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The Saint Leo University’s women’s basketball team hosted a basketball skills camp on April 15 for children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay Program.

During the event, 20 Little youngsters, accompanied by their Bigs, were able to meet the Lions players, see the facilities, participate in drills and play in the university’s gym.

The youth players got exclusive tours from the Saint Leo players, which included stops at the locker room and the training center, as well as a tour of the campus. Part of the tour included visiting the game room, where Lions players played pool, air hockey and video games with the young visitors.

Once back at the gym, the women’s team players led the youth in three skill groups — ball handling, dribbling and passing.

Heather Hogsett-Castle, senior director of activities and training with Big Brothers Big Sisters, spearheaded the event.

She also is a 2013 Saint Leo grad and former Lions women’s basketball player.

“It was fun to share that I played there and was a great way to give back to my community,” she told The Laker/Lutz News. “I am just so thankful for the Saint Leo Women’s Basketball team hosting Big Brothers Big Sisters out at their facility to show kids opportunities for their futures.”

At the end of the camp both Saint Leo and Big Brothers Big Sisters provided each child a Nike Drawstring bag filled with goodies and a new basketball. Also, Hogsett-Castle was presented with a No. 14 framed jersey, her former number. 

“This was such a humbling moment,” she added. “It was so full circle for me.”

Hogsett-Castle says Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay is always in need of volunteer mentors. Those interested can contact her at 813-440-8192 or to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

The Goal Diggers were the champions of the Wesley Chapel Woman’s Winter League, which plays its games at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road.

The Goal Diggers defeated SONIC 2-0 for the title.

The team includes team captain Claire Owen and players Kristy Flaugher, Andrea Fiedler, Lindsay Zullo, Amber Elrom, Taylor Reiss, Shelley Cox, Ashley Chevalier, Michelle Fox and Sarah Gelinas.

The Wesley Chapel Woman’s Spring League starts on April 30 and is looking for players and teams. Those interested in submitting a team or joining as a free agent, text Colin Eke at 813-610-2278.

The Saint Leo University Ice Hockey Club played its first game in what will now be the team’s new home, as the Lions hosted the University of North Florida on April 1 at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.

The Lions defeated the Ospreys 9-4 in front of a rowdy crowd of green-and-yellow-clad students and fans.

The club, which features students along with faculty member Dr. Randall Woodar  and staff member Kevin Floyd on its roster, recently met the necessary requirements to join the Collegiate Hockey Federation, the governing body of more than 120 collegiate club hockey programs.

According to the team, there also are on-ice and off-ice opportunities to be part of the club. Email club president "> for more information.

The Steinbrenner High Boys Lacrosse Team just wrapped its regular season schedule on April 3, finishing 14-1. Additionally, the team picked up its 100th win in program history since becoming a FHSAA sanctioned program.

Junior Chad Dempsey, pictured, scored a goal and assist in the 20-3 historic win over East Lake on March 28.

The Warriors played in the Class 2A-District 10 tournament, which ran from April 8 to April 12, and faced off against other local teams such as Land O’ Lakes, Wharton, Sunlake and Wiregrass Ranch.

Results were unavailable at press time.

However, Steinbrenner outscored its opponents 223-73 in the regular season, with senior Avery Kamuf leading the team in goals (44) and assists (26), while junior Andrew Diaz also scored 39 goals and 13 assists.

Warriors junior softball pitcher Saige Sampson threw a no hitter vs. St. Petersburg Northeast on March 24, during the annual Palm Harbor University Invitational.

Sampson would allow no hits over seven innings while striking out nine and walking four, and Steibrenner’s offense was led by Kenzie Reynolds, who went 5-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in the game.

Additionally, Steinbrenner came in second in the tournament, losing to Bartow 5-4 in the championship game on March 25. Senior Paige Bergen led the way with a 3-for-4 game with two RBI, while Lily Holtje and Makenzie Reynolds each recorded an RBI.

Crews Lake Wilderness Park just got a new amenity — and this one is towering.

A new 25-foot-tall, three-story observation tower, completed in February, offers stunning views of Crews Lake and the 113-acre park’s gardens, forest and marshlands.

The project took six months to complete and cost roughly $600,000. The project’s funding came from Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant and Pasco County’s voter-approved general obligation bond.

The tower is accessible from a 330-foot sidewalk, leading to it from the park’s parking lot. The tower’s base is 32 feet by 30 feet, its first-story platform is 16 feet by 30 feet, and its second-story platform is 8 feet by 30 feet.

The structure can sustain hurricane-power winds of up to 143 mph.

The park, at 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Spring Hill, is open seven days a week, from dawn to dusk.

The Hurricanes baseball team knocked off Clearwater Calvary Christian 2-1, in a stunning upset on March 9, over the No. 2-ranked team in the nation, according to MaxPreps.

Bishop was led by senior pitcher Travis Mabin, who threw a complete game, three-hit gem. He struck out four and walked two.

Through March 13, Bishop is off to a 5-1 start.

Senior Logan McGann leads the team with six RBI and eight hits, while batting .400 early in the season.

The Hurricanes are coached by former major-league ballplayer Rob Ducey, who spent parts of 13 seasons (1987 to 2001) playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, California Angels, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos.

The Sunlake High School Seahawks kept some streaks alive, thanks to impressive postseason performances from some lifters.

Sunlake was crowned both Sunshine Athletic Conference and District champions for the eighth straight season, then went on to become Regional Champions for the fourth season in a row.

The Seahawks compete in Class 3A.

Sunlake also sent five lifters to the state tournament on Feb. 18 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The team finished third overall in the Olympic Lifting and fifth in the Traditional Lifting.

Elena Kulubya was crowned state champion in the 169-pound weight class, performing a 165-pound snatch and a 215-pound clean and jerk.

Kulubya also was runner up in the traditional lifting side, performing a 215-pound clean and jerk and 200-pound bench.

Makiyah Nickerson was runner up in both Olympic and Traditional 139-pound weight class thanks to a 170-pound snatch/205-pound clean and jerk and a 205-pound clean and jerk/185-pound bench, respectively.

Carolina Crim, in the 183-pound weight class, finished third in both Olympic and Traditional, thanks to 135-pound snatch/190-pound clean and jerk and 190-pound clean and jerk/180-pound bench, respectively.

Additionally, Nicole Bouserhal (154-pound weight class) placed sixth in Traditional (160 pound clean and jerk/175-pound bench) and Jenifer Estrada (110-weight class) placed eighth (125-pound clean and jerk /130-pound bench).

Brooke DiCampli, a junior outfielder and catcher on Steinbrenner High School’s softball team, received the West Point Society of West Florida’s prestigious General Norman H. Schwarzkopf Leadership Award on March 3. The award is presented to high school juniors who demonstrate exceptional performance in academics, athletics, community service, good citizenship and leadership. The Warriors are 5-1 on the season through March 14.