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Land O' Lakes Sports

New girls basketball coach joins Land O’ Lakes High

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Unforeseen circumstances have forced Land O’ Lakes High School to hire its second girls varsity basketball coach in three months.

Marcus Ludwig, a former Wharton High boys junior varsity coach, was named the Gators coach on Sept. 19. Ludwig, 33, replaces Ed Mullikin, who was hired in late June.

Marcus Ludwig, a former Wharton High boys junior varsity coach, was named the Land O’ Lakes High Gators coach on Sept. 19. Ludwig, 33, replaces Ed Mullikin, who was hired in late June. (Courtesy of Marcus Ludwig)
Marcus Ludwig, a former Wharton High boys junior varsity coach, was named the Land O’ Lakes High Gators coach on Sept. 19. Ludwig, 33, replaces Ed Mullikin, who was hired in late June.
(Courtesy of Marcus Ludwig)

Mullikin was initially set to replace Phyllis Crain, who guided the Gators to regional championships in 2014 and 2015, and compiled an 85-50 record in five seasons.

But, according to Karen Coss, the school’s athletic director, Mullikin opted to remain in his home state of Kentucky just before the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

The basketball season kicks off later this month, on Oct. 24. Yet, Ludwig doesn’t view his late hiring as a disadvantage in getting equipped for his first season as Gators coach.

“The one thing I’ve been blessed with is I’ve worked with a lot of great coaches,” said Ludwig, “and I’ve had five-plus years experience coaching at different levels, so I was already able to prepare myself.”

Ludwig, a native of Syracuse, New York, said he’ll have plenty of time over the next month to get acquainted with the inner workings of the Gators’ program, and its players.

Since his hiring, Ludwig has held two open gyms. About a dozen girls showed up each time, but Ludwig expects to see a larger turnout once the fall sports season ends.

Though he hasn’t fully evaluated how the varsity roster will shape up, the Gators coach already has a general in-game philosophy in place. Success, Luwig said, will be dictated by defensive play and turning games into proverbial chess matches.

“I’m very strategic when it comes to defenses and defensive schemes,” Ludwig explained.

“What I tend to do is challenge them…to have a mental toughness when it comes to the defensive part of basketball,” he said.

He continued: “If it allows the other team to get out of their ordinary or regular routine, then you’re kind of winning a battle already, because it’s making the other team overthink things.”

Ludwig noted that philosophy comes in handy once the Gators face quicker, more athletic opponents.

“You’re going to have to be mentally tough and outthink your opponent,” he said.

“I want to be that type of team that if anybody steps on the court with us, they technically don’t know what we’re going to do as far as our defensive schemes.”

Though Ludwig didn’t divulge the types of schemes the Gators will deploy, he said defensive sets will be dictated by the skillsets of the 10 players on the court.

“No. 1 is definitely personnel — who is on the court, what type of team you’re playing, what are their strengths — and trying to take away my opponents strengths.”

Moreover, the Gators’ defense, Ludwig said, will complement its offense.

“We’ll have our basic set plays,” he said, “but, our best offense is going to come from our defense.”

Also of note: Ludwig has retained Alison Washburn, a former Sunlake High basketball player, as an assistant coach.

“She was a part of the team during the summer of this year, so she’s been a big help,” Ludwig said. “She’s given me the inside-out on some of the players and what to expect when it comes to coaching at the school, and in this league (Class 7A, District 8).”

Land O’ Lakes is coming off a 14-11 (2-4 district) mark in 2016. The new coaching staff will have to replace five seniors from last year’s squad, including top scorers Makela Canada (12.4 points per game) and Gabby Mills (11.4 points per game).

Scoring consistently often plagued the 2015-2016 squad. Though the Gators averaged 40 points per game, the team scored 20 points or fewer in four games.

Junior Lily Lazar is the team’s top returning scorer (5.3 points per game).

Key Losses
Makala Canada (12.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.7 assists per game, 1.9 steals per game)
Gabby Mills (11.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 blocks per game)
Breana Barnes (5.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.9 assists per game)

Key Returnees
Lily Lazar (5.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG)
Destiny Rodriguez (3.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG)
Niya Darby (1.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG)

-Stats via Maxpreps.com

Published October 5, 2016

Area fall football preview: Pasco County

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The 2016 high school football season is just around the corner and several teams in our coverage area enter the year with intriguing storylines, standout players and must-see matchups.

Pasco Pirates
Coach: Tom McHugh (9th year)
2015 Record: 4-6
Spring Game result: 40-6 loss against Wiregrass Ranch

Land O’ Lakes Gators
Coach: Brian Wachtel (6th year)
2015 Record: 3-7
Spring Game result: 45-0 win over Gulf High

Sunlake Seahawks
Coach: Bill Browning (9th year)
2015 Record: 8-3
Spring Game result: 54-13 win over Hernando High

Wesley Chapel Wildcats
Coach: Anthony Egan (1st year)
2015 record: 2-8
Spring Game result: 54-20 win over Weeki Wachee

Wiregrass Ranch Bulls
Coach: Mark Kantor (2nd year)
2015 record: 2-8
Spring Game result: 40-6 win over Pasco High

Zephyrhills Bulldogs
Coach: Nick Carroll (1st year)
2015 record: 8-3
Spring Game result: 17-2 win over Crystal River High

Zephyrhills Christian Academy (ZCA) Warriors

Coach: Mike Smith (2nd year, 11-man)
2015 Record: 4-4
Spring Game result: 32-12 win over Lakeland Santa Fe

Three teams to watch:

 

Sunlake enters 2016 with six consecutive winning seasons. (File Photo)
Sunlake enters 2016 with six consecutive winning seasons.
(File Photo)

Sunlake Seahawks
The Seahawks enter the 2016 campaign with plenty of momentum, especially after a 54-13 thrashing of Hernando High School in their spring game. The Seahawks look to build on that May 20 victory, as well as their 8-3 mark in 2015. Sunlake returns several key pieces on offense and defense, starting with pro-style quarterback Justin Hall, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior capable of filling up a stat sheet (1,729 yards, 17 TDs, 3 interceptions) Hall will have plenty of weapons at his disposal, led by scatback Justin Metzger (577 yards, 5 TDs) and three receivers with at least 20 receptions (Ryan Clark, Cris Galdos, Tyler Peretti.) On defense, three of the team’s top four tacklers return, led by Galdos, a senior linebacker who makes plays all over the field. One major question for the Seahawks is how quickly a makeshift offensive line will gel after the graduations of three anchors—Leo Baez, Bryce Cooley and Joe Russum.

 

Staying healthy will be key for Wiregrass Ranch in 2016. (File Photo)
Staying healthy will be key for Wiregrass Ranch in 2016.
(File Photo)

Wiregrass Ranch Bulls
If not an improved team, Wiregrass Ranch High School should at least be an interesting one. The Bulls, who haven’t had a winning season since 2010, are stacked with Division I prospects — led by juniors Jordan Miner and Shamaur McDowell. Several new faces are expected to make an impact, as well, starting with former AATL two-way player Daniel Biglow, and A.J. Brown, a rangy wide receiver from Carrollton, Texas. Another player to keep an eye on is sophomore quarterback Grant Sessums, who’s opened eyes at various statewide football camps this summer. While a talented bunch, the biggest key to having more success is staying healthy all yearlong. Last season, Mark Cantor’s Bulls suffered 19 season-ending injuries, virtually crawling to a lethargic 2-8 finish.

Players like Myles Carter (No. 3) will be expected to step up for a Zephyrhills team that lost several impact players from last season. (File Photo)
Players like Myles Carter (No. 3) will be expected to step up for a Zephyrhills team that lost several impact players from last season.
(File Photo)

Zephyrhills Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are entering the 2016 season with a first-time head coach and several unproven players. Nick Carroll — a longtime Sunlake High School assistant — has big shoes to fill in taking over for the revered Reginald Roberts (39-23 in six seasons). The pressure to win immediately will be elevated, considering the program’s recent triumphs. But, winning won’t come easy, considering the Bulldogs’ top offensive playmaker — running back Antwione Sims — will miss several games due to injury. Moreover, the Bulldogs must find more impactful reinforcements after the graduations of their top receiver (Jackie Tucker Jr.) and top three tacklers (Kevin Lee, Arttonyo Lee Jr., Leonardo Guzman) from last year’s 8-3 team. The team will also be without defensive end Zander Lemay (47 tackles, 3.5 sacks), who recently transferred to Tampa Catholic High School — forcing the new coaching staff to find yet another replacement heading into the season.

Three players to watch:

Zephyrhills senior running back Antwione Sims
Depending on when one the of the area’s most electrifying playmakers returns to the field, fans will surely flock to the stands to see the 5-11, 196-pound Sims (2,093 rushing yards, 24 TDs.) The senior is likely to miss “most of the season” after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in March, but a possible late-season return could prove vital for the Bulldogs down the stretch. Once he returns to the gridiron, it will be interesting to see if Sims still has the same quickness and speed he showed in 2015. A consensus three-star recruit, Sims has 11 scholarships offers, which includes Boston College and Navy.

Sunlake senior receiver/linebacker Cris Galdos
What Galdos lacks in measurables, he more than makes up for with his production. The 5-foot-7, 170-pound do-it-all playmaker is widely viewed as one of the most versatile football players in Pasco County. His offensive statistics (21 receptions, 224 yards, 2 TDs) coupled with his defensive prowess (81 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, four interceptions) are a key to Sunlake’s continued success. His workout numbers are also impressive: 4.60 40-yard dash, 30-inch vertical jump, 290-pound bench press and 405-pound squat. Galdos recently received his first scholarship offer (University of Saint Francis in Indiana) and is likely to receive a few more by the season’s end.

Wiregrass Ranch junior defensive back Jordan Miner
Pasco County typically doesn’t produce many Division I football prospects on an annual basis, so it’s always worth noting when a player entering just his junior year already has five DI offers— Bowling Green University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of South Florida, University of Toledo and Tulane University. At 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, Miner has the size that major college programs crave in a defensive back. In seven games last season, Miner made an impact in both the secondary (35 tackles, 1 interception) and as a kick returner (34 yards per return.) It won’t be a surprise if Wiregrass Ranch foes avoid the passing game, considering one of Miner’s teammates in the secondary — cornerback Shamaur McDowell — is also a Division I prospect, with several offers. Naturally, football runs in Miner’s family — his older brother, Jaye Miner, is a linebacker at Florida Atlantic University, a Division I school.

Three games to watch:
Wiregrass Ranch @ Gaither (Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.)

  • Two teams loaded with college prospects face off in a late-season game that’s sure to bring several recruiters to North Tampa.

Mitchell @ Sunlake (Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.)

  • Sunlake looks for revenge at home after Mitchell handed the Seahawks their lone district loss last season. The matchup also pits two of Pasco’s top quarterbacks against each other in Mitchell’s Larry Dalla Betta and Sunlake’s Justin Hall.

Zephyrhills @ Pasco (Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.)

  • Though last season’s 9-Mile-War was lopsided in favor of the Bulldogs; this year’s matchup should be a closer affair.

Published August 10, 2016

Academy at the Lakes hires new softball coach

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The Academy at the Lakes athletics department moved swiftly to hire a new varsity softball coach — one who happens to have decades of Division I collegiate coaching experience.

Diane Stephenson was named the new head varsity coach on July 27, just one week after legendary coach Jerry English announced his retirement.

Diane Stephenson
Diane Stephenson

Stephenson, who operates the Positive Force Fastpitch Academy in St. Petersburg, served as the head softball coach at Indiana University from 1987 to 2002. She was also an assistant softball coach at both the University of Iowa (2008-2010) and Purdue University (2010-2013). Most recently, Stephenson was the head softball coach at Division II Saint Joseph’s College (2014-2015) in Renssalaer, Indiana.

“She performed…at the highest level for many years, and her enthusiasm for coaching, and her passion for leading student-athletes to reach their full potential, is contagious,” Academy at the Lakes athletic director Tom Haslam said, in a release. “There’s no doubt that coach Stephenson will be the person who will take our softball program to another level.”

Starting this school year, Academy will compete in the 3A division of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). The school was awarded as the state’s top 2A private school athletic program in 2015.

Upon hearing about the coaching vacancy, Stephenson reached out to the school, and met with Haslam and the independent school’s headmaster Mark Heller.

The coaching veteran came away impressed by the pair’s enthusiasm, as well as the school’s academic and athletic achievements.

“The things that Tom and Mark have accomplished in their athletic department is incredible,” Stephenson said. “The idea of working with so many students that aspire to go on and be college educated is great.”

Over the past five seasons under coach English, the varsity softball program combined for a 64-25 record, winning four district championships and one regional title.

“I think the former coach…laid a lot of really great groundwork, so it’s really a matter of just continuing what he had going on there,” Stephenson said.

Academy finished 11-6 last season, and expects to return 10 underclassman players, including rising sophomore Alexis Kilfoyl, who’s already committed to play softball at the University of Alabama.

As a freshman in 2016, Kilfoyl proved to be one of the top hitters (.562 avg., three home runs and 20 RBIs) and pitchers (1.36 ERA, 163 strikeouts in 103 innings) in Tampa.

“It sounds like we have a pretty good nucleus of kids to play softball,” Stephenson said. “Hopefully we can get the kids who played last year to get one more person each to come and play this year; I wouldn’t mind having a roster of 15 or 18 players.”

While having a bevy of skilled players is important, Stephenson said one of the main keys to the program’s success is ensuring the roster is chock full of teammates that are respectable and helpful to one another.

“The most valuable thing for all the girls that play softball is to learn to be a good teammate,” she said. “Teammates are really hard to find — be a good teammate and work on being the best you can be; work on having a great self-esteem and a positive influence on everyone around you.”

Moreover, Stephenson said she’ll use positive reinforcement to instill the game’s fundamentals to her players.

“I’m going to just do what I’ve always done: be a good teacher and work on fundamental skills,” she said. “There’s no secrets to softball — you just have to be the best thrower, be the best catcher and be the best fielder. I think the most important thing at every level is having a solid skillset and being able to count on it, so that it’s routine, and you’re relaxed when you play in a game.”

In addition to her softball coaching acumen, Stephenson comes to her new role equipped with hundreds of college recruiting contacts. Her Rolodex contains the names of about 80 percent of Division I head softball coaches, which may help more softball players receive college looks.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for the kids not only in my program, but the other kids that I see playing, because I’m in constant contact with my former peers and colleagues,” Stephenson explained. “It’s one of the things that we do, we reach out and say, ‘Hey, I got a kid that might be worth looking at.’ It just comes with some kind of credibility since I’ve been at that level for 30 years.”

Stephenson still plans to operate the Fastpitch Academy in St. Petersburg, within the guidelines of the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Published August 3, 2016

LOL High names new girls basketball coach

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Ed Mulliken has been named the new Land O’ Lakes High varsity girls basketball coach.

He replaces Phyllis Crain, who guided the Gators to regional championships in 2014 and 2015; Crain compiled an 85-50 in five seasons as head coach.

Mulliken, a longtime coach throughout Kentucky and Ohio, last coached girls basketball three years ago at Evangel Christian School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ed Mulliken was named the new Land O’ Lakes varsity girls basketball coach. He replaces Phyllis Crain, who compiled an 85-50 mark in five seasons as head coach. (Courtesy of Ed Mulliken)
Ed Mulliken was named the new Land O’ Lakes varsity girls basketball coach. He replaces Phyllis Crain, who compiled an 85-50 mark in five seasons as head coach.
(Courtesy of Ed Mulliken)

With relatives moving to Pasco County, Mulliken sought out various head coaching opportunities throughout the area before getting in touch with Karen Coss, Land O’ Lakes High’s athletic director.

Mulliken was hired after several rounds of interviews with school officials.

Mulliken has retained Justin Dargahi as an assistant, and former Sunlake High basketball player Alison Washburn will also join the new coach’s staff.

As he transitions to his new coaching job, Mulliken has already met with several prospective players, and recently held three open gyms to evaluate the team’s initial strengths and weaknesses. (Due to FHSAA Bylaws, coaches cannot assign sport-specific drills or tasks during off-season open facilities sessions.)

Once sanctioned practices are in place, Mulliken plans to beef up the team’s conditioning efforts.

“By the time basketball season starts, these girls will probably be in the best shape they’ve ever been in,” he said. “That’s one thing we believe in and that’s one thing our coaches will believe in: the girls being in great shape and being super conditioned, so when they get into the ball game, they’ll know the game is going to be easier than what practice was.”

To do that, Mulliken will try to instill an unquestioned work ethic by pushing the players through rigorous workouts and training.

“You can’t make up for athletic ability, you can’t make up for size, but you can control how good of shape you’re in and how aggressive you are on the floor,” he said. “You come out and give it 100 percent, and you get out what you put in.”

Mulliken noted that teams he’s coached in the past have always had a “scrappy” identity.

“The one thing that I will have is…an aggressive team,” he said. …“We’ll push the ball and we’ll get after people. I don’t believe in playing a lot of zone — I want to try to control the tempo of the game.”

Land O’ Lakes is coming off a 14-11 (2-4 district) mark in 2016. The new coach will have to replace five seniors from last year’s squad, including top scorers Makela Canada (12.4 points per game) and Gabby Mills (11.4 points per game).

With the team in a rebuilding stage, Mulliken said his first year as Land O’ Lakes High’s coach will be a “learning experience” for both the players and coaches.

While it’s too soon to attach a win-loss goal for 2017, Mulliken is more focused on making sure the team just “gets better every day.”

“You can go all season and not win a single game, but you can have growth and learn a lot of things about yourself,” Mulliken said. “It’s really up to the girls and the coaching staff with what we’re going to do with this team.

“We’re going to put in a lot of work.”

Key Losses
Makala Canada (12.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.7 assists per game, 1.9 steals per game)
Gabby Mills (11.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 blocks per game)
Breana Barnes (5.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.9 assists per game)

Key Returnees
Lily Lazar (5.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG)

–Stats via Maxpreps.com

Published June 29, 2016

Making 3s with ease

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Justin Dargahi has a penchant for knocking down 3-point shots.

So much so that he holds the Guinness World Record for the most 3s made from NBA range (23 feet, 9 inches) in one minute.

Firing three after three inside the Land O’ Lakes High School gymnasium, Dargahi knocked down 26 treys in 60 seconds on Jan. 4, breaking the previous set mark of 25. His feat became an official Guinness World Record in early May.

Justin Dargahi broke the Guinness World Record for most 3-pointers made in one minute (26) on Jan. 4. (Photos courtesy of Justin Dargahi)
Justin Dargahi broke the Guinness World Record for most 3-pointers made in one minute (26) on Jan. 4.
(Photos courtesy of Justin Dargahi)

“I’ve always been the best shooter on my team in school,” said Dargahi, the head JV (Junior Varsity) coach for the Land O’ Lakes girls basketball team and former basketball player at Cambridge Christian School. “Shooting was always easy to me.”

The skill comes so easily for Dargahi that he claims he makes anywhere from 75 percent to 80 percent of 3-pointers he attempts when he’s “just shooting around for fun.”

He figures he can make about 95 percent of his free throw attempts, too.

“Anytime I was on a (school) team, I would always be the technical free-throw shooter,” said Dargahi, who began playing organized hoops at 11 years old. “I had a green light to shoot 3s most of the time. It was always like, ‘If we need a three, let’s get (Dargahi) the ball or set a screen for him.’

“In games, I would show off sometimes shooting 10 feet behind the (3-point) line,” he said.

Out of curiosity, the JV coach decided to look into some of the timed 3-point records a few years ago. When he saw some of the record totals, he realized he might have a decent chance at knocking down some of them.

“When I saw that record of 25, I was like, ‘I could get that,’” Dargahi said, with an air of confidence in his voice.

On his first attempt at the record, he nailed 18 shots.

While impressive for most, Dargahi knew he could shoot at a much higher clip.

This is an image of the Guinness World Record certificate of Justin Dargahi’s feat.
This is an image of the Guinness World Record certificate of Justin Dargahi’s feat.

“I had a lot of bad luck; I had one of my friends helping me, and we weren’t clicking,” Dargahi said. “It just wasn’t scripted too well.”

To better organize a record-breaking strategy, Dargahi reckoned his best chance was to enlist the help of some of his JV roster at Land O’ Lakes.

About eight or nine of his players aided Dargahi by fetching loose balls and rapidly handing them to him at the top of the three-point arc as he continually fired from deep range.

The strategy worked, as he eventually knocked down 26 shots after a January JV practice.

“It was still kind of shocking when he got it,” sophomore Land O’ Lakes JV captain Claire Valeski said.

“We were all happy and all thought he would get it, but then again, it’s one of those things that’s like the luck of the draw,” she said.

Dargahi’s shooting philosophy was fixated on conserving energy.

“If I’m not on a great pace, I would stop. If I only have five or six (made 3s) after 20 seconds, instead of consume all my energy, I would just stop,” he said.

He also uses his arms more than his legs.

Dargahi admits he wished he could’ve put the record out of reach — perhaps making 29 or 30 3-pointers — knowing full well he may have to attempt the endeavor all over again if someone surpasses his current mark of 26.

While a prolific shooter during his high school career at Cambridge Christian, Dargahi didn’t receive much interest from college coaches.

“It’s hard when you’re 6 feet to play big-time college basketball, even if you are the best shooter,” said Dargahi, a 2007 graduate of the University of South Florida (USF). “I probably should’ve practiced on other stuff like dribbling and my defense.”

Instead, Dargahi settled for playing intramurals at USF, and occasionally entered shooting contests — which he typically won.

The love of the game and high-pressure competition led him into coaching, where he said he enjoys watching his players mature and develop their skills over the course of a season.

Despite his proclivity for making shots, Dargahi said he doesn’t particularly work with his JV players on their shooting technique.

“It’s hard for me to see through their eyes, because to me, it’s so easy,” he said. “I can’t get along their thought process, so I’m probably not the best shooting teacher.”

But, that doesn’t stop him from giving his players a few tips along the way.

“I would tell people: ‘Don’t worry about your form.’ The best shooters — a lot of them have weird form,” Dargahi said, noting that former NBA great Reggie Miller would cross his arms during his 3-point attempts. “I think form is totally overrated; I think (setting your) feet is more important. Do whatever you’re comfortable with.”

Dargahi doesn’t plan to end his shooting record quest anytime soon. The Land O’ Lakes hoops coach also has his eyes set on breaking the record for most made free throws in one minute (52) and the most 3-pointers made in two minutes (44).

Published June 15, 2016

Land O’ Lakes’ Hall of Fame adds members

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The Land O’ Lakes Gators Athletics Foundation inducted five new members to the school’s athletics Hall of Fame during a dinner ceremony on May 24.

The inductees for the 2016 class were: the 2002-2003 girls soccer team, which won a state title; Jerry English, a longtime varsity softball coach; Lt. Col. Rhett Hierlmeier, a standout dual-sport athlete; Dianne McClendon, a key member of the Land O’ Lakes softball team during the late ‘70s; and Phil Teston, the school’s first player drafted in to the Major League Baseball.

About 180 people attended the induction ceremony. Approximately $12,000 to $15,000 was raised — most of which will go toward the construction of an athletic field house. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
About 180 people attended the induction ceremony. Approximately $12,000 to $15,000 was raised — most of which will go toward the construction of an athletic field house.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

The ceremony marked the school’s fourth Hall of Fame induction class, which began in 2013 after the Gators Athletics Foundation was established as a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

The foundation’s purpose is to “raise funds through donations and fundraising events for the direct benefit of the athletic programs at Land O’ Lakes High School.”

Antonio Tarver, a former World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony, which drew about 180 people.

Jerry Brewster, vice president of the Gators Athletics Foundation, estimates that $12,000 to $15,000 was raised, several thousand dollars less than in previous years.

“The first three years we raised about $20,000 per year and so now the foundation has over $60,000 in there, but this past year, we just didn’t get as many sponsors as we had in prior years so…it was a little light from what we would’ve liked to have,” Brewster said.

Funds raised through the foundation are currently being allocated to build an athletic field house at the school, perhaps within the next five years.

From left: Dianne McClendon, Jerry English, Lt. Col. Rhett Hierlmeier and Phil Teston. (Courtesy of Land O' Lakes Gators Athletics Foundation)
From left: Dianne McClendon, Jerry English, Lt. Col. Rhett Hierlmeier and Phil Teston.
(Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes Gators Athletics Foundation)

Likely a $1 million to $1.5 million project, a field house would be the first step in upgrading the school’s athletic facilities in an effort to put it on par with other large schools throughout Tampa area. Ideally, features inside the field house could include boys and girls locker rooms, coaches’ rooms and a training area, Brewster said.

“We’ve got a vision of what we’d want it to look like,” the foundation’s vice president said. “We want to put an actual Hall of Fame (in) the field house, so when kids walk to the gym everyday, they have to go through the Hall of Fame; we want it to be something where kids can be inspired.”

In addition to nearly $70,000 in the foundation’s coffers, there’s an additional $150,000 commitment from a few of the foundation’s board members to help facilitate a field house project.

The organization also is in discussions with the Pasco County School Board to possibly create a joint partnership to spearhead a new athletic facility.

Meanwhile, in the next few months, the athletics foundation will deliberate candidates for next year’s Hall of Fame class. Typically, each class features a coach or administrator, a lifetime achievement award, one female athlete and two male athletes.

Both athletic prowess and the individual’s character are taken into account in evaluating Hall of Fame candidates, Brewster said.

Hall of Fame bios
2002-2003 Girls Soccer team
The Lady Gators capped off a 26-3 record in 2003 by winning the Class 2A state championship after they defeated Riviera Beach Suncoast High School 1-0. The Gators’ Stacy Bishop became the county’s all-time leading scorer during that season, while goalkeeper Shannon Aitken set the county’s career shutout mark. After the season, longtime girls soccer coach Vicki King was awarded the National Soccer Coaches Association coach of the year award.

Jerry English
Jerry English was the Land O’ Lakes varsity softball coach for 26 years, and also spent many years as the school’s assistant and head JV football coach before his retirement in 2003. During his tenure, English amassed 462 wins, 11 district championships, five regional championships, three sectional championships, three state final four appearances and two state runner-ups. He was also a two-time Florida Coach of the Year.
English taught PE, Social Studies and Diversified Career Technology (DCT) throughout his coaching career.

Lt. Col. Rhett Hierlmeier
Lt. Col. Rhett Hierlmeier (Class of ’95) lettered in both football and baseball at Land O’ Lakes High. In 1994, he captained the football team, where he was an all-conference quarterback and defensive back.
Hierlmeier earned a four-year Air Force ROTC scholarship and completed his private pilot’s license before attending the University of Florida. Upon being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Hierlmeier attended Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, where he was a distinguished graduate earning the Air Education and Training Command commander’s trophy. He also earned two master’s degrees and served as an Air Officer Commanding at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Diane McClendon
Diane McClendon (Class of ’79) was an integral part of the Land O’ Lakes softball team in the late ‘70s; her stellar play helped the Lady Gators finish state runner-up in both 1977 and in 1979. After graduation from high school, McClendon enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

Phil Teston
Phil Teston (Class of ’78) was a dual-sport athlete at Land O’ Lakes, excelling at both baseball and football. He was nominated to the all-area baseball team three consecutive years, and was a member of the Gators’ first district champion baseball team. In his senior season, the right-handed pitcher compiled a 0.86 ERA with 170 strikeouts in 87 innings. His performance on the baseball diamond caught the eyes of pro baseball scouts, as he was drafted in the 25th round by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1978—making him the school’s first Major League Baseball draft pick. Following a brief minor league stint, Teston became a registered cardiovascular invasive specialist, where he’s performed over 3,000 abdominal and thoracic endografts.

2016 Land O’ Lakes Athletic Hall of Fame class

  • 2002-2003 girls soccer team
  • Jerry English—coach/administrator
  • Col. Rhett Hierlmeier—Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Dianne McClendon-female athlete
  • Phil Teston-male athlete

Published June 8, 2016

Land O’ Lakes state title bid falls short

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The score wasn’t indicative of how closely the game was played. At least that’s the opinion of Land O’ Lakes varsity softball head coach Mitch Wilkins on his team’s 5-0 loss to Plantation American Heritage in the Class 6A FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) state semifinals on May 6 in Vero Beach.

“I thought we played right even with them,” Wilkins said with authority. “Their bloop hits fell in and ours didn’t.”

Four of the Gators’ top hitters return next season, including sophomore Brianna Lindner, who led the team in home runs (6) this season. (Photos courtesy of Land O' Lakes Softball)
Four of the Gators’ top hitters return next season, including sophomore Brianna Lindner, who led the team in home runs (6) this season.
(Photos courtesy of Land O’ Lakes Softball)

Missed opportunities to score runs in the second, fifth and seventh innings handcuffed the Gators (27-3-1) from mounting a rally against American Heritage (26-2), the eventual Class 6A state champs.

Though Wilkins believes his squad matched up well with the Patriots, he acknowledged American Heritage was likely the best all-around team the Gators faced all year.

“I’d say their pitching was pretty close to Springstead (High), but hitting wise, I thought they were a little bit better than anyone we’ve faced other than maybe River Ridge,” the third-year Gators coach said.

While the Gators fell short in their hopes of winning a state title, advancing to the semifinals, or “Final Four,” will motivate the team to achieve even more success next year, Wilkins said.

“Getting the girls together and making the trip, it put a taste in their mouth that I think they’re looking to get back there,” he said. “We’re disappointed for the outcome, but in the same respect, we’re really excited and really wanting to get at it again.

“The girls were really looking forward to this season, because they knew they weren’t going to stop in the district (playoffs). They knew they were going to get to the postseason this year. They couldn’t wait to get started, and I think we’ll have the same feeling coming into next year knowing there’s a little unfinished business there,” he said.

The Land O’ Lakes Gators lost to Plantation American Heritage 5-0 in the Class 6A state semifinals on May 6 in Vero Beach.
The Land O’ Lakes Gators lost to Plantation American Heritage 5-0 in the Class 6A state semifinals on May 6 in Vero Beach.

Reaching the state tournament again won’t be an easy undertaking, as the Gators will no longer be able to rely upon the dominant arm of ace pitcher Shannon Saile, arguably the best pitcher in Pasco County this season. Saile, a Florida International University softball signee, compiled a 0.78 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 134 2/3 innings in her senior year.

Handling the loss of Saile’s immense production in the circle is something the Land O’ Lakes coaching staff will address in the offseason and into fall ball.

The team’s No. 2 pitcher Callie Turner (0.46 ERA, 79 strikeouts in 46 innings) is likely to step into the starting role now vacated by Saile, assuming the freshman continues to show the promise she displayed in the circle this past season.

“She’s got all the tools that it’ll take to become as dominant as Shannon (Saile) was this year. She just probably needs a little more experience,” Wilkins said about the rising sophomore. “She just needs to mature a little bit and keep her emotions in check, and understand what her job is. She doesn’t have to do everything — we’ve got a solid defense behind us — and she doesn’t have to strike out every batter, she just has to keep the ball off the fat part of the bat.”

Finding quality pitching won’t be the only aspect the Gators’ head coach will focus on as he looks to build an even more successful squad next season. He also plans to tackle the hitting woes the Gators experienced down the stretch of the state playoffs. In their final three games, Land O’ Lakes scored a total of two runs — each scored in one-run victories over River Ridge High and Springstead High, before being shut out by American Heritage.

“In the last three games, we didn’t hit as well as we needed to,” Wilkins said, “so that’s something that we’ll definitely be working on.”

Luckily, the Gators’ top four hitters are returning in Ashley Smith (.449 avg.), Jessie McCallister (.442 avg.), Tia Williams (.433 avg., four home runs) and Brianna Lindner (.373 avg. six home runs.)

However, putting those hitters in the right spots in the batting order, as new faces are added to the lineup, is the challenge going forward.

“We have to figure out how we’re going to realign our lineup,” Wilkins said, “and figure out what the best combination is going to be…and what works best (to) score some more runs later in the season when it counts.”

Key Departures:

  • Pitcher Shannon Saile (0.78 ERA, 269 strikeouts)
  • Catcher Tayler Holt (.347 avg, 14 RBIs)
  • Infielder Kendall Tipton (.311 avg, 12 doubles, 15 RBIs)

Key Returnees:

  • Pitcher Callie Turner (0.46 ERA, 79 strikeouts)
  • Outfielder Jessie McCallister (.442 avg., 14 RBIs)
  • Third baseman Brianna Lindner (.373 avg., six home runs, 29 RBIs)
  • Utility player Ashley Smith (.449 avg., two home runs, 16 RBIs)
  • Shortstop Tia Williams (.433 avg., four home runs, 32 RBIs)

Published May 18, 2016

Area spring football preview: Pasco County

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Spring football practices are underway for high schools across the state. While the first games of the 2016 season are still several months away, Florida high schools are allowed a maximum of 20 practice sessions between April 25 to May 31, according to FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) guidelines.

 

Here’s a look at what schools in our coverage area are working with:

Land O’ Lakes High School
Coach: Brian Wachtel (6th year)
2015 Record: 3-7                

The Land O' Lakes Gators are looking to avoid a third straight losing season. A more manageable season in 2016 should help. (File photos)
The Land O’ Lakes Gators are looking to avoid a third straight losing season. A more manageable season in 2016 should help.
(File photos)

Last season was rough for the Gators, who failed to win a home game at “The Swamp,” and were shutout by their primary rival in Sunlake High. Playing five consecutive road games didn’t help the cause, either. To relive their magical 8-2 season back in 2013, the Gators must find some consistent play at the quarterback position, whether that is from rising senior Spencer Childress or rising junior Jude May. Though the team loses their top two rushers from last season in Rashawn Kindell (526 yards rushing, 5.7 yards per carry) and Tommy Farmer (417 yards, 7 TDs), the Gators may have a breakout candidate in tailback Quintin Smith, who’ll be a senior. On defense, the Gators return standout safety Justin Kren, a capable tackler (51 solo tackles) and ballhawk (five interceptions).

Pasco County High School
Coach: Tom McHugh (9th year)
2015 Record: 4-6

A difficult schedule and some tough breaks steered the Pirates into a losing 2015 season. Despite starting the year 3-0, Pasco High ran into some tough competition in the middle of the season, losing four straight games to North Marion, Jesuit, Mitchell and Sunlake high schools. A heartbreaking 44-43 overtime loss to Springstead High added fuel to the fire. While the win-loss total doesn’t show it, the Pirates were loaded with talent, including cornerback Jayvauhn Myers (Auburn signee), offensive lineman Jamal Mention (Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College signee) and tight end Nick Bryant (Middle Tennessee signee). Coach McHugh must find a way to replace those productive players, and find a reliable quarterback after Michael Penix Jr. transferred to Tampa Bay Tech.

Sunlake High School
Coach: Bill Browning (9th year)
2015 Record: 8-3

The Sunlake Seahawks are looking to have their seventh straight winning season. To do so, Coach Bill Browning will have to replace several starters on the offensive line.
The Sunlake Seahawks are looking to have their seventh straight winning season. To do so, Coach Bill Browning will have to replace several starters on the offensive line.

Another year, another terrific record. That’s been the narrative for the Seahawks over the past six seasons under the leadership of head coach Bill Browning. Since 2010, the team has a combined record of 53-13. Though the team returns several players at the skill positions, one of the big questions leading into the season is how the team will fare on the offensive line, with the departures of Bryce Cooley (Angelo State signee), Joe Russum (Black Hills State signee) and Leo Baez (Bluefield College). If the Seahawks can create cohesion and provide enough protection in the trenches for standout pro-style quarterback Justin Hall (1,729 yards, 17 TDs, 3 INTs), they should be in store for another winning season.

Wesley Chapel High School
Coach: Anthony Egan (1st year)
2015 record: 2-8

The Wildcats have suffered four straight losing seasons, and now it’s up to first-year head coach Anthony Egan — a former River Ridge High assistant — to turn the program around. Luckily for Egan, the cupboard isn’t bare. Signal-caller Jacob Thomas (44 percent completion, 1,825 yards, 17 TDs, 13 INTs) returns as well as pass-catchers Ben Goins (31 receptions, 403 yards) and Devin Singletary (23 receptions, 240 yards). On defense, the Wildcats return their top three tacklers in Marcus Gillott, Ellrie Allen and Christian Austin. To improve their record, the Wildcats must find a way to develop a consistent rushing attack (rushers averaged just 2.6 yards per carry) and they must win close games (the team lost three games by seven points or fewer in 2015.)

Wiregrass Ranch High School
Coach: Mark Kantor (2nd year)
2015 record: 2-8

Coach Mark Kantor embarks on year two of what is perhaps a long-term rebuilding job. Prior to Kantor’s hiring in 2015, the Bulls had three coaches in four years, combining for an 8-32 record during that span. To improve in 2016, the Bulls must find a way to stay healthy (19 season-ending injuries were suffered in 2015) and significantly improve on offense. The team averaged just 10.6 points per game in 2015, and was shutout in half of their games. If the Bulls can’t muster up better production from the quarterback position, it’ll be tough to secure a winning record.

Zephyrhills High School
Coach: Nick Carroll (1st year)
2015 record: 8-3

The Bulldogs notched their fourth straight winning season in 2015, but they’ll enter the 2016 season with a new head coach in Nick Carroll, a former Sunlake High assistant. Carroll will try to duplicate the success of former coach Reggie Roberts, but will have a challenge on his hands. Running back Antwione Sims, the team’s leading offensive playmaker, tore his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) over a month ago, and will likely miss several games in 2016. Additionally, Carroll must find a way to get Bulldogs players to gel, and learn the style of offense and defense he’s implementing. Carroll expects several incoming freshmen and sophomores to make an impact in his first season.

Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Coach: Mike Smith (2nd year, 11-man)
2015 Record: 4-4    

The Warriors had a respectable 2015 season, if you consider it was their first season playing 11-man football after they dominated the 6-man ranks for several years. However, the team may be in for a setback in 2016, as they’ll be without their top offensive player, wide receiver Issac Johnson (62 receptions, 1,013 yards), and top defensive player, defensive lineman J’ Won Pickett. Both Johnson (Iowa Western Community College) and Pickett (Minnesota State Community College) are playing football at junior colleges next season. The Warriors will also have to develop a new quarterback with the impending graduation of Matthew Iovine, an accurate passer (67 percent completion, 1,475 yards). Being without last year’s quarterback and top receiver may open the door to additional carries for returning running backs such as John Emmanual, Dwight Thomas and Mykh’ael Chavis.

Published May 4, 2016

 

Land O’ Lakes baseball’s memorable season ends

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It was a case of too little, too late.

The Land O’ Lakes High School’s Gators’ baseball team’s memorable season came to an end on April 19, after an upset loss to the Zephyrhills High School’s Bulldogs in the Class 6A, District 7 semifinals at Pasco High.

The score was 3-2.

The Gators entered the game with a 20-4 record and an unblemished 10-0 mark in district play, before falling to a Bulldogs team that hadn’t won a district game in nine years.

However, the Gators didn’t have much of an answer when matched up against Zephyrhills senior right-hander Riley McClellan (2.49 ERA), who held the Gators to four hits in the game. McClellan did not allow a run until the seventh inning, when Land O’ Lakes junior outfielder Brayden Lyman hit a two-run home run. But, it was not enough to overcome the Bulldogs, who amassed eight hits and three runs against Land O’ Lakes senior righty and High Point (North Carolina) University signee Kirby Osborn.

Despite an impressive overall record, the Gators were somewhat reeling down the stretch of the regular season with non-district losses to Sunlake High (2-0) on April 8 and Fivay High (4-3) on April 12.

Armed with two of Pasco County’s best pitchers in Osborn (0.84 ERA, 76 strikeouts) and junior right-hander McCabe Sargent (0.48 ERA, 55 strikeouts), the Gators had their eyes set on a deep playoff run, with state championship aspirations.

“We had something a lot of teams didn’t have—two really good pitchers,” Gators coach Jeff May said. “Pitching was definitely our backbone. It wasn’t because of our hitting.”

With a team .273 batting average that lacked power hitters—Land O’ Lakes hit two home runs all season— the Gators often would get just enough hits to win a ballgame.

Though the Gators had a .83 win percentage, several of the team’s victories were by small margins. Of the team’s 20 wins, seven of them were by two runs or fewer.

May acknowledged a lot of those games “really could’ve gone either way in the end.”

Oftentimes, the Gators struggled to put runs on the board, placing additional pressure on the pitching staff. They scored three runs or fewer in 10 games, including the loss to Zephyrhills—a team they had beaten twice this season.

“That’s been our problem all season, and it came back to bite us,” May said about the team’s dearth of offense throughout the season.

Their season ends on a sour note, and short of their lofty postseason expectations, but the Gators expect to be one of Pasco’s better teams in 2017.

They will lose productive seniors in Osborn, catcher Jake Weber and outfielder Austin Forest, but much of the team’s key pieces return, including Sargent, shortstop Max Law (.389, six doubles, 14 RBIs) and second baseman Dustin Harris (.354, 21 runs scored). Pitcher Troy Klemm (1.81 ERA in 27 innings pitched), a lanky 6-foot-5 right-hander, also figures to emerge as the No. 2 pitcher after Sargent next season.

The Gators certainly won’t lack experience, as the roster is expected to feature more than a dozen seniors in 2017.

There’s always next year:
The Land O’ Lakes Gators figure to be one of the more senior-laden teams in the area next season, with more than a dozen seniors expected to be on the 2017 varsity roster.
Key Returnees:

  • Pitcher/Third Baseman Lance McCabe Sargent
  • Shortstop Max Law
  • Second baseman Dustin Harris
  • Pitcher Taylor Klemm

Key Departures:

  • Pitcher Kirby Osborn
  • Outfielder Austin Forest
  • Catcher Jake Weber

Published April 26, 2016

 

 

A dominant ‘Sargent’ on the mound

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Land O’ Lakes High School junior Lance McCabe Sargent admits that if you watched him throw two years ago, you’d never expect him to be one of Tampa’s top prep pitchers.

“I didn’t have the best mechanics,” said Sargent, who doubles as the Gators’ starting third baseman. “When I’d go in from third (base) to pitch, I’d be all around the place, just kind of poor mechanics. I’d just go on the mound and throw because I had a pretty decent arm, so I’d just sling it.”

Lance McCabe Sargent has the lowest ERA (0.49) in Pasco County. His presence on the mound is one reason why Land O’ Lakes High School stands at 19-3 overall. (Photos courtesy of Lorraine Sargent)
Lance McCabe Sargent has the lowest ERA (0.49) in Pasco County. His presence on the mound is one reason why Land O’ Lakes High School stands at 19-3 overall.
(Photos courtesy of Lorraine Sargent)

Through 43 innings, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-hander boasts a miniscule 0.49 ERA — the best mark in Pasco County — making him one of the area’s toughest pitchers to face.

Though he’s always had a powerful arm, the Land O’ Lakes coaching staff wasn’t quite sure they had a pitching gem on their hands, until the start of the season.

“Their first words to me were, ‘Why haven’t you told me you could pitch before? Why haven’t you asked me to throw in the bullpen?’” said Sargent, who’s in his first year pitching on the varsity level after throwing extensively in summer travel ball.

“We had an idea he was a pitcher, but he didn’t pitch at all last year,” said Land O’ Lakes head coach Jeff May. “We didn’t know how good of a pitcher he was going to be — we just knew that he had a very good arm. He was a little wild when he first came up with us, but…as he’s gotten bigger and stronger, he’s been throwing harder, and it kind of dawned on us, ‘Hey, let’s give him a shot,’ and he’s performed really well.”

Sargent’s path to success this year began in the offseason and over the summer. He worked extensively with Tampa-based pitching instructor Anthony Telford, a former MLB middle reliever who spent parts of 10 seasons playing for the Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers throughout the ’90s and early ’00s.

Telford focused on improving Sargent’s pitching motion and follow-through, which has allowed the Land O’ Lakes standout to increase his fastball velocity from 82 mph to 89 mph, paving the way for a dominating junior season.

Once his senior year rolls around, Telford wouldn’t be surprised to see Sargent’s fastball velocity increase even further, perhaps reaching the low-to-mid 90s.

In addition to his duties on the mound, Sargent is the starting third baseman for the Land O’ Lakes Gators.
In addition to his duties on the mound, Sargent is the starting third baseman for the Land O’ Lakes Gators.

“He’s certainly strong enough,” Telford said. His arm action works real well — he has the athletic ability. What we focused on mostly with McCabe was just the mechanics…. of trying to get him to be able to throw the ball in the strike zone consistently.

“There’s a lot more development. He’s got the physical ability, and the thing that he does the best is he loves to compete,” Telford added.

In addition to a blazing fastball, Sargent is equipped with a curveball, slider and changeup — which he uses to keep opposing hitters off-balance.

“On the lower part of the lineup, I throw more changeups just to not waste the curveball,” said Sargent, who models his game after New York Mets all-star pitcher Jacob deGrom. “In the 3, 4 and 5 hole, I’ll mix in a curveball, because they’re a little bit better hitters.”

The difference in pitch speed between his “violent” fastball and changeup has allowed Sargent to be virtually unhittable, and roll through opposing lineups with ease in the process.

“When you throw harder, it’s going to make your off-speed pitches that much better, and he’s got a very good off-speed pitch, too,” his varsity coach said. “It’s a good one-two punch.”

“He’s got a natural ability that you can’t teach a lot of guys, which when you’re a coach, you’re immediately drawn to it,” May added. “He’s in the learning curve right now of becoming a good pitcher; he’s got the tools, and he’s (still) learning the game of pitching, too.”

Sargent’s current stats and high ceiling have already caught the eyes of several major Division I collegiate baseball programs, including the University of Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Alabama A&M, Stetson University, Radford (Virginia) University and High Point (North Carolina) University.

As he manages the extra attention — getting inundated with phone calls and messages from college coaches — Sargent is trying to stay focused on the task at hand: leading Land O’ Lakes (20-3) through a deep playoff run.

Beyond that, the right-hander has a more ambitious long-term goal in mind.

“My main goal has always been to play in the big leagues,” he said. “Since I was a little kid, that’s what I grew up wanting to do.”

Lance McCabe Sargent
Land O’ Lakes junior starting pitcher and third baseman
Pitching Stats: 43 innings pitched, 3 complete games, 7 wins, 0.49 ERA, 53 strikeouts, .137 opponent batting average
Batting Stats: .394 batting average, 1 home run, 6 extra base hits, 17 runs, 16 RBIs
Travel Club: Orlando Scorpions
College interest: University of Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Alabama A&M, Stetson University, Radford (Virginia) University and High Point (North Carolina) University.
MLB pitching comparison: New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom

Published April 20, 2016