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Lutz Sports

Local athlete aspires to play major league soccer

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Adam Hassan is a step closer to his goal of playing professional soccer.

Hassan is bypassing his junior year at Steinbrenner High School to enter the D.C. United U-17 Academy, a youth and development program for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club D.C. United.

Hassan, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound defender, is regarded for using both feet equally, along with his athleticism and tactical strength.
(Courtesy of Kelly and Melissa Hassan)

He will be among a rare group of about 20 players chosen to join the Academy, which scouts regionally and internationally for young talent exhibiting pro potential.

Hassan, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound defender, will have access to top-caliber coaching and advanced training methods, and play in arguably the most competitive league in North America, the United States Soccer Developmental Academy.

Via the Academy’s residency program, Hassan will board at The Calverton School in Huntingtown, Maryland, located about 25 miles outside Washington D.C.

For him and others, the developmental academy helps provide a more systematic route to play in college, and perhaps, reach the pro ranks.

In 2016, D.C. United sent 16 players to Division I soccer programs. Additionally, eight Academy players have gone on to professional homegrown contracts since its inception in 2005.

Months ago, Hassan sent out his resume and game film to multiple MLS academies.

The footage caught the eye of D.C. United staff, which invited him for a trial period. He performed well enough to earn a formal offer to join the topflight program.

Hassan will receive structured soccer training, at a higher frequency than high schoolers typically receive.

It means practice sessions twice a day, plus more instruction, more drills, more workouts and more competitive matches.

Simply, he’ll be placed in a pro-like soccer environment.

Adam Hassan was just 9 when he began playing for the Lutz-based Tampa Ranger soccer club. (Kevin Weiss)

He doesn’t plan to shy away from the added workload. He intends to elevate his game.

“I want to improve every aspect of my game,” Hassan said. “I want to try to be the best that I can be. Of course, I have to get faster, stronger and jump higher, and I have to be able to control the ball better.”

Hassan leaves for Washington D.C. on Aug. 5, temporarily saying farewell to family and friends in Lutz.

It’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make, to follow his dream through.

“This is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” said Hassan, who started playing soccer at 3 years old.

“As a soccer player, there’s always room to learn and take in new things. You always can be building your game. “His parents, understandably, are still adjusting to the realization their teenage son is leaving home, for the Mid-Atlantic.

His mother, Melissa, said they didn’t expect to be empty-nesters so soon. “But, we’re very proud of him,” she said.

“We’re supporting him pursuing his dream,” added his father, Kelly. “He made a tough decision to leave. Those opportunities are few and far between, so you’ve got to capitalize. It will better prepare him for a chance for the pros, or if not, he’ll be college-ready.”

Hassan played varsity soccer at Steinbrenner the past two seasons.

He was the only sophomore in the team’s starting lineup last season, where he played a total of 1,350 minutes — more than any 10th-grader in school history.

He also was named the team’s Most Improved Player, morphing into a standout on a regional-qualifying team that went 18-5-2.

Simultaneously, Hassan played for the Lutz-based Tampa Rangers soccer club.

It’s where he says he developed most, since joining at age 9.

“I became a better player,” Hassan said of his Rangers experience. “The curriculum that you’re learning ends up paying off, and that’s what I’ve always liked about the club.”

Sean Coniglio, one of Hassan’s first Rangers coaches, saw the defender’s potential early on.

Coniglio, who played at the University of Tampa (1989-1990), says Hassan stood out for his tenacity and ability to attack the ball.

Adam Hassan is bypassing his junior year at Steinbrenner High to enter the D.C. United U-17 Developmental Academy, a youth and development program for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club D.C. United. He’ll join a rare group of about 20 players chosen to the D.C United Academy, which scouts regionally and internationally for young talent that exhibits pro potential. (Courtesy of D.C. United)

Hassan’s work ethic impressed, too.

“He spent a lot of time on his own, outside of training, to develop his abilities and skills,” Coniglio said. “He was one of those that I knew, at home, he was working out and doing things to get better, and it made a difference as he get older.”

“Adam’s always been an ambitious player for us, and showed the effort that he always wanted to be a better player at his position a central defender,” added Rangers club director Mike Connell. “He’s been a good student of the game, and I think those are the key demands on players that want to get to the next levels, knowing that they still have to keep learning.”

Hassan, a natural lefty, today describes himself as instinctual and mentally tough, on the field.

“I can keep my head in the game,” he said. “I can stay focused, I don’t really get shaken up a lot, and I can read passes well.”

And, those qualities are critical for reaching the highest levels, explained Connell, a 10-year veteran of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“Soccer, like any other sport, is about how much sport intelligence you have,” Connell said. “You can’t be one-dimensional on the field, and just run and kick and fight. I think that’s really the difference when it comes to our country versus the rest of the world — they’re spending more time with the game, therefore their (soccer) intelligence is greater.”

Connell added the prospect of Hassan playing professionally is “all available to him.”

However, Connell acknowledged it’s also about capitalizing at every opportunity.

“He needs the breaks, but he has the ambition, and he has the ability,” Connell explained. “It’s just being there at the right time to do the right thing and play at the highest possible standard, because at that level you can’t not show up.”

For Hassan, heading overseas may be one way to break into the pros.

He was born in Egypt, before his immediate family settled in Lutz when he was about a year old.

Those Egyptian roots, Connell noted, “opens up another avenue” for reaching the pros.

“USA is an opportunity, but Egypt becomes a big difference-maker,” Connell said. “A lot of Americans don’t have that opportunity, because they don’t have that family connection to the homeland. This opens up a greater opportunity for the game.”

Meantime, Hassan isn’t the only Tampa Ranger headed to a soccer academy this fall.

Julio Plata, 13, was awarded a two-year scholarship to Brooke House soccer academy in Market Harborough, England.

Founded in 2008, the program boasts more than 70 players ages 13 to 19 filling four club teams that play in the Junior Premier League and other leagues, while also competing in various cups across Europe.

Plata, a midfielder, is a Lutz resident who most recently attended Liberty Middle School.

Q&A with Adam Hassan
What drew you to the game of soccer?“When I was younger, I used to watch my dad play. He would play with his adults, and I’d always go watch him play. So, at a young age I was already watching the game.”

Why do you enjoy soccer?
“In soccer, everything’s going, and it’s just exciting. You’re working together as a team, united with other people to accomplish one goal. And then when you end up accomplishing that goal, it’s a thrilling experience.”

Which professional soccer player do you model your game after?
“I’d have to say (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club defender) Thiago Silva. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he commands, he’s strong, and he holds downs his defense. I’ve always liked him.”

Published August 2, 2017

Local pitchers delay pro careers for college

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Two of the area’s top pitchers are postponing their pro careers — for now.

Sunlake High School’s Tommy Mace and Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk — both selected in the middle rounds of June’s MLB Draft — have opted to forgo professional baseball contracts, and instead attend in-state Division I programs.

Sunlake High’s Tommy Mace, who was drafted in the 12th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, will pitch at the University of Florida.
(File)

Mace, drafted in the 12th round (347th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds, will pitch at the University of Florida, which last month won the 2017 College World Series — the first national title in program history.

Van Eyk, drafted in the 19th round (577th overall) by the New York Mets, will pitch at Florida State University, which reached the College World Series, but was later eliminated by Louisiana State University.

The draft-signing deadline was July 7; the draft featured 40 rounds and 1,205 picks in total.

Besides higher education, Mace and Van Eyk have a chance to further develop their pitching skillets with advanced college instruction.

Typically, that results in an improved draft stock — and larger corresponding signing bonuses.

Based on MLB guidelines, Mace and Van Eyk will be draft-eligible again in three years — players at four-year colleges and universities are eligible three years after first enrolling in such an institution, or after their 21st birthday (whichever occurs first).

Mace, a lanky 6-foot-7, 200-pound righty, was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 144 overall prospect in the 2017 draft.

The site lauds his projectable 94 mph fastball, and usable three-quarters breaking ball.

One of the more effective prep arms in the Tampa Bay area, Mace tallied a 1.29 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 70.2 innings, with an 8-2 record in 11 appearances — guiding Sunlake High to the Class 7A regional finals last season.

During his three-year varsity career, meanwhile, Mace won 19 games, posting a 1.65 ERA and 196 strikeouts in 165.2 innings.

Van Eyk was equally dominant throughout his prep career.

Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk, who was drafted in the 19th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, will pitch at Florida State University. (File)

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound righty was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 120 overall prospect in the 2017 draft.

In addition to a blistering 95-mile-per-hour fastball that displays movement and sink, Van Eyk features an effective curveball and changeup.

His senior season, however, was cut short due to arm soreness. In limited action, he posted a 0.73 ERA and 56 strikeouts.

But, throughout his three-year varsity career, Van Eyk was virtually unhittable, tallying a 0.60 ERA and 250 strikeouts in 173.2 innings, and winning 24 games.

Van Eyk surged onto the national spotlight last summer as a member of the USA Baseball 18-and-under team’s pitching staff, helping the squad win gold at the Pan American Championships.

Also in 2016, he led Steinbrenner to its first state baseball title in and was crowned the Florida Dairy Farmers’ Class 8A Player of the Year.

Van Eyk wasn’t Steinbrenner’s only drafted player.

His teammate, first baseman Patrick Morris, was selected in the 14th round by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Morris, however, opted to turn pro, inking a signing bonus in excess of $200,000.

Published July 19, 2017

Facility upgrades highlight Leaguerettes 2017 season

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Coming off a calendar year of fast-pitch softball, the Lutz Leaguerettes have taken another step forward.

The girls recreational softball league recently announced the completion of several new capital improvement projects at both Oscar Cooler and Nye parks.

Some of the highlights:

  • Field refurbishments, including new clay and magnetic break-free bases on all five fields
  • Outdoor batting turfs and mats for hitting cages
  • New remote-operated scoreboards
  • Updated concession area with a sound system
  • Remodeled board room with new carpet and paint job
  • Park security cameras

Hillsborough County owns both parks, but the Leaguerettes have a field-usage agreement, and work closely with county’s parks and recreation department.

New clay surfaces are one of the many facility upgrades for the Lutz Leaguerettes 2017 spring fast-pitch season. The girls recreational fast-pitch organization plays its games at both Oscar Cooler Park and Nye Park. (Courtesy of Mike Cook)

Mike Cook, president of the Lutz Leaguerettes, said the additions were made gradually during the past 18 months to two years.

He estimates more than $40,000 in upgrades were made via a combination of donations, league funds and various sponsorships.

“We try not to skimp on equipment, because it gets used every day,” Cook said.

Affiliations with local professional sports teams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, USF Bulls) and other businesses (Disney World, Great Clips, Publix) also helped make the upgrades possible, he said.

“We work with a lot of different organizations,” Cook said. “We work with whoever we can.”

Though he’s unsure of a timeline, the league president said he’d eventually like to install CCTV video cameras for each field; the cameras would allow players’ families and friends to live stream Leaguerettes games through a computer.

The announced upgrades, meanwhile, follow what was an eventful 2016 for the organization.

Last January, the Leaguerettes announced they were offering a recreational fast-pitch league for the first time in its 37-year history.

Just six months later, the Leaguerettes discontinued their slow-pitch leagues altogether, citing dwindling registration figures and an overwhelming preference for fast-pitch.

(Other softball programs — the Brandon Leaguerettes, North Tampa Leaguerettes, Tampa Bay Velocity and FishHawk Miss Tampa Bay Softball — all transitioned exclusively to fast-pitch over the past few seasons.)

For the Leaguerettes, the exclusive move to fast pitch has been a success thus far.

The 2016 fall fast-pitch season reportedly had about 160 players.

That figure, Cook said, was about three times as many as previous slow-pitch fall leagues, which typically drew “40 or 50 players.”

“We were pleasantly surprised to get as many registered players as we did,” Cook said of the fall season. “I think a lot of that has to do with the upgrades to the field…and the word spreading of moving over to fast pitch.

“I’m really happy with the turnout.”

Meantime, the 2017 Leaguerettes spring season is just around the corner.

Registration is open through Jan. 21, with the season slated to kick off in February.

The spring league is limited to the first 300 players that sign up, due to available field space and resources; about 130 players were registered, as of Jan. 11.

Cook said six divisions will likely be offered, for girls ages 4 to 18.

They include: t-ball (ages 4-5), 8U (ages 6-8), 10U (ages 8-10), 12U (10-12), 14U (ages 12-14), 16U (ages 14 to 16) and 18U (ages 16 to 18).

Despite “some growing pains” in the initial transition to fast pitch, the second full season should be smoother, Cook acknowledged.

“We’ve had a lot to learn—a lot of meetings and a lot of different ideas,” Cook said. “We had to learn the rules of fast pitch compared to slow pitch.”

In fact, the organization brought in a few fast-pitch experts, training Leaguerettes coaches and players via skill clinics. League board members, too, spoke at length with high school coaches and athletic directors, learning the nuances of the game.

In general, the offensive strategy differs between fast pitch and slow pitch.

In fast pitch, the general offensive approach is to play ‘small ball,’ where bunting, slapping and hitting singles are heavily relied upon to generate runs. Conversely, offensive players in slow-pitch softball are often taught to hit the ball as far as possible, due to the relative ease at making contact.

More protective gear, such as facemasks, is also required in fast pitch.

“We’re at the point where we’re pretty sufficient in our knowledge of the game; a lot of people are happy about fast pitch,” Cook said. “We’re continuously evolving,”

The league president also noted there aren’t too many requests for slow pitch anymore.

“I think we’re at the point where everybody realizes we’re completely fast pitch, and now we’re just in the process of growing the league.”

Even so, the league’s “ultimate objective” remains the same — create a family based atmosphere in a community setting.

And, let the youngsters have fun. The Leaguerettes are a PONY (Protect Our Nation’s Youth) Softball affiliate. For more information, visit LutzSoftball.com.

Published January 18, 2017

Chiefs wrap up Super Bowl season

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Through 38 years of organized youth tackle football, the 2016 fall varsity season will go down as one of the Lutz Chiefs’ most dominant ever.

They went 14-1.

They were crowned Tampa Bay Youth Football League (TBYFL) Super Bowl champs.

And, they won “The Battle of the Bay,” toppling the best Pinellas County had to offer.

The Lutz Chiefs varsity team, made up of 13- and 14- year-olds, recently was crowned Super Bowl champs for the Tampa Bay Youth Football League (TBYFL). The Super Bowl victory marked the organization’s first championship since 2009 — and the first for a Chiefs varsity squad since 2006.
(Photos courtesy of James Monahan Photography)

All told, it was a remarkable year for the Chiefs 13-14-year-old division team.

In fact, the Super Bowl victory marked the organization’s first championship since 2009 — and the first for a Chiefs varsity squad since 2006.

As for the team’s lone blemish? It came in the form of a 12 to 6 overtime loss in the fifth game of the season.

Tom Wiltse, director of the Lutz Chiefs, described the season this way: “It’s just one of those things where everything kind of clicked. We knew we had a really good opportunity to go far this year.”

The outcome was perhaps a year in the making.

Many integral pieces — including a stable coaching staff — returned from a respectable two-loss 2015 season.

“We brought back a lot of the same players,” Wiltse said, “but, we picked up a couple of other key players — really good athletes.”

Getting the group to play as a cohesive unit, however, was the critical part, said Zack Kilburn, Chiefs varsity head coach.

“We had a great deal of talent,” Kilburn said, “but, the biggest success was for them to become a team.

“We had a bunch of kids that had been used to being the superstar at multiple levels… and we had to teach them to be a part of a team, and how to work through those aspects.”

That meant an enhanced focus on building positive character traits — like integrity and dedication, and honesty and sportsmanship.

A blitz-heavy defense helped propel the Lutz Chiefs to a 14-1 fall record.

“Talent can only take you so far,” said Kilburn, who’s coached with the Chiefs for more than a decade. “We had a big philosophy on concentrating on the little things — teaching these kids that the little things are going to make them successful in life, and on the football field.”

On the gridiron, the Chiefs coach said the Chiefs’ pressure-heavy 4-4 defense was “probably the biggest deciding factor” in the 14 wins — several of which were shutouts.

“We kind of adapt what our defense is doing,” Kilburn said. “We do a lot of blitzing to try to mix it up and confuse the opposing offense.”

Unsurprisingly, several names etched on the Chiefs’ 2016 varsity roster have lofty ceilings ahead.

Many will eventually dot the football rosters of area high schools like Steinbrenner, Freedom, Wharton and Gaither.

“I’d bet there’s seven, maybe eight kids that are going to be really good players in high school,” Wiltse said.

A few may even don Division I uniforms.

“When you’re moving up, the competition gets better…but we got a couple of kids that for sure are going to be playing DI football,” Wiltse said.

Reaching the game’s uppermost levels isn’t foreign to the Chiefs.

The organization has produced two current NFL players — wide receiver Nelson Agholor and quarterback Aaron Murray.

Both are Philadelphia Eagles, ironically.

Agholor, for one, is particularly passionate about his Lutz Chiefs playing days.

During the 2015 NFL offseason, he made an appearance at a Chiefs practice, where he spoke to current players about the bonds he formed throughout youth football.

There, Agholor proclaimed, “I’m a Chief for life.”

“It was just really, really cool.” Wiltse said of the memorable moment. “People got goosebumps.”

Agholor, like countless others, are part of what Wiltse refers to as ‘Chiefs Nation.’

The moniker — like the organization — casts a wide net. It describes current (and former) youth players and cheerleaders, along with families and other volunteers.

“We kind of got something special up here,” Wiltse said.

And, while winning games is important, the Chiefs director noted the organization’s purpose rests in “teaching family values.”

“I tell people all the time, ‘If you can get the infrastructure behind you, the wins…will come shortly thereafter,’” Wiltse said. “But, you got to build that infrastructure.”

Meantime, the varsity squad — and the Chiefs’ other age divisions— will shortly suit up for spring football, where practices begin Feb. 1.

They’ll compete in the Tampa Bay Extreme Spring Football (TBXSF) league, which has a short season league, and draws squads from Pop Warner and Pinellas County.

Simply put, the Chiefs will compete against teams they normally wouldn’t face.

“It’s pretty good at judging where your whole organization is when you’re playing some of these other teams,” Wiltse said.

For more information on the Lutz Chiefs, visit LutzChiefs.org.

Published December 28, 2016

Record 3-point shooter adds new challenges

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Justin Dargahi, a record-holding three-point shooter, has added a few new challenges for 2016 and beyond.

First: Turn around the struggling Gaither High girls varsity basketball program.

Next: Set the world record for most three pointers made by a pair, in one minute.

Dargahi — the Guinness World Record for the most 3s made from NBA range (23 feet, 9 inches) in one minute (26) — first hopes to bring some cache to the Gaither High’s girls basketball program.

It won’t be easy for the former Land O’ Lakes High girls head JV (junior varsity) coach.

The Cowboys—which went a combined 5-38 the last two seasons—have had six straight losing seasons.

Yet, that doesn’t deter Dargahi, who will be the program’s fourth head coach in six years, once tryouts begin Oct. 24.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “I love proving people wrong.”

He relishes it.

“You have room to improve. If you take over a great team, what are you trying to accomplish?” he said.

“Hopefully, we can increase our win total a lot just this coming year alone.”

It will be tough, he acknowledged, considering Gaither High plays in a highly competitive eight-team district (Class 8A, District 8).

It’s one stacked with perennial prep powerhouses in Wiregrass Ranch, Plant, Freedom and Steinbrenner high schools.

“It’s hard to win and advance anywhere when you have four or five great teams out of eight,” said Dargahi. “Luckily, we have a good three weeks of practice before the first game (Nov. 15).

His blueprint starts with building around junior Janae Lyle, the team’s top returning player (7.6 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 1.9 steals per game).

“It is a lot of specifying toward your players’ talents,” said Dargahi, a former basketball player at Cambridge Christian School. “I refuse to go into the first game not having specified positions.”

It also includes implementing a pressure man-to-man defense to help close out one-possession games.

“I love pressing,” he said. “I love getting steals, turnovers. That’s how you score points,” he said.

“I think the best (coaching) aspect is game management,” he added.

When not on the sidelines, meanwhile, Dargahi will be spending ample time at the three-point line. The new Gaither coach is teaming up with Teddy Dupay — a former Florida Gators basketball standout (1998-2001) and current boys basketball coach at Cambridge Christian School — to break the Guinness World Record for most three-pointers made by a pair in one minute.

The current record is 19, set by Harlem Globetrotters’ Cheese Chisholm and Ant Atkinson. The previous record (15) was set by NBA all-stars Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors) and Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks).

Though Dargahi hasn’t set an official attempt date, he figures it will “definitely be before Thanksgiving (Nov. 24).”

Dargahi, who claims he makes anywhere from 75 percent to 80 percent of attempted 3-pointers, said the feat largely boils down to each participant making 10 shots. It’s possible, he said, considering both his and Dupay’s shooting prowess. (Dupay ranks 10th all-time in Florida Gators history for career 3-point field goals made with 188.)

“We’re both very confident with our shooting,” Dargahi said. “The good thing about this record — both shooters have to be awesome. You can’t have one guy carry it.”

But the difficulty, he said, lies in get enough shots up in 60 seconds.

“I don’t even know how many shots we can get up, to be honest. I’m guessing 25 to 30, at the most,” said Dargahi.

The strategy, he added, will include court positioning — the wings or the top-of-the-key — and conserving energy across multiple attempts.

“I think we’ll at least try it for an hour, or an hour-and-a half,” Dargahi said.

Perhaps one aspect working in the duo’s favor: home court advantage.

“I’ve shot more balls at Cambridge than any other gym,” he said. “There’s a little bit of a comfort zone.”

Additionally, Dargahi has been approved by Guinness to attempt world records for most individual free throws in one minute (51) and most individual three-pointers in two minutes (44).

“The free throw one is tough,” Dargahi said. “I just tried it once just to see, and I didn’t even get up 51 shots. I definitely have to speed it up to shoot. If I could get up just 55 (shots), I like my chances.”

Published Oct. 19, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Area fall football preview: Hillsborough County

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The 2016 high school football season is just around the corner, and several teams in The Laker/Lutz News’ Hillsborough County coverage area enter the year with intriguing storylines, standout players and must-see matchups.

Carrollwood Patriots
Coach: Lane McLaughlin (10th year)
2015 record: 7-4
Spring Game result: 14-7 loss to Victory Christian

Freedom Patriots
Coach: Floyd Graham (1st year)
2015 record: 3-7
Spring Game result: 7-0 win over King High

Gaither Cowboys
Coach: Jason Stokes (6th year)
2015 record: 4-6
Spring Game result: 7-0 win over Sickles High

Steinbrenner Warriors
Coach: Andres Perez-Reinaldo (5th year)
2015 record: 9-2
Spring Game result: 18-0 loss to Alonso High

Wharton Wildcats
Coach: David Mitchell (12th year)
2015 record: 8-2
Spring Game result: 14-0 loss to Hillsborough High

Three teams to watch:

 

The Carrollwood Day School Patriots are loaded with talented playmakers on offense. (Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School)
The Carrollwood Day School Patriots are loaded with talented playmakers on offense.
(Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School)

Carrollwood Patriots
The Patriots, coming off a 7-4 season, appear to be one of the more interesting teams in Tampa this year. Despite being a smaller school, their youthful talent rivals many of the area’s larger schools. Armed with a bevy of playmakers on offense — quarterback Raymond Woodie III, tailback Yahsin Wooten, and receivers Nazir Achecar and Markeis Colvin — the Patriots are likely to rack up a lot of yards and touchdowns against foes. But, in order to take the next step forward, the Patriots must find a few pass-rushers on defense that can pressure opposing quarterbacks and generate sacks, due to the departures of Zac Watson-Parcels (team-leading 11 sacks), Devon Connors (10 sacks) and Corey Shamley (seven sacks).

 

The Gaither High Cowboys are looking for a bounce-back season in 2016. (File Photo)
The Gaither High Cowboys are looking for a bounce-back season in 2016.
(File Photo)

Gaither Cowboys
Despite coming off a disappointing 4-6 season, the Cowboys should have plenty to be excited about in 2016. After ending the 2015 campaign on a three-game win streak, the Cowboys return several impact players, including senior running backs Alex Rodriguez (805 yards, five touchdowns) and TJ Williams (391 yards, three touchdowns), and senior linebackers Decalon Brooks (114 tackles, five sacks) and Estefano Feliciano (73 tackles, six sacks). Though the team has several experienced playmakers on both sides of the ball, Gaither’s success may be determined by quarterback play — which must become more efficient. Gavin Deboer, the team’s incumbent quarterback from last season, struggled at times as a sophomore (48 percent rate, 10 interceptions.) If he can improve his touchdown-to-interception ratio and find a few reliable pass-catchers, Gaither may be in store for a winning season.

Steinbrenner High’s Warriors look to build off their stellar 9-2 mark in 2015. (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High football)
Steinbrenner High’s Warriors look to build off their stellar 9-2 mark in 2015.
(Courtesy of Steinbrenner High football)

Steinbrenner Warriors
Coming off a breakout 9-2 season, the Warriors are looking to keep the upward momentum going in the 2016 campaign. With holes to fill on offense and defense, Coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo will need several players to step up this season. Gone are the team’s top two offensive skill players — running back Jay Dantley (1,269 yards, 13 touchdowns) and wide receiver Justin Moffatt (41 receptions, 641 yards, 8 touchdowns) — and the team’s top four leading tacklers from last season. On a positive note, junior quarterback Colin Wray looks to build off his stellar sophomore season (56 percent completion rate, 1,634 yards, 13 touchdowns) with a few reliable targets at his disposal in seniors Brett Bitter (35 receptions, 600 yards) and Carson Kaleo (34 receptions, 277 yards). Helping the Warriors immediately is the addition of hybrid linebacker Devon Connors (53 tackles, 10 sacks), a 6-foot-3, 234-pound senior transfer from Carrollwood Day School.

Three players to watch:
Gaither senior linebacker Decalon Brooks
Decalon Brooks, the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer great and NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks, is quickly making a name for himself. Brooks, who led the Cowboys in tackles (114) in 2015, holds several Division I offers, most notably from Florida State University and the University of Louisville. An inside linebacker at Gaither, the undersized Brooks (5-foot-10, 197-pounds) figures to transition to the safety position in college. Brooks, a consensus three-star recruit, is lauded by scouting services for his “aggressiveness, agility, athleticism and blitzing ability.”

Carrollwood sophomore quarterback Raymond Woodie III
Raymond Woodie III, the son of University of South Florida defensive coordinator Raymond Woodie Jr., will be a name to remember for the next several years. Just a sophomore, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound dual-threat quarterback already has seven Division I offers, highlighted by the University of Southern California. In 2015, Woodie III put together a stellar season (1289 yards, 11 touchdowns.) More refined, he’ll likely raise his completion percentage (53 percent) and cut down on turnovers (nine interceptions) in 2016. Recruiting services praise the young quarterback for his “strong arm” and “ability to extend plays with his feet.”

Steinbrenner senior kicker Noah Ruggles
It’s not often a kicker makes a player-to-watch list, but Noah Ruggles is a rare case, considering he’s one of the top prep kickers in the nation. According to KohlsKicking.com, Ruggles is ranked No. 5 for the class of 2017, and holds an offer from Vanderbilt University. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound senior is known for his “leg speed and athletic frame.” Last season, Ruggles made 37-of-38 extra-point attempts and 8-of-13 field goals with a long of 51 yards for Steinbrenner. Kicking runs in the family — Ruggles’ older brother, Michael, earned a scholarship as a punter for the University of Texas at El Paso in 2013.

Three games to watch:
Sickles High at Steinbrenner High, Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Two teams coming off terrific 2015 seasons face off in a Week 1 rivalry game. Steinbrenner has the benefit of not having to matchup against former Sickles quarterback Chris Oladokun (1,390 yards, 15 touchdowns), who recently graduated. The last time these teams met was in 2014 — Steinbrenner won 15-7.

Tampa Catholic High at Gaither High, Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Gaither appears to be overmatched in this contest, but fans will get to see a lot of Division I talent on the field for both sides. If Gaither can play a ball-control game, leaving the prodigious Tampa Catholic offense on the sidelines, they have a chance to keep it close.

Carrollwood Day School at Cambridge Christian School, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.
With ample experience on offense, Carrollwood will look to avenge last season’s 21-12 defeat to Cambridge Christian School. It won’t be easy, considering Cambridge returns most of their impact players from its 12-1 team in 2015. Also of note, Cambridge was undefeated (8-0) at home last season. Nevertheless, expect to see a lot of big plays and offensive highlights in this contest.

Published August 17, 2016

No more slow-pitch softball for Lutz Leaguerettes

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After 37 years, the Lutz Leaguerettes girls’ softball organization has discontinued its slow-pitch leagues.

The decision was made due to dwindling registration figures, and an overwhelming preference for fast-pitch, which was first introduced in the spring.

A survey and questionnaire by players and parents showed a 92-to-4 vote in favor of fast-pitch over slow-pitch, said Mike Cook, president of the Leaguerettes.

After 37 years, the Lutz Leaguerettes has discontinued slow-pitch softball. The organization now offers only fast-pitch and T-ball leagues. (File Photo)
After 37 years, the Lutz Leaguerettes has discontinued slow-pitch softball. The organization now offers only fast-pitch and T-ball leagues.
(File Photo)

The nonprofit league only had about 20 girls registered for slow-pitch in the spring, compared to about 200 for fast-pitch.

At one point, the Leaguerettes had 400-plus girls playing in its slow-pitch leagues. But, that was before the rise in popularity of fast-pitch during the past few decades.

“The writing on the wall was that slow-pitch has pretty much fallen by the wayside,” Cook said. “The rest of the county and other areas don’t have slow-pitch available anymore, so we basically played among ourselves this past season.”

The Leaguerettes was the last recreational league in the county to offer slow-pitch softball to girls ages 5 to 18.

Other softball programs — the Brandon Leaguerettes, North Tampa Leaguerettes, Tampa Bay Velocity and FishHawk Miss Tampa Bay Softball — all transitioned exclusively to fast-pitch over the past few seasons.

“We found out how many other organizations were doing rec league fast-pitch, and we realized that we were able to compete against other organizations and other leagues,” Cook said. “It kind of gives the girls a different perspective.”

The league president said the introduction of fast-pitch was a strenuous one for the league’s board of directors, considering the significant variations in rules and regulations, age divisions and equipment.

“We had a lot to learn,” Cook said. “The move to fast-pitch had been brought up in the last few years, but logistically, it was a huge transition for us to make.”

Cook noted that over $2,000 worth of fast-pitch equipment was recently purchased, including softball pitching machines and catcher’s gear—leg pads, chest protector, mask and shin guards; protective face masks for all pitchers and infielders were also introduced.

One significant adjustment between fast-pitch and slow-pitch is the offensive strategy employed to try to win games.

In fast-pitch, the general offensive approach is to play ‘small ball,’ where bunting, slapping and hitting singles are heavily relied upon to generate runs. Conversely, offensive players in slow-pitch softball are often taught to hit the ball as far as possible, due to the relative ease at making contact.

“For us to learn the rules and transfer that information to the girls was a difficult task on the coaches, the player agents and the entire administrative portion of the league,” the league president said.

In the spring, 11 fast-pitch teams were formed across four age divisions — 8U, 10U, 12U and 16U.

“It probably exceeded expectations, because we didn’t really know what kind of response we were going to get,” Cook said.

The upcoming fall season may perhaps see an even larger response, since approximately 50 percent of the league’s current registered players will be new participants in the league.

While fast-pitch registration is open to girls ages 6 to 18, most of the league’s participants range from ages 10 to 14, Cook said.

“A lot of the girls, they think ‘fast-pitch’ is stressful competition, and they’re going to be playing with girls that are so far out of their skill level, but that wasn’t the case,” he said. “For probably about 70 (percent) to 80 percent of the girls, it was their first year playing fast-pitch as well.”

Jennifer Parry, the league’s secretary, told The Laker/Lutz News in January that the increased desire for young girls to play softball in high school has had a significant influence on the rise of fast-pitch.

“I think with the popularity of (former Olympic gold medalist softball pitcher) Jennie Finch, the Olympics and all these girls playing softball in college, it’s really changed softball for kids,” she said. “So many more kids want to play softball in high school, so they’re having to learn how to play fast-pitch.”

While slow-pitch will no longer be available, the league is bringing back T-ball leagues (ages 5 to 6) for the first time in several years.

“Basically it will be (softball) at a slower pace where we’ll be teaching them the fundamentals and the spirit of teamwork; it’s not about winning or losing at that age — it’s about learning the game and trying to have fun,” Cook said.

Refurbished fields will be another new feature this fall.

Cook said the five softball fields at both Oscar Cooler Sports Complex and Nye Park in Lutz are currently undergoing drastic renovations, including new clay field surface and new bases.

Player registration closes on Aug. 19, with fall practices starting Sept. 1. Opening Day is set for Oct. 1.

For more information, visit LutzSoftball.com.

Published July 27, 2016

He aims to make Gaither basketball ‘relevant’ again

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The Gaither High School’s varsity boys basketball team hasn’t had a winning season since 2006, but new head coach Jose Jordan wants to change that losing trend.

“We need to raise the expectations,” said Jordan, who is stepping into the new role after spending the past four seasons as the program’s junior varsity (JV) coach.

Jose Jordan is Gaither High School’s new varsity basketball coach. He replaces Dwayne Olinger, who was the team’s head coach for 16 years. Jordan’s appointment was effective on June 20. (Courtesy of Jose Jordan)
Jose Jordan is Gaither High School’s new varsity basketball coach. He replaces Dwayne Olinger, who was the team’s head coach for 16 years. Jordan’s appointment was effective on June 20.
(Courtesy of Jose Jordan)

Jordan replaces Dwayne Olinger, who resigned after 16 seasons — the last 10 being consecutive losing seasons. Jordan’s promotion took effect on June 20.

“It’s a rebuilding program,” said Jordan, a former Gaither High point guard who graduated in 1988. “There’s no way around that.”

Jordan’s last head varsity boys basketball coaching job was at Seminole Presbyterian School (now Cambridge Christian) in the late 1990s. In total, Jordan has 22 years of basketball coaching experience.

Despite the program’s ongoing struggles, Jordan relishes the opportunity to become the head coach at his high school alma mater, especially since he already understands the inner workings of the school’s administration and athletics department.

“I’m very grateful for the job,” Jordan said, adding that he doesn’t think there’s another job in the county that he would have preferred.

But, the coach acknowledged it will take some time to turn around the basketball program and raise its level of expectations.

“My goals are to make Gaither basketball relevant again and to compete for championships,” he said. “We’ve got a tough district…but I think that we can definitely compete.”

While the varsity squad is likely to “take some hits” in Jordan’s first season, he hopes the group can make significant improvements in his second and third seasons.

The rebuilding process will begin with players buying into Jordan’s coaching philosophy and core values.

“I want my players to play together, play for each other and play the game the right way,” he said.

“One of the expectations that I have is that you have to practice hard. A lot of young people think they can rise to the occasion — if you don’t rise to the occasion, you’re going to fall to the level of your preparation,” he said.

In the 2015-2016 season, Gaither finished 9-15, losing seven games by 20 points or more. As the program’s JV coach, Jordan witnessed many of those listless performances.

“We got our butts kicked some nights,” he said. “You could always say it’s a lack of talent, but I don’t like to use that excuse. I don’t think our guys played to their potential, but in all fairness, this is a very tough district. Freedom (High) has an excellent basketball team. So does Sickles (High) and Wharton (High). Those teams have been good for a while.”

He continued: “If we set expectations, we focus on the right thing and our preparation is better, we can turn it around sooner rather than later.”

To quickly steer the program in the right direction, Jordan said he plans to focus more on player development, and extensive strength and conditioning.

Advancing players’ overall skillsets — ball handling, passing, shooting and rebounding — also will be key, he said.

“I think our focus will not be so much on the Xs and Os — at least not initially; the focus will be on…improving our skills,” Jordan said.

Jordan said the team’s personnel will ultimately dictate the offensive and defensive playbook, but acknowledged Gaither will run an up-tempo style of offense with a pressing defense.

“We do like to get out and run every chance we get,” he said. “The more three-on twos, two-on-ones we can create, the better. Obviously, you want to be effective in your half-court offense…but if you’re playing five-on-five, your shooting percentage is going to go down.”

“I do like to play to press as much as we can, whether it’s full-court or half-court traps,” Jordan added.

The recently hired coach expects to have “six or seven” players returning from last year’s varsity team; he’s currently in the process of filling out the rest of the roster.

“The first place that we need to (look for players) is Gaither High School’s hallways,” he said.

Jordan is also actively seeking assistant coaches, which he referred to as an ongoing process.

“I’ve got some former players that I’m looking at joining the staff,” he said.

The school hasn’t hired a JV coach or varsity assistant, but Jordan said he has a list.

“Those are key positions, and I’ve got to make sure that we get those right,” Jordan said.

Published July 20, 2016

Steinbrenner pitcher makes national trial team

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The accolades are piling up for Steinbrenner High School’s right-handed pitcher CJ Van Eyk.

He’s led Steinbrenner to its first state baseball title.

He’s been crowned the Florida Dairy Farmers’ Class 8A Player of the Year.

And now, the rising senior has achieved another prestigious accomplishment: pitcher on the USA Baseball 18U National Trial team.

Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk was one of 40 prep players selected to the USA Baseball 18U National Trial team on June 26. Six other players from Florida made the team. (Courtesy of Steve Fiorindo)
Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk was one of 40 prep players selected to the USA Baseball 18U National Trial team on June 26. Six other players from Florida made the team.
(Courtesy of Steve Fiorindo)

Van Eyk, a Florida State commit, was one of 40 players nationwide selected to the roster on June 26 following a scouting and evaluation period in Cary, North Carolina.

“It was definitely surprising, but I thought I had good shot,” Van Eyk said about his selection.

It wasn’t much of a shock for Van Eyk’s high school baseball coach, John Crumbley.

“He’s right up there with some of the top pitchers that I’ve coached in my career,” said Crumbley, who’s amassed four state titles and over 700 wins in his 25-plus year coaching career at Jesuit and Steinbrenner high schools.

“If he stays healthy, his upside is so high.

“Now, this is just going to put him in the national spotlight,” Crumbley said.

The trial games run from Sept. 11 to Sept. 15 in Houston, Texas, when the 20-man 18U National Team roster will be finalized. If Van Eyk makes the 20-man roster, he will participate in the COPABE Pan Am “AAA” Championships in Monterrey, Mexico, from Sept. 23 to Oct. 2.

Last season, Van Eyk proved to be one of the most dominant pitchers in the entire state. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound flamethrower ranked first in Class 8A in strikeouts (130) and wins (12), and fifth in earned run average (0.77).

With a four-pitch repertoire that includes a 92 mph fastball, high school opponents often left the batter’s box bewildered by Van Eyk’s pitching dexterity.

“When you’re throwing in the 90s, that usually gets attention,” Crumbley said. “His fastball has gotten more velocity as his career at Steinbrenner has gone along — I think the first thing that people see is his velocity that he has.”

Moreover, his other three pitches were just as demoralizing to opposing hitters, his high school coach said.

“They are all plus pitches that he’ll throw at any time,” Crumbley said. “Sometimes, he’ll get out more (batters) with his splitter or changeup. And, his curveball is devastating.”

Crumbley added Van Eyk’s competitiveness, too, is a key reason for his massive successes on the mound.

“He’s just goes at it and gets it done.”

With a goal of one day playing high-level professional baseball, Van Eyk is constantly honing his craft — he’s currently striving to throw his fastball in the mid-90s by the 2017 season.

“I’ve been working to get my velocity up, and keep commanding my pitches better,” Steinbrenner’s ace pitcher said. “There’s always room for improvement, no matter who you are or what you want to do.”

According to Crumbley, Van Eyk always showed flashes of potential, but said he really emerged toward the end of his sophomore year, when he finished 7-0 with a 0.16 ERA in 44.1 innings.

“As a ninth-grader he had a good arm, but I think he just needed to understand how to harness what he had because he was a little more inconsistent,” Crumbley said. “As a sophomore, we brought him along where he was pretty much the guy at the end after we used him more in relief (at the start of the season). We didn’t have to hurry him along — he was able to play infield and develop as a pitcher without being thrown to the wolves early on, so I think all that helped.”

Though the start of the 2017 high school baseball season is more than seven months away, Crumbley said his team is already eager to defend its state title, especially with its best player returning.

“This is the most returning pitching that got us to a high level, and more returning starters than we’ve ever had, so we’re excited,” Crumbley said. “We know the target will be on us.”

Van Eyk is also bullish on the Warrior’s 2017 prospects, and believes the team can repeat as state champs.

“I’m pretty confident in (the team), and I think we can do it again,” he said.

CJ Van Eyk
Pitching stats
Junior year: 12-1, 0.77 ERA, 130 strikeouts in 91 innings pitched
Sophomore year: 7-0, 0.16 ERA, 64 strikeouts in 44.1 innings pitched

–Stats compiled from Maxpreps.com

Published July 13, 2016

Steinbrenner and Gaither claim state titles

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The varsity baseball teams for Steinbrenner and Gaither high schools each completed impressive seasons, with both teams capturing state titles.

Steinbrenner High School baseball players celebrate the school’s first varsity baseball state title. They defeated Oviedo Hagerty in a 9-4 win in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game. (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High baseball)
Steinbrenner High School baseball players celebrate the school’s first varsity baseball state title. They defeated Oviedo Hagerty in a 9-4 win in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game.
(Courtesy of Steinbrenner High baseball)

Steinbrenner took its first baseball state title with a 9-4 win over Oviedo Hagerty in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game on May 21 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers.

The Warriors (27-5) trailed Hagerty 4-1 in the sixth inning before erupting for an eight-run seventh inning, thanks to timely run production from junior Patrick Morris, and seniors Ryan Russell and Drew Burkhart.

On the mound, Morris and fellow junior Dave Crawford combined to pitch seven innings, giving up four runs (two earned).

The Warriors entered the state championship game on a 13-game winning streak, with their last defeat being a 7-3 road loss against Hillsborough High on March 29. For next season, the Warriors lose eight seniors, but return ace right-handed pitcher CJ Van Eyk (12 wins, 0.77 ERA, 130 strikeouts in 91 innings). Morris, the team’s top power hitter with four home runs and 11 doubles in 2016, also returns.

Gaither’s team prevailed in a nail-biting 2-1 extra-inning game over Venice High, securing the program’s first Class 7A FHSAA state championship.

Players from Gaither High School’s varsity baseball team signal that they’re No. 1. The team beat Venice High to secure the program’s first Class 7A FHSAA state championship. (Courtesy of Gaither High baseball)
Players from Gaither High School’s varsity baseball team signal that they’re No. 1. The team beat Venice High to secure the program’s first Class 7A FHSAA state championship.
(Courtesy of Gaither High baseball)

The Cowboys (20-9) held a 1-0 into the third inning before Venice tied the game 1-1. The Gaither offense finally got a spark in the eighth inning when leadoff hitter Jose Cadenas singled, and eventually scored the winning run on a Venice throwing error. Gaither senior pitchers David Masuck and Josh Bobrowski held Venice’s offense in check, combining to allow just one run on seven hits (no extra base hits), and one walk.

The Cowboys lose eight seniors from this year’s squad, including ace lefty Gavin Gillespie (0.79 ERA, 89 strikeouts in 88 and two-thirds pitched). However, second-year coach Nelson North will have the luxury of getting back five of the team’s top six hitters in 2017, including Cadenas, Chipper Holland, Kenny Rodriguez, Danny Gutcher and AJ Drisdom.

Steinbrenner and Gaither met once during the regular season, with the Warriors defeating the Cowboys 7-3 on March 31 at Gaither High.

–Information and statistics were gathered from FHSAA.org and Maxpreps.com.

Published June 1, 2016