Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

A pair of Steinbrenner girls soccer players helped Hillsborough County end a three-year losing streak in the Senior Soccer All-Star Challenge.

Warriors forwards Cici Gonzalez and Taylor Valley each had an assist in Hillsborough’s 3-1 victory against Pinellas on March 9 at Countryside High. Gonzalez was given the Hillsborough Coaches Award for her work in the contest.

“Overall it was just a really fun experience,” said Gonzalez, a University of Tampa signee. “Of course it’s great to go out with wins for your high school career, but it was also just a really good time getting to play with the best players in the area. Winning for the first time in three years was a really good ending.”

Gonzalez sent a cross from the right corner on target for Tampa Prep’s Colby Maffei to head in with less than 3 minutes remaining in the first period for Hillsborough’s second goal. Valley assisted Newsome’s Elizabeth Haumschild after halftime.

The Warriors duo also helped the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) West All-Star team win the state championship at the University of South Florida the week before. They were joined by Land O’ Lakes defenders Arielle Le-Tran and Joelle Stewart, Freedom goalkeeper Emily Ball and Wharton midfielders Emily Belanger, Baylee Dozark and Brittany McNickle in the title run.

The West defeated the East all-stars 3-1 in the opening contest. Valley, an Armstrong Atlantic State University signee, scored two goals while Gonzalez added the other. McNickle had an assist and Ball, who has signed with the University of South Carolina, made four saves and allowed no goals in her time between the pipes.

The championship was completed with a 2-1 victory against the North. Gonzalez scored both goals, each coming in the final 10 minutes of the contest.

“We were pushing that whole game, so to get two great chances at the end to put my team ahead was a perfect ending,” Gonzalez said. She then added, “Getting to play with (Valley) in those last games was really special because we got to represent Steinbrenner together.”

Valley notched one assist in the final and Ball recorded three saves with no goals allowed.

The Saint Leo University (SLU) men’s basketball team’s late-season surge ended with a 61-56 loss to Florida Tech in the first round of the NCAA Division II tournament in Huntsville, Ala. on March 10.

The Lions (18-12) still managed to make the tournament for the first time in program history. It is also the first time in 14 years SLU has finished a season with a winning record.

The postseason run comes in Lance Randall’s first year as coach. His squad started 9-10, but ran off a nine-game winning streak, the longest in program history, to make the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) tournament finals.

Randall was named the SSC Coach of the Year, while junior guards Trent Thomas and Marcus Ruh both earned first-team conference honors.

SLU had an eight-point lead in the second half against SSC rival Florida Tech (23-6), but the Panthers fought back to take the lead for good with 1:25 left.

Thomas had a team-high 28 points, including six 3-pointers. Forward Shaun Adams scored 10, while fellow forward Tom Neary blocked 10 shots and pulled down six rebounds.

–Kyle LoJacono

 

Colin Roller’s odd journey to tennis

By Kyle LoJacono

Often the best athletes first pick up their respective game because an older sibling, parent or other relative also played.

Not so with Land O’ Lakes High senior Colin Roller.

“My parents actually did not have much of a background in tennis,” Colin said. “My mom played basketball and my dad played football, hockey and lacrosse his whole life. My mom actually got into it when I started at 7 years old. We didn’t really have any prior tennis experience.”

Colin’s first encounter with tennis happened almost by complete chance. The Rollers were members of a country club in Roanoke, Va. He and his mom, Felicia Roller, decided to give tennis a try one random afternoon.

“I was a big swimmer when I was younger and the pool was right by the tennis courts,” Colin said. “One day we just saw the tennis courts and decided to go out and play a little bit.”

Bob Roller, Colin’s dad, said his son also played travel baseball and basketball growing up.

“Then he found tennis,” said Bob, who is a volunteer assistant for the Gators. “We asked him around age 12 what sport he wanted to focus on, and he picked tennis. That surprised me a little bit, but it’s what he wanted and it’s worked for him.”

Colin, now 6-foot-4, said the individual nature of tennis is a big reason he has stuck with it.

“I played a lot of other sports, and it was fun being on a team like that, but there’s something nice about being out there all by yourself,” Colin said. “Sometimes it’s nice to rely on someone else to make a shot or get a hit, but I really enjoy being able to decide my own fate on a tennis court.”

Colin puts in about 20 hours a week between practice, working out and playing tennis.

“I’ve mostly been working on my backhand,” Colin said. “Basically I’ve been working on my backhand for four years, and it’s progressing. It’s gotten much better since freshman year. When I’m not working on my backhand I’m just working on putting everything all together and winning points. I’ve got the shots down, but I’m working on finishing points.”

He is also working on a new style to throw opponents off balance

“I’m mainly a serve and volleyer,” Colin said. “I return it as quick as possible and finish points at the net. I’ve been trying to progress my game more at the baseline.”

Colin has helped Land O’ Lakes reach new heights during his four years at the central Pasco County school. During his sophomore year in 2010 the Gators went undefeated as a team through regionals, becoming the first squad in program history to make states.

Colin has also made states the last three years, making it individually as a freshman and junior. His best finish was last year when he reached the Class 2A individual state semifinals, dropping a three-set match to the eventual state champion.

The Gators No. 1 has 48-1 singles record in the regular season, with his only loss coming last year to Wiregrass Ranch’s Courage Okungbowa.

“We can always count on Colin to win his points, but the other players look up to him too,” said Land O’ Lakes coach Jasalyn Gerazounis. “He’s always cheering them on during matches. He’s a great player and a great teammate.”

Colin has done almost everything possible individually with high school tennis, so his biggest remaining goal is a team one.

“We were the first Land O’ Lakes boys tennis team to ever get to states, and unfortunately it didn’t go very well for us,” Colin said. “We didn’t win one point at states. As a team our goal is to win districts and then regionals so we can win a point at states, but first we have to get there.”

Colin recently committed to East Carolina University, a Division I program. He said playing in college was a major goal of his.

Colin gets a chance to avenge his only high school loss when Okungbowa and Wiregrass Ranch play at Land O’ Lakes on Thursday, March 15 at 3:15 p.m.

By Kyle LoJacono

A 40-15 record, two playoff berths and a pair of regional finals appearances — that’s the combined season for the Academy at the Lakes boys and girls basketball teams this season.

Not only did the Wildcats have banner years but they also bested all their neighbors. No other school, private or public, in either Pasco or Hillsborough counties sent both basketball teams to regional finals.

Academy athletic director and boys basketball coach Tom Haslam put it simply: “It’s really good to be at the academy right now.”

Back up two years and the programs look very different. In 2009-10 the girls hit rock bottom, finishing 0-15.

Everything changed when Karim Nohra took over the winless Wildcats, turning them in one season into a 19-5 squad that won a district title and reached the regional finals.

The academy took another step this season, going 23-6, winning back-to-back district titles and claiming the first regional championship in school history.

It was also Nohra’s first trip to the final four in his 20 years of coaching. The Wildcats lost to eventual Class 2A state champion Tallahassee FAMU in the state semifinals, but Nohra said the state semifinals trip might help the program become a perennial power.

“I think hopefully this may launch us a little bit next year, and I know I’d like to get back here that’s for darn sure,” Nohra said.

Nohra had to work in two new starters this year. Senior guard Amelia Oliver transferred from Sunlake, giving the Wildcats a big threat from behind the 3-point arc.

Oliver scored a team-high 18.9 points per contest. She also became the first player in program history to score 1,000, finishing with 1,121 for her career.

Senior guard Samantha Fernandez also came to the academy this year, transferring from Oldsmar Christian. She used her quickness to average 13 points, 8.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds

“There were a lot of changes coming here,” Fernandez said. “A lot more discipline than I’ve had before. It was tough because coach Nohra demands perfection, but in the end I’m a much better player. I’m so happy to have come to Academy at the Lakes.”

Nohra added, “Sam and Amelia brought tremendous ability to our program. They had to get used to me. They had to get used to the system. They’ve never been really expected to do as much as I expected them to do. It took a while. I’d say it came together in the Seffner Christian game on Jan. 5. That’s when everything all came together and I thought, ‘wow we’re going to make a heck of a run,’ and we did.”

Nohra said fellow senior starters in center Yvanessa Vincent, who came from Jefferson last year, and forward Alexis Holler, along with junior forward Andrea Mauger were the reason for the success.

“You can’t ask anything more from a group of girls other than work your butt off please for me, and do what I ask and we’ll get to where we need to be,” Nohra said. “To their credit they did.”

Mauger, who posted 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and four assists per game, came from Wesley Chapel High as a sophomore and has seen a complete transformation in the program the last two years.

“We have all the support from the school,” said Mauger, who also scored her 1,000th point this year. “When we left for the final four in Lakeland everyone came outside to see us leave. It’s so different from when I first got here when no one thought anything of the girls basketball team.”

The boys’ change into a playoff squad happened this season. The squad went 7-18 last season, which had been the most wins in a year.

The squad went 17-10 this season, making its first playoff appearance. The Wildcats lost to Orlando Christian Prep in the regional finals, but Tom said making the elite eight is a sign of things to come.

“We’re such a young team, so getting to the regional finals is great because it gives them all experience,” Tom said. “Most of our players are juniors and sophomores, so this is just the beginning of what these players can do.”

Guard Jarrett Harvey is the only senior who gets significant playing time for the boys.

The Wildcats’ leading scorer Ethan Haslam, Tom’s son, is only a freshman. The guard poured in 18.8 points per contest while adding 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.2 assists.

The squad also got a boost from Freedom transfer Abaz Igwe. The junior guard/forward added 9.1 points to the academy attack to go along with 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals.

“It’s exciting because the kids want to play here,” Tom said. “It’s taken a couple years, but now there’s excitement with the program. I wish we could start next season right now.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Two years ago the Land O’ Lakes boys tennis team reached the state tournament for the first time in program history on the strength of a perfect record through regionals.

All but one of the top five graduated from that squad, but the resilient Gators recovered enough to finish as a district runner-up last year. The story is similar this season, where Land O’ Lakes brings back only three athletes, but has raced out to a 6-1 start with the only loss to nondistrict Nature Coast 4-3.

“They continue to surprise me,” said second-year Gators coach Jasalyn Gerazounis. “Last year when I became the coach I didn’t think I was going to be working with much from what other people said, and we ended up taking a doubles team to states and got out of districts.”

One of the three returners is sophomore Erik Thielbar, who is not surprised by the team’s winning ways.

“We’re the same as always,” Thielbar said. “We’re always going to be good. We have good freshmen coming in every year and coach gets us ready.”

Also back is Land O’ Lakes No. 1 Colin Roller, a senior, and sophomore Tyler Sanders, who has risen from the No. 5 spot last year to the 3.

Roller has an intense practice and playing schedule to prepare for college tennis, so he is unable to play in all of the Gators’ matches. The absence of their ace forces David Dollbaum, the No. 2, and Sanders to play the opponent’s top two players regularly.

“I feel like we’re better this year; like we’re a stronger team overall,” Sanders said. “We’re playing the best players on the other team and still winning without Colin a lot of the time. It gives us a of confidence.”

And when Roller is available it’s a lethal prospect for the opposition. The 6-foot-4 Division I prospect has a 47-1 singles record in the regular season going back to his freshman year with the Gators.

Roller plays doubles with Dollbaum, giving the freshman ample opportunity to pick up elements of his game.

“He’s very consistent and very quick,” Dollbaum said. “Even when he’s not ready for it he’s still very quick on the ball. … There’s a little pressure to just keep up with him.”

Gerazounis sees great possibilities with the duo.

“They’re working very well together as a doubles team,” Gerazounis said. “I’m looking for them to do very well at districts and I think they can do great at states.”

Land O’ Lakes is rounding into form as the Class 3A-District 6 tournament approaches thanks to the younger players and coach gaining experience with high school tennis.

Gerazounis is no newcomer to the game as she played and coached at Carlow University in Pittsburg, but last year was her first time leading a high school program.

“I think she’s feeling more comfortable this year,” Roller said. “Her first year last year went well, but it feels like it’s going even better this year.”

Gerazounis brings a no-nonsense attitude to practices, which start with 30 minutes of conditioning and agility drills before the Gators pick up a racket.

“Footwork is everything with this sport,” Gerazounis said. “If you don’t have that you’re not going to beat anyone.”

The results are evident in the young squad’s ability to play with any team. That, plus moving up in classification from 2A gives Land O’ Lakes a shot of returning to states.

“This year I feel like if we win districts we’ll have a good chance because the other teams in our region changed,” Gerazounis said. “A lot of the teams last year in our region were private schools where they focus on tennis. Most of these kids play other sports, so tennis isn’t their main focus. I think if I can mold them these next couple years we can get back to states regularly.”

The Gators played Springstead on March 5, but results were not available by press time. They travel to Hudson on Tuesday, March 6 at 4 p.m. before hosting Fivay on Thursday, March 8 at 3:15 p.m.

By Kyle LoJacono

The Saint Leo University (SLU) men’s basketball team won its Sunshine State Conference (SSC) quarterfinals contest 62-57 against Nova Southeastern on Feb. 29.

The win extends the Lions’ (18-11, 11-6 SSC) win streak to eight, a new program record. The late-season run comes after SLU started the year 9-10, 3-6 in conference play.

“I don’t think anything turned around because we felt like we were close,” said Lions first-year coach Lance Randall.  “We’ve got one sign hanging on our wall that talks about the stonecutter who on the 100th blow the stone was broken, but it wasn’t that last blow that broke the stone. It was the 99 before it. That’s really what has come to fruition for us.”

Randall, who was recently awarded the SSC Coach of the Year honors, was named SLU’s coach last summer and was tasked with turning around a program that last finished with a winning season 14 years ago, a streak now guaranteed to end. The squad also lost all but three returners either to graduation or transferring.

“We were picked to finish last in the conference,” said junior guard Marcus Ruh, who had 11 points. “Everyone doubted us coming into the year. … We all knew it was going to take a little while to gel. Obviously it’s tough when you’re not winning, but I’m proud of the coaches and the kids because we stuck through it.”

The Sharks (13-14) stifled the Lions’ offense early while taking advantage of second-chance points off offensive rebounds. Nova had 11 offensive boards to zero for SLU in the first half.

Randall said the winning streak may have gotten to the players’ heads leading to the slow start.

“We went a little too much one-on-one, but I’ll take that if it means our guys feel good about themselves,” Randall said. “It’s better to be aggressive than passive.”

The Lions entered halftime up 37-24 thanks to their own suffocating defense limiting the Sharks to 28 percent from the floor, living up to their No. 6 national scoring defense.

SLU came out flying after halftime, stretching the lead to as much as 18 with 15:56 remaining.  Nova chipped the Lions’ advantage down to three with 31 seconds left.

The Sharks fouled Trent Thomas, who stepped to the line and missed the front half of a one-and-one. Nova got the rebound and fired a 3-pointer that missed the mark. Lions forward Tom Neary grabbed the rebound and found Thomas running to the other basket.

Thomas pulled up and dribbled into the right corner to waste more time instead of risking a shot. The Sharks fouled Thomas with eight seconds left and the junior guard stepped to the charity strip confident he wouldn’t miss again.

“When I went for that first free throw I was a little shaky because it was my first one of the game,” Thomas said. “After I got to the line again I knew both shots were going in.”

Both shots found their mark, sealing the victory.

“That’s winning basketball,” Randall said. “In the end this team is finding different ways to win.”

Thomas said the team almost fell into the overconfidence trap because of the big lead.

“The sense of urgency kicked in and we stuck it out,’” said Thomas, who led SLU with 12 points. “Coach Randall was constantly screaming ‘get a stop, get a stop.’ After the fourth or fifth time we finally got a stop.”

Forward Regis Schager, the Lions’ only senior, had five rebounds while pouring in 10 points — more than twice his average.

“The whole team did very well tonight,” Schager said. “If we do our job we know we’ll do well. For me it was very nice to have a good game.”

The Lions, who entered the SSC tournament as the No. 7 team in the south region, earned their first trip to the 32-team field NCAA Division II tournament, turning around the culture of the program in one year.

“I’m just glad that I’m on this team right now,” Thomas said. “For the school to not have a winning season in a long time, and for us to come in and change things around is great.”

 

By Kyle LoJacono

Gaither flag football has been a constant in the playoffs.

The Cowboys have made the postseason every year since Hillsborough County adopted flag football as a sanctioned sport in 2007, including a district championship in 2009. Last year it came down to the last regular season district game, but Gaither extended that streak despite finishing 4-5.

Much of the problem in 2011 was simply numbers. The Cowboys had fewer girls try out than in past years, losing several expected returners due to injury, kids moving out of its school boundaries or some deciding to focus on other sports.

The problem is no more as 90 kids showed up for the preseason meeting and about 40 came to the first day of tryouts on Feb. 20.

“With so many more players coming out there’s a lot of competition,” said Bill Agatheas, the only coach in program history. “It’s wide open at every position.”

Agatheas added Trevor Scott as an assistant this year to go along with Charles Lattimore, who coaches the junior varsity team.

“Having Trevor is going to help a lot,” Agatheas said. “Coach Lattimore had a lot of irons in the fire because he’s also the wide receivers coach for the football team and the assistant business manager, so a lot of the time I was on my own coaching. I think we’re a good team because I’m the old man and he’s the young guy.”

Scott is also Gaither’s girls soccer coach, and many of his players tried out for flag football this season.

“Trevor has convinced them you can play club soccer and play flag football too,” Agatheas said. “That’s always been the battle.”

One of the new recruits from soccer is junior Angela Anderson. She participated in Gaither’s powderpuff flag football game last year. The annual contest allows girls to play on the gridiron while football players become cheerleaders.

“It was a lot of fun, so I thought why not try flag football,” Anderson said.

Anderson plays defense in soccer, but will likely be a receiver in flag football.

“I’m just hoping to have fun and for us to improve as the year goes on,” Anderson said. “I heard they were pretty good last year.”

Agatheas said he will rely on returners like junior Krista Rodriquez to help teach those new to the sport.

Rodriquez used to play soccer and run track, but now focuses on flag football. She played every position but safety on defense a year ago while contributing at wide receiver/running back.

Rodriquez, who started playing flag football at Steinbrenner as a freshman, is excited to see more kids developing a passion for the game.

“I think there’s a lot of talent out here,” Rodriquez said. “I think we have the potential to be really good if we focus. … Having more people is influencing the team in a positive way. I’m really excited for the season.”

The Cowboys will have to replace key graduates in Ayanna Fullwood and Dobra Hollins, who were major parts of the offense and defense the last few years.

Fullwood recorded five interceptions and 16 flag pulls as a linebacker, plus 27 catches and 388 yards rushing. Her nine touchdowns were the only scores for the team in 2010.

“They used to have two people cover Ayanna every game, which makes it easier for everyone,” Agatheas said. “Dobra was also big for us. Losing them hurts, but overall I think the talent is better. We’ve got some speed, we’ve got some height and we’ve got some kids who can actually catch the ball.”

Gaither plays in District 16, which includes some of the toughest area programs.

Freedom has made playoffs each year since Hillsborough adopted flag football, winning two district titles. Alonso, this year’s district tournament host, has been the state runner-up the last two years. Other district opponents include Wharton, Steinbrenner, Sickles and Leto.

Rodriquez knows she needs to take her game to another level to replace Fullwood and Hollins and contend in District 16.

“They had a lot of leadership skills and everyone looked up to them,” Rodriquez said. “They were really important, but I think we can continue to win with what we have.”

The Cowboys open the regular season by hosting Jefferson on Tuesday, March 20 before traveling to Sickles on Thursday, March 22. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.

By Kyle LoJacono

A few weeks after becoming the first Wiregrass Ranch girls basketball player to score 1,500 career points, Kelly McCaffrey is continuing to accomplish program firsts.

The senior guard and team captain was picked to play in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) all-star game on March 17 at Indian River State College in Port St. Lucie, becoming the first girls basketball player in the Bulls’ six-year history to earn the honor.

“Coach (John Gant) called me and I was really shocked because I wasn’t expecting it,” McCaffrey said. “I was just so happy they thought I deserved it.”

Gant was equally pleased.

“From a performance standpoint I thought she deserved to be in the game, so I was very happy to get that call,” Gant said. He then added, “I called her and told her to call back with her parents and had her put it on speaker phone so they could all hear it at once.”

Gant became Wiregrass Ranch’s coach this year. He brought in a new offense and defense, which McCaffrey readily took to.

“She scored over 500 points this season alone, and the beauty of it is she scored these points within our system,” Gant said. “It wasn’t like we had to get Kelly the ball and everybody else get out of her way. To her credit she accepted the new system from me as a coach and worked with it. … She didn’t have to be set aside as special because in her mind she was just a part of the team like everyone else.”

McCaffrey scored 19.2 points per contest this year, finishing as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,575.

The 5-foot-9 McCaffrey did more than just pour in points. She also led the Sunshine Athletic Conference by pulling down 8.9 rebounds while dishing out 4.1 assists and recording 4.4 steals.

“I always tried to be more than a scorer,” McCaffrey said. “Winning basketball games takes more than just points.”

One of McCaffrey’s major contributions never ends up in stat sheets — her leadership.

“There would be times when maybe we’d be falling behind in a game and she wouldn’t let anyone put their heads down,” Gant said. “Then she’d get a steal or make a big play. She wouldn’t always necessarily score, but maybe make a great assist that would give us that spark to get back into a game. From a leadership standpoint she was key.

“I think a lot of people expected us to be down this year losing a lot of points from seniors leaving and the structure changing,” Gant contributed. “For her to be that kind of all-around player and superstar and lift her teammates, we just could not have had the success this year without Kelly McCaffrey.”

McCaffrey started playing basketball because all her siblings did and her dad was a coach. She also participated in softball until her sophomore year when she decided to focus on the winter sport.

“Basketball is so fast paced and always something going on,” McCaffrey said. “To me it’s so much fun.”

McCaffrey helped Wiregrass Ranch reach its only two postseason appearances in program history in 2009 and 2010. The Bulls went 76-34 during her time with the program.

Wiregrass Ranch went 20-8 this year, falling in the Class 7A-District 9 semifinals. McCaffrey’s time at Wiregrass Ranch ended sooner than she would have liked, but she said she will always look back at her four years in high school with fond memories.

“It’s been awesome,” McCaffrey said. “All my best friends I met playing here. I had two great coaches who helped me a lot, and so did the assistants. I think they all helped me become a better player. It makes me sad that it’s over.”

McCaffrey plans to attend Santa Fe College in Gainesville.

“That’s where I want to go to school, so that’s why I want to play there too,” said McCaffrey, who plans on studying telecommunications.

Gant would like her college plans to have started in a few more years.

“It’s a pleasure to have coached her,” Gant said. “I just wish I had her and her parents back next year because they’re a first-class family and a credit to Wiregrass Ranch.”

–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.

By Kyle LoJacono

Wiregrass Ranch girls soccer coach Erin Dodd has resigned in order to take a job with a school in Doha, Qatar.

Dodd, who is also a teacher at John Long Middle, will leave for the Middle Eastern country this summer to teach at an international school, where she will be for at least two years.

“This was by far one of the hardest decisions that I’ve ever had to make,” Dodd said. “These opportunities don’t come around very often so I felt like I had to take it. I’ll be helping out and doing everything I can with the team before I leave and trying to stay as up to date when I’m gone.”

The Bulls have reached new heights since Dodd took over the program two years ago. Wiregrass Ranch has a combined 40-8-2 record during that time, including its first district championship and regional finals appearance in the 2010-11 season.

“She’s done a great job,” said Bulls athletic director Dave Wilson. “She really helped make the program into a winner.”

Before Wiregrass Ranch, Dodd also coached the John Long’s girls soccer team, posting a combined 30-3-3 record during her four seasons.

Dodd shined as a midfielder at Zephyrhills High, where she is still the Bulldogs’ all-time leading scorer with 147 tallies. She played at the University of Memphis on scholarship.

Wilson said they will advertise the coaching position soon, but there is no timetable for selecting Dodd’s successor.