The Laker/Lutz News

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Sunlake girls hoops to compete at regionals

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The Sunlake High varsity girls basketball team is set to compete in the Class 7A regional tournament, beginning Feb. 9. On Feb. 2, the Seahawks (15-8) defeated Springstead High 62-54 to capture the Class 7A, District 8 girls basketball title. Last season, the Seahawks reached the Class 6A regional semifinals.

Saint Leo coach joins Division I Troy University

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After 11 seasons, Saint Leo women’s soccer head coach Ged O’Connor has resigned in order to accept a head coaching position at Troy University in Alabama.

Longtime Saint Leo women’s soccer coach Ged O’ Connor has resigned to accept the same position at Troy University, in Alabama.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

The longtime coach most recently helped guide the Lions to the 2016 Sunshine State Conference regular season and tournament championship.
He posted a 123-66-12 overall record in his decade-plus of coaching, leading the Lions to seven NCAA tournament appearances during that period.
He leveraged that success into a coveted Division I coaching opportunity.
“I am very happy for Ged and his new position in collegiate soccer,” Saint Leo athletic director Francis X. Reidy said, in a statement. “He has been a tremendous coach and team member for the last 15 years at Saint Leo. He built a winning culture as evidenced by multiple Coach of the Year awards, Sunshine State Conference titles, SSC tournament titles, and NCAA post-season appearances.
“He recruited some amazing young women, and has built a great foundation for the next coach. “
A national search for a new Saint Leo head women’s soccer coach is underway.

Wesley Chapel releases 2017 varsity football schedule

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Wesley Chapel running back Dexter Leverett is expected to return in 2017.
(File)

Just two months removed from an impressive 7-2 campaign in 2016, the Wesley Chapel Wildcats (Class 5, District 8A) are already gearing up for their next season. Second-year head coach Anthony Egan has announced the team’s 2017 schedule, which includes six road games and four home games. Here’s the Wildcats’ 10-game regular season schedule:

  • at Sunlake High (Aug. 25)
  • vs. Wiregrass Ranch (Sept. 1)
  • at Pasco High (Sept. 8)
  • vs. Fivay High (Sept. 15)
  • vs. Gulf High (Sept. 22)
  • at Anclote High (Sept. 29)
  • at Ridgewood High (Oct. 6)
  • at Hudson High (Oct. 13)
  • vs. Zephyrhills High (Oct. 20)
  • at River Ridge High (Oct.27)

Even without quarterback Jacob Thomas and third-leading rusher Ellrie Allen, the Wildcats return a bevy of talent, including tailbacks Dexter Leverett (1,249 yards, 10 TDs) and Malik Melvin (358 yards, 7 TDs). Defensive stalwarts like linebacker Austin Wittish (93 tackles) and defensive back Isiaiah Bolden (24 tackles, 10 passes defensed, one interception) are also expected to return.

AP All-State football

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Steinbrenner kicker Noah Ruggles was named to the Class 8A First-Team All-State.
(File)

The Associated Press recently announced the Florida All-State teams across eight classifications. Several players in our coverage area received nods:

Class 8A
First-team
Kicker — Noah Ruggles (Steinbrenner High)

Class 7A
Second-Team
Linebacker— Decalon Brooks (Gaither High)

Third-Team
Defensive Back — Jordan Miner (Wiregrass Ranch High)

Honorable Mention
Offensive Line — Aaron Beardsley (Wiregrass Ranch High)
Linebacker — Ryan Scamardo (Wiregrass Ranch High)

Class 6A
Third-Team
Utility — Tyler Peretti (Sunlake High)

Class 2A
Second-Team
Defensive Back—Markeis Colvin (Carrollwood Day)

Saint Leo softball ranks No. 17

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The Lions’ 2017 season begins Feb. 1.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Saint Leo University softball enters the 2017 campaign as No. 17 in the nation, according to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

The Lions, finishing 2016 at No. 16, will begin the campaign in the top-20 after reaching the NCAA South Regional, and winning a second Sunshine State Conference (SSC) title in program history.

Coming off a 39-8 season, the Lions are the lone SSC team in the poll.

Saint Leo opens the 2017 slate with a doubleheader at Flagler at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Feb. 1.

Saint Leo will host Embry-Riddle for its home opener on Feb. 24 at University Softball Field.

Big Haul!

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Joey Koehler, of Zephyrhills, caught a 5.31-pound bass at the South Pasco Bassmasters’ January tournament.
(Courtesy of John Medvid)

Joey Koehler, of Zephyrhills, won the Big Bass category (5.31 pounds) at the South Pasco Bassmasters’ January tournament, at the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. In all, Koehler and his partner, Travis Nichols, caught five fish for a first-place weight of 16.75 pounds. They used flukes as bait.

The next tournament is Feb.18 at Lake Walk-in-Water.

For information, visit SouthPascoBassmasters.com.

Area weightlifters qualify for states

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Several local girls will compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Weightlifting Meet Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 at Belleview High School in Belleview:

Class 1A
101 pounds
Shelby Lewis (Sunlake High)
Zeena Zayed (Freedom High)

139 pounds
Caroline Winstead (Sunlake High)

154 pounds
Tricia Clifton (Wiregrass Ranch High)

169 pounds
Josie Blew (Freedom High)
Alyssa Kremer (Land O’ Lakes High)
Veronica Salazar (Land O’ Lakes High)

183 pounds
Hailey Parks (Sunlake High)

Unlimited
Micaiah Long (Sunlake High)

Class 2A
101 pounds
Sara First (Zephyrhills High)

139 pounds
Eliahnis Lewis (Pasco High)

183 pounds
Jessica Guadarrama (Zephyrhills High

Former Pasco High football star forgoes 2017 NFL draft

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Former Pasco High star Janarion Grant is returning to Rutgers next season.
(Courtesy of Rutgers University)

Janarion Grant, a former Pasco High football standout, will return to Rutgers (New Jersey) University for his final season of eligibility in 2017, holding off the NFL Draft for another year.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound wide receiver was granted a medical redshirt after a broken ankle prematurely ended his true senior season last September.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., said that he thinks a healthy Grant might have been drafted in the seventh round because of his special teams’ ability. Grant is tied for the NCAA career record with eight punt and kick returns for touchdowns.

Grant graduated from Pasco High in 2013. An all-purpose player, Grant played wide receiver, defensive back and special teams for the Pirates.

Wiregrass Ranch three-sport athlete commits to FAMU

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Wiregrass Ranch High’s Chris Faddoul will play college football at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
(Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School)

Wiregrass Ranch High senior quarterback and punter Chris Faddoul has verbally committed to play football for Florida A&M University, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Division I school. In 2016, the 6-foot, 185-pound signal-caller threw for 892 yards and nine touchdowns, and rushed for 450 yards. Faddoul proved to be one of the state’s top high school punters, averaging 45 yards per punt, the second-highest mark in Florida last season. Faddoul also played soccer and tennis at Wiregrass.

Former Wharton gridiron star named to All-Rookie Team

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Wharton graduate Vernon Hargreaves (Courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Vernon Hargreaves, a Wharton High graduate and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback, was selected to the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie Team. Hargreaves, who was drafted from the University of Florida with the No. 11 overall pick in last year’s draft, finished third among NFL rookies with 68 solo tackles. He also recorded nine passes defensed, an interception and a forced fumble. Hargreaves started all 16 games and was on the field for nearly every one of the team’s defensive snaps. He graduated from Wharton in 2013.