Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Freedom loses baseball coach

June 20, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

A.J. Leppla resigned as Freedom’s baseball coach on June 14 following the most successful season in the program’s nine-year history.

“I’m going to look into new opportunities,” Leppla said. He added, “I’d like to coach again, but I’m going to see where life takes me. One good thing is I’ll get to spend a few weeks with my family; my daughters and my son. After I spend some family time, I’ll look at what opportunities are out there.”

Leppla joined the Patriots three years ago after spending one as Wiregrass Ranch’s coach. Freedom went 15-10 in 2012, the program’s first winning season, and achieved another first by qualifying for the postseason as the Class 7A-District 9 runner-up.

“(Last season) meant everything to me,” Leppla said. “We built a family essentially, and that’s what I always preached. We got to do special things, and I was very proud of the job we did. Not just me, but my coaching staff and the players. Everything came together perfectly. It takes a lot of things to go right to have the kind of success we had. … I will always remember those players and I would do anything for them.”

Leppla came to Freedom because a physical education teaching position opened. He had been working as an in-school suspension monitor at Wiregrass Ranch. The Patriots went 34-37 in his three seasons.

Leppla became the Bulls’ coach after spending two seasons as an assistant, which he was also at Freedom for two years before heading to Wiregrass Ranch.

Patriots athletic director Eli Thomas said the position will be advertised shortly, but there is no timetable for naming a replacement.

“I hope the program does really well in the future,” Leppla said. “I gave everything I had to Freedom, and I wish the program the best.”

Penny for Pasco extension could add jobs

June 20, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Jeff Odom

More than $502 million dollars are at stake, and it will all be decided based on the outcome of a penny.

The proposed penny sales tax extension could add more than $502 million in increased county revenue and numerous employment opportunities, according to Pasco’s Chief Assistant Administrator Michele Baker.

Baker, who discussed the details during a Pasco Alliance of Community Association meeting June 14, said if voters approve the Penny for Pasco sales tax extension in November, nearly $100 million more will go toward funding for roads, schools, environmental conservation and infrastructure starting in 2015.

“We’re currently levying a penny tax to pay for transportation improvements, environmental land acquisition and public safety,” Baker said. “Going forward, if the voters choose to renew that penny and continue it, we would still be spending funds with those areas, but we would be adding to that an allocation for jobs and economic development.”

Under the current tax, which was passed by voters in 2004, 10 percent of the funding goes to the county’s cities, with the most money going to the most populated municipalities. The school district received 45 percent; the remaining 45 is allocated by the county commissioners for transportation, public safety and environmental projects.

The new allocation will keep the same percentage for the cities and school district, but the 45 percent the commissioners get will be steered in different directions. Road projects and other transportation needs will get 40 percent, while the remaining 60 percent will be evenly split to fund economic development/job creation, environmental land purchases and improving public safety.

Baker touted the tax extension as a way for public services to receive replacements to outdated or broken equipment while bringing businesses to the county.

“(Economic development is) an important part of the penny,” Baker said. “When we do our annual citizen engagement meetings, we asked how would you want us to spend the penny and jobs and economic development was No. 1. … I do think job creation is on the forefront of everybody’s mind.”

If citizens vote not to renew, the current penny tax will expire in December 2014.

Finding the money to support these projects will need to come from another source, Baker said. She added numerous road projects would be stalled because of an end to the funding.

“Right now for transportation projects we don’t use property tax dollars,” Baker said. “So those planned transportation projects and trails wouldn’t happen until some other revenue source was found. In terms of the public safety projects, those services still have to be delivered. So if we’re not paying for equipment replacements with the penny, we will have to pay for them with property taxes.”

Baker believes there is plenty of support for the extension heading into the November election cycle and said the transparency that the county Commission has with its constituents is always key for communicating where tax dollars are going.

“I think this ensures voters are educated before heading to the polls,” Baker said. “That is the job of the government. To be honest and efficient with the dollars that are entrusted to us by the citizens. … There is really no better way to do it.”

Sunshine Athletic Conference spring all stars

June 20, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) has released its all-conference spring team. Coaches in the 13 public high schools in Pasco County vote on whom they think deserve the honor. All information is as recorded by the SAC. Local students who made the list include:

SAC baseball first team

–P Brad Hencke, Sr., Land O’ Lakes

–INF Dylan Harris, Jr., Land O’ Lakes

–OF Zach White, Sr., Wesley Chaple

Second team

–P Ryan Kopenski, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch

–INF Zach Drury, So., Wiregrass Ranch

–INF Chris Zichy, Sr., Wesley Chapel

–OF Michael Barrone, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch

Third team

–INF Matt Soril, Sr., Land O’ Lakes

–DH Alex Goebel, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch

Honorable mention

–Austin Warner, Sr., Sunlake

Coach of the Year: Jeff Swymer, Wiregrass Ranch

SAC softball first team

–OF Courtney Durbin, Sr., Sunlake

Second team

–INF Stephanie Frances, Jr., Sunlake

–INF Meghan Durbin, Sr., Sunlake

–OF Ashley Bradford, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch

Honorable mention

–Meghan Sfraga, Land O’ Lakes

–Laura Bernaldo, Wesley Chapel

SAC boys track and field

–Travis Manecke, Jr., Sunlake, shot put

–Jackson Cannon, Sr., Land O’ Lakes, discus

–Ian McKenzie, Sr., Land O’ Lakes, pole vault

–Eddie Burgos, Jr., Sunlake, 100 meter

–Jamel Nuñez, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch, 200 meter

–Darin Patmon, Sr., Land O’ Lakes, 110-meter hurdles

–Darin Patmon, Sr., Land O’ Lakes, 300-meter hurdles

–Eddie Burgos, Anthony Cowell, Mike Lopez and Ricardo Williams; Sunlake 4×100-meter relay team

–Jamel Clark, Kyle McKee, Henry Parrish and Chris Wilkinson; Land O’ Lakes 4×400-meter relay team

–Thor Alastre, Ermias Bireda, Patrick Hill and Tyler Mattera; Wiregrass Ranch 4×800-meter relay team

Second team

–Stephan Zapata, Jr., Land O’ Lakes, triple jump

–Shadow Williams, Sr., Land O’ Lakes, shot put

–Johnathan Coyne, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch, discus

–Jamel Nuñez, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch, 100 meter

–Chris Wilkinson, Sr., Land O’ Lakes, 800 meter

–Ermias Bireda, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch, 1,600 meter

–Ermias Bireda, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch, 3,200 meter

–Kyle McKee, Sr., Land O’ Lakes, 110-meter hurdles

–Kyle McKee, Sr., Land O’ Lakes, 300-meter hurdles

–Kenny Bryant, Jamel Nuñez, Ryan Shea and Otis Wallace; Wiregrass Ranch 4×100-meter relay team

–Cole McCreedy, Daniel Price, Jake Poore and Ethan Weilant; Land O’ Lakes 4×800-meter relay team

Third team

–Eddie Burgos, Jr., Sunlake, long jump

–Travis Manecke, Jr., Sunlake, discus

–Henry Parrish, Sr., Land O’ Lakes, 400 meter

–Tyler Stahl, So., Land O’ Lakes, 1,600 meter

Honorable mention

–Mailyke Williams, Wesley Chapel

Coach of the Year: Bill Schmitz, Land O’ Lakes

SAC girls track team

–Courtney Prengaman, Jr., Wesley Chapel, high jump

–Hannah Eder, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch, triple jump

–Patricia Magwood, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch, shot put

–Jhade Hayes, Fr., Sunlake, Discus

–Alisha Henry, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch, pole vault

–Ravin Gilbert, Sr., Wesley Chapel, 100 meter

–Ravin Gilbert, Sr., Wesley Chapel, 200 meter

–Hallie Grimes, So., Land O’ Lakes, 400 meter

–Elise Cedre, So., Wiregrass Ranch, 800 meter

–Nikita Shah, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch, 1,600 meter

–Nikita Shah, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch, 3,200 meter

–A.J. Blount, Aslynn DeRuzzo, Hannah Eder and Stephanie Ryan; Wiregrass Ranch 4×100-meter relay team

–Savannah Goode, Chelsea Hernandez, Kayla Thornton and Shavaun Walker; Wiregrass Ranch 4×400-meter relay team

Second team

–Hannah Eder, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch, long jump

–Abby Hudak, Jr., Wesley Chapel, pole vault

–Hallie Grimes, So., Land O’ Lakes, 200 meter

–Ravin Gilbert, Sr., Wesley Chapel, 400 meter

Third team

–Jhade Hayes, Fr., Sunlake, shot put

–Marissa Davis, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch, 300-meter hurdles

–Elise Cedre, Savannah Goode, Fern Powell and Nikita Shah; Wiregrass Ranch 4×800-meter relay team

Runner of the Year: Ravin Gilbert, Wesley Chapel

Field Event Athlete of the Year: Hannah Eder, Wiregrass Ranch

Coach of the Year: Don Howard, Wiregrass Ranch

SAC boys tennis first team

–Courage Okungbowa, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch

–Colin Roller, Sr., Land O’ Lakes

–Koustubh Ramesh, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch

–Jaime Feliciano, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch

Second team

–Foresight Okungbowa, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch

–David Dollbaum, Fr., Land O’ Lakes

Third team

–Eric Busch, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch

Honorable mention

–Aaron Aucoin, Sunlake

Player of the Year: Courage Okungbowa, Wiregrass Ranch

SAC girls tennis first team

–Star Makarome, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch

Second team

–Linzi Arndt, Sr., Land O’ Lakes

–Katie Bonti, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch

–Kavya Avanche, Fr., Land O’ Lakes

Third team

–Tiffany Garner, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch

–Natalie Toselli, Sr., Sunlake

Honorable Mention

–Deana Galbraith, Wesley Chapel

Player of the Year: Star Makarome, Wiregrass Ranch

SAC boys weightlifting first team

–Jack Holloway, Jr., Sunlake, 119 pounds

–Kevin Lopez, Jr., Sunlake, 129 pounds

–Dean Bui, Sr., Sunlake, 139 pounds

–Kyle Fraser, Sr., Sunlake, 154 pounds

–Rashaud Daniels, Sr., Sunlake, 169 pounds

–Eddie Burgos, Jr., Sunlake, 183 pounds

–Jordan Mills, Sr., Sunlake, 199 pounds

–Nate McCoole, Sr., Sunlake, unlimited

Second team

–Mike Lopez, Sr., Sunlake, 154 pounds

–Ray Busbee, Jr., Sunlake, 219 pounds

–Jerome Samuels, Sr., Sunlake, 238 pounds

Third team

–Zach Baxter, Sr., Sunlake, 129 pounds

–Loven Burger, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch, 139 pounds

–Paul Scott, Sr., Sunlake, 219 pounds

Honorable metion

–Nick Stowers, Land O’ Lakes

–Brendon Edmonds, Wesley Chapel

Lifter of the Year: Nate McCoole, Sunlake

Coach of the Year: Matt Smith, Sunlake

Living to serve others

June 20, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

That’s Cary Anne Bame’s motto

By B.C. Manion

Cary Anne Bame recalls a time when she was working with a volunteer group to transform a blind woman’s yard that was overgrown with weeds.

The blind woman took Bame aside and confided that her main wish was to be able to sit on the porch in the morning to listen to the chirping of birds.

The woman told Bame that the bird song was a reminder of her need to share the good news of her faith.

Bame returned to the woman’s home after the work group finished its task.

“I found a neat bench and built it on her deck for her a few weeks later,” Bame recalled. “She couldn’t see it but was able to get to the bench.”

It was an extremely gratifying experience that deepened Bame’s insight about how God can use her to have a positive impact in the lives of others.

Of course, it was just one of countless instances when the young Lutz woman has put personal pursuits aside to be of service to others.

During her years at Steinbrenner High she racked up nearly 340 community service hours. Bame’s accumulated a long list of honors including the district award for the youth category of the state Department of Education’s Outstanding Volunteer, which was given at the district’s SERVE – Volunteers in Education ceremony.

Bame has also received a national scholar athlete award from the U.S. Army Reserve and was named one of five all-around outstanding seniors in the school district by the Hillsborough County Council of PTA-PTSA.

She’s done all that while graduating sixth in her class, being her school’s homecoming queen, being captain of Steinbrenner’s district championship volleyball team and being selected as one of 12 incoming freshmen for Florida State University’s highly competitive Service Scholars program.

Despite her accomplishments, she’s quick to give the credit to others.

“I attribute all of my accolades and success to school administrators, church youth leaders, my parents and most importantly my faith,” Bame said.

She also said her teachers have been enormously helpful, and she believes teachers’ contributions to students’ success are frequently overlooked.

“Obviously, you wouldn’t have an education if it wasn’t for them,” Bame said.

While she praises others, those who know the young woman marvel at her achievements.

“Simply said, Cary Anne is amazing,” Judy Pressley, college and career counselor at Steinbrenner, wrote in nominating Bame for the youth volunteer award.

“Cary Anne has made a tremendous impact on the lives of many people,” Pressley noted. “She is one of the most deserving students I have encountered in my 14 years of working as college and career counselor.”

Pressley said she has no idea how Bame manages to balance her many academic and athletic demands while still performing such an enormous amount of community service. The counselor said she once asked Bame how she does it, and the young woman replied, “If only I didn’t have to sleep, I’d be OK.”

Bame’s service to others takes many forms.

She’s pitched in at school carnivals. She’s raised money to fight cancer through Relay For Life. She’s helped Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Metropolitan Ministries and countless other causes.

She said the value of service — which she describes as love coupled with action — has been instilled in her since childhood.

“In my household, it’s kind of assumed that we serve others,” said Bame, the daughter of Cathy and Dave Bame.

Beyond learning from her parents, Bame said her 21-year-old sister, Katie, has also been a great teacher. She said she’s observed how her older sibling approaches people and values relationships.

Bame’s volunteer work began years ago, when she became active in a program called Reaching Inside and Out of Tampa (RIOT) at Van Dyke Church. The program offers people of many talents a chance to use their skills to help others.

“Officially, you’re allowed to start in sixth grade, but I was younger and I’ve always gone,” Bame said. “My parents have always been involved.”

She said she accompanies a group from her church on monthly visits to Robles Park, a public housing development in Tampa’s inner city. They gather up kids and go to the park, where they grill hamburgers and hot dogs and do activities.

“We try to give them fun and some more hope,” Bame said.

The experience has given Bame something, too.

Before going to Robles Park, she imagined the families would be depressed about their lack of resources, she observed in a journal she keeps. That assumption, she noted, was incorrect.

“They embraced what little they had, simply enjoyed the small things in life and kept a smile on their face most of the time,” she wrote, noting her experiences in Robles Park have reinforced her belief that she was born to be of service to others.

In one sense, serving others is selfish because it is so gratifying, she said. But it’s the kind of self-centeredness that can propel people to do good things.

Bame speaks from personal experience: “Serving others fuels me.”

Lions Club adds new Wesley Chapel chapter

June 20, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

The Wesley Chapel Lions Club has formed and is seeking members to help in its quest to serve those in need.

The group has 27 charter members and has heard from 14 more who want to get involved, said Troy Stevenson, president of the new chapter.

Stevenson expects the group to continue to grow and has invited anyone who wants to learn more about it to attend a dinner gathering at 6 p.m. on June 26 at Wesley Chapel Nissan, 28519 SR 54.

“We’re two weeks old and we’re going strong,” said Stevenson. He offered a simple reason for his involvement: “I just felt it was the right thing to do.”

Lions Club International is a service club with more than 1.35 million members in about 45,000 clubs worldwide. The organization’s mission is to empower volunteers to serve their communities, to meet humanitarian needs, to encourage peace and to promote international understanding, the organization’s Facebook page explains.

The organization is perhaps best known for its work to help people who have vision needs, but its chapters are also involved in a broad array of service projects. Local clubs determine which causes to address.

“I’m going to do a big push for the homeless,” Stevenson said, noting that the club will help meet an assortment of needs for that underprivileged group.

He also anticipates launching an effort to help meet transportation needs of the elderly.

Stevenson said there will also likely be fundraisers to help the newly formed group offer more assistance to others.

“I’m going to light up the sky with my events,” Stevenson said.

Membership fees for the club are $80 a year, and all of the money will be used to support club causes, Stevenson said.

Anyone who would like to join the Wesley Chapel Lions Club or who would like additional information can reach Stevenson at (813) 727-4111.

Chalk Talk for June 20

June 20, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Zephyrhills team scores big

A team from Zephyrhills High placed 11th in the world at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

More than 15,000 people traveled from around the globe to attend the competition, which featured 815 teams from 40 states and 15 countries.

The Zephyrhills team is composed of Rose Kettelle-Daily, Hali Fisher, Ashley Ramirez, Savana Wright, Shelby Osborne and Jessica Geiger. These girls have been competing together for four years.

The group competed in a division that included 48 teams working on the same problem.

Cecil Jones, a science teacher at Zephyrhills High, is the team’s coach. The squad extended their thanks to Jones and his wife, their family and friends, Zephyrhills High, the Gulf Coast Odyssey of the Mind and the Zephyrhills community for helping them get to the world competition.

Woman’s Club’s scholarships

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club recently awarded a total of $12,750 in scholarships to area high school seniors, as well as older students returning to technical schools and community colleges, according to Barbara Nicholson, the scholarship chair. This year, the club awarded stipends of $750 each. This year’s total was the largest amount distributed in the club’s 52-year history.

Hillsborough public high schools among best in nation

For the first time since reporter Jay Mathews began using the Challenge Index to rank America’s best high schools in 1998, this year all of the Hillsborough County school district’s 27 traditional high schools were included, as well as Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate Charter High School. Plant High School led the district’s schools, achieving No. 57 on the list. Hillsborough High ranked No. 62 and Steinbrenner High came in at No. 99.

The ranking now is called America’s Most Challenging High Schools, and is published by the Washington Post. The list previously was known as America’s Best High Schools, and until last year was published by Newsweek. It was not published in 1999, 2001, 2002 or 2004.

The high school Challenge Index is based on a formula that takes the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and college-level tests administered at a school divided by the number of graduating seniors.

Free ESL class

A free English as a Second Language (ESL) class is now meeting at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church, 19911 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa, Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Activities for school-aged children also are provided during this time.

A native English speaker teaches the class using a variety of resources, including the Bible. The class also includes discussions of American culture, English idioms and slang.

To find out more, call (813) 973-2484.

Applications for Buc-Packs

Applications are open until June 29 at 5 p.m. for Buc-Packs for Back-to-School, one of the Glazer Family Foundation’s signature programs.

Each summer, the Buc-Packs for Back-to-School program presents Buccaneers backpacks filled with school supplies to children throughout Central Florida. This year, youth from local community groups will receive a total of 5,000 backpacks during the team’s training camp at One Buccaneer Place.

After receiving backpacks, the children will be able to watch the Buccaneers practice before participating in their own on-field football drills.

The Glazer Family Foundation accepts applications for the Buc-Packs for Back-to-School program from local community nonprofit organizations. Applications for the program will only be accepted online. To learn more, visit www.GlazerFamilyFoundationn.org.

Take Stock in Children scholarship winners

The Take Stock In Children Scholarship program has announced recipients of its 2012-13 scholarships.

The value of the scholarships is more than $450,000, which includes Florida Prepaid College Foundation’s dollar-for-dollar matching funds program.

A recent signing event took place for the 25 Take Stock in Children recipients to confirm their commitment to the Take Stock in Children program by maintaining good grades, attendance, behavior and remaining drug- and crime-free.

The following students are provided with tuition for up to four years of college. Each has been matched with a mentor and has met income eligibility requirements provided by the state of Florida.

The following area eighth-graders are recipients of 2012-2013 Take Stock in Children scholarship: Luisa Alvarez, Marissa Tyler and John Wiggins of Weightman Middle; Britany Butler and Megan Frederick of Stewart Middle; Caroline Cannon of John Long Middle; Marcus Downey and Audrey Morrison of Centennial Middle; Bethany Kemper and Jennifer Lopez of Pine View Middle; and Nicole Law of Dayspring Academy; Nolan Martinez of Pasco Middle; and Ryan Rodriguez of Rushe Middle.

The following students are recipients of a Chair Scholars Foundation Scholarship, covering two years of community college and two years of university tuition:

Alissia Crum of Stewart Middle; Elizabeth Carr of John Long Middle; and Kelanie Cuadrado of Land O’ Lakes High.

Also, Christina Hilliary, of Zephyrhills High, was a recipient of the Ronald McDonald House Charities scholarship, which provides a tuition scholarship for two years.

Countryside Montessori kids go to nation’s capital

A team from Countryside Montessori Charter in Land O’ Lakes recently visited Washington D.C. as second place winners in their age division of the Toshiba/NTSA ExploraVision competition, the world’s largest science competition for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Countryside Montessori Charter students were among 14,606 students from 4,809 teams from across the U.S. and Canada competing in the contest.

Tampa Bay United claims U18 girls state soccer title

June 13, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

The Tampa Bay United (TBU) U18 Girls Premier soccer team won the FYSA state championship May 20, navigating a playoff schedule that included the Nos. 1, 3 and 4 ranked teams in Florida.

TBU-State-Title-2012 — The TBU U18 Girls Premier soccer team won the FYSA state championship May 20, earning a spot in the regional tournament.

TBU (25-4-6) recorded six shutouts in seven postseason games, outscoring its opponents 20-1. The lone goal against came in a 3-1 win over Coral Springs United Renegades in the President’s Cup finals in Auburndale. Tampa Bay also got past the defending champs Creeks Clash Blue 1-0 in the semifinals.

Jim Cote, who coaches the squad with Adrian Bush, said he knew the team was state championship caliber when they started practice in August.

“Our goals were to win a state title,” said Cote, who has coached in the area for 16 years. “None of the girls had ever won a President’s Cup from this team, so the goal was to win a state title and send them off to college with a state title.”

Goalkeeper Emily Ball, a senior at Freedom High, said the coaches’ confidence got them believing.

“If they hadn’t pushed us all season we wouldn’t be where we are,” Ball said.

Some of that uncertainty was because TBU is in its first year, which was created from the merging of Hillsborough County United (HCU) and RSL Florida.

“We knew RSL had a very strong team,” said Ball, who played with HCU since her sophomore year. “They’d been our rival. … When we came together we thought we’d have a strong team, but our coaches thought it before we did I think. We weren’t sure because we’ve all been in the state cup and know how challenging it is. When we started winning games, it started to sink in.”

TBU has some of the top high school players in the area, including Steinbrenner senior forward Cici Gonzalez and junior midfielder/forward Marley Opila, Carrollwood Day senior midfielder Taylor Tippett, Gaither senior defender Lexy Bubley, Bishop McLaughlin senior forward Corrie Bexley and Ball.

“Having good players doesn’t mean you’re going to win,” Cote said. “Most of these girls were the stars of their high school teams, but they came together and sacrificed individual stats to win a state title. … At the end of the day I don’t know if we were the best team, but we were the most committed team. This is my eighth state final, and this is a very special group. They earned it on the training field.”

Marley-Opila — Marley Opila, a midfielder/forward, got to feel what it was like to win a state title after having to sit out of Steinbrenner High’s championship run two years ago with a torn ACL.

Gonzalez said that work ethic was evident in the finals.

“It was 3-1, so it sounds like a beating but it wasn’t,” Gonzalez said. “We scored first and they scored going into halftime. It was so hot that day, and it was such a physical and aggressive game. There were chances on both sides. All season we’ve been practicing during the heat of the day, so we were confident that our fitness would pull us through. It definitely did. You could tell they were dropping off and cramping, and we kept going. We were just relentless.”

At the break midway through the second half, Cote advised his players to keep up the intensity.

“We told the girls they’re dying over there because of the heat,” Cote said. “I told them if they kept running they’d let something up.”

Tampa Bay notched the winning tally on a penalty kick taken by Caroline Bado 26 minutes into the second half. The midfielder scored again with five minutes remaining.

Defeating the Renegades for the championship was a bit of vengeance for Ball and Tippett, whose HCU U16 team lost to in the final three seasons ago.

“It sunk in the next day when I went to school and all my friends were congratulating me,” Ball said. She added, “Whenever I look at the medal hanging in my room, I can’t stop smiling. It reminds me it’s still real.”

It still hasn’t fully sunk in for Tippett, the only member of the state championship squad who has only played for HCU/TBU.

“I don’t think it has yet,” said Tippett, who started with HCU at age 8. “I don’t think it will until regionals when we’re there for the opening ceremonies.”

The championship advances TBU to the Region III tournament in Greenville, S.C. June 15 to 21. Opila said getting by stiff competition is a big boost moving forward.

“By beating those teams we showed that we are the best team in the state,” Opila said. “We didn’t get any easy group or easy run through. We got the hardest teams. I think that gives us a little confidence in regionals, and maybe it’ll intimidate the other teams in regionals because we’ve beat all those great teams.”

At regionals, TBU will compete with the champs from South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Texas and Tennessee. The winner advances to nationals July 24 to 29 in Rock Hill, S.C.

“It’s great to represent Florida,” Gonzalez said. “It’s really humbling and overwhelming at the same time because you want to do well. … We just have to go in with the mindset that we can win. It’s going to be the team that wants it most who wins, and I think we do want it.”

State championship season notebook

June 13, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Two championships for Cici

Cici Gonzalez helped lead the Steinbrenner girls soccer team to the Class 4A state championship in 2011.

The results were the same this year, as the University of Tampa signee is wearing another state crown, but this time it was the FYSA U18 title with Tampa Bay United (TBU).

“It was very different than winning it in high school,” Gonzalez said. “In high school it was exciting, but with high school it’s the kids just in your area. With this it felt like a bigger accomplishment. … It was such a great feeling to be the best of such great teams.”

The victory also allows Gonzalez to end her senior year on a high note.

Steinbrenner was eliminated from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) postseason in the regional semifinals in January.

Marley Opila, Gonzalez’s high school and club soccer teammate, said the state championship this year was closure.

“It was a really good time, especially for Cici because it was her last year,” said Opila, a junior. “It was extra special because we had that connection with high school.”

Defense, defense, defense

Tampa Bay United (TBU) earned the U18 girls FYSA state championship thanks in large part to its suffocating defense. TBU scored 100 goals while allowing only 23 in 35 contests, including 20 shutouts.

“Our goal scoring starts with our goalkeeper and our defending starts up front,” said Tampa Bay coach Jim Cote. “We defend as a team. There’s no one who’s exempt. If our forwards stop the other team and we only have to go 20 yards to score, why not?”

Emily Ball, a University of South Carolina signee, was a big part of the mentality, allowing less than 20 goals as the primary goalkeeper.

“The mentality is every time we step on the field we are not letting up a goal,” Ball said.

Midfielder/forward Marley Opila said having Ball in the net helped set the defensive tone.

“We never had to worry an ounce about Emily making a mistake,” Opila said.

Forward Cici Gonzalez added, “We have Emily Ball, and she’s a great goalie and kept everything out of the net when things got iffy. Our defense was tight, and just really overall we were a hard team to beat because we were good from back to front. Keeping the ball out of the net and the fact that we were able to put so many in the other net made us tough.”

Opila/Bubley get their title

Marley Opila and Lexy Bubley were on the 2011 Steinbrenner High girls soccer team that won the Class 4A state championship, but neither felt like winners.

Opila, a junior midfielder/forward, was unable to play in any game because she tore the ACL in her left knee the week before the season. Bubley, a defender who just graduated from Gaither High, suffered the same injury to her right knee just before the postseason that same year.

Both finally got to feel what it was like to be a state champion as part of Tampa Bay United’s run to the FYSA U18 girls title this year.

“It was so great,” said Opila, a Jacksonville University commit. “When you’re hurt and your team wins something like that, you don’t feel that special feeling like you should. When I got to touch the trophy, it was such a big accomplishment.”

Opila recorded an assist in the state finals off a corner kick during the first half against Coral Springs United Renegades

“I placed it right on someone’s head,” Opila said. “It bounced around and went in. … It was really exciting knowing that I led to us scoring a goal. It helped us get closer to a win.”

Tippett tastes the postseason

Taylor Tippett’s soccer skills earned her a scholarship with the University of South Florida, but the playoffs were something she never experienced during her four years on Carrollwood Day School’s team.

Everything changed this year for the midfielder while with the Tampa Bay United (TBU) U18 Girls Premier team. The squad not only made a deep playoff run, but hoisted the FYSA state title.

“It was the best feeling because this is my last year,” Tippett said. “We knew that if we were ever going to win a state title, this was a team that could do that.”

Tippett did make the FYSA final four two years ago with a U16 team, but she got her first state title in her final season of youth soccer.

“Because it’s my last year I’m going into college as a state champion,” Tippett said. “That really boosts you’re confidence. It’s just great to know all my years of hard work have paid off.”

All-Laker/All-Lutz News spring teams

June 13, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Laker and the Lutz News has named its All-Laker/All-Lutz News team for the 2012 high school baseball, softball and boys weightlifting season. Members were selected based on their skill, value to their squad, final statistics and head-to-head matchups. Teams in the coverage area include Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin, Carrollwood Day, Freedom, Gaither, Land O’ Lakes, Steinbrenner, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wharton and Wiregrass Ranch. The flag football, track and tennis team were released last week.

All stats are as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches and all playoff performances are as recorded by the FHSAA. Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono selected the team along with help from Staff Writer Jeff Odom with the baseball list. LoJacono can be reached at .

Baseball first team

–Pitcher: Evan Gainey, Sr., Gaither. Posted a 7-4 record and a 1.62 ERA in 77.2 innings with 81 strikeouts.

–Pitcher: Ryan Kopenski, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. The Bulls’ ace posted an 8-3 record with two saves, 1.58 ERA and 32 Ks in 57.2 innings while holding opponents to a .184 batting average.

–Pitcher: Chris Williams, Sr., Steinbrenner. The Saint Leo University signee went 7-0 with 1.66 ERA while fanning 52 batters in 54.2 innings.

–Pitcher: Collin Woody, Sr., Wharton. The physically imposing righty had nine wins to two losses with a 1.82 ERA and 75 Ks in 77 innings.

–Catcher: Eric Schindler, Sr., Freedom. Led all area catchers with a .388 batting average while posting a .590 on-base percentage and racking up 22 runs, 15 steals, 10 RBI and four doubles.

–First base: Chris Zichy, Sr., Wesley Chapel. One of the area’s best pure hitters. Had a .463 batting average, a .514 on-base percentage, 15 runs and 11 RBI.

–Second base: Dylan Harris, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Went .412 at the plate while finding his way on base .485 percent of the time. Scored 25 times while posting 13 steals, nine RBI and eight doubles.

–Shortstop: Oscar Mercado, Jr., Gaither. The Florida State University commit hit .370 with a team-high 29 RBI, 28 runs and 12 steals.

–Third base: Tuck Neuhaus, Jr., Wharton. The University of Louisville commit swung with power, belting six homers and five doubles while hitting .317 with a .467 on-base percentage, 22 runs and 16 RBI.

–Outfield: Hayden Kelley, Sr., Gaither. The center fielder posted a .325 batting average and a .480 on-base percentage while adding 24 runs, 20 walks, 15 RBI, nine steals and eight doubles.

–Outfield: Sammy May, Sr., Steinbrenner. In his first season getting significant playing time May led the Warriors with a .391 batting average while adding nine runs.

–Outfield: Zach White, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Hit .405 and slugged .532 while recording 24 runs, 21 RBI, 13 steals and three home runs

–Designated hitter: Matt Frey, Sr., Gaither. Batted .394 with a 1.177 OPS, 23 RBI, 14 runs and four homers a little more than a year after undergoing shoulder surgery.

–Utility: Collin Woody, Sr., Wharton. Found his way on base .495 percent of the time while slugging .610, hitting .341 and scoring 23 times.

Baseball second team

–Pitcher: Cole Gordon, So., Steinbrenner. Had a slim 0.95 ERA while going 6-1 with one save and 53 strikeouts. Also held opponents to a .150 batting average in 36.2 innings.

–Pitcher: Brad Hencke, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. The University of Tampa signee had a 5-4 record with a 1.43 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 73.1 innings.

–Pitcher: Shaun Rubin, Sr., Wharton. The Harvard University signee had a team-best 1.56 ERA with a 6-3 record in 76.1 innings while fanning 58 batters.

–Pitcher: Kyle Schindler, Sr., Freedom. Pitched in the Patriots’ biggest games. Went 4-4 with a 2.33 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 57 innings.

–Catcher: Jake Gowen, Sr., Gaither. Always got the job done behind the plate while posting a .414 on-base percentage, nine RBI and four doubles.

–First base: Chase Turner, Jr., Steinbrenner. Hit.354 with a .402 on-base percentage with 17 runs, nine RBI, six steals and five doubles.

–Second base: Chandler Chapman, Jr., Freedom. Averaged .350 with 14 RBI and 10 runs.

–Shortstop: Kyle Schindler, Sr., Freedom. His work in the field is a big reason why the Patriots made their first postseason. Hit .345 with a .519 on-base percentage, 23 runs and eight doubles.

–Third base: Keegan Tanner, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Stole 12 bases while scoring 24 runs and adding 14 RBI. Hit .333 with a .437 on-base percentage.

–Outfield: Michael Barrone, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. The lead-off hitter got on base .440 percent of the time while hitting .338 and adding 22 runs, 16 steals and 15 RBI.

–Outfield: Eddie Pastrana, Sr., Gaither. The speedy senior hit an even .300 with 27 runs, 15 RBI and nine doubles.

–Outfield: Devin Sheppard, Fr., Freedom. Hit .340 with nine RBI and five doubles as a freshman.

–Designated hitter: Alex Goebel, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch. Despite having no high school experience Goebel hit .339 with a .434 on-base percentage and slugged .500. Drove in 22 with 16 runs and five doubles.

–Utility: Johnny Keigher, Jr., Freedom. Hit a robust .476 while getting on base .551 percent of the time and slugged .619. Recorded 20 runs and 20 RBI with six doubles.

Baseball honorable mention

–Pitcher: Zack Drury, So., Wiregrass Ranch. Went 5-2 on the mound with a 2.35 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 47.2 innings.

–Pitcher: Chase Ingream, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Had a 2.72 ERA with a 4-5 record and 42 strikeouts in 46.1 innings of work.

–Pitcher: Tanner Koch, Jr., Bishop McLaughlin. The ‘Canes No. 1 went 6-4 with a 1.45 ERA and 50 Ks in 53 innings.

–Pitcher: Alex Milne, Sr., Gaither. The lefty went 4-3 with a 2.48 ERA in 48 innings while recording 44 strikeouts.

–Pitcher: Cameron Stoltz, Sr., Sunlake. Went 4-1 on the mound with a 1.97 ERA with 55 punchouts in 53.1 innings.

–Catcher: Sebastion Ferreira, Jr., Wesley Chapel. The first-year starter behind the plate batted .333 with a .426 on-base percentage.

–First base: Jose Gonzalez, Sr., Gaither. Owns a steady glove at first while hitting .301 with 21 RBI, 13 runs and four home runs.

–Second base: Mike Campoamor, So., Wiregrass Ranch. The solid fielder hit .315 with 27 runs, 17 RBI and nine doubles.

–Second base: Cody Robinson, Sr., Gaither. Hit .333 with a .462 on-base percentage and nine runs.

–Shortstop: Stone Ramsey, Sr., Steinbrenner. A broken right wrist ended his season early, but was a solid fielder and hit .317 with 23 runs and five homers.

–Shortstop: Zachary Whitaker, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Had a .433 on-base percentage and a .329 batting average while knocking in 16 runs and scoring 15 times.

–Third base: Josh Nissen, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Got on base .426 percent of the time while recording 25 runs, 12 RBI and six steals.

–Outfield: Elias Earley, Fr., Carrollwood Day. Had a beastly .569 on-base percentage while hitting .333 with 11 runs.

–Outfield: Chris Torres, Sr., Gaither. Played a solid right field while batting .278 with 13 runs, nine RBI and five doubles.

–Outfield: Colin Campbell, So., Carrollwood Day. Had a team-high .492 batting average with a .542 on-base percentage, 23 runs and 19 RBI.

–Designated hitter: Christian Diaz, Sr., Steinbrenner. Had an on-base percentage of .427 while hitting .343 with 17 runs, 17 RBI and seven doubles.

–Designated hitter: Patrick Soril, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Hit .391 with 20 runs and 17 RBI for the Gators.

Player of the Year: Collin Woody, Wharton. Woody was a key cog in the Wildcats’ first trip to the postseason in program history. The 6-foot-1 senior hit .341 with .495 on-base percentage while slugging .610. Scored 23 runs and drove in 20 runs, all of which seemed to be in critical situations. He also smacked 10 doubles with four homers and stole five bases.

Pitcher of the Year: Evan Gainey, Gaither. He suffered broken bones in his face after a comebacker hit him as a junior, but the Cowboys’ ace showed no ill effects this season. He went 7-4 with a 1.62 ERA and 81 stakeouts, more than any other area athlete, in 77.2 innings. Also held opponents to a slim .163 batting average. Gaither called on Gainey in critical games, and he always answered the bell.

Coach of the Year: Scott Hoffman, Wharton. Hoffman guided the Wildcats to the first playoff berth and to the first district championship in the program’s 14-year history, and did so by navigating through one of the toughest leagues in the state. Wharton went 21-9 and reached the Class 8A regional finals.

Softball first team

–Pitcher: Sydney Boynton, Jr., Academy at the Lakes. Took the mound for the Wildcats in the critical games, going 8-3 with a 1.70 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 70 innings.

–Pitcher: Meghan Durbin, Sr., Sunlake. Went 10-4 with a 2.76 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 83.2 innings while hitting .359 with 31 RBI, 28 runs and 13 steals.

–Pitcher: Grace Street, Fr., Freedom. Threw every pitch of the Patriots’ 130.1 innings this year with an 11-7 record, a 1.93 ERA and 72 Ks. Also hit .431 with 17 RBI.

–Catcher: Alia Serafini, Jr., Steinbrenner. Besides being the top defensive catcher in the area, Serafini also hit .424 with 28 RBI and nine doubles.

–First base: Taylor Morrow, Jr., Steinbrenner. One of the hardest outs in the area, hit .517 with 21 RBI while striking out only twice.

–Second base: Mary Sorgenfrei, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Hit .356 with 15 runs and four doubles.

–Shortstop: Lauren Evans, So., Academy at the Lakes. The University of South Florida commit rarely got good pitches to hit, but still batted an absurd .652 with 44 RBI, 33 runs, 13 steals, nine doubles, nine triples and four homers.

–Third base: Kelsey McGough, So., Gaither. Posted a .448 batting average with 18 RBI, 14 runs and six doubles.

–Outfield: Courtney Durbin, Sr., Sunlake. Was a terror at the plate. Hit .533 with 33 runs, 23 RBI, 10 doubles and eight triples while also stealing 20 bases.

–Outfield: Spencer Valdespino, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. Did almost everything for the ‘Canes, hitting .500 with 27 runs, 18 RBI, 15 steals, four doubles and three home runs.

–Outfield: Ashley Wilson, So., Freedom. Had a team-high .442 batting average with 21 runs, 17 RBI, six steals and six triples.

–Designated player: Stephanie Frances, Jr., Sunlake. The power threat for the Seahawks hit .563 with 34 RBI, 29 runs, 11 doubles and six home runs.

Softball second team

–Pitcher: Lauren Evans, So., Academy at the Lakes. When she wasn’t playing shortstop she was compiling a 6-2 record with 61 Ks and a 0.98 ERA in 43 innings.

–Pitcher: Makaleigh Dooley, Fr., Wharton. Was always around the plate, walking only 13 in 111.2 innings while compiling an 8-5 record, a 2.70 ERA and 79 strikeouts.

–Pitcher: Kellee Ramsey, So., Steinbrenner. Held opponents to a .151 batting average in 156 innings pitched while going 14-8 with a 2.83 ERA and 119 strikeouts.

–Catcher: Meghan Sfraga, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. The do-everything senior hit .357 while playing a solid backstop.

–First base: Morgan Litchfield, Sr., Gaither. Her power numbers dropped off, but the senior still hit .339 with 18 runs, 12 RBI and five doubles.

–Second base: Alisha Rodriguez, Sr., Gaither. Hit .283 with 10 runs and eight RBI.

–Shortstop: Kassidy Kujawa, Sr., Wharton. Hit a robust .479 with 35 RBI, 21 runs, nine doubles, eight triples and seven homers.

–Third base: Andrea Niggebrugge, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. Added some thump to the lineup with a .373 batting average, 15 RBI, five doubles and five triples.

–Outfield: Skyler Boynton, Fr., Academy at the Lakes. Hit leadoff for the Wildcats, posting a .422 batting average with 32 runs, 10 steals and five doubles.

–Outfield: Lena Rovellada, Sr., Gaither. The speed demand swept 10 bases while hitting .377 with 14 runs and 14 RBI.

–Outfield: Brandi Travis, Jr., Sunlake. Stole 24 bases, more than any other area athlete, while hitting .453 with 28 runs.

–Designated player: Caitlin Milne, Jr., Gaither. Always seemed to drive in runners in scoring position. Hit .367 with 21 RBI and two homers.

Softball honorable mention

–Pitcher: Danielle Micciche, So., Sunlake. Posted a 7-2 record with a 2.88 ERA in 56 innings.

–Pitcher: Rachael Heath, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Went 2-0 on the mound with a 1.75 ERA while fanning 20 batters.

–Catcher: Rebecca Hannah, So., Academy at the Lakes. The vocal leader of the Wildcats controlled the game on the field while hitting .264 with 12 RBI.

–Catcher: Kayla Maczuga, Fr., Freedom. Hit .345 with 12 runs and nine RBI as a freshman.

–First base: Katie Gresham, Sr., Freedom. Provided leadership as Freedom’s only senior along with 10 RBI.

–Shortstop: Erica Serafini, Fr., Steinbrenner. Certainly didn’t hit like a freshman, posting a .411 batting average with 24 runs.

–Shortstop: Amy Szymanowski, Sr., Sunlake. The Bishop McLaughlin transfer hit .468 with 14 runs, 13 RBI and four home runs.

–Third base: Monica Santos, Sr., Wharton. Smacked seven doubles and three home runs with 20 RBI and a .437 batting average.

–Outfield: Brook Baptiste, So., Bishop McLaughlin. The speedy sophomore swiped 16 bases while hitting .350 and a team-high four homers.

–Outfield: Ashley Bradford, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Compiled a .381 batting average with 13 runs and eight RBI.

–Outfield: Rachel Carlson, So., Freedom. Played a solid center field while hitting .357 and stealing five bases.

–Outfield: Liesel Johnson, Fr., Land O’ Lakes. Part of a talented young nucleolus for the Gators, hit .372 as a freshman.

–Designated player: Megan Malone, Jr., Bishop McLaughlin. Added depth to the lineup hitting .434.

Player of the Year: Courtney Durbin, Sunlake. Name any part of the game and Durbin excelled at it. Not only did she play a near-flawless outfield, but also hit the cover off the ball all season. Posted a .533 batting average with 33 runs, 23 RBI, 10 doubles and eight triples while stealing 20 bases. Was also a major leader on a team that lost six seniors from the year before.

Pitcher of the Year: Sydney Boynton, Academy at the Lakes. Boynton had one of the most devastating strikeout pitches in the area with a brutally off-speed changeup, but she also has a plus curveball, dropball and screwball while adding a solid riseball and fastball. Her 8-3 record, 1.70 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 70 innings speak for themselves.

Coach of the Year: Jerry English, Academy at the Lakes. The veteran coach had a large challenge when he took over the program this year. He had some high-level travel ball players and others who had never played before. He got the squad playing together to the tune of a 14-5 record en route to a district championship and regional finals appearance for the first time in program history.

Boys weight lifting

–Dean Bui, Sr., Sunlake. Posted a 230 bench and 225 clean, 455 total, to finish sixth in the Class 2A 129-pound division at states.

–Kyle Fraser, Sr., Sunlake. His 545 total pounds was good enough to take eighth place at states in the Class 2A 154-pound division.

–Jack Holloway, Jr., Sunlake. Was 13th overall in the Class 2A 119-pound division by putting up 365 total pounds.

–Nate McCoole, Sr., Sunlake. Put up 750 pounds, more than anyone else in the Class 2A unlimited division at states.

–Jerome Samuels, Sr., Sunlake. Lifted 605 total pounds to place 11th overall in the Class 2A 238-pound division.

Lifter of the Year: Nate McCoole, Sunlake. McCoole was on a mission to bring home the first state championship in Sunlake weightlifting’s five-year history, and he did just that with his 440 bench and personal record 310 clean and jerk at the Class 2A unlimited division at states. He also tied a Pasco County record by benching 450 to help him win a district title.

Coach of the Year: Matt Smith, Sunlake. Wins the honor for the second straight year. Smith’s squad had another undefeated season and claimed another district title this year. He also took five lifters to states. No other area team took even one athlete to the finals.

Gaither’s Kelley scores one more victory

June 13, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Cowboy earns Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award

By Jeff Odom and Cameron Valdez

Long before his high school days, Gaither baseball player Hayden Kelley idolized MLB Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs.

On June 6, the senior center fielder was presented with the sixth annual Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award by the former Tampa Bay Rays player and 12-time All-Star for his work on and off the diamond.

“Just seeing the numbers (Boggs) put up and the abilities he put out on the field is incredible,” Kelley said. “For me to be forever linked to him like that, in any way, is a total honor.”

The award, established in 2005, is presented to one of the Hillsborough County’s top baseball team or players each year based on academic and athletic achievement as well as community involvement.

“Most baseball awards are for achievements on the field, and this award not only covers that but academics and what he does in the community,” Boggs said. He added, “These are the types of individuals that we look for.”

Kelley, a first-team all-Western Conference selection and Miami Dade College signee, graduated from Gaither with a 3.98 weighted grade point average (GPA). He served as a counselor and caregiver the past two summers at the Shriners Hospitals’ Camp Care-A-Lot and also traveled to the Dominican Republic with SCORE International on mission trips.

Kelley also gave back to young baseball players, participating in the Son Diamond Baseball Camps for inner-city children. He said his parents made him start volunteering when he was young, but now it’s something he can’t imagine not doing.

“I just really like helping out whenever I can,” Kelley said. “I feel like I always get more out of the time I spend volunteering than I have to put into whatever I’m doing there.”

After he finishes college, Kelley plans to continue a career in the sport he loves — hopefully, as a professional player.

“I am going to junior college for two years to get my (associate) degree, then, probably focus more on making a choice on that,” Kelley said. “After college, I want to play baseball for as long as I can. I want to see how far it’s going to take me.”

Joining Kelley in the ceremony was Steinbrenner second baseman Christian Diaz, who graduated with a 5.1 weighted GPA and served as the senior class president in the school’s student government. He was recognized as an honorable mention by Boggs and said he didn’t mind a runner-up spot to a player like Kelley.

“I feel very honored,” Diaz said. “I wear No. 12 in honor of Mr. Boggs with everything he has done for the community and to see a guy like Hayden, who has really gone out of his way to help the community, really makes me feel good about the people that have been nominated for it.”

—Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono contributed to this report.