Lutz Sports

Area spring football preview: Hillsborough County

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Spring football practices are underway for Hillsborough County schools in our coverage area. Programs such as Gaither High and Freedom High are hoping for turnarounds, while Steinbrenner and Wharton high schools are trying to build off last season’s successes. Carrollwood Day School fits the bill as a possible team on the rise for 2016.

Carrollwood Day School
Coach: Lane McLaughlin (10th year)
2015 record: 7-4

Carrollwood Day School prep fans should be excited about the potential for an entertaining season, and not just because the private school’s football team will be playing at a brand-new athletic complex in 2016. A majority of Carrollwood’s young playmakers on offense return, including incumbent quarterback Raymond Woodie Jr., leading rusher Yahsin Wooten (740 yards, 8 TDs) and leading receiver Markeis Colvin (20 receptions, 501 yards, 4 TDs.) The Patriots also return their top two tacklers from last season in linebackers Ryan Verscharen and Stephen Walters, who will be seniors. Replacing the production of two sack artists in Zac Watson-Parcells and Corey Shamley will be key to take a step forward in 2016.

Freedom High School
Coach: Floyd Graham (1st year)
2015 record: 3-7

Freedom High School Coach Floyd Graham is likely in for a rebuilding year. (File photo) — Freedom High School Coach Floyd Graham is likely in for a rebuilding year.
(File photo)

It’s likely a rebuilding year for new Freedom coach Floyd Graham, who was officially hired on April 1. The good news for those that closely follow Freedom’s program is it’s something Graham should be able to handle, considering he created football programs from scratch at both Newsome and Steinbrenner high schools. However, Graham will have some uphill battles to climb in year one. Being hired in April doesn’t give him much time to implement his coaching philosophy, and develop a rapport with both players and assistant coaches. Also, the team is losing a plethora of seniors from 2015, including do-it-all playmaker Nasir Core.

Gaither High School
Coach: Jason Stokes (6th year)
2015 record: 4-6

In order to improve in 2016, the Cowboys must make some strides on the offensive side of the ball. The team scored nine points or fewer in six out of their 10 games. Luckily for Coach Stokes, bellcow running back Alex Rodriguez returns. Getting quarterback Gavin Denboer to cut down on his interceptions (10) is a must. The Cowboys defense should be able to hold its own, with the return of linebacker Decalon Brooks, last year’s leading tackler (114). The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Brooks, the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks, is widely viewed as one of the top players in all of Tampa. The consensus three-star recruit already has Division I scholarship offers from Florida International University, Florida State University, University of Illinois and University of South Florida.

Steinbrenner High School
Coach: Andres Perez-Reinaldo (5th year)
2015 record: 9-2

The Warriors finally had a breakout season in 2015 under the tutelage of head coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo. Thanks to a potent offense and an at-times smothering defense, Steinbrenner’s only two setbacks last season were against dynasty prep programs in Manatee (Bradenton) High and Dr. Phillips (Orlando) High. On offense, quarterback Collin Wray (56 percent completion, 1,634 yards) returns, as do two of his favorite targets in Brett Bitter (35 receptions, 600 yards) and Carson Kaleo (34 receptions, 277 yards). Replacing the production of 1,000-yard rusher Jayquese Dantley is something the team will need to address. On defense, Coach Perez-Reinaldo and his staff must find some players that can carry the load, since the Warriors lose three leading tacklers in Tyler Mirabella, Patrick Lukert and Zack Deitz.

Wharton High School
Coach: David Mitchell (12th year)
2015 record: 8-2

The Wildcats enjoyed a successful 2015 campaign, with sizable victories over the likes of King High, Gaither High, Wiregrass Ranch and Leto High. However, it won’t be easy to replicate the scoring outputs (at least 30 points in seven games) from 2015. Coach Mitchell will have to replace quarterback Bryce Martin, leading rusher Miles Williams (1,102 yards, 10 TDs) and leading receiver Devontres Dukes (18 receptions, 360 yards) from last year’s squad. They also lost defensive stalwarts in linebacker Hayden Parks (75 tackles) and defensive lineman Godey Coleus (six sacks). One possible breakout candidate to watch is two-way player Shannon King, who will be a junior. The powerful 5-foot-10, 210-pounder rushed for nearly 400 yards, adding 6.9 yards per carry.

Published May 4, 2016

Local soccer player signs with Division 1 team

March 23, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Mikey Connell — the son of a former local soccer legend — has signed a national letter of intent with the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

The Steinbrenner High standout is the son of former Tampa Bay Rowdies star Mike Connell.

The 6-foot-1 midfielder will be coached at the Division I college by Derek Marinatos, who’s in his sixth year as UNF’s head coach.

Connell signed his national letter of intent with UNF on Feb. 3, two weeks after ending his high school soccer career.

Connell, left, was accompanied by his father Mike on National Signing Day on Feb. 3. Connell’s father played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the ’70s and ’80s. (Photos courtesy of Mike Connell) — Connell, left, was accompanied by his father Mike on National Signing Day on Feb. 3. Connell’s father played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the ’70s and ’80s.
(Photos courtesy of Mike Connell)

While Connell had a few other college offers, he decided on UNF after meeting with the coaching staff and visiting the campus.

The three-time All-County selection is relieved to have the recruiting process behind him.

“It was a very stressful process,” Mikey said, “because you’re always thinking about where you are. If a school doesn’t offer you, you’re thinking, ‘Oh no, I’m running out of time; signing day is coming up.’ Once I committed, it was easy going into the (soccer) showcases and just focusing on playing, and not worry about attracting coaches to my style of play.”

He will be joining a team which has finished over .500 for three straight seasons. The university became an even more attractive option for Connell after one of the team’s players, midfielder Alex Morrell (of Lakeland), was drafted 22nd overall in the 2016 MLS (Major League Soccer) SuperDraft.

“That was a big factor in my decision,” said Connell, who hopes to play professional soccer after he finishes college. “The fact they can produce those type of players gives me an opportunity to prove myself on that big stage.”

His father noted it was important to “put (Mikey) in the hands of someone that will take him to the next level.”

“Certainly, the coaching staff there understands the challenge of preparing players and delivering players to the professional ranks, which was very important,” Mike said.

This past season, Connell was one of the most productive players in Hillsborough County, scoring 26 goals and dishing out 19 assists.

“While he’s been a very, very good high school player, everything resets and now (he’s) going to go and have to do it again,” Connell’s father said about playing Division I soccer. “The fact that he has the opportunity to improve himself at this next level is all you ask for. Now, it’s up to him to go and understand the challenge.”

Steinbrenner High’s Mikey Connell will be playing Division I soccer at the University of North Florida in the fall. He scored 26 goals and dished out 19 assists this past season.

Throughout his illustrious high school career, Connell said he’s become more confident in his abilities, which is highlighted by his attacking style of play, and his penchant for facilitating scoring opportunities for teammates.

“I feel like I see things that most players do not see,” said Connell, who helped guide Steinbrenner to a district championship in 2014 and a regional championship in 2013. “I’m left-footed, so that’s a unique characteristic. I can take people on with the ball, I can score goals, and I can assist.

“I’ve really tried to hone my game into an all-around kind of player over the past few years.”

His father, a 10-year veteran of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, agrees with that assessment.

“He’s very confident receiving the ball and holding the ball when he has it. He doesn’t panic under pressure,” Mike explained. “His strongest asset is his vision of the game, the creative side of the game.”

Additionally, Mike said his son has become a “better leader of his teammates” since he started playing for Steinbrenner.

“He’s seeing the game on a bigger scale. …Just maturing with the game and the expectations of a bigger, stronger, more physical game,” Mike said.

Mike believes his son has the talent to play professionally, but adds there’s “still a lot of development to come.”

“There’s the right of passage to ‘fight the fight’ against everyone out there that may have that (professional) ambition,” Mike said. “Certainly, had he grown up in the soccer environments of South Africa or Europe, he would be further along.”

In addition to playing for Steinbrenner, Connell also plays for the Tampa Rangers, a club soccer team directed by his father.

The opportunity to be instructed by someone who’s played professional soccer for over a decade has been a key to Connell’s development.

“He’s the biggest impact on my life, coaching wise,” Connell said about his father. “He’s been my main coach since I was 11 when I was on his club team, and he’s been coaching me on my own whenever I started walking.

“He’s definitely been the biggest influence in my life on the game of soccer,” he said.

Published March 23, 2016

Girls fast-pitch coming to Lutz

January 20, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Dwindling registration in recent years has prompted the Lutz Leaguerettes girls’ softball organization to add a recreational fast-pitch league for the first time in its 37-year history.

The league expects 15 teams, across four age groups, and the deadline for registrations is Feb. 1.

Girls in the fast-pitch league will transition to new bats, which are several ounces lighter than bats designed for slow-pitch softball. (Courtesy of Lutz Leaguerettes) — Girls in the fast-pitch league will transition to new bats, which are several ounces lighter than bats designed for slow-pitch softball.
(Courtesy of Lutz Leaguerettes)

The Lutz Leaguerettes, a nonprofit organization, has provided slow-pitch softball to girls ages 5 to 18, making it the lone recreational slow-pitch girls’ league in Hillsborough County.

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.

“The Lutz Leaguerettes is the last of a dying breed,” said Mike Cook, president of the Leaguerettes. “Slow-pitch is kind of dying out, because a lot of people want to play fast-pitch, and they see all these college girls playing fast-pitch; there’s just a lot more interest in fast-pitch.”

Jennifer Parry, who’s the league’s secretary, said the increased desire for young girls to play in high school also has had an influence.

“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. The registration numbers are dwindling for slow-pitch, so now we’re adding fast-pitch. …We’re trying to get girls excited and out there playing.”

The Lutz Leaguerettes girls’ softball recreation league is adding a fast-pitch program for the first time in its 37-year history.

Before the rise of fast-pitch, Cook said the Leaguerettes once had 400-plus girls playing in the league. Now, the league has around 120 girls participating in the slow-pitch category.

The dip in participation has made scheduling difficult, and the competition monotonous.

“Last season, my daughter played in the Pixie (ages 5-9) division and there were five teams, and this season there’s only three,” Parry said. “Just for the kids, to be able to keep it going, you got to have more participation.”

Ideally, the Leaguerettes would like to offer both slow-pitch and fast-pitch leagues, with the former running from November to January, and the latter starting in February each year.

“We’re going to see what happens. If we have to give up slow-pitch by the wayside, then we’ll make a decision when the time comes,” Cook said. “Until then, we’re going to try to continue with both leagues.”

Cook noted that “fast-pitch isn’t all that different from slow-pitch,” but there will be a few adjustments. For example, there are a few rules that differ for fast-pitch, as well as the type of equipment required for players to be safe and effective.

Additionally, the offensive strategy for fast-pitch softball contrasts with 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.

Typically, fast-pitch age divisions are separated every two years, but the Leaguerettes will start with just four age divisions: 8U (ages 6-8), 12U (ages 9-12), 16U (ages 13-16) and 18U (ages 17-18).

The deadline for registrations is Feb. 1. The league expects 15 teams, across four age divisions

“I’d be willing to bet we’ll have 15 teams divided up among the divisions,” said Parry, who expects about 150 girls in the league’s inaugural fast-pitch season. “The 18U is our toughest (to fill) right now, because the girls at that age don’t want to transition from slow-pitch to fast-pitch, because they’ve been playing slow-pitch their entire life, and that’s a big adjustment…but, the 12U division is blowing up and is by far the fullest.”

A majority of the games will be played at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex in Lutz, with the league hoping to host some tournaments that feature rec teams throughout Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Brandon and Temple Terrace.

The league has already been selected to host the all-county Early Bird Tournament from Feb. 26 to Feb. 28, which will include up to 10 different leagues.

“We’re in the process of scheduling some tournaments,” Cook said. “We’d love to have some tournaments at our field, because it’s a wonderful fundraiser, and it just creates a buzz at the field like no other. …When you have three fields going — three different games, six different teams playing, concession stand buzzing — it just gives a feeling of belonging.

“The concession stand is, bar none, the best you will find in the county. It’s clean, they provide quality service and have monthly specials, and it’s volunteers that run it all,” he said.

Getting the league back to its height of popularity isn’t the only goal. League officials also stressed the importance making sure the participants’ experiences are rewarding and enjoyable.

“It’s an opportunity for the girls to make new friends. All the girls can commiserate and create friendships that last a lifetime,” the league president said. “The lessons that they learn are lessons they’ll carry for the rest of their life — patience, understanding, tolerance and communication.

“There’s a number of things the girls learn and a number of tools they receive that they utilize for life that they don’t even realize at the time,” Cook said.

Published January 20, 2016

Carrollwood Day School soon to get home field advantage

January 13, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

A $1 million matching gift donation program has paved the way for the construction of a new athletic complex at Carrollwood Day School.

Located near the west entrance of the school’s Bearss Avenue campus, the new athletic complex will be a well-lit, multi-use space for the private school’s football, baseball and soccer teams.

This $2 million multipurpose sports complex at Carrollwood Day School will also include a baseball facility. After this season, the baseball program will no longer have to travel to Citrus Park to play their home games. (Photos courtesy of Carrollwood Day School) — This $2 million multipurpose sports complex at Carrollwood Day School will also include a baseball facility. After this season, the baseball program will no longer have to travel to Citrus Park to play their home games.
(Photos courtesy of Carrollwood Day School)

Billionaire entrepreneur Todd Wagner, and his wife, Keri Wagner, made the donation program possible by agreeing to put forward a $1 million pledge in August, contingent on the school also raising $1 million.

The school reached the $1 million mark by mid-December, through contributions from numerous other families with ties to the school.

“It kept coming in bunches,” said Head of School Ryan Kelly. “We had a number of families step forward from smaller amounts to larger amounts, from three figures to six figures.

“It just was a community effort, and I’m just thrilled that families stepped up and supported it.”

The multi-use athletic complex is expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year, just in time for the high school football season. And, instead of playing on a grass surface, home football games will be played on turf.

Carrollwood’s soccer program has played their home games on a leased parcel of land. Next year, their games will be played in the new sports complex.

“There aren’t that many (turf fields) around here, so I think from that standpoint, we’ll be one of the few independent schools that have a turf field,” said Kelly, who has been at the school for eight years and has been head of school for three years.

The school’s athletic director, Baker Mabry, also is enthused about the turf field, which he referred to as the “shiny piece” of the new complex.

“We really pushed hard for turf,” said Mabry, who’s in his ninth year as the school’s athletic director. “Anybody that has to manage a field that has natural grass knows the headaches with that. I think everybody is pretty excited about the turf.”

Being able to have stadium lights at the complex is another feature that stands out for Mabry, who noted other private schools like Tampa Catholic have “had to wait years” before getting approval for lights.

“To be able to host night games, you know everybody loves the ‘Friday Night Lights’ with football, but just for athletics across the board…I think it’s really going to be a neat thing for our school,” Mabry added.

The complex, which will also include a press box and enough bleacher seating for 500-plus people, should make Mabry’s job easier, as he won’t have to worry about leasing off-site fields for the various athletic programs’ practices and home games.

Carrollwood Day School’s new athletic complex will feature a football field with a turf surface. Previously, the football program played their home games at Skyway Park.

“It should streamline everything,” he said. “Having everything on campus, for me personally, will really help streamline that process, but I also think it’s going to raise expectations for our program, which is a great thing also. It keeps our coaches motivated. It keeps our athletes motivated. Hopefully, we’ll just continue to build.”

Mabry believes the new complex will increase athletic participation and has other benefits, too.

“I think it increases school spirit, and I think it’s going to increase participation across the board with our sports,” he explained. “We’re also hoping it increases enrollment, as people see our facilities and people see that we are a school on the move, and a school that’s growing. It entices more families to attend CDS (Carrollwood Day School).”

Mabry said there’s been an added emphasis over the past years to get the school’s athletic facilities up to par with its highly regarded academic facilities.

“The No. 1 thing that we hear is the academic facilities are fantastic,” he said. “But people would ask, ‘When are the athletic facilities coming in line?’”

The athletic complex is the second phase of the school’s capital campaign program, known as Patriot Pride. The first phase of the program, a 25,000-square-foot gymnasium, is currently under construction. Once completed, it will house three volleyball courts, two full-size basketball courts and a weight room.

The facilities are a step forward for the school, Kelly said.

“For our campus, I think it’s going to be a huge enhancement for our athletics and also our PE (Physical Education) program. We’ll be able to match what we do on our athletic side with what we do on our academic side,” he said.

Carrollwood’s athletic director concurs with that assessment.

“I think it’s just one of the final pieces that makes Carrollwood Day School one of the top schools in the area,” Mabry said.

Published January 13, 2016

Record-setting start for Steinbrenner football

September 23, 2015 By Michael Murillo

The Steinbrenner High School coaching staff knew its team was special when it defeated Riverview High School by a 38-17 margin on Sept. 18. That gave the Warriors a 4-0 start for the first time in school history, and eclipsed the team’s win total from last year’s entire season, when it won just three games.

Steinbrenner head coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo talks with linebacker Tyler Mirabella at practice. The defense has helped lead the Warriors to a 4-0 record. (MIchael Murillo/Staff Photo) — Steinbrenner head coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo talks with linebacker Tyler Mirabella at practice. The defense has helped lead the Warriors to a 4-0 record.
(MIchael Murillo/Staff Photo)

But coaches also knew the team was special when it defeated Chamberlain on Sept. 11 to go 3-0.

And, the week before, when the team defeated Blake High School to go 2-0.

The team had never done those things before, either.

In fact, it became the first varsity team at the school to even start 1-0 with an opening win against Gaither High School. (The team’s first victory in its inaugural season in 2009 counted as a junior varsity victory).

Head coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo had an inkling about their potential a lot earlier than the start of the regular season. In fact, the realization dawned on him late last year.

“I had a good feeling last December,” he recalled. “We were planning on starting our off-season conditioning in January. I had a group of these seniors come up to me and say ‘Hey coach, we want to start now, in December.’ When those kids do that and take that kind of initiative, that lets you know you have a special thing going on.”

If the team has been special, its defense has been spectacular. The defense gave up 17 to Riverview and allowed 10 points to Chamberlain, but previous outings were even better. Neither Blake (31-0) nor Gaither (13-0) put up any points against the Warriors.

The coach admits that a stifling defense is a big key to the team’s success and keeping opponents frustrated.

“Our defense right now is the heart and soul of the team,” he said. “If they (opponents) can’t score, they can’t win.”

It’s a philosophy that resonates with the players, and gets repeated frequently.

“As the defense we knew that we were going to really be the glue of the team. If they don’t score, they’re not going to win,” said middle linebacker Patrick Lukert in a separate interview.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pound senior has helped the team off to its impressive start, but he’s not surprised. He expected to see scoreboard success after watching the players come together and focus before the games started. He just thought it would happen with a different quarterback.

Expected starter Cason Byrd suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Preseason Classic, meaning backup Colin Wray had to step in with little notice and perform.

He’s led the team to an undefeated record, the most wins in one season since 2012 and an opportunity to think about the school’s first-ever playoff berth.

Again, Lukert said he isn’t surprised.

“We have confidence in Colin. Colin’s been practicing just like Cason has. Since last December he’s been working out. We knew he was going to be all right,” he said.

The coach credits the entire offense for helping pick up the slack with a new quarterback behind center.

“Those guys, that wide receiver corps and offensive line and running backs have just rallied around our quarterback position, making him the best that he can (be). And that support has been huge for him,” Perez-Reinaldo said.

A strong start has created a lot of optimism and excitement, and the coach said it’s a product of athletes taking classwork seriously and buying into the program. It’s a lot of hard work, but after coaching for about 10 years (this is his fourth season at Steinbrenner), Perez-Reinaldo said it’s still fun.

“Friday nights. There’s nothing like it,” he said.

Steinbrenner Warriors 2015 remaining schedule
Sept. 25 at Riverview, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Manatee, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Newsome, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 vs. Palm Harbor University, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Alonso, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 at Berkeley Prep, 7 p.m.

Published September 23, 2015

Steinbrenner adds on another district title

May 20, 2015 By Michael Murillo

The Steinbrenner High School baseball team had a great season, winning many games and establishing themselves as a force in their district.

But really, that’s not news.

They’ve done that every year since the school opened in 2009.

The Warriors didn't always score a lot, but they usually got what they needed by manufacturing runs and getting smart play from players like Andrew Lindsay. (Courtesy of Evan Abramson) — The Warriors didn’t always score a lot, but they usually got what they needed by manufacturing runs and getting smart play from players like Andrew Lindsay.
(Courtesy of Evan Abramson)

What is news is how the high school team — which loses players every year to graduation and turns over its entire roster every few seasons — continues to operate at a high level of success.

All signs for that achievement point to head coach John Crumbley.

He’s been a constant presence since the Warriors began playing baseball.

But Crumbley isn’t taking the credit for the team’s consistent success.

“We’ve got good kids at our school, and we have coaches who feel we have a formula that works,” Crumbley said.

Still, what has worked at Steinbrenner the past six years also worked at Jesuit High School, where Crumbley coached baseball for 22 years and was athletic director for three years.

The coach’s resume at Jesuit includes 11 trips to the state final four, two runner-up finishes and three championships.

Now, with two district titles in six years, Crumbley wants the Warriors to experience the same kind of success as Jesuit’s team achieved.

“I kind of want these kids to feel that experience of what I’ve been fortunate enough to succeed at in my career,” he said.

At first, it didn’t look like this season would be like the others.

The team struggled when the year began.

The Warriors lost their first two games and were still struggling a quarter of the way through their campaign. But they righted the ship, at one point winning 10 out of 11 games in a row. In one three-game span during that run, they outscored their opponents 56-2.

But most of their games were closer, and Steinbrenner came out on top most of the time with good defense and pitching. They held their opponent to one run or less 15 times, and went 13-2 in those games.

Unfortunately, one of those two low-scoring losses came in the regional semifinals, when Durant High School beat the Warriors 1-0 in extra innings. Steinbrenner finished the year with a 19-7 record, a Class 7A-8 district title and matched the school’s farthest journey into the playoffs to date.

Crumbley credits the team with sticking with the game plan, even when the wins weren’t coming early on, and following the path to success they’ve built at Steinbrenner.

“The kids and teams that buy into our system, our philosophies and our techniques — those teams are able to do a little better,” he said.

According to senior pitcher Ryan Fatzinger, part of those philosophies and techniques involve limiting mistakes and finding ways to manufacture runs.

“We’ve had a lot of success with discipline at the plate. We don’t strike out much, and we minimize the errors on defense,” Fatzinger said.

Knowing that he has a strong defense behind him gives him confidence on the mound, since the pressure isn’t solely on him to perform.

Fatzinger will carry the confidence he gained at Steinbrenner to Pasco-Hernando State College, where he’ll be part of the Conquistadors’ potent baseball program.

He feels prepared to join a successful college program after being a part of a successful program at Steinbrenner, which he attributes in part to Crumbley’s straightforward attitude with his players.

The coach’s successes — at Jesuit and now at Steinbrenner — are widely known, and motivate his players to not let him down, Fatzinger said.

“People don’t want to lose, especially with him as the coach,” he said.

The Warriors haven’t done much losing with Crumbley at the helm, regardless of who’s on the field in any particular year.

Next season will definitely include some new faces: Steinbrenner will lose 10 seniors, although not all of them were starters.

There were effective pitchers, like Fatzinger, that they’ll have to replace, but Crumbley is confident his developmental team has the players necessary to provide a roster that will enable Steinbrenner to continue its pursuit of excellence.

For now, Crumbley can reflect on the year, appreciate the team’s accomplishments and recognize this year’s performance as a successful continuation of Steinbrenner baseball’s already-strong pedigree.

“Winning the district title is huge,” Crumbley said. “and being that we’re six years old, and we’ve got two of them already, that’s pretty quick for a lot of places.”

Published May 20, 2015

Steinbrenner softball claims best season in school history

May 13, 2015 By Michael Murillo

When Brenda Leach took over as coach of the Steinbrenner Warriors, everyone was hoping for a good beginning, but they didn’t know exactly what to expect.

Leach is just the second head softball coach in the school’s history, and the team has never had a losing season since they began play in 2009.

So, when Leach led the team to its best season in school history, it certainly was a good start to her tenure.

The Warriors had a lot of youth on their softball team -- just two seniors -- but they came together and had the best season in school history. (Courtesy of Maureen Famiano) — The Warriors had a lot of youth on their softball team — just two seniors — but they came together and had the best season in school history.
(Courtesy of Maureen Famiano)

And while she expected a good year, even Leach wasn’t expecting as much as her team delivered.

“I had no idea that our record and accomplishments would be what they ended up being,” she said.

The numbers ended up being impressive no matter how you analyze them.

The Warriors compiled a 22-8 record, eclipsing 20 wins in one season for the first time in school history.

And while they won some close games, many victories were dominating performances. Steinbrenner recorded eight shutouts and scored 10 or more runs 10 different times. They began their season with 53 runs in their first three games alone.

While it is important to score runs and win games, those aren’t the only measures of a successful year.

If a team falls short in the district tournament, for instance, all that work won’t amount to much.

But Steinbrenner had its most successful year in that regard. The team claimed the Class 7A District 8 title after slipping past Wiregrass Ranch by a 2-1 margin.

The team then went to the regional tournament.

The Warriors have done that before, but after beating East Bay and Plant City, they reached the regional final for the first time. And while it ended that tournament with a 7-1 loss to Bartow, Leach remains very happy with how the year turned out.

“I’m so proud of all the accomplishments, so many successes this year to be proud of, it’s an amazing feeling,” she said.

While it was Leach’s first year at the helm, it wasn’t her first year with the school. She had served as an assistant the two previous seasons, so the players didn’t have to adjust to hearing advice from someone they didn’t know.

Still, Leach wanted to do things her way, and that meant both adding and eliminating some things from the program.

For instance, she added conditioning for six weeks before spring tryouts so the team would be physically ready for the upcoming season.

Before that, she encouraged all players — not just freshmen and sophomores — to participate in Miss Tampa Bay Softball, an unofficial fall league utilized by players who want to get in some year-round work. Playing together earlier helped them work as a team from the beginning, since they were already familiar with each other.

There were eliminations, too. Specifically, the bickering that sometimes occurs in sports teams. Leach wanted everyone to understand that there’s a job to do, and the Warriors weren’t going to waste time fighting with each other when they could be working to defeat their next opponent.

According to sophomore pitcher Emalee Jansen, it worked.

“We had a great bonding relationship, the entire team,” Jansen said. The Warriors would do things together outside of softball as well, like a dolphin tour over spring break. And when they won the district title, Leach invited them to her house to watch the game together.

Part of the team’s synergy came out of respect for their coach, Jansen explained. After playing softball at Gaither High School (where she won a state title in 1996), Leach was a first-team, all-region outfielder at Hillsborough Community College. She then continued her softball career at Ashland University in Ohio. Having an accomplished athlete guiding them gave the team an opportunity to learn from someone who had already achieved success, and gave them confidence in her approach.

“It was easy to relate to her, because she played college ball,” Jansen said. “She’s just a great overall coach.”

Leach will have a chance to repeat the team’s success next year with returning players like Jansen. Overall the team is losing just two seniors, and while they were important to the team, Leach believes they can fill those gaps and compete in the district and region again.

She also believes that the team’s playoff experience, including the loss, will help them going forward.

“These girls did not enjoy the feeling of losing in the regional final, and I think they’re going to come back more determined and more ready to work, and I think they want it bad as well,” Leach said.

Jensen agrees.

“We’re not done yet,” she said. “We’re striving for better achievements.”

Published May 13, 2015

Girls’ basketball team achieves perfect season

April 1, 2015 By Michael Murillo

The Academy at the Lakes Middle Division girls’ basketball team won its league last season and team coach, Marla Oliver, was hoping it would be good enough to repeat as champions this year.

But she got much more than she expected.

The Academy at the Lakes Middle Division girls’ basketball team claimed its second consecutive league championship by achieving a perfect season. From left are coach Marla Oliver and players Zoe Moore, Zainab Nawaz, Lexi Fernandez, Lexi Kilfoyl, Amelia Cozzolino, Kendra Falby, Jordan Angeles and Bella Robichaux. Not pictured: Haneen McNamee. (Courtesy of Academy at the Lakes) — The Academy at the Lakes Middle Division girls’ basketball team claimed its second consecutive league championship by achieving a perfect season. From left are coach Marla Oliver and players Zoe Moore, Zainab Nawaz, Lexi Fernandez, Lexi Kilfoyl, Amelia Cozzolino, Kendra Falby, Jordan Angeles and Bella Robichaux. Not pictured: Haneen McNamee.
(Courtesy of Academy at the Lakes)

“I didn’t think that we were going to go undefeated at all,” Oliver said.

But that’s precisely what the Wildcats did. They ran the table, going 13-0 on their way to a second straight league title, making Oliver two-for-two as girls’ basketball coach. She also coached the boys’ basketball team for two years before taking over the girls’ squad.

They had a perfect season, but it wasn’t an easy climb.

As one of the smaller schools in the league, Academy at the Lakes has to deal with not only bigger schools, but older players as well. The Middle Division includes players from fifth-grade through eighth-grade, but since the academy also has a varsity team, their best players often get selected to that squad. That means they often have fifth- and sixth-graders facing eighth-graders from schools without a varsity program.

For Oliver, that meant using her team’s speed to overcome a size advantage from opponents.

“My girls can run,” she said. “Every time we got a rebound, we had our fast break in.”

Taking advantage of rebounds and fast breaks was key to their success, she said. Since that level of basketball often has low-scoring games (many teams don’t even score 20 points), every possession is important.

They were able to outrun many of their opponents, but they had some close calls.

Performing under pressure was good for the team, and it demonstrated players were able to follow the coach’s guidance and execute when necessary, Oliver said.

“I called the timeouts, I tell them what our play is and what our plan is, and they listened to me,” she said.

Listening to the coach was easy for Kendra Falby, a sixth-grader.

Falby described her coach this way: “She just says it like it is. She doesn’t sugarcoat it and water it down. She just gets to the point right away.”

That coaching style means the team has clear goals and knows what they have to do to succeed.

It also means tough practices, but that’s what was necessary to build on last year’s campaign.

Falby, who played for the team last season, is a softball player at heart, but really grew into her role with the basketball team. She scored nine points in the championship game against St. John’s.

Getting better meant taking the coach’s advice and trying some unusual methods, Falby said.

Falby practiced her shooting and lay-up mechanics at home. Falby also listened to her coach, who wanted her to try using her left hand for those plays.

The player said she would even eat with her left hand to get comfortable using it, which made shooting and going for lay-ups as a lefty more natural.

That kind of effort made a second-straight title all the more satisfying.

“It felt amazing because all the hard work we put into it,” Falby said. “It just showed how much I really did care.”

The girls cared so much that they made a special deal with their coach: If they won a second straight championship, Oliver would have special shirts made for them. They won, and now they have championship souvenirs as well.

The coach said she was happy to provide the shirts, and to commemorate back-to-back championships and a perfect season.

“They just worked really hard. They put in extra time and did anything I asked them to do,” Oliver said. “They’re awesome kids.”

Published April 1, 2015

Gimme five: Youth receiver a bowl participant … again

September 18, 2014 By Michael Murillo

For the fifth year in a row, wide receiver Dean Patterson has been named an All-American by the Offense-Defense instructional football camp. He’s also been hand-selected to participate in the organization’s Bowl Week festivities, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando at the end of the year.

Dean Patterson, 12, has been selected to join the Offense-Defense Bowl Week later this year in Orlando. It’s his fifth invitation to the event. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo) — Dean Patterson, 12, has been selected to join the Offense-Defense Bowl Week later this year in Orlando. It’s his fifth invitation to the event.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Even though he’s used to the invitation by now, he still admits to some jitters before he steps onto the field.

“I get kind of nervous and freaked out,” Patterson said. “But as the days (get closer), I normally just get all excited and happy.”

Patterson can be forgiven for his nerves, considering he’s just 12 years old. The seventh-grader, who lives in Lutz and attends Martinez Middle School, plays for the South Pasco Predators Pop Warner football program. He’s played youth football since he was four, and started getting recognition from Offense-Defense when he was seven.

Like many athletes his age, Patterson loves watching football at the higher levels. As a fan of Florida State University and the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, he’s seen his teams achieve great success over the past year.

But he doesn’t watch the games like a regular preteen. Patterson keeps his eyes on the receivers, watching their movements, how they get separation from the defenders, and make adjustments to catch the ball. He supports his teams, but he’s also studying them, trying to find qualities he can emulate when he steps onto the field.

His system seems to be working. Each year, Patterson impresses the decision-makers at the Offense-Defense camp, even as he gets older and faces better talent coming to compete for spots at Bowl Week. But his reward includes a number of activities over the course of several days, including practices, a game at the Citrus Bowl, and another on campus at the University of Central Florida in Oviedo.

Even though Patterson’s a regular at the event, his first invitation didn’t even come at receiver. He was a running back at the time, and a cornerback the following year. But since then, he’s settled into the position he loves and plans to stick with it. He enjoys running routes and hearing his mother, Krystal, yell his name from the stands when he makes a big play.

At 5-foot-1, Patterson isn’t the tallest athlete on the team. Weighing 104 pounds, he’s not the biggest. And by his own admission, he’s only third or fourth fastest. It’s the intangibles, hard work and focus that allow him to excel at his position.

“It’s kind of getting to know your quarterback and what speed you have to run,” he said. Adjusting to a ball that might be over or under-thrown and making the catch is part of the job.

His future receiving opportunities include a potential athletic career at Steinbrenner High School when he’s old enough to attend. But before he can suit up for the Warriors, he has to stay focused and remain disciplined.

That includes in the classroom, too. Patterson reads to keep his vocabulary up and makes sure his studies are a primary focus.

“School’s always first,” he said. “You have to make sure you get good grades.”

Patterson also spends a lot of time with his head coach, going over game film and doing exercises every morning. But it’s not hard to schedule those workouts since his father coaches the team.

While it’s not unusual for a father to get involved in his son’s athletics, Robert Patterson had been coaching well before Dean had even seen a pigskin. An athlete himself who played football in high school — and soccer and lacrosse in college — he said that a coach was instrumental in helping him stay focus and motivated, and achieve success beyond high school. He wanted to be that kind of role model for other children, and that now includes his son.

“I’ve been working with at-risk youth for 20 years, helping kids get back on track or stay out of trouble with the law,” Robert Patterson said. “So to be able to do that with your kid, and see him flourish on the football field as well as the classroom, it’s a special deal.”

In addition to practicing three days during the week and playing a game on Saturdays, father and son have a regular early-morning jog that includes push-ups mixed in as well. Dean wakes up at 6:30 every morning to take care of his dog, Brady — named after the famous New England Patriots quarterback — before heading out on their morning routine.

The Pattersons are a close family. Dean’s little sister Kyra is on the cheer squad for the Predators, so she’s on the field while her brother practices at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center.

But they can be competitive, too.

When playing video game football on their Xbox 360, both Dean and Robert agree that dad has the upper hand. But what about a hypothetical match-up between the Patterson men if they were the same age, with Robert at his high school position of cornerback covering Dean as wide receiver? In that case, they have differing opinions over who would get the best of that encounter.

“I don’t know. It would have been a competitive deal, put it that way,” Robert said.

But Dean thinks he’d have the edge and could get open.

“I definitely do think so,” he said with a smile.

Published September 17, 2014

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Putting the ‘cool’ back in Oscar Cooler Sports Complex

September 4, 2014 By B.C. Manion

When it comes to baseball, a level playing field is crucial.

That’s one of the reasons a fundraising effort is under way to buy a better grade of clay for the baseball diamonds at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex.

A player warms up in a batting cage at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex. More batting cages are needed to meet the demand. (Courtesy of Lutz Baseball) — A player warms up in a batting cage at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex. More batting cages are needed to meet the demand.
(Courtesy of Lutz Baseball)

Warming up properly is important, as well, to improve form and prevent injuries. And that explains the goal of building additional batting cages for the baseball teams that compete at the park, located at 766 E. Lutz Lake Fern Road.

The fundraising effort — which includes a baseball clinic, a golf tournament and an equipment drive — aims to raise money for improvements at the park, said Jeff Stanislow, a member of the Lutz Baseball board.

The organizers came up with a catchy name for their effort, asking people to “Put the Cool Back in Oscar Cooler Park.” They also enlisted the aid of Lou Piniella, whose career in Major League Baseball spanned a half-century, including stints as a player, manager, broadcaster and consultant.

The University of South Florida baseball program also is pitching in by hosting a clinic for players, to help them hone their skills. And Domingo Ayala — a baseball celebrity known for providing comic relief — will be there, too.

Piniella will be a keynote speaker at a banquet following a golf tournament that is at Avila Golf & Country Club on Sept. 15. Organizers hope to attract about 200 baseball players to the clinic and about 120 golfers to the golf tournament.

They want to raise enough money to pay for six new batting cages and some repairs to existing cages. The goal is to have the new baseball cages ready by next February, in time for the spring season.

Organizers also hope to purchase some clay to top dress the diamonds, to help prevent bad bounces and help prevent injuries to players.

“For years we’ve been using the less expensive clay because it’s $300 a truckload, and baseball clay is $1,500 a truckload,” Stanislow said.

Besides reducing bad ball hops and preventing injuries, the more expensive clay lasts longer, he said.

Piniella agreed to volunteer his time to help the cause because he has friends at Oscar Cooler park, Stanislow said, and he lives at Avila, where the golf tournament is being held.

About 300 players compete in the fall league, and about 400 play in the spring league, Stanislow said. About three-quarters come from Lutz, but there also are players from Odessa, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

The park hosts some practice sessions for travel ball teams during the off-season, as well.

“The park is an important place for kids. A place to build relationships. A place to build teamwork,” Stanislow said.

It also provides a healthy alternative to video games or other diversions, which can get them into trouble, he added.

Giving young people healthy diversions was exactly what the late Oscar Cooler had in mind when he pushed Hillsborough County commissioners to provide land for a baseball field in Lutz. When commissioners were dragging their heels about providing funding to build the baseball facility, Cooler recruited community volunteers to get the job done.

That was decades ago. Since then, thousands of youths have enjoyed a sports complex that has brought together generations of families to play and watch sports.

“When you have something of that kind of legacy, that’s been part of a community for so long, it’s really important to embrace that and have that story continue on,” Stanislow said.

Lutz Baseball is a nonprofit organization. For more information, visit LutzBaseball.com.

If you go …
WHAT: ‘Domingo’ Day at Oscar Cooler Sports Complex
WHEN: Sept. 14, with registration at 10:30 a.m., and event concluding with a 3 p.m. awards ceremony
DETAILS: Baseball clinics led by the University of South Florida baseball team, with visits from baseball celebrity Domingo
Ayala; a hit, run and throw contest; a keynote speech from Ayala; and an awards presentation.
COST: $25

VIP Tent Access
Those wanting more personal access to Domingo Ayala can have their pictures taken with him in a VIP tent. Cost is $50 per person, $150 per family

Play It Again Sports equipment drive:
Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at parking lot at Oscar Cooler Park, 766 E. Lutz Lake Fern Road

Play It Again Sports will purchase used sporting equipment from people who wish to donate. Proceeds will help improve the baseball facilities at Oscar Cooler Park. The company will purchase equipment used in all sorts of sports.

Charity Golf and Banquet:
WHERE: Avila Golf & Country Club, 943 Guisando De Avila in Tampa
WHO: Baseball legend Lou Piniella, keynote speaker
WHEN: Sept. 15, with golf tournament at 1 p.m. The banquet and silent auction is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
COST: Packages and sponsorships range from $75 to $5,000
INFO: LutzBaseball.com

Published September 3, 2014

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