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Former Wesley Chapel hoops star in NCAA Tournament

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One of the greatest prep basketball players in Pasco County history now gets to showcase his skills before millions of viewer’s in the NCAA Tournament this week.

Wesley Chapel High product Erik Thomas, a 6-foot-5 senior forward at the University of New Orleans, helped the Privateers punch a ticket to the Big Dance after downing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in overtime, 68-65, on March 11 in the Southland Conference Championship game.

In 2013, Thomas was named Class 5A Player of the Year after averaging a state-best 32.7 points per game and 16.3 rebounds per game.
(File)

The Privateers now face Mount St. Mary’s (19-15) on March 14 at 5:30 p.m., in Dayton, Ohio. The game will be broadcast on truTV.

The automatic bid marks the school’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1996.

“It’s a blessing,” Thomas said, in a postgame media conference. “We played so tough and wanted it so bad. It’s a big story for us to tell 10, 20 years from now that we can tell our family that we went dancing. We went to the NCAA Tournament. Not many people can say that.”

Thomas, the Southland Conference Player of the Year, was also named SLC Tournament MVP after posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with a team-best three assists.

In the conference tourney, Thomas averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

New Orleans, meanwhile, finished the regular season 18-11, thanks to Thomas’ breakout season.

Thomas played in all 29 games, leading the Privateers in scoring (19.7 points per game), rebounding (7.9 per game) and shooting (60.3 field goal percentage).

He also led the team with 208 field goals, 152 free throws, and 44 steals and a 60.3 field goal percentage.

Among all Division I men’s basketball players, Thomas sits 19th in field goal percentage, 44th in scoring average, 53rd in offensive rebounds per game, 121st in total rebounds per game, 143rd in steals per game and 213th in defensive rebounds per game.

In a statement, New Orleans head coach Mark Slessinger complimented Thomas’ effort and impact to the program.

Former Wesley Chapel product Erik Thomas will be participating in the NCAA Tournament this week. He plays for the University of New Orleans.
(Courtesy of University of New Orleans)

“Erik has worked so hard since he’s gotten here,” Slessinger said. “He’s had very defined individual goals that have always been within the team framework and our team concept. I’m so proud of how much work he’s put into it. Between him, the staff and how hard our staff worked with him and his development, he’s a self-made player. But, the credit really goes to him and how hard he’s worked.”

A four-year letterman at Wesley Chapel under coach Doug Greseth, Thomas remains the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder with 2,138 points and 1,203 rebounds, respectively.

In his senior prep season, Thomas was named Class 5A Player of the Year after averaging a state-best 32.7 points per game and 16.3 rebounds per game.

Moreover, he helped lead the Wildcats to a combined 74-38 overall record, a 37-17 mark in district play and berths in the playoffs each year, including identical 24-5 marks with District 8-5A titles his last two years.

Despite the production and showy statistics, Thomas was relatively overlooked as a Division I prospect out of high school.

He opted to play two seasons in junior college—East Georgia State College and Baton Rouge Community College—before transferring to New Orleans his junior season.

Thomas is the younger brother of Sthefany Thomas, who scored a Pasco County girls record 2,563 points while playing at Wesley Chapel. He is also the son of James Thomas, who was a forward for two seasons for the Atlanta Hawks.

Published March 15, 2017

Sunlake girls weightlifting well-represented on SAC awards

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The dominance of the Sunlake girls weightlifting program remained apparent at the annual Sunshine Athletic Conference (East) Awards.

The Sunlake girls weightlifting team was well-represented in the SAC East Awards. Denise Garcia won SAC East Coach of the Year honors, and 10 lifters were selected to the SAC East All-Conference teams.
(Courtesy of Denise Garcia)

Seahawks coach Denise Garcia won her second consecutive SAC East Girls’ Weightlifting Coach of the Year Award, and 10 of her lifters were named to the 2016-2017 SAC East All-Conference team, announced on March 6.

A mix of youth and experience, Sunlake won all of their Eastside Conference meets, placed second at the Class 2A Regionals and had three top-10 finishers at the state finals.

The season also saw a few milestones for the girls’ program, including its first 400-pound lifter.

Senior Micaiah Long set that mark at the 2017 Class 2A state meet, with a 215-pound bench press and a 185-pound clean-and-jerk, placing third in the unlimited division.

The previous school record was a 385-pound total, set in the 2015-2016 season by Brianna Anderson, who won a state title in the 183-pound division.

Senior Micaiah Long became Sunlake’s first 400-pound lifter during the Class 2A state meet. The mark was good enough to place third in the unlimited division.

Long, a first-year lifter in the Sunlake program, added a combined 65 pounds to her lifts since the first meet of the season.

Her strategy? More lifting.

“I just worked hard,” Long said. “I went in and worked out more, got extra reps in.”

“She started at 335 (pounds), and she improved with her work ethic,” Garcia said. “She put so much into it. She had the passion to do it, she had a goal she set for herself, and she was going to do it.”

Garcia, too, credits Long for being coachable throughout the season.

“She listens and takes everything I tell her,” the coach said. “She’s like a sponge.”

In the meantime, Long won’t soon forget the weightlifting experience.

“It was exciting. I accomplished my goals,” said Long, who’s also on the Sunlake track and field team.

“I was shy, and I think it brought my personality out.”

The 400-pound feat wasn’t the only Sunlake record shattered during the season, however.

Denise Garcia, right, won her second consecutive SAC East Girls’ Weightlifting Coach of the Year award. Senior Micaiah Long was selected First-Team All-Conference.
(Kevin Weiss)

In the 101-pound class, senior Shelby Lewis set a school and conference record with a 130-pound clean-and-jerk; she later finished ninth in the state meet.

Without Lewis and Long, Garcia’s 10th season could prove more challenging, as the Seahawks also lose two other state qualifiers in seniors Hailey Parks (sixth place in 183-pound division) and Caroline Winstead (19th in 139-pound division.)

For Garcia, it’s no matter.

With five non-seniors representing Sunlake on the All-Conference list, the Seahawks coach isn’t concerned about a possible rebuilding-type year for the 2017-2018 season.

Instead, she relishes the task.

“I coach who’s in front of me,” Garcia said. “My job is to give them the confidence, to show them the skills, and then we go from there.”

“I have confidence in my girls,” she added.

One lifter to watch out for next season, Garcia said, is freshman Antoinette Farmer.

Competing in the 183-pound division, Farmer increased her lifting totals from 195 pounds to 285 pounds over the course of the season.

Garcia heaped high praise on Farmer, noting she could one day surpass Brianna Anderson’s totals.

“She’s hungry,” Garcia said. “To have somebody like that—the whole package—it’s rare to find that.”

2016-2017 SAC East All-Conference Girls’ Weightlifting
Coach of the Year: Denise Garcia, Sunlake High
Athlete of the Year: Jessica Guadarrama, Zephyrhills High, junior

First-Team All-Conference
101-pound: Shelby Lewis, Sunlake High, senior
110-pound: Savannah Sutton, Zephyrhills High, sophomore
119-pound: Lizbeth Estrada, Zephyrhills High, senior
129-pound: Loah Castro, Sunlake High, sophomore
139-pound: Caroline Winstead, Sunlake High, sophomore
154-pound: Tricia Clifton, Wiregrass Ranch High, senior
169-pound: Alysa Kremer, Land O’ Lakes High, freshman
183-pound: Jessica Guadarrama, Zephyrhills High, junior
199-pound: Yarixa Casasnovas, Sunlake High, junior
Unlimited: Micaiah Long, Sunlake High, senior

Second-Team All-Conference
101-pound: Sara First, Zephyrhills High, senior
110-pound: Maria Espinal, Sunlake High, sophomore
119-pound: Caitlyn Elling, Pasco High, sophomore
129-pound: Mariah Melendez, Sunlake High, sophomore
139-pound: Isabella Garcia, Sunlake High, freshman
154-pound: Katelyn Ortiz, Sunlake High, senior
169-pound: Veronica Salazar, Land O’ Lakes High, sophomore
183-pound: Hailey Parks, Sunlake High, senior
199-pound: Tatyana Cole, Zephyrhills High, junior
Unlimited: Abby Shaffer, Zephyrhills High School, sophomore
Honorable Mention: Abigail Monticco, Wesley Chapel, junior

Published March 15, 2017

 

Area softball preview

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The high school softball season in Florida is underway, and several of the top players — and teams — in the state reside right here in our coverage area. From Land O’ Lakes to Steinbrenner, there’s no shortage of prep softball talent.

Academy at the Lakes’ Alexis Kilfoyl
(File)

Some players to watch, as the season progresses:

 

  • Pitcher Alexis Kilfoyl, sophomore, Academy at the Lakes: Just a few weeks into the 2017 season, the 6-foot-1 sophomore ace and University of Alabama commit is already living up to the national hype she received throughout the preseason. Kilfoyl, a varsity standout since seventh grade, has won her first five starts, tallying a 0.50 ERA and 50 strikeouts through 28 innings. Her presence is also being felt at the plate, with a .471 average and a team-leading three home runs. Kilfoyl was selected in January to join the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Training Team, along with just 23 other athletes nationwide. She is known for her ability as a drop-ball pitcher.
  • Infielder/Outfielder Isabella Huff, junior, Sunlake High: A transfer from Bishop McLaughlin, the versatile fielder is on a tear this season for the Seahawks, batting a whopping .625, with two home runs, a triple and seven RBIs, through five games. It’s not a surprise, considering Huff had a breakout season in 2016, batting .441, with four home runs, six triples and 18 RBIs. Huff is also a threat on the base paths (nine steals in 2016). She was a 2016 Miracle Sports All-State Class 3A Honorable Mention.
  • Pitcher Callie Turner, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High: This season, Turner has been tasked with assuming the ace pitcher role vacated by Shannon Saile, now at Florida International University. Through five appearances, Turner has handled the challenge swimmingly, compiling a 0.68 ERA and 68 strikeouts through 31 innings. A University of Tennessee commit, Turner is quickly establishing herself as one the region’s top pitchers. As a freshman in 2016, Turner won five games, netting a 0.46 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 46 innings.
  • Pitcher Hailee DeCicco, junior, Gaither High: The 5-foot-10 right-hander is picking up precisely where she left off in 2016. Through two starts, DeCicco has a 0.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts through 12 innings. Last season, DeCicco was one of the most unhittable pitchers in Hillsborough County, compiling a 0.91 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 100.1 innings. In 2016, she was a Hillsborough County Western Conference American Division First-Team selection and a 2016 Miracle Softball All-state Class 7A Second-Team selection.
  • Shortstop/Catcher Emma Frost, senior, Carrollwood Day School: Perhaps the most consistent hitter in our coverage area, Frost is looking to put together one of the more impressive four-year prep careers in recent memory. An immediate impact player since her freshman year, Frost has eye-popping career numbers in several categories, including batting average (.664), triples (21), doubles (24), hits (103), runs (92) and stolen bases (51). Through four games this season, Frost has already slugged two homers and is batting .615. A Florida International University signee, Frost is lauded by coaches for her all-around athleticism and deep understanding of the game.

Other key players:
Catcher Kameron Aitken, senior, Wiregrass Ranch
P/INF Emalee Jansen, senior, Steinbrenner
INF Tia Williams, junior, Land O’Lakes
3B Ashley Nickisher, sophomore, Wesley Chapel
P/SS Jordyn Kadlub, sophomore, Pasco High

Three teams to keep an eye on:

Land O’ Lakes High’s varsity softball team looks to return to the state tournament in 2017.
(Courtesy of Edwin Rodriguez)

Land O’ Lakes High: Despite graduating three starters — including former dominant ace Shannon Saile — the Gators, coached by Mitch Wilkins, are still primed as a regional powerhouse. Plenty of skill and depth remain from last year’s 27-win team that advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals. A trio of juniors — Tia Williams, Ashley Smith, Brianna Lindner — expect to offer plenty of support for sophomore ace Callie Turner. Meanwhile, opponents will have to contend with several heady baserunners, like sophomore Shelby Westbrook and senior Jessie McCallister. The Gators are currently 5-1.

Academy at the Lakes: Armed with one of the nation’s elite pitchers in Alexis Kilfoyl, the Wildcats also add a bevy of power-hitting youngsters in eighth-graders Kendra Falby, Brooke Blankenship and Devyne Davis, each of which are already making an immediate impact for the 6-0 Wildcats. It doesn’t hurt, either, to have an experienced Division I coach anchoring the program. In the offseason, the Wildcats hired Diane Stephenson to oversee the team’s move to Class 3A. Stephenson served as the head softball coach at Indiana University from 1987 to 2002. She was also an assistant softball coach at both the University of Iowa (2008-2010) and Purdue University (2010-2013). More recently, Stephenson was the head softball coach at Division II Saint Joseph’s College (2014-2015) in Renssalaer, Indiana.

Steinbrenner High: Already off to a blistering 6-0 start, the Warriors’ winning ways don’t appear to be going away anytime soon, especially under third-year coach Brenda Leach. In addition to having one of Hillsborough County’s top pitchers in Emalee Jansen (a University of Tampa signee), the Warriors return five .300 hitters from the 2016 squad. Also a solid team defensively, the Warriors figure to win several close games. Over the last two seasons, Steinbrenner has 40-13 combined record.

Published March 8, 2017

Area baseball players to watch

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The high school baseball season in Florida has kicked off. Some of the top players — and teams — in the state reside right here in our coverage area. From Steinbrenner and Gaither to Land O’ Lakes High, there’s no shortage of prep baseball talent.

Here’s a look at some players to keep an eye on as the season progresses:

Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk is one of the top players in Hillsborough.
(File)

RHP (right-handed pitcher)/INF (infielder) CJ Van Eyk, Sr., Steinbrenner: The 6-foot-2 Florida State commit is looking to build off an eye-opening 2016 campaign (12-1 record, 0.77 ERA, 130 strikeouts), where his performance on the mound buoyed Steinbrenner to the Class 8A state title. His arsenal consists of a low-90s fastball, along with a power curve and changeup. Also an outstanding hitter, Van Eyk batted .340 with five doubles and 13 RBIs in 2016. In October, Van Eyk was one of just 20 players across the country selected to the USA Baseball 18U National Team. Could be a high-round draft pick in the MLB draft in June.

Land O’ Lakes High’s McCabe Sargent is one of the top players in Pasco County.
(File)

RHP/3B (third-baseman) McCabe Sargent, Sr., Land O’Lakes: The Saint Leo University signee will be relied upon heavily this season following the graduation of RHP Kirby Osborn, now pitching for High Point University in North Carolina. Sargent burst onto the scene last year with a 0.47 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. His skills with the bat, too, were impressive (.384 average, 16 RBIs). His well-rounded play earned him team most valuable player and Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) East Pasco Player of the Year honors. In addition to an 89-mph fastball, Sargent throws a slider, changeup and curveball. Models his game after Jacob deGrom, a starting pitcher for the New York Mets.

RHP/INF Darin Kilfoyl, Sr., Academy at the Lakes: At 6-foot-8 and 280 pounds, Kilfoyl is easily the most physically imposing prep player around. And, he has the skillset to back it up. Last year, the St. Johns River College signee had a 0.91 ERA and 97 strikeouts in just 46 innings. He also threw a no-hitter and pitched five complete games, thanks to four functional pitches — fastball, curveball, changeup and cutter. Kilfoyl was no slouch at the plate, either, batting .348 with two home runs and 16 RBIs. Over the summer, Kilfoyl played for the Atlanta Blue Jays, an elite travel club for 15-year-olds to 18-year-olds. He also was a standout player for Academy’s basketball team.

CF (center-fielder) Jose Cadenas, Sr., Gaither: Known for his elite speed (set a school-record 32 stolen bases) and outfield range, Cadenas was also Gaither’s top hitter (.398, six doubles, 11 RBIs) during the team’s 7A state title run in 2016. Cadenas, who committed to Polk State last summer, made a full recovery from a season-ending broken hand injury he suffered during a game in early 2015. Also noteworthy: Cadenas and his family moved to Tampa from Cuba when he was 8.

INF Michael Wu, Sr., Sunlake: The University of South Carolina-Sumter commit was one of the most consistent hitters in the area last season, batting .407 with two home runs, six doubles and 16 RBIs. Moreover, Wu struck out just three times in 66 plate appearances. A versatile fielder, Wu can play first base, second and third. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound standout also can step in on the mound, when needed. He played for Wiregrass Ranch as a freshman and sophomore.

Other players to watch:
RHP Tommy Mace, Sr., Sunlake
OF/RHP Patrick Morris, Sr., Steinbrenner
INF Max Law, Sr., Land O’ Lakes
RHP/OF Colton Bierly, Jr., Wesley Chapel
RHP Khalil Alumatism, Sr., Freedom
INF Drew Ehrhard, Sr., Wharton

Published March 1, 2017

Carrollwood Day falls in state title game

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The remarkable run is over.

In its first-ever state appearance, the Carrollwood Day School girls basketball team fell just shy in claiming a 3A state championship, losing to Tallahassee FAMU Developmental Research School 46 to 37 on Feb. 23 at the Lakeland Center.

The Carrollwood Day School girls basketball team is loaded with talent — and youth. This year’s roster of 10 players included just two sophomores, six freshmen, an eighth-grader and a seventh-grader.
(Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School)

Carrollwood (27-3) couldn’t overcome a full-court pressure (33 turnovers) nor shaky shooting (30.2 percent) against FAMU (24-9), which now has won its third straight title — the first two coming in Class 2A.

Nabaweeyah McGill, a 6-foot-2 freshman center, led Carrollwood with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Tarriyonna Gary added 10 points and nine rebounds.

But, it wasn’t enough to keep the Patriots 16-game winning steak intact.

Eighth-grade sisters Erin and Erica Turral led the charge for FAMU, combining for 23 points and 12 steals. Senior Dominique Jeffery, FAMU’s only starter taller than 5-foot-7, contributed eight points, 11 rebounds and four steals.

The Rattlers, coached by Erika Cromartie, have been a kryptonite of sorts for Patriots first-year coach Karim Nohra.

Nohra, a 24-year coaching veteran who previously coached at Academy at the Lakes, has now lost to FAMU in the state tournament five consecutive times.

Carrollwood Day’s future under Nohra remains bright, however.

The Patriots 2017-2018 squad again will be chock full of youthful talent.

This season’s roster of 10 players included just two sophomores, six freshmen, an eighth-grader and a seventh-grader. All five starters were freshman, including top player Tiasia McMillan, a forward who averaged 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.

The Patriots, meanwhile, were the lone high school basketball team (boys or girls) from our coverage area that advanced to the state tournament.

In the 3A semifinals on Feb. 21, Carrollwood Day defeated Bradenton Christian 73 to 37.

Key Returnees:

  • Cairah Mays, 5-foot-7 freshman guard: 7.1 PPG (points per game), 5.2 RPG (rebounds per game), 6.8 APG (assists per game)
  • Tarriyonna Gary, 5-foot-8 freshman guard: 12.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.7 APG
  • Tiasia McMillan, 6-foot freshman forward: 15.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 48 percent FG (field goals)
  • Nabaweeyah McGill, 6-foot-2 freshman center: 13.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 54 percent FG

Published March 1, 2017

Sunlake falls short of state title bid

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They were just one win shy from reaching the Class 7A state tournament.

Yet, as the performance in their first-ever region final would indicate, Sunlake’s varsity girls basketball team still has some work to get there.

The Seahawks (17-9) — the last girls hoops squad standing in Pasco County — suffered a devastating 66-24 loss to Orlando Edgewater (16-14) on Feb. 17 at Wiregrass Ranch High School.

Sunlake fell one win shy of reaching the Class 7A state tournament. However, they return all but one player for the 2017-2018 season.
(Kevin Weiss)

A sizable Seahawks crowd — loud and proud in pre-game warmups — was quickly silenced as Edgewater roared to a blazing 24-0 start, less than 7 minutes through the opening quarter.

The Eagles attacked Sunlake’s 2-3 zone, mostly by hitting 3s, drawing fouls and getting second-chance opportunities.

Edgewater’s well-rounded athleticism and on-ball traps, too, proved a problem for the Seahawks throughout the contest.

The first Sunlake points finally came with 51 seconds left in the first quarter — a three-point play by 5-foot-10 junior guard Elizabeth Moran, who led the team with eight points.

It was far from enough, though.

By halftime, Edgewater’s lead grew to 53-16.

A running clock ensued in the second half.

For the game, Edgewater made 18 three-pointers, and out-rebounded the Seahawks 27-12.

Edgewater, which has won four state championships since 2007, is now playing in the state tournament for the sixth time in 10 years.

Despite the lopsided defeat, Seahawks coach Reesa Hendrix Pledge remained upbeat.

“Sometimes you’re just not ready,” Hendrix Pledge said, honestly. “But, we’ll be ready next year. We’ll be back.”

There’s a solid chance of that, considering Sunlake has just one senior— guard Cheyenne Yucatonis — graduating from a team that returns five juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen.

“They’re babies,” Hendrix Pledge said. “There’s two of them that started last year, and the rest of them are just now playing.”

The 2016-2017 season, she noted, was more about “coming together as a team.”

“The greatest thing,” Hendrix Pledge said, “is they love each other more, and they fight for each other.”

Sunlake’s final basket of the season, fittingly, was scored by Yucatonis. The senior was subsequently pulled out of the game as a show of gratitude for her contributions to the program.

“She’s meant everything,” Hendrix Pledge said. “She’s worked hard, she’s been the first one to practice, she’s been the one that helps clean up, she’s (taught) them what it takes to work year-round and to get better.

“That’s what we needed this year — that leadership — and she showed it.”

Prior to the setback to Edgewater, Sunlake won four consecutive playoff games, defeating Springstead twice, Land O’ Lakes and Brandon high schools.

Elsewhere in our coverage area, the Carrollwood Day School’s varsity girls basketball team advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history. Under first-year coach Karim Nohra, the Patriots (27-2) are heading to Lakeland to play in the Class 3A state semifinal, following a 51-43 victory over Orlando Christian Prep in the region final on Feb. 14.

Nohra previously guided Academy at the Lakes to the final four in five of his six years before departing to CDS in October.

The Patriots enter the state tournament with youth — and lots of it. The roster of 10 players includes just two sophomores, six freshmen, an eighth grader and a seventh grader. Additionally, all five starters are freshman, including top player Tiasia McMillan, a guard who averages 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Key returnees for Sunlake in 2017-2018

  • Andrea Wallace, junior center: 11.9 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 2.2 blocks per game
  • Mary Moran, junior guard: 9.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.5 steals per game (SPG)
  • Kasia Ramirez, junior guard: 8.3 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.1 SPG

Published February 22, 2017

Zephyrhills girls weightlifting shines at states

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The Zephyrhills High School girls weightlifting team can now lay claim as one of the top teams in the state.

Buoyed by the performances of two upperclassmen and an underclassman, the Bulldogs sprung into a tie for seventh place (out of 35 schools) at the FHSAA Class 1A girls weightlifting finals at Belleview High School on Feb. 3.

The Zephyrhills girls weightlifting team placed seventh at the FHSAA Class 1A state finals. The team is only losing four seniors.
(Courtesy of Joseph Rinaldo)

“I did not ever expect to be a top-10 team,” said Joe Rinaldo, in his ninth year at Zephyrhills. “That was surprising.”

At the same token, the 2016-2017 team is one of the best he’s ever had.

“I would take this team against any of those teams I’ve ever had. They were that good,” he said.

Three girls did the heavy lifting for the Bulldogs: senior Sara First (101- pound class), junior Jessica Guadarrama (183) and sophomore Abby Shaffer (unlimited).

In the 183-pound class, Guadarrama finished state runner-up with a 175-pound bench press and 175-pound clean-and-jerk for a 350-pound total. Those numbers were a sizable jump from her sophomore year at states, when she put together a 305-pound total (140-pound bench, 165-pound clean-and-jerk).

She credits her year-round training.

“I worked for what I got,” Guadarrama said, assuredly. “I had a lot of offseason time to practice.”

Her mindset during the state finals helped, too.

“When I went into the meet, I was focused on myself. I didn’t pay attention to the other (competitors) because that would mess my focus,” she explained. “I came here to do my own numbers and what I know I can do, and whatever place I can get with those numbers.”

In the unlimited class, Shaffer placed fourth (185-205—390). Meantime, First placed sixth (120-110—230) in the 101-pound class.

“At first, you look at it, and it’s like nerve-wracking because it’s like the best in the state get there,” Shaffer said. “But once you get into it, you realize it’s just like a normal meet — just more schools and more on the line a little bit.”

Rinaldo said he expected top-tier finishes for both Guadarrama and Shaffer. Yet, it was his senior—a first-time lifter— that surprised him the most.

“She was in a tough spot going into it, and between her lifting and other people failing ahead of her, she was able to move up and get on the medal stand,” Rinaldo said, of First.

“It was so amazing to see her journey from the start to the ending,” Guadarrama said. “I did not expect her to go to states; it was awesome.”

The team’s core development began last summer, when Rinaldo signed up several lifters to compete in a USA Weightlifting club affiliated with Fortitude Fitness in Trinity.

It went a long way toward improving lifting technique, especially for Guadarrama and Shaffer.

“We made a lot of changes in the clean-and-jerk technique,” Rinaldo said. “Learning to snatch helped immensely with their cleans. …It was hard at first for them, but once they picked it up and learned how to use it, it made their cleans that much better.”

In essence, small changes led to big increases, he said.

Guadarrama agreed.

“The majority of weightlifting,” Guadarrama said, “is more of technique than how much muscle you have. It’s 10 percent physical, and the rest is mental…””

Meanwhile, excitement is already building for the 2017-2018 season.

Credit the youth movement.

“There’s a lot of good girls that didn’t make it to states that are still young that are coming back,” Rinaldo said. “I’m only losing four seniors.”

Among those up-and-coming lifters are sophomore Savannah Sutton (110 pounds) and juniors Halee Karppe (129) and Chase Booker (139).

“I’m pretty sure there’s going to be more (state qualifiers) next year,” Guadarrama said. “As a team, I would like to see us go higher, like fifth place.”

“I think we could maybe get better,” Shaffer said. “Some of the freshman this year — they have potential.”

Some first-timers, too, could one day make a splash.

“The popularity of our team—probably the past few weeks—has grown,” Rinaldo said. “I’ve got people coming up to me in the hallways saying, ‘Hey, when do we start back up again? I’ve got girls that want to come out.’ I don’t know how good they are, but what we’re doing is speaking volumes right now.”

Other state results from area weightlifters

Bench press-clean-and-jerk—Total
Class 1A
101 pounds
Sara First (Zephyrhills High): sixth place; 120-110—230

139 pounds
Eliahnis Lewis (Pasco High): 140-125—265

183 pounds
Jessica Guadarrama (Zephyrhills High): second place; 175-175—350

Unlimited
Abby Shaffer (Zephyrhills High); fourth place; 185-205—390

Class 2A
101 pounds
Shelby Lewis (Sunlake High) 115-120—235
Zeena Zayed (Freedom High) third place; 130-135—265

139 pounds
Caroline Winstead (Sunlake High); 140-0—140

154 pounds
Tricia Clifton (Wiregrass Ranch High): 145-135—280

169 pounds
Josie Blew (Freedom High): 140-180—320
Alyssa Kremer (Land O’ Lakes High): 165-140—305
Veronica Salazar (Land O’ Lakes High): 160-145—305

183 pounds
Hailey Parks (Sunlake High): sixth place; 170-170—340

Unlimited
Micaiah Long (Sunlake High): third place; 215-185—400

Published February 15, 2017

 

Local athletes sign with colleges

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The athletic talent pool continues to flourish throughout north Hillsborough, and east and central Pasco.

Zephyrhills High’s Antwione Sims will play football for the U.S Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He missed the 2016 season after tearing his ACL last March.
(Courtesy of Antwione Sims)

Dozens of local high school athletes signed their letters of intent (LOI) on Feb. 1 to various colleges and universities as part of National Signing Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in February.

Once again, schools in our coverage area were well-represented.

Wiregrass Ranch High School led the way with 13 signings, followed by Land O’ Lakes High with nine. Other high schools, including Gaither and Steinbrenner, featured a handful of signings.

While Zephyrhills High had just one signing, it was arguably the most memorable.

Bursting with emotions and tear-filled eyes, senior running back/safety Antwione Sims signed his LOI to play football at the U.S. Naval Academy.

The day signaled a redemptive moment for Sims, who missed his entire 2016 senior season after tearing his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) last March.

A trio of Freedom High School athletes signed to various colleges on Feb. 1. From left: Kalijahe Spann (Warner University), Megan Clark (Tennesee Tech University) and Tyler Bray (Maryville College).
(Courtesy of Freedom High School)

Oftentimes, football players — even those as talented as Sims —have athletic scholarships withdrawn after a serious injury, particularly from Division I programs.

But, Navy upheld its offer.

“It’s a blessing to have (this) opportunity,” Sims said, “because not everyone has that…”

Putting pen to paper marked the end of a “long journey” for the 5-foot-11, 208-pound gridiron star.

It, too, signals the beginning of a new one.

“It’s not about the next four years,” Sims said, “it’s about the next 40.”

Sims, one of the most dynamic athletes in Pasco County, was one of just four football players from the county to sign with a Division I football program.

The others were Wiregrass Ranch quarterback/kicker Chris Faddoul (Florida A&M University) and defensive lineman Jason Winston (Stetson University), and Wesley Chapel safety Ellrie Allen (Florida A&M University).

Four athletes from Wesley Chapel High School participated in National Signing Day on Feb. 1. From left: Bailey Hern (Saint Leo University), Lauren Campoe (Ave Maria University), Jacob Thomas (Mars Hill College) and Ellrie Allen (Florida A&M University).
(Courtesy of Wesley Chapel High School)

Sims, though, is the most high-profile prospect of the group.

At one point, the consensus three-star recruit had scholarship offers from nearly a dozen schools.

His recruitment picked up steam after he rushed for a school-record 2,093 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2015.

Despite that production, he won’t likely play in Navy’s offensive backfield.

Instead, he’s expected to contribute in their defensive backfield, as a safety.

Sims noted he started closely following Navy’s football program “ever since they started recruiting me.”

On the surface, he made a solid selection.

Navy, renowned for its vaunted triple-option offense, went 9-5 in 2016. Under coach Ken Niumatalolo, they’ve had a winning season in eight of the past nine years.

Sims’ choice is about more than football, however.

“I feel like making this decision will allow me to set myself up for life,” he said.

A roundup of signings of athletes in our coverage area:
Gaither
Football
Decalon Brooks—Florida State University
Estefano Feliciano—Old Dominion University (Virginia)

Soccer
Ben Hickson—Florida College
David Garzon—Florida College

Softball
Kasey Heslin—Pasco-Hernando State College

Freedom
Basketball
Megan Clark—Tennessee Tech University

Football
Kalijahe Spann—Warner University (Florida)

Golf
Tyler Bray—Maryville College (Tennessee)

Land O’ Lakes
Baseball
Troy Klemm—Palm Beach Atlantic University
Max Law—University of North Florida
McCabe Sargent—Saint Leo University
Dustin Harris—St. Petersburg College

Football
Spencer Childress—Lyon College (Arkansas)

Soccer
Devyn Cabral—Erskine College (South Carolina)
Haley Eckel—Florida Southern College

Cross Country
Skylen Acuna—Pasco-Hernando State College

Steinbrenner
Basketball
Mary Katherine Miller—Hillsborough Community College

Football
Devon Connors—U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado)
Noah Ruggles—University of North Carolina

Soccer
Claire Morrison—Stetson University

Softball
Emmalee Jansen—University of Tampa

Sunlake
Football
Tyler Peretti—Southeastern University (Florida)

Softball
Casey Gottschall—Broward College (Florida)
Shelby Lansing—Southeastern University
Haley Kirinsky—Flagler College (Florida)

Wharton
Softball
Mackenzie Allen—University of Tampa

Volleyball
Kathryn Attar—Yale University (Connecticut)
Alexandria Schneider—Florida College

Wesley Chapel
Football
Jacob Thomas—Mars Hill University (North Carolina)
Ellrie Allen—Florida A&M University

Soccer
Lauren Campoe—Ave Maria University (Florida)
Bailey Hern—Saint Leo University

Wiregrass Ranch
Golf
Morgan Power—King University (Tennessee)

Football
Chris Faddoul—Florida A&M University
Jason Winston—Stetson University

Tennis
Noah Makarome—University of Pennsylvania

Soccer
Connor Nixon—Presbyterian College (South Carolina)
Erin Brenner—Huntingdon College (Alabama)
Ysabelle Borgstadt—Andrew College (Georgia)
Sydney Chase—Saint Leo University
Maddie Moore—Shaw University (North Carolina)
John Pease—Jacksonville University (Florida)

Softball
Alexis Ridolph—Hillsborough Community College
Samantha Hiley—Edward Waters College (Florida)
Jaime Valenta—St. John River State College (Florida)

Zephyrhills High
Football
Antwione Sims—U.S. Naval Academy (Maryland)

Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Football
Serion Bellamy—Shorter University​ (Georgia)

Published February 8, 2017

 

Hockey facility opens in Wesley Chapel

By

The wait to skate is over.

Following about 2 1/2 years of construction, Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel has opened its doors.

Florida Hospital Center Ice facility has several National Hockey League- and Olympic-sized ice rinks. Observation points from the center’s second floor gives onlookers a great view of the action. The new business is being touted as the ‘largest ice skating facility, south of New York.’
(Fred Bellet)

The 150,500-square-foot, two-story complex, at 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., is off Interstate 75 at the State Road 56 interchange in Wesley Chapel.

The facility had its “soft” opening on Jan. 26, where more than 300 people turned out for the first evening public skating session.

A ribbon cutting ceremony, meanwhile, was held on Jan. 25.

Labeled the largest ice sports facility in the Southeastern U.S., the complex’s main attraction is its five ice rinks. That includes an Olympic rink (200 feet by 100 feet), three National Hockey League-sized rinks (200 feet by 85 feet) and a mini rink; one of the NHL pads has a multipurpose floor for other sports, including soccer, inline hockey and box lacrosse.

The unveil of the highly anticipated venue has been a long time coming.

It was expected to open in October 2015. However, various permitting and technological setbacks delayed the $28 million capital investment project.

Even so, Gordie Zimmermann, managing partner of Florida Hospital Center Ice, said the facility’s development was overall “a fabulous experience.”

Florida Hospital Center Ice is now open in Wesley Chapel. The 150,500-square-foot, two-story complex is labeled the largest ice sports facility in the Southeastern U.S. It was originally expected to open in October of 2015, but permitting and technological setbacks caused delays.
(Kevin Weiss)

“It was a complicated project, and involved much patience and perseverance,” said Zimmermann, who also developed the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. “There were a tremendous amount of people involved in this.”

He added: “We are excited…to showcase to the Tampa Bay community the most modern and high-tech skating complex in the Southeast.”

With a relative dearth of ice complexes in the Bay Area, Center Ice is forecasted as an economic driver for both Wesley Chapel and Pasco County.

Case in point: the county has five hotels in development, including two directly adjacent to the complex.

Officials believe the massive facility will attract 1.5 million to 2 million visitors annually, with 40 percent coming from outside Tampa Bay.

The facility, too, is expected to attract international hockey tournaments and non-sports activities such as dog shows and graduation ceremonies.

“This is an amazing asset we have right here in our very own backyard,” said Hope Allen, president and CEO of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore said small and large business owners, along with hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, will benefit substantially as a direct result of the new venue.

“It will be a major destination here in Pasco county, and the entire region,” Moore said.

Florida Hospital Center Ice also received a seal of approval from the Tampa Bay Lightning, who’ve jumped aboard as program rink sponsors.

Former Lightning great Dave Andreychuk, now the organization’s vice president of corporate and community affairs, said the ice complex will buoy the sport of hockey in the region.

“There were four ice surfaces in a matter of 50 miles, until this came along,” Andreychuk said. “This is a huge opportunity for us to continue to grow the game, and for us to make sure that kids in this area have the opportunity…to learn a great game.”

He added: “This is going to be a community building that everybody here in the Wesley Chapel and Pasco area will use. It’s not just for developing kids to play hockey or girls to learn figure skating, but it’s going to be an awesome place for all of us here.”

Previously, many Pasco residents would trek to the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon to get their hockey and skating fix. Others may have used the Clearwater Ice Arena or the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar.

“As a resident just down the road from here, I understand what this building means,” Andreychuk said.

Laura Bohannon, a Wesley Chapel-based Realtor, said the facility is now an “anchor” for the community, and will be a windfall to local real estate sales.

“It’s huge for this area,” Bohannon said. “People want to be where there’s a new, exciting thing. People are coming here from different places because of what this (facility) has to offer.”

That effect is already apparent.

Toni Ravens, a Land O’ Lakes resident, said her family moved from Raleigh, North Carolina, last year as a direct result of the ice complex.

“We were moving to Florida, and we narrowed our search by this facility,” she said. “We promised the children before the move that they would stay in hockey.”

Though open and operable, the entire complex is still not fully complete.

The facility’s Rink B doesn’t yet have ice poured, and finishing touches are still being made to the 2,600-square-foot fitness center. The full-service restaurant, Top Shelf Sports Lounge, is slated to open sometime in February.

In total, 20 full-time and 30 part-time employees will be working at the facility.

Programming registrations are ongoing.

For more information, visit FloridaHospitalCenterIce.com.

By The Numbers

  • Capital Investment-$28 million
  • Property-13.5 acres
  • Floor Space-150,500 square feet
  • Running Track-six lanes; 90 yards
  • Locker Rooms-16
  • Benches-75
  • Rental Skates-702 pairs
  • Curling Stones-90
  • Hockey Nets-10 sets (regular and youth)
  • Sport Ice Resurfacers-3.5
  • Fixed seats in the main National Hockey League regulation rink-425
  • Audio/Video Capabilities—Four video walls and 60-plus 55-inch monitors
  • Restaurant seats-90

Facility Overview

  • One Olympic-size rink (200 feet by 100 feet)
  • Two North American standard-size rinks (200 feet by 85 feet)
  • One multipurpose sports floor/ice pad-multipurpose pad conversion
  • A 2,600-square-foot fitness facility
  • An indoor sprint track and conditioning area
  • An onsite athletic trainers and sports performance program
  • Five corporate/birthday party rooms
  • A family sport restaurant (Top Shelf Sports Lounge)
  • Snack bar
  • Pro shop (Rinkside Sports)
  • Spectator observation areas
  • Private and public locker rooms
  • A hockey skills training area
  • A revolving entrance door to control inside temperature environment

Florida Hospital Center Ice will have numerous programs and uses, including:

  • Local, regional, national and international hockey tournaments
  • University and high school teams’ practices and games
  • Recreational leagues
  • Hockey development programs
  • Roller and street hockey
  • Camps, clinics, multisport training
  • Figure skating
  • Public skating, birthday parties
  • Sled hockey
  • Curling
  • Indoor sports: box lacrosse, volleyball, basketball
  • Sports Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention programs
  • Corporate events, public meetings

Published February 1, 2017

Academy softball player makes national team

By

Academy at the Lakes’ Alexis Kilfoyl is a softball prodigy, of sorts.

She’s been a varsity star since the seventh grade.

Alexis Kilfoyl, a sophomore at Academy at the Lakes, was selected to join the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Training Team, along with just 23 other athletes nationwide. She is the youngest of the group. Last season, the 6-foot-1 ace won 11 games, compiling a 1.36 ERA and striking out 163 batters in 103 innings.
(Courtesy of John Faith)

She was a freshman when she committed to the University of Alabama, which is perennially one of the nation’s top softball programs.

As a sophomore, she’s already one of the area’s top pitchers and hitters.

Now, she’s among elite company.

On Jan. 3, the 6-foot-1 ace was selected to join the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Training Team, along with just 23 other athletes nationwide.

Ten of the chosen athletes will be competing with their NCAA Division I universities, while 14 players will still be a part of their respective high schools prior to the summer team.

Of those qualifying, Kilfoyl is the youngest.

She made the team following a two-day selection process in Clearwater.

Using her signature drop-ball pitch, Kilfoyl said she felt “very confident” following tryouts, despite matching up against older peers.

“I definitely knew it wasn’t going to be just a cakewalk,” said Kilfoyl, who’s played softball since she was 8 years old. “But, what made me think I could make the team was I pitched strong…in all the late innings I pitched.”

In June and July, Kilfoyl and others will compete in a training camp and exhibition games in Oklahoma City at the World Cup of Softball XII. From there, the final roster for the 2017 USA Softball JWNT will be narrowed down to 17 players. The 17-player roster will then compete at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Junior Women’s World Championship from July 24 to July 30 in Clearwater.

Alexis Kilfoyl, on committing to the University of Alabama as a freshman:
“When we showed up there, the whole culture of everybody was so different. We showed up, all the coaches were there. They all dedicated their time to us, and they were really…focused on you, and not just anything else.”

The summer experience will give Kilfoyl the opportunity to receive additional top-level coaching, from the likes of Oregon State head coach Laura Berg, Arizona State head coach Trisha Ford, University of Texas-Arlington head coach Kristie Fox and University of Kansas associate head coach John Rittman.

Furthermore, it’s all just another step in Kilfoyl’s dream of playing in the 2020 Olympics.

“That’s a very high projection,” she said, acknowledging the lofty target.

For Kilfoyl, however, the goal seems attainable.

Diane Stephenson, first-year coach at Academy at the Lakes, said the Junior Nationals should take Kilfoyl’s “mental game to a totally different level.”

“I think she’ll be even more dominant,” Stephenson said, “because of that experience of being around people that are all as good as her.

“So many times, when you’re an elite athlete, you don’t have the opportunity to be around and be challenged by other people.”

Perfecting the emotional and cerebral side of the game, Kilfoyl agreed, will be a major emphasis this season.

“We’re really going to try and focus on my mental game,” Kilfoyl said. “I feel like it will go really well with my physical (abilities).”

Meanwhile, Stephenson, who coached for two decades at Indiana University and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame last October, knows she has quite the difference maker in Kilfoyl, at the Academy.

“It’s really only the very elite, elite athletes that are making (college) commitments in ninth and even eighth grade,” Stephenson said, referring to Kilfoyl’s verbal commitment to Alabama.

“The best schools in the country are trying to solidify their roster as soon as they feel like someone is developed enough that they can make a difference in their program,” the coach said.

The new Academy coach also commended Kilfoyl’s personal pitching instructor, Kaci Clark Zerbe, who pitched on UCLA’s 1995 national title team.

“She’s been pretty instrumental in (Kilfoyl’s) development over the last two years…and helping to get where she is,” Stephenson said. “There’s a lot of very talented people, but if you don’t have great coaching, you don’t make something like the (Junior National) team.”

Meantime, Kilfoyl is looking to build off what was an eye-popping freshman campaign — both in the circle and at the plate.

Last season, Kilfoyl won 11 games, compiling a 1.36 ERA and striking out 163 batters in 103 innings.

“I just kind of have to get a feel for the hitters — where their strong spots are, where their weak spots are,” Kilfoyl said of her pitching strategy.

At the plate, Kilfoyl batted a team-leading .561, hitting three home runs, along with six doubles and 20 RBIs.

The Wildcats open the 2017 season with a preseason tournament — Springstead Invitational — on Feb. 9. Their first regular season game is at Carrollwood Day School on Feb. 16.

Practices began on Jan. 23.

Stats compiled using maxpreps.com.

Varsity Stats
Freshman
Pitching: 11 wins, 1.36 ERA, 163 strikeouts in 103 innings
Hitting: .561 average, three home runs, six doubles, 20 RBIs

Eighth grade
Pitching: 12 wins, 0.72 ERA, 111 strikeouts in 87.1 innings
Hitting: .458 average, four home runs, eight doubles, 25 RBIs

Seventh grade
Pitching: 14 wins, 2.61 ERA, 118 strikeouts in 115.1 innings
Hitting: .309 average, four doubles, 12 RBIs

Published January 25, 2017