said. “We’re so ready and prepared. We’re looking at the road to success.”

The Warriors were mostly spared from graduation numberswise, losing three seniors, but two departures leave a huge production hole.

Gone are leading scorers Cici Gonzalez (16 goals, four assists*), Miranda’s sister, and Taylor Valley (13 goals, six assists), who signed with UT and Armstrong Atlantic State University, respectively. The duo accounted for 53 percent of the squad’s tallies last season.

Among those Gillisse expects to fill in up top are Bredeau (eight goals, six assists) and Jessica Taylor (six goals, two assists), who started most of last year as a freshman.

“I was really nervous,” Taylor said. “I didn’t know what the competition would be like, but I knew it would be aggressive. I just had to do my best and play my hardest to prove I earned that spot.”

Bredeau said the squad has gotten several new players, such as freshmen Danielle Darius and Kirsten Russell, who will add to the offense.

“Cici and Taylor were amazing athletes and team leaders,” Bredeau said. “They had great personalities on and off the field. It’s hard to replace players like that, but I think we’re going to do even better this year.”

Gillisse said midfielders like Opila (one goal, three assists) and Eule (two goals, one assist) will be as key in creating offense.

“It’s a good balance in the middle,” Gillisse said. “Dani is physically really strong. Marley is quick. They balance each other out really well in the center of the field, and they like to use the corner flags, so they create runs and offensive opportunities.”

Taylor added, “Productionwise, it’s a lot about our mids controlling the whole game. … They win all the loose balls and the 50/50 balls.”

And if the offense takes a few weeks to get settled, the defense is ready to pick up any slack with Miranda and Co. on the backline.

“We never even worry about Miranda; we don’t have too,” Opila said. “It’s such a relief to have someone you can always 100 percent rely on. We don’t have to worry about that half of the field.”

Gillisse said the talent is there to make a run at a state crown as long as the effort remains.

“The quote for this team is, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,’” Gillisse said. “They want to win a state championship, so that’s going to be our goal. They have the talent, the desire and the heart to win. It’s theirs to lose right now. They just have to work hard every game.”

Steinbrenner hosts the Class 4A-District 8 tournament Jan. 15 to 18, with the final Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.

The Warriors host 4A-8 rival Freedom Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.

*All stats from last season

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker