The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Two more Gators sign

By

By Eugenio Torrens

Land O’ Lakes soccer players Josh Davis and Nathan Dalton watched on March 15 as friends and family filtered in to see them make their college plans official.

Land O’ Lakes soccer players Nathan Dalton, left, and Josh Davis as they sign their letter of intent to play in college.

“It’s great that I finally get to sign and I have everything off my back,” Davis said. The speedy forward led Pasco County with 33 goals and signed with St. Leo University. He then added, “I’m really, really happy to be signing with St. Leo and become a Lion. I’m really happy I get a chance to play college soccer, because it was coming in December and I was just like ‘Man, there’s no school looking at me.’”

Gators coach Mark Pearson was integral in setting up the relationship between Davis and the Lions late in the recruiting process.

Davis plans to study sports business, but ultimately hopes college can serve as a stepping stone to professional soccer.

Pearson said Dalton, a midfielder, also got a late final push thanks to his performance in a 3-1 loss to Plantation American Heritage in the Class 3A state title game. He said Jacksonville University, which is where Dalton will play, was interested in Dalton, but finals was where the Dolphins bought in.

“It’s amazing,” said Dalton, who will study money management and finance. “You finally get the weight off your shoulders. You don’t have to worry about calling college coaches all the time when you’re going to play.”

Now Dalton and Davis can enjoy the remaining months of high school.

“It’s never off your mind when you’re trying to get recruited,” Dalton said.

Dalton and Davis join teammates Jake Frahm and Andy Garcia as part of Pearson’s latest group to sign with colleges.

“So many players come through over the last 15 years,” Pearson said. “They all have different aspirations and different goals, and to see them realize them all individually, it’s great.”

 

Ravin Gilbert to run with the Panthers

By

By Kyle LoJacono

Three years ago Ravin Gilbert had never run a track race, but now her talents have secured her a full scholarship at Georgia State University.

Wesley Chapel track athlete Ravin Gilbert signs her letter of intent to run at Georgia State University next to her high school coach Brian Colding.

Gilbert switched from basketball as a sophomore and will now run with the Panthers, a Division I program in the Colonial Athletic Association.

“It’s unreal,” Ravin said. “I just can’t believe it’s happening. I think about it every day. I just can’t wait.”

Division I women’s track programs can offer 18 full scholarships, most of which get split to attract more athletes to a program, making it rare for someone to get 100 percent of their education paid for.

“If you take a look at my arms I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about what she can do in college,” said Steven Rivers, one of Gilbert’s AAU coaches. “To see her grow is going to be awesome.”

Wesley Chapel 12-year coach Brian Colding said Georgia Southern was wise to make the investment.

“They’re getting somebody who has high morals and ethics, and a student who cares about school,” Colding said. “Somebody who also has a level head on her shoulders and knows what it takes to succeed. She isn’t scared of hard work and isn’t looking for special treatment.”

Gilbert is Wesley Chapel’s record holder in the 200-meter race at 24.89 seconds and is five hundredths of a second away from the 100 record of 11.98. She will likely run the 100, 200 and 4×400 relay in college.

Gilbert will study physical therapy. She said academics were the first thing she looked at when picking a school.

“I looked at the academic side of things, and their academic team made me feel like they’ll have my back,” Gilbert said. “From there the team and coaches made me feel the vibe that it’s the right place.”

 

New coach, same winning pedigree

By

By Eugenio Torrens

Everything seems like business as usual for the Bishop McLaughlin baseball team.

The Hurricanes are coming off a 21-8 season that included a regional semifinals appearance and have started this year 9-4.

Tanner Koch and the Hurricanes’ pitching rotation has been a key to the team’s strong start to the season despite a coaching change.

First-year Bishop McLaughlin coach Tom LoSauro has to be content with how his team has come out of the gates.

“It’s been a tough year for all of our guys being that I’m so new,” LoSauro said. “Everyone’s learning the system. The seniors are learning the system. The way it’s supposed to work is the older guys bring the young guys along slowly because they’ve been through it before.”

LoSauro came from Fort Myers Bishop Verot Catholic, where his team won the Class 3A state championship in 2011.

The new coach’s credentials aren’t questioned, and, along with his resume, LoSauro has brought a more cerebral approach to the game.

“A lot of strategies. He’s very smart in the game,” said senior infielder Ty Cooler.

Catcher Corey Woodward readies himself for a pitch while he catches for pitcher Tanner Koch.

New terminology, signs, quirks, tendencies, likes, dislikes and a new personality that 13 varsity players have to mesh with in the roughly two months leading up to the season.

“There’s some things we’re still learning, but I think we’re pretty comfortable with him,” said senior pitcher Andy Olaniel.

Luckily for the new man at the helm, LoSauro is coming into a stable baseball program at Bishop McLaughlin.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” LoSauro said. “I don’t feel like there’s as much pressure to win and not miss a beat as much as I feel a comfort level that these guys have a certain expectation level of themselves. They know how to win; they’ve experienced winning. That is a good feeling as a coach to come into.”

Even a team full of experienced winners can’t dull the growing pains that accompany a change in coaching staff.

“I like how we’re starting to play as a team now,” said junior pitcher Tanner Koch. “We’re starting to gain some team chemistry. At the start of the season not everyone was together. I feel like everyone was trying to impress him at the start. Now, I feel like everyone’s starting to settle down.”

The Hurricanes have two quality starting pitchers in Olaniel and Koch, with Colton Nussel and Josh Falk coming in as reliable relief.

“The area we thought we’d need to work the greatest on has proved to be a little bit of Achilles heel — our defense isn’t where we want it to be,” LoSauro said.

He wasn’t too worried his defense would shore up. His bigger concern out of the starting blocks is hitting.

But LoSauro knows not to get too worked up after a 13-game sample size because there is plenty of time for improvement.

“You win championships — in high school — you win those in April and May,” LoSauro said. “You’re not going to win them in February and March. No matter how good you are in February, you have to be better in April.”

Bishop McLaughlin hosts Key West on March 20 at 7 p.m.

Weightman completes perfect season

By

The Weightman Middle seventh-grade boys basketball team finished a perfect 8-0 on March 8 by defeating John Long 37-21.

The Wildcats outscored their opponents 320-148 on the season while winning by an average of 21.5 points.

“The team was blessed with a lot of natural talent but had to learn to work together to win,” said coach Wayne Ackett.

Weightman had already clinched the Eastside Athletic Conference championship. Other teams in the middle school league include Centennial, John Long, Pasco, Pine View, Rushe and Stewart.

The team includes Ellrie Allen, Aaron Beardsley, Kyle Brown, Mykh’ael Chavis, Thomas Cogan, Jamison Cohick, Kyle Gardner, Reggie Jennings, Aidan Mitchell, Raymund Reddick, Bryan Sangar, Sam Schneidmiller, Devin Singletary, Kalin Timmons and Danny Zagone.

HART’s security honored

By

By Kyle LoJacono

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) was recently honored as one of 17 agencies nationwide as having the highest possible security methods.

“For HART, it means our plans and procedures are up to par with best practices, and we will continue fine-tuning our collaboration with law enforcement and emergency responders,” said Michael Stephens, who oversees HART’s safety and security. “HART is a valuable resource for law enforcement investigations and during an emergency, and we are ready to respond when needed.”

HART received Gold Standard designation from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Transit authorities volunteer for a comprehensive review of its systems to identify vulnerabilities and assess progress in areas like planning, training, background checks and public outreach.

Stephens said HART has been able to enhance its security and emergency management by “building strong partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies.” He added they have boosted training for drivers, transportation supervisors and maintenance employees to increase their awareness to suspicious activities.

HART’s increase in security started in earnest during 2002 when it used federal money to create an extensive surveillance system. It now has cameras on all of its buses and streetcars along with its buildings. Stephens said the cameras help enforce ridership rules while increasing the chance crimes are recorded to help law enforcement catch lawbreakers.

The recognition comes at a time when HART’s ridership is at an all-time high.

HART saw an increase of 10 percent in the number of people using its buses in 2011, up to 13.7 million. Just fewer than 50 million have boarded the authority’s buses, vans and streetcars since 2008.

HART was one of only two transit authorities based in Florida to earn the honor along with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit District.

“I commend these organizations for their commitment and hard work that this level of achievement requires,” said TSA administrator John Pistole. “TSA recognizes the continued dedication individual transit agencies demonstrate every day to ensure the safety of travelers nationwide.”

For more information on HART, visit www.gohart.org.

Building A Stronger Work Force

By

By B.C. Manion

 

A deeper partnership between the county’s public schools and employers could strengthen Pasco County’s work force, economic boosters say.

The goal is to give students a chance to broaden their learning experiences through internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and other opportunities at local businesses, said John Hagen, CEO and president of the Pasco Economic Development Council (PEDC). A steering committee, led by Hagen, is asking businesses to become more engaged in preparing the local work force.

Peter Buczynsky, president of Pharmaworks, a company based in Odessa, said more hands-on training is needed to prepare today’s work force. One of the biggest challenges his company faces is finding employees who have practical skills in addition to theoretical knowledge.

“They’ve never had to put the chain on their bicycle or fix a flat tire or figure out a lawn mower,” said Buczynsky, who oversees the company that was named Florida’s 2011 Manufacturer of the Year.

He also thinks middle school students need opportunities to see what’s happening in the work force. Such opportunities might spark a career interest, Buczynsky said, adding: “It starts off with exposure.”

The school district wants to expand internships and other learning opportunities, said Rob Aguis, who oversees the district’s 17 career academies. However, it needs more business partners to achieve that, he said.

The district’s academies focus on various fields.

There’s the Academy of Culinary Arts at Land O’ Lakes High, the Academy of Finance at Sunlake High and the Academy of Automotive Service Technology at Wesley Chapel High. Others include the Academy of Information Technology and the Academy of Medical Professions at Wiregrass High, the Academy of Health at Zephyrhills High and the Academy of Health and the Academy of Building Technologies at Pasco High.

Hillsborough County also offers a wide selection of career and technical programs at Steinbrenner, Freedom, Gaither and Wharton high schools.

Steinbrenner is a choice school for its culinary and its sports, recreation and entertainment marketing programs. Its offerings also include agritechnology, health and wellness, agricultural communication, digital design, veterinary assisting and teaching assisting.

Gaither’s selections include nursing assistant, digital design, veterinary assisting, drafting and illustration, accounting operations and agricultural science and service.

At Wharton, career and technical offerings include accounting operations, business supervision, digital design, early childhood education, teaching assisting and web design.

Freedom also offers web design, animal science and service, marketing, culinary and other career and technical options.

Giving students more real-world experiences can reap tremendous dividends, both for students and the local work force, Hagen said.

“It has the power to transform students and the relationship they have to their own education, and to their own lives,” Hagen said. “You get a skill set, but you are also going to get a different view of the world.”

Getting experience in work settings also gives students a competitive advantage in the job market, Hagen said.

“You don’t just know it,” he said. “You know how to do it.”

It also benefits employers.

“You get better employees because they have critical thinking skills, but then they can actually pound a nail or push a syringe, or whatever it is,” Hagen said.

Real-world experiences also help students make informed career choices, he said.

“College takes such resources these days. It seems to me it is kind of a tragedy when somebody goes through a program and graduates with a degree — or even for that matter, they come out of high school and then they go to work in the field that they’ve chosen — and they discover, ‘This isn’t what I thought it was. I don’t like it.’ ”

Employers who provide internships can observe potential employees and help them learn career skills.

“We realize that the knowledge content of jobs is going up,” Hagen said. Part of the problem with today’s labor market is the mismatch between what employees know how to do and the skills that employers need.

Hagen is pleased by the school district’s interest in helping to develop a stronger work force. He hopes companies will be equally enthusiastic about stepping up to the plate.

Any business that wants to know more can call Hagen at  (888) 607-2726 or send him an email at .

 

Hearing expected in May on proposed high school in Lutz

By

Problem with hearing notice forces school to reapply

 

By B.C. Manion

 

A public hearing on a proposed campus in Lutz for students in grades seven through 12 likely will be scheduled in May.

A hearing set for March 19 had to be canceled because public notices were not sent out in a timely manner.

The proposed school has drawn opposition from area residents, who are concerned about traffic and environmental issues.

Traffic concerns cannot be eliminated but can be reduced by staggering the school schedule, said Patti Girard, founder of Learning Gate, which began as a private preschool in 1983 and converted to a public charter school in 2000. Learning Gate has an elementary campus on 27 wooded acres at 16215 Hanna Road, and leases space for grades seven through nine in an office building at 15316 N. Florida Ave.

The seventh- through 12th-grade campus is proposed on 66 acres near Nye Park, with primary access from US 41. The school’s possible name, Gates Senior High, is drawn from its five areas of emphasis: Global outreach, the arts, technology, environment and sustainability.

Girard said the school is expected to grow slowly, so the area will be able to absorb its impacts gradually. The campus would be on property with extensive wetlands, which the school wants to incorporate into its curriculum.

The elementary campus has an organic garden and the first modular school building in the country to achieve the platinum designation in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Schools program. The new campus is intended to be a net zero campus, meaning all its power would be produced there, taking if off the electrical grid.

Girard has been meeting with residents to address their concerns and believes they are making progress. Genesis Group, which is handling the school’s application, had to submit a new application because it had used up its continuances.

Learning Gate draws from communities in Hillsborough and Pasco counties, including Lutz, Trinity, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

Chalk Talk for March 14

By

Art, culture on tap at PHCC

Pasco-Hernando Community College will present visiting artists, hands-on activities and cultural festivals at its Art & Culture week, which concludes March 15. The events will be at campuses in Dade City, New Port Richey, Brooksville and Spring Hill. Offerings include experiential painting, films, lectures and other participatory events. Students, faculty, staff and the community are invited. Visit www.phcc.edu/artculture for a daily agenda at the various campuses or call 1-877-TRY-PHCC.

 

Retired educators plan outing

The East Pasco Retired Educators Associations will meet at the IHOP Restaurant, 13100 US 301 in Dade City on March 15 at 10 a.m., to carpool to the Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk’s Nature Discovery Center. Please bring a picnic lunch. All retired school personnel and friends are welcome. To attend, call Mary Johnston in Zephyrhills at (813) 779-9022.

 

Pine View kickball rivalry

Pine View Elementary and Pine View Middle are squaring off in the third annual Pride of the Parkway Staff Kickball Game at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 23 at Pine View Middle, 5334 Parkway Blvd. in Land O’ Lakes. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students. All concession food and drinks are $1. The Pine View Middle School band will perform. Proceeds will benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, a Tampa-based organization dedicated to researching less toxic treatments and eliminating childhood cancers. Those attending are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.

 

Sunlake High band concert

Sunlake High will hold a concert Friday, March 23 at 6 p.m. in the school gymnasium. The event will include a silent auction with proceeds to benefit the band program. The school is at 3023 Sunlake Blvd.

 

Prize-winning equestrian

Hanley Riggs, a fifth-grader at Academy at the Lakes, has received a $1,000 scholarship from the Pinellas County Hunter Association for having the highest collective points in her age division (12 and under) for the 2011 show year.

 

Wharton team wins culinary honor

A restaurant business plan developed by a Wharton High team won fifth-place honors at a statewide culinary competition in Orlando.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation hosted the

12th annual ProStart Culinary Team Competition, which featured 47 high school teams comprised of juniors and seniors enrolled in the ProStart curriculum in the 2011-2012 school year.

Teams participated in four competitions, including the Cracker Barrel Management Competition, the Johnson & Wales University Gourmet Meal Competition, the Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition, and the Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition. Wharton took fifth in the Cracker Barrel Management Competition by developing a business proposal that consisted of a defined restaurant concept, a supporting menu and a supporting marketing plan. The team also prepared a comprehensive written proposal, created a visual display and gave a verbal presentation.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation is the only organization in Florida that offers the ProStart program.

 

Honors for local students

Several local students have achieved honors at their college:

–Maureen Elizabeth Colligan, Odessa, dean’s list at Colgate University. She is the daughter of Daniel P. and JoAnn M. Colligan.

–Alan K. Westbay, Lutz, president’s list at Mercer University College of Engineering.

–Alexandra E. Aucoin, Lutz, dean’s list of the College of Liberal Arts at Mercer University.

–Alexis L. Setteducato, Lutz, dean’s List of the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University.

–Nikkita Mehta, Lutz, dean’s list of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

 

Scholarship deadline nears

The deadline is March 19 for college students to apply for a $1,200 scholarship from the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections. Students must either major in political/public science, business administration or journalism/mass communications. Complete eligibility guidelines and information can be found at www.myfloridaelections.org, or at www.VoteHillsborough.org under the “What’s New” category on the right-hand side.

 

Sunlake band program scores big

The Sunlake Concert Band has been awarded straight superiors and has qualified for the Florida Bandmasters Association State Performance Assessment. This was the first time in the school’s history the concert band received a superior rating. The band was rated superior by each judge.

The school’s band program received straight superior ratings at all Florida Bandmasters Association District Music Performance Assessment events this school year – marching band, jazz band and concert band, as did individuals who participated in solo and ensemble performances.

The school’s percussion ensemble performed at the Florida FFCC percussion regional competition, taking home first place honors.

The winter guard received third place at another weekend regional contest. The winter guard already has been promoted a class as a result of its talent.

 

All-Laker/All-Lutz News winter teams

By

The Laker and the Lutz News has named its All-Laker/All-Lutz News teams for the 2011-12 winter high school athletic 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, Wharton, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch. Stats are as recorded to Maxpreps.com or provided by coaches. Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono selected the team. He can be reached at .

Girls basketball first team

–Point guard: Samantha Fernandez, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. The lightning-quick senior averaged 13 points, 8.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds.

–Guard: Taylor Emery, Fr., Freedom. Wasn’t intimidated starting as a freshman, pouring in 18.3 of Freedom’s 49.5 points per game. Added 3.2 rebounds and 3.1 steals.

–Guard: Kelly McCaffrey, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Dropped 19.2 points while leading the Sunshine Athletic Conference with 8.9 rebounds. Had 4.4 steals and 4.1 assists.

–Guard: Amelia Oliver, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. A huge threat as an outside shooter, Oliver scored a team-high 18.9 points this season.

–Forward: Abbigale Kaczmarek, Sr., Wharton. Helped lead a late-season surge that saw Wharton win a district title. Scored 11.1 points with 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.

–Forward: Andrea Mauger, Jr., Academy at the Lakes. Posted 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and four assists per game.

–Center: Rachel Briere, Fr., Steinbrenner. Burst onto the scene as a freshman, putting up 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.5 blocks.

–Utility: Bailey Hooker, Jr., Steinbrenner. Her versatility let her play guard or forward creating match-up issues. Averaged 19.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.1 blocks.

Girls basketball second team

–Point guard: Tiffany Echevarria, Jr., Wesley Chapel. The Wildcats went 4-19, but it wasn’t because of Echevarria who scored 14.5 points.

–Guard: Monica Cazes, Sr., Wharton. Her work mainly on the perimeter led to 10.4 points for the Wildcats.

–Guard: Shadé Williams, Sr., Freedom. Scored 8.3 points and was the Patriots lock-down defender. Recorded 2.4 steals and 2.1 rebounds.

–Guard: Alexis Wright, Sr., Steinbrenner. Gave opponents a third player to contend with offensively, scoring 6.3 points while adding four rebounds and two steals per contest.

–Forward: Amanda Melosky, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch. Made the Bulls instantly better in the paint, scoring 10.7 per game while pulling down 7.1 rebounds with 3.8 steals.

–Forward: Kendra Sheets, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. One of the best defensive players in the area, Sheets recorded 5.6 rebounds while scoring 7.9 points.

–Center: Yvanessa Vincent, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. Recorded 10.9 points and 11 rebounds per game, the only area athlete to average a double-double.

–Utility: Shannon Clark, Jr., Wharton. The forward/guard posted nine points per contest while kicking in 3.2 rebounds.

Girls basketball honorable mention

–Guard: Tiffani Brazel, Fr., Gaither. Racked up 11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.6 assists.

–Guard: Sarah Nichols, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. The Gators needed Nichols’ 7.4 points per game to help replace four starters from a year ago.

–Guard: Neena Pacholke, Jr., Freedom. Stepped up after Freedom lost its top two scorers from last year. Posted 7.5 points and 1.3 assists.

–Forward: Alexis Holler, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. Made her contributions with solid defense and rebounding to the sound of 4.1 boards per game.

–Forward: Kashari James, So., Gaither. The Cowboys (3-19) didn’t have much to smile about, but James was a bright spot. Scored 10.4 points with 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks.

–Center: Logan Seoane, So., Wiregrass Ranch. Stepped up as a force down low, scoring 7.6 points while pulling down seven rebounds a game.

–Utility: Jhade Hayes, Fr., Sunlake. Scored 13.6 points with 9.8 rebounds while moving between forward and guard.

Player of the Year: Andrea Mauger, Academy at the Lakes. Mauger shot 43 percent from the field while averaging 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and four assists, but her importance went much deeper than stats. Mauger knows the Wildcats’ system better than anyone but coach Karim Nohra, acting like an assistant on the floor. She also changed her game to exploit the opposition by shooting from outside or attacking the basket. The academy went 23-6, reaching the Class 2A final four with Mauger leading the way.

Coach of the Year: Karim Nohra, Academy at the Lakes. In his 20th year coaching Nohra again showed he has one of the best basketball minds in Tampa Bay. He incorporated two new starting guards in Samantha Fernandez and Amelia Oliver while tailoring gameplans to fit his players’ skill set. The academy went 23-6, winning consecutive district titles and claiming the first regional crown in school history.

Boys basketball first team

–Point guard: Justin Thomopalos, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Like a true point guard, Thomopalos wasn’t worried about his stats, focusing on setting up others. Averaged 5.1 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals.

–Guard: Ethan Haslam, Fr., Academy at the Lakes. Scored 34 percent of the points for a playoff team, averaging 18.8 with 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.2 assists.

–Guard: Ernest McClendon, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. His ability to shoot from outside or attack the basket kept opponents off balance. Scored 12.7 points with 4.3 rebounds.

–Guard: Christian Parra, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. The Wesley Chapel transfer didn’t miss a beat. Racked up 17.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, three steals and 2.6 assists.

–Forward: Rico Kerney, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Led all area athletes with 25.1 points and 14.2 rebounds. Also showed his quickness with a team-high 3.3 steals.

–Forward: Erik Thomas, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Did everything for the Wildcats, leading in points (21.7), rebounds (14.1), assists (4.6), steals (three) and blocks (2.9).

–Center: Victor Obi, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. The only area athlete who patrolled the low block like a traditional center. He swatted 2.4 shots while snagging 7.5 rebounds and scoring 7.5 points.

–Utility: Joey Maloney, Sr., Steinbrenner. Transitioned between forward and center while leading the Warriors with 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and two blocks per game.

Boys basketball second team

–Point guard: CJ McGill, Jr., Wharton. Returned after missing last year with a torn ACL and didn’t lose his quickness.

–Guard: Jarrett Harvey, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. Took him some time to shift from football, but wound up with 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and two steals a game.

–Guard: Troy Holston, Jr., Wharton. Transferred from Freedom to give Wharton a big threat from the outside with the ability to cut to the basket.

–Guard: Larrentz Manora, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Stepped up as a scoring threat for the Bulls, pouring in 11.1 points with 3.5 rebounds.

–Forward: Jackson Cannon, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Gave the Gators a physical presence down low, scoring nine points a game while pulling down six rebounds with 2.3 steals.

–Forward: Mike Morrow, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. The offensive half of Land O’ Lakes’ forward duo, Morrow poured in 11.2 points along with 4.1 rebounds.

–Center: Marcus Hayne, So., Wesley Chapel. Athletic enough to move out of the paint to challenge shooters. Scored 8.8 and grabbed 6.6 rebounds.

–Utility: Abaz Igwe, Jr., Academy at the Lakes. The Freedom transfer was at home at guard or forward. Recorded 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals.

Boys basketball honorable mention

–Point guard: Dimarco Burgess, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. The Freedom transfer took to running the offense fast, averaging five assists, 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

–Guard: Isaiah Goncalves, Sr., Steinbrenner. The deadly accurate shooter connected on 58 percent of his 3-pointers while averaging 11.3 points.

–Guard: Pedro Pabon, Sr., Sunlake. Filled up the stat sheet in his final season with 16 points, seven rebounds and 2.6 assists.

–Guard: Sir Patrick Reynolds, Jr., Wharton. Added a spark to the Wildcats, often as the first guy off the bench.

–Forward: Sasha Mentor, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Made a living in the paint, posting 9.2 points with 6.6 rebounds.

–Forward: Matthew Phillips, Sr., Carrollwood Day. Led his team in scoring for the second straight year, posting 15.2 with 6.2 rebounds.

–Center: Patrik Hauri, Sr., Wharton. Was a bit undersized, but was always going 100 percent.

Player of the Year: Rico Kerney, Wiregrass Ranch. Kerney had to raise his game as the only returning starter from a district championship team a year ago and did not disappoint. He led all area athletes with 25.1 points and 14.2 rebounds while posting a team-high 3.3 steals. His work helped the Bulls make back-to-back postseasons.

Coach of the Year: Jeremy Calzone, Wiregrass Ranch. Claims the honor for the second straight year. Calzone had a big task ahead of him when the year began. Replace four starters from a playoff team while incorporating two transfers. His methods got the team playing its best down the stretch, finishing 17-11 and with a postseason berth.

Girls soccer first team

–Forward: Cici Gonzalez, Sr., Steinbrenner. Used her speed and ball-handling to rack up a team-high 16 goals, including four in the regional quarterfinals, and added four assists.

–Forward: Jenna Stiling, Sr., Freedom. Stiling’s team-high 12 goals helped get the Patriots back to the playoffs for the third straight year.

–Forward: Berlin Waters, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Led all area athletes with 21 goals while adding seven assists.

–Midfielder: Anne Cypriano Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Her six goals and 10 assists helped the Bulls overcome the loss of last year’s leading scorer A.J. Blount to a knee injury.

–Midfielder: Alyssa Daniello, Sr., Freedom. Had only three goals and five assists, but Daniello made big contributions with her hustle.

–Midfielder: Tess Gemberling, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Racked up a team-high 13 goals as the catalyst of the Wildcats’ attack.

–Defender: Mitsy Audate, Fr., Land O’ Lakes. Always in the right spot to keep offenses away from the Gators’ net.

–Defender: Miranda Gonzalez, So., Steinbrenner. Probably the fastest defender, if not player, in the area. Miranda’s speed allowed her to stifle opposing offenses.

–Defender: Joelle Stewart, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Moved from midfield this year and was instantly one of the best backliners.

–Utility: Arielle Le-Tran, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Moved between forward and midfield while scoring nine goals and adding six assists.

–Goalkeeper: Emily Ball, Sr., Freedom. The University of South Carolina signee racked up 186 saves and 10 shutouts.

Girls soccer second team

–Forward: Alexis Bredeau, Jr., Steinbrenner. A threat to shoot or pass, Bredeau posted eight goals and six assists.

–Forward: Ashni Deschenes, Jr., Wharton. Wharton’s offensive leaders scored 14 goals and added six assists.

–Forward: Taylor Valley, Sr., Steinbrenner. Returned to the Warriors after taking last year off and didn’t miss a beat, scoring 13 goals while adding six assists.

–Midfielder: Kelsey Bare, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Her 10 goals were big in helping Wesley Chapel make its first playoff appearance.

–Midfielder: Danielle Eule, So., Steinbrenner. Probably the best ball-controller in the area, Eule helped spring Steinbrenner’s deadly forwards.

–Midfielder: Taylor Tippett, Sr., Carrollwood Day. Scored 18 goals while adding six assists to lead the Patriots to a 12-3 record, their most wins ever.

–Defender: Lauren Gordon, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. A big reason why the Bulls allowed only 12 goals.

–Defender: Alex Schweitzer, So., Carrollwood Day. The lockdown defender wasn’t afraid to push the attack, posting 13 goals.

–Defender: Kendra Swetland, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Finally had a healthy season and paid dividends to the Gators’ defense.

–Utility: Alyssa Lonsway, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Moved up to forward from defense earlier in the season and led the Gators with 11 goals.

–Goalkeeper: Stephanie Hirsch, Jr., Steinbrenner. Saved 72 shots and allowed only 13 goals while fighting through numerous injuries.

Girls soccer honorable mention

–Forward: Catherine Gray, So., Land O’ Lakes. The extremely physical player scored eight goals and dished out seven assists.

–Forward: Taylor Meek, So., Gaither. Meek matched her scoring from her freshman year with 12 tallies as the Cowboys’ primary attacker.

–Forward: Jessica Taylor, Fr., Steinbrenner. Added an offensive punch scoring six goals.

–Midfielder: Spencer Valdespino, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. The speedy and powerful Valdespino led the Hurricanes with 18 goals and 17 assists.

–Midfielder: Richelle Vetzel, So., Bishop McLaughlin. Part of the ‘Canes one-two offensive punch, scoring 13 goals and adding nine assists.

–Midfielder: Christina Wojaczyk, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Posted five goals and six assists while also stepping up as a leader.

–Defender: Dana Jones, So., Freedom. A big reason while Freedom allowed only 17 goals.

–Defender: Sydnee Newby, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Took command of the Wiregrass Ranch backline with her speed.

–Utility: Jordanyné Fye, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Was second on the Bulls with nine goals as an energy sparker off the bench.

–Goalkeeper: Ariana Bailey, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Always in the right position to make saves, recording 146 with 13 shutouts and 21 goals allowed.

–Goalkeeper: Dayton Wetherby, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Used her superior athleticism to make 78 saves with 11 shutouts while allowing only 11 goals.

Player of the Year: Emily Ball, Freedom. Ball’s work between the pipes was critical to the Patriots’ defensive-oriented style. She had by far the most saves in the area with 186 while recording 10 shutouts and allowing only 15 goals. Ball was also like another coach on the field, organizing the squad with her commanding voice.

Coach of the Year: Michelle Clark, Wesley Chapel. Clark led Wesley Chapel to the playoffs for the first time in her second year at the helm. The squad had been a perennial bottom dweller, winning 10 games the last five years while losing 65. The Wildcats (9-12) finally have some confidence thanks to Clark’s coaching.

Boys soccer first team

–Forward: Jonas Bukh, Sr., Gaither. The Cowboys needed all of Bukh’s team-high 23 goals and nine assists to win a district and regional championship.

–Forward: Josh Davis, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. His blazing speed put defenders on their heels, and often their backsides. Davis scored a team-high 33 goals with 15 assists.

–Forward: Conner Gilboy, Jr., Sunlake. Sunlake needed someone to replace the 51 goals from graduate Jordan Landry, and Gilboy was it. He notched 27 tallies and 26 assists.

–Midfielder: Nathan Dalton, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Appeared as a wizard with the ball feeding open teammates. Recorded a team-high 25 assists with eight goals.

–Midfielder: Jake Frahm, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Used his 6-foot-2 frame to muscle his way to 24 assists and eight goals to help the Gators reach their second state finals ever.

–Midfielder: Miguel Laliberte, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Probably the most versatile player because of his ability to score or dish to teammates. Totaled 18 goals and had 15 assists.

–Defender: Austin Renz, Sr., Steinbrenner. Made smart decisions that left the opposition scratching their heads and his team celebrating.

–Defender: Justin Santos., Jr., Gaither. A big reason Gaither allowed only 11 goals after December while also adding four scores and four assists.

–Defender: Jacob Snidle, Sr., Gaither. Stepped up as a leader on a team that lost 10 seniors. Always in position to make key stops while adding four goals and eight assists.

–Utility: Felipe DeSousa, Sr., Wharton. Set a program record by scoring 28 goals while adding 14 assists.

–Goalkeeper: Nate Brown, So., Freedom. Most teams underestimated him because of his small stature. He recorded 82 saves with a 0.93 goals against average.

Boys soccer second team

–Forward: Andy Garcia, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Helped fuel the Gators’ high-octane offense with 26 goals and six assists.

–Forward: Morgan Shepherd, Fr., Wesley Chapel. Didn’t play like a freshman. Shepherd led Pasco County through districts with 32 goals while adding 11 assists.

–Forward: Connor Spencer, Fr., Sunlake. Worked as a half of the Seahawks offensive duo with Conner Gilboy, Spencer posted 21 goals and 18 assists.

–Midfielder: Tarek Assaad, Jr., Gaither. Had the ability to see plays before they developed making passes resulting in six assists while posting seven goals.

–Midfielder: Enrique Barboto, Jr., Steinbrenner. Led his squad with four assists while kicking in three goals to the Warriors’ attack.

–Midfielder: Ize Cadet, Sr., Wharton. The attacking midfielder was the Wildcats No. 2 scoring option. Finished with 11 goals and seven assists.

–Defender: Nicholas Kempton, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. A constant presence for Land O’ Lakes, breaking up opposing rushes before getting close to the net.

–Defender: Jett Wright, Jr., Freedom. Wasn’t afraid to press the attack, scoring six goals with two assists while playing a solid backline.

–Defender: Sean Young, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Always found his way to the ball while adding six goals and 18 assists.

–Utility: Paul Barrett, Sr., Gaither. Once Barrett got his 6-foot-2 frame rolling it was very hard to knock him off the ball. Recorded six goals and seven assists.

–Goalkeeper: Keenan Kushner, Jr., Wharton. Moved with the quickness not usually associated with 5-foot-10, 160-pounders. Made 72 saves with eight shutouts.

Boys soccer honorable mention

–Forward: Daniel Diaz, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Scored 24 goals, just more than one per contest, accounting for 40 percent of the Bulls tallies.

–Forward: Derek Geghard, Jr., Steinbrenner. Had a team-high eight goals while adding three assists

–Forward: Larry Thorpe, Sr., Freedom. Combined quickness with the ability to play physical. Thorpe had a team-high seven goals.

–Midfielder: Conner Fleming, Sr., Steinbrenner. A knee injury limited playing time near the end of the year, but still was one of the Warriors’ key contributors.

–Midfielder: Joe Gulau, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. Lead the ‘Canes with 16 goals.

–Midfielder: Calvin Restrepo, Sr., Sunlake. Like a good midfielder, Restrepo was a scoring and passing threat. Recorded 12 goals and 14 assists.

–Defender: Pat Lawson, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Played physical defense and pressed the attack. Had nine goals and 10 assists.

–Defender: Connor Walker, Sr., Wharton. His big leg set up Wharton on free kicks.

–Utility: David Santacruz, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Gave the Wildcats a spark at forward or midfield. Scored 21 goals with 20 assists.

–Goalkeeper: Carlos de Oliveira, Sr., Gaither. The converted midfielder made big saves traditional keepers wouldn’t. Finished with 101 saves and 1.34 goals against average.

–Goalkeeper: Brandon Jungbauer, Jr., Sunlake. Notched 10 shutouts with a goals against average of 1.23.

Player of the Year: Jonas Bukh, Gaither. Bukh picked a good season to return to the Cowboys. Spent last year in his native Denmark after attending Gaither as a freshman and sophomore to become his squad’s leading scorer with 23 goals and nine assists. The Cowboys lost their top two scorers from a year ago, but with Bukh Gaither won districts and regionals.

Coach of the Year: Mark Pearson, Land O’ Lakes. The Gators lost 10 seniors from a team that went 23-1 a year ago. The 15-year coach was up to the challenge. When his team lost the district championship for the first time in eight years, Pearson used it as fuel for his team and Land O’ Lakes found itself in its second state finals ever.

Building a baseball powerhouse at Saint Leo

By

By Kyle LoJacono

There’s a new level of excitement surrounding Saint Leo University’s baseball program.

The team has new batting cages, construction projects are growing the university itself and the Lions are off to a 15-5 start. The players can hardly contain their excitement for what is possible this season.

Saint Leo senior pitcher Aaron Brandt’s work on the mound has been a big reason for the Lions’ fast start.

“Go Lions,” yells senior first baseman Anthony Santa as he runs to join his teammates during practice. His enthusiasm is shared by junior shortstop Frank Rawdow, who transferred from Mississippi State this year.

“When you look around campus the school is growing,” Rawdow said. “That’s exciting, but what’s even better is we’re winning. We’re hot right now and it feels good.”

They are excited after struggling through 19-30 and 20-34 seasons in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

“This is the best team here that I’ve been on,” said senior pitcher Aaron Brandt, a Pasco High graduate. “I felt like this was a year where we’d have a lot of success just based on the fall when we came together. We’ve progressed from then and gotten a lot better even in these first couple weeks.”

Brandt said the biggest difference has to do with the younger players becoming veterans.

Another part of the newfound success is the players spending time under coach Russ McNickle, who came from Mississippi State four seasons ago.

“I’m excited for this group because I feel like everyone is on the same page,” McNickle said. “If you think about it, all these kids were recruited by me except for Anthony Santa and Jamie Tutko, who were here when we were brought in. When you look at it our fingerprints are all over the program.”

Lions senior first baseman Anthony Santa said coach Russ McNickle’s consistency has been a key to the baseball squad’s 15-5 start.

Santa said McNickle’s even-keel nature has been important to the progression.

“I think the biggest thing with coach is he’s stayed consistent since Day 1,” said Santa, a Land O’ Lakes High graduate. “He’s always asked us for effort, but he also challenges us as a person, which develops into being a better baseball player. He knows what we need to do to win.”

McNickle deflected the praise for the success this season toward his players, especially the team-elected captains — Santa, Brandt and senior infielder Zach Miller.

“Anthony Santa is a guy who thought about leaving after my first year but really has found himself in our program,” McNickle said. “He’s a leader by his work ethic. The guys love being around him. Aaron Brandt is just such a consistent worker. You know what you’re going to get out of him day-in and day-out.

“Zach Miller transferred in from Saint Louis University, he was a freshman All-American there, and he’s also very consistent and a hard worker,” McNickle continued. “Not too high or too low, which is the way I try to be.”

The team is excited about the possibilities this season, but nothing comes easy in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC).

“The thing that got me excited about coming to Saint Leo is it’s in the best Division II conference in the country,” McNickle said. He then added, “We’ve stressed to these guys is expect to win every day. If they can get that mindset and keep working every day, which they have, that’s the phase that will get you to winning.”

McNickle has taken advantage of the hotbed of talent in the Tampa Bay area. Of the 35 players on the roster, 22 are from Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas or Polk counties.

“When I got here what got me excited is I was playing with a lot of local kids,” Santa said. “There were a lot of kids I’d played against growing up, so it was like playing on an all-star team. Now that we’ve been here for a while we understand that we can compete for a conference championship. We’re going to play every day like it’s our opening day and understand that we’re blessed to be playing for Saint Leo.”

The Lions host Warner University on Tuesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. before hosting a three-game series against SSC rival Barry University March 16 and 17.