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Big player, bigger game

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Darin Kilfoyl has been on a tear this season.

The Academy at the Lakes junior right-hander is sporting a 1.84 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched — statistics buoyed by an incredible performance on March 3, when the 6-foot-8 flamethrower fanned 19 batters in a complete game, one hit shutout against Victory Christian (Lakeland).

“All my stuff was working,” said Kilfoyl, who once recalled throwing a one-hitter (which turned out to be a home run) in Little League. “I was throwing really, really hard in that game…and the batters couldn’t catch up to it.”

Equipped with a four-pitch arsenal — fastball, curveball, changeup and cutter — the rangy righty has the ability to keep even the area’s top hitters off-balance.

Academy at the Lakes junior ace Darin Kilfoyl is in the midst of a breakout season, sporting a 1.84 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched. The 6-foot-8 right-hander is drawing interest from several Division I college baseball programs. (Courtesy of Thomas Haslam)
Academy at the Lakes junior ace Darin Kilfoyl is in the midst of a breakout season, sporting a 1.84 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched. The 6-foot-8 right-hander is drawing interest from several Division I college baseball programs.
(Courtesy of Thomas Haslam)

Despite having a sturdy assortment of pitches, Kilfoyl powers the strike zone mainly with his fastball, which ranges from 86 mph to 88 mph.

His pitch speed has jumped considerably since his sophomore year, when inactivity and recovery from a broken leg led to his primary pitch topping out at “only” 79 mph.

“Before last season…I hadn’t done anything for a few months, so all my (pitching) mechanics weren’t how they were supposed to be,” Kilfoyl explained. “I went back to my pitching coach after the school season last year and got everything back set. In the summer, I was getting back into the low 80s, and at the end of the summer, I was throwing mid-80s; it’s been going up since.”

His performances on the mound have started to catch the eye of several Division I college programs from all over the country.

Blue bloods like the University of Virginia and the University of Florida have shown interest in the towering righty. Academic powerhouses like Dartmouth University and Stanford University are also intrigued by Kilfoyl’s size, potential and GPA.

“They said they know that I can already get so much better because of how big I am,” Kilfoyl said about college coaches’ interest. “They also like that I have really good grades, so the academics will help their team GPA, or help me get more scholarship money for school.”

His high school coach, John DiBenedetto, noted Division I coaches were fascinated by Kilfoyl’s stature and his ability to further develop.

“He’s still extremely raw,” DiBenedetto said. “He can grow; he’s going to get better. That’s the scary part about it. He’s finally starting to grasp certain things…on the mound, where he’s starting to thrive.”

Kilfoyl’s long stride and release point from his 6-foot-8 frame makes it difficult for opposing batters to catch up to his pitches or make solid contact. As opposed to shorter pitchers, Kilfoyl’s length allows him to release pitches closer to home plate from the mound, causing throws to jump on hitters more quickly.

“When I was at the (University of) Virginia camp, coaches were saying how because of my length and how weird the (pitching) angle was, my fastball — even though it was only about 84 or 85 when I was there —played out at 89 to 90,” Kilfoyl said.

Currently, Kilfoyl is working to fine-tune his accuracy, and improve his athleticism with the hope of getting stronger to increase his velocity. He said coaches at the Academy have given him tips along the way that have helped him “a lot” in those areas.

This summer, Kilfoyl will have the opportunity to showcase his skills in travel ball. The pitching standout is set to play for the Atlanta Blue Jays, an elite travel club for 15 year olds to 18 year olds.

The experience should buoy Kilfoyl’s development and help him become noticed by more college programs, especially since he plays prep baseball at a smaller school.

Since it’s inception in 2003, the travel club, led by Anthony Dye and Steve Loureiro, has produced several first round picks in the MLB Draft, including Tim Beckham (2008), Delino Deshields Jr. (2010) and Touki Toussaint (2014). According to its website, 90 percent of Blue Jays’ players have either received collegiate scholarships or signed to play professional baseball.

“Their (travel club) is different…because they have only one team per each age group,” Kilfoyl said, “because they want to focus on those players and get those players to be the best they can be, whereas other (travel clubs) will have multiple teams for their different ages.”

Kilfoyl is also a standout basketball player for the Academy (9.1 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game in 2015), but said he prefers America’s pastime, knowing his college future is likely tied to the latter sport.

“Baseball has the edge. I feel a lot more confident, and I feel I know the game of baseball much better than basketball, because I started basketball later,” said Kilfoyl, who’s major growth spurt occurred after he started high school. “Baseball is just who I am and what I excel at.”

Published March 30, 2016

Sunlake cheerleaders heading to Hawaii

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A summer trip to Hawaii has become an annual tradition for the Sunlake High varsity cheer team.

From June 22 to June 29, Sunlake cheer coach Pennye Garcia and five of her cheerleaders will participate in the 15th annual Cheer Hawaii USA Summer Invitational at the University of Hawaii.

For three consecutive years, Sunlake High has sent cheerleaders to Cheer Hawaii. This picture is from the 2015 camp. From left: Nicole Calderin, Amanda Slozer, Sunlake coach Pennye Garcia, Penn State coach Curtis White, Mariah Berberich and Mallory Mock. (Courtesy of Pennye Garcia)
For three consecutive years, Sunlake High has sent cheerleaders to Cheer Hawaii. This picture is from the 2015 camp. From left: Nicole Calderin, Amanda Slozer, Sunlake coach Pennye Garcia, Penn State coach Curtis White, Mariah Berberich and Mallory Mock.
(Photos courtesy of Pennye Garcia)

Coach Garcia will be joined in Oahu by Sunlake cheerleaders Taylor Broderick, Lauren Gobea, Maddie Frazee, Hailey Parks and Mikiah Peeples.

About 100 cheerleaders from all 50 states are selected to participate in the prestigious camp each year.

Since 2006, Garcia has sent at least five of her cheerleaders — at every school she’s coached — to the weeklong college-prep cheer camp. She is one of just eight coaches that will be attending to provide additional instruction and guidance.

Each year, Cheer Hawaii focuses on developing four main competitive cheerleading areas: cheer motion and spirit, dance, stunting and leadership skills.

Typically, nominations for the camp are open to current high school sophomores and juniors that exhibit certain qualities such as basic cheer skills, leadership abilities, a positive attitude, and a desire to learn and improve.

Sunlake senior Amanda Slozer, who attended the camp last year, said the weeklong affair benefits cheerleaders who aspire to be team captains and role models for younger teammates.

“It’s a really good experience,” she said about the camp. “I had a good time.”

With a limited number of spots, Garcia opts to nominate cheerleaders that have shown her leadership-like qualities during their career at Sunlake.

“I choose the ones…that show me individual characteristics that I would be proud of to send to Hawaii to represent our skills,” said Garcia, the 2016 East Pasco Coach of the Year. “If they have any disciplinary issues, they probably won’t get selected, and they know why.”

Several Sunlake cheerleaders will be participating in the 15th annual Cheer Hawaii USA Summer Invitational at the University of Hawaii from June 22 to June 29. The camp is organized by Alan Akina each year. From left: Pennye Garcia, Amanda Slozer, Nicole Calderin, Akina, Mallory Mock and Mariah Berberich.
Several Sunlake cheerleaders will be participating in the 15th annual Cheer Hawaii USA Summer Invitational at the University of Hawaii from June 22 to June 29. The camp is organized by Alan Akina each year. From left: Pennye Garcia, Amanda Slozer, Nicole Calderin, Akina, Mallory Mock and Mariah Berberich.

With camp instructors such as Penn State’s Curtis White, both high school cheerleaders and their respective coaches learn about advanced-level techniques and cheers they can take back to their prep squads.

“Coach White brings his male cheerleaders and teaches everyone how to coed stunt,” Garcia said. “They all are college coaches that come in and teach high schools how to do sideline cheers and chants.”

Garcia added that Sunlake has altered its entire cheer format based on what they’ve learned at Cheer Hawaii, aligning their squad to perform cheers similar to some of the premier Division I cheer programs.

“It has been really beneficial for us in competition and for sidelines,” Garcia said.

The results at Sunlake speak for themselves. This past season, the Seahawks had the highest scoring average in Pasco County — 74.51— and finished third in the Class 1A Small Division FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) state finals. In 2014, Sunlake won the Class 1A Medium Division state title.

According to Garcia, the weeklong camp also benefits high school cheerleaders who have aspirations of cheering in college, by teaching them the steps needed to make that drastic leap.

“There’s a lot of Cheer Hawaii kids that go on to cheer in college, and they get a lot of pointers from them,” she said.

Additionally, high school cheerleaders and coaches alike learn several positive reinforcement techniques to use during the season. For example, after every practice, the Sunlake cheer team will do an activity called ‘Celebrations and Reminders,’ where teammates will ‘celebrate’ each other’s accomplishments— like a perfect stunt in practice — and provide ‘reminders’ of what they need to do for their next practice.

Garcia noted the activity is beneficial for empowering her team.

“It’s kind of like a ‘grab you, hug you’ type of thing,” she said, noting that teammates remember each other’s kind words to one another. “It’s just a positive way to say everything.”

For Sunlake, the camp kicks off the summer season, and serves as a kick-start in trying to remain as one of the top competitive cheer teams in Pasco.

Published March 30, 2016

Local soccer player signs with Division 1 team

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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.
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

Sunlake cheerleader, coach receive county honors

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Sunlake High School’s competitive cheerleading season may be over, but the awards are tumbling in.

Senior cheerleader Amanda Slozer and head coach Pennye Garcia recently received the Sunshine Athletic Conference’s (SAC) Cheerleader of the Year and Coach of the Year for the East Pasco division, respectively.

Slozer, 18, said she was “shocked” when she found out she was being awarded for her individual performance.

“I just wasn’t expecting it,” she said, humbly.

From left, Sunlake High senior Amanda Slozer, Sunlake Principal Michael Cloyd and Sunlake cheerleader coach Pennye Garcia. Slozer was named East Pasco Cheerleader of the Year and Garcia won East Pasco Coach of the Year (Photos courtesy of Pennye Garcia)
From left, Sunlake High senior Amanda Slozer, Sunlake Principal Michael Cloyd and Sunlake cheerleader coach Pennye Garcia. Slozer was named East Pasco Cheerleader of the Year and Garcia won East Pasco Coach of the Year
(Photos courtesy of Pennye Garcia)

However, her coach wasn’t the least bit surprised that Slozer, one of the team’s captains, was recognized — due to the cheerleader’s diverse skillset.

“Stunting—she’s as strong as anything; I can always put her anywhere,” Garcia said. “Whenever I needed to have the most strength in (a routine), that’s where she would go.”

Slozer had the perfect combination of skill and character needed for a team to be successful, added Garcia, who has been a cheerleader coach for 13 years, the longest-standing in Pasco County,

“When you have (a cheerleader) that has the quality that you want in a kid and the skill level, it’s great,” said Garcia, who is fascinated by Slozer’s tumbling ability. “She’s very responsible, dependable, caring; just a great individual.”

Slozer, who’s been cheering since she was 7 years old, realizes a lot of people don’t understand the challenges and sacrifices of being a competitive cheerleader — especially when it comes to being a part of a Garcia-coached team.

“I feel like a lot of people just think we stand on the track at football games…but they don’t understand the competition season is the most serious thing that we have to do,” she explained. “We practice for several weeks and several hours at a time, and the work we do while we’re at practice is not just standing around.”

The Sunlake competitive cheer team finished the year with the highest scoring average in the county—74.51— and advanced to the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) state meet in late January, placing third in the Class 1A Small Division.

Garcia, who helped guide Sunlake to a state title in the 2013-2014 season, was hoping for a first or second place finish at this year’s state championships, knowing the squad’s high ceiling going into the season.

“This team had a little bit more talent than my state (title) team. They got some skills a lot quicker,” said Garcia, who also won Pasco County Coach of the Year in 2014.

“This team was a lot more laid back than my state team. They were not, as a whole, as ambitious until the last minute, where it has to be ambitious from the get-go,” Garcia said.

Under the guidance of Coach Pennye Garcia, Sunlake has reached the state finals for three consecutive years.
Under the guidance of Coach Pennye Garcia, Sunlake has reached the state finals for three consecutive years.

As one of the premier cheerleading coaches in the area, Garcia has maintained a successful track record at Sunlake — three consecutive state appearances — by instilling discipline, consistency and purpose, and maintaining the quality of cheerleaders she selects for her varsity squad.

“I have to stick to my guns and be tough,” the head coach said. “If I would not be tough like I am, it would be very easy for the kids to lay back and want everything, but not want to work for it. I can’t function like that.”

Slozer has witnessed the grind firsthand, whether it’s attending 6 a.m. practices or participating in countless post-practice reps.

“She is tough, but she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to this program, I feel like,” Slozer said about Coach Garcia. “She cares a lot about it, so that helps.”

“I feel like over the past three years we’ve had different rivals every year, because the teams are all different every time, but we’ve stayed pretty consistent,” she said.

To perform a seamless 2 ½-minute routine, which consists of standing and running tumbling, transitions and stunting, Garcia ensures her squad is fully equipped to earn high scores in competitions.

“I practice them until it’s ready,” Garcia said, pointing out that stunting is the most important part of a routine. “If it’s not ready, I will have them do whatever we need to do until I feel like it’s done.”

While the season is over, Garcia’s mind is focused on the program’s next step, whether it’s organizing clinics and camps, or designing future pyramids and routines.

With Slozer’s impending graduation and the exodus of several other “crucial” seniors, Garcia will once again have to find a way to lead her crop of cheerleaders to the top.

Published March 23, 2016

 

Young coach leads Academy at the Lakes baseball

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Just a few years removed from playing college baseball, John DiBenedetto already is thriving in his first varsity baseball head-coaching gig.

Over the summer, DiBenedetto, 24, was hired as the new coach for the Academy at the Lakes baseball program.

Previously, he assisted Carrollwood Day School’s varsity baseball program.

Twenty-four-year-old John DiBenedetto is the new baseball coach for the Academy at the Lakes Wildcats. (Courtesy of John DiBenedetto)
Twenty-four-year-old John DiBenedetto is the new baseball coach for the Academy at the Lakes Wildcats.
(Courtesy of John DiBenedetto)

DiBenedetto heard about the job opening when he was helping out at a baseball clinic last summer.

“I didn’t even know what Academy at the Lakes was, to be completely honest,” DiBenedetto said, “because I’m a Hillsborough County guy, all the way.”

“It was a long two-month (hiring) process, but it worked out great. I couldn’t be happier,” he said.

In high school, DiBenedetto was a standout catcher at Newsome High and Blake High. His skills afforded him the opportunity to earn a college baseball scholarship, where he spent two years apiece at Division II Saint Anselm (New Hampshire) College and Division III Rivier (New Hampshire) University.

With his playing days nearing an end in college, DiBenedetto had an interest in coaching.

“At the end of my junior year, I knew this is what I wanted to do. I kind of got into it my senior year,” he said, noting he started analyzing game situations more closely and talking to others about the profession.

Being the Academy’s fourth head coach in as many years, DiBenedetto quickly realized he had a massive challenge on his hands, since the program recently suffered from instability and coaching turnover.

Even at the varsity level, several players still hadn’t yet grasped some of the game’s fundamentals — such as knowing how to run bases, how to bunt or take a sign from third base.

The young coach said the biggest initial struggle for him has been changing the culture of the once “broken” program.

For DiBenedetto, changing the culture consists of having players “buy in” and show up to practice every day ready to work.

“Before I came in, practices just consisted of warming up, throwing a little bit, hitting some BP (batting practice) and going home,” said DiBenedetto, whose father, John Sr., also helps out with the day-to-day program operations.

“Now we have the organization where we’re working on specific situations all the time, and everything we do at practice is for a reason. It’s not like we’re just out there just to hit. Everything is very structured, time-based.”

The results are beginning to show.

The Wildcats already have three wins, which ties as many as they had all of last year.

With a 3-6 record as of March 14, DiBenedetto hopes the team can finish close to .500 by season’s end.

“Our main goal from day one is to give us a chance in April in districts,” DiBenedetto said. “It’s very reasonable. It can be done.”

Though it takes time to build a sustainable high school program, DiBenedetto is excited about the team’s prospects over the next few years.

This year’s squad features a unique mix of youth — four seventh-graders and an eighth-grader have played in a varsity game — and experience, highlighted by seven seniors.

“All of these kids had been going to school here, and I had to kind of go in and recruit them,” DiBenedetto said. “A lot of them just played travel ball, and had no interest playing on the high school team because of the struggles and the coaching turnover. When I was able to be here every day…I was able to have conversations with kids.”

Perhaps the most intriguing player on the roster for this season and next season is junior pitcher Darin Kilfoyl, a towering 6-foot-8 right-hander who sports a 1.84 earned run average.

In the team’s most recent win on March 3 against Victory Christian, Kilfoyl struck out 19 batters in a complete game, one-hit shutout.

While still “extremely raw,” Kilfoyl is drawing interest from several Division I coaches due to his lengthy frame and skillset.

“He’s got a very good curveball,” DiBenedetto said. “He throws 86 to 88 (miles per hour). He powers the strike zone.

“The thing the D-I coaches have seen is that he can get better; that’s the scary part about it,” the coach said.

Offensively, Kilfoyl leads the team in home runs (two) and RBIs (eight).

But, it’s Kilfoyl’s intangibles that really stand out to his head coach.

“He’s a great teammate,” DiBenedetto said. “He’s a leader. He works hard every day. He shows up, and he communicates.”

For Kilfoyl and the rest of the team, “the success is starting to come,” DiBenedetto said.

Published March 16, 2016

College cheerleading team preps for nationals

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The Pasco-Hernando State College cheerleading team will compete at nationals for the second straight year.

The cheer squad will travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on March 18 to square off in the Cheer Ltd. Collegiate Nationals at CANAM. The squad will compete in the Collegiate Small Coed Division, where it finished fourth runner-up out of 13 teams last year.

The Pasco-Hernando State College cheerleading team will compete in the Cheer Ltd. Collegiate Nationals on March 18 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The squad most recently won the state championship at the Florida State Fair on Feb. 6. (Photos courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)
The Pasco-Hernando State College cheerleading team will compete in the Cheer Ltd. Collegiate Nationals on March 18 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The squad most recently won the state championship at the Florida State Fair on Feb. 6.
(Photos courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

The team enters the competition with positive momentum after it won the state championship title in the College Coed Level 6 division at the American Championships Official Florida Championships Cheer and Dance competition on Feb. 6.

At nationals, the team will perform a 2 ½-minute routine, which will feature running and standing tumbling, as well as jumps, stunts, a pyramid and a dance.

To prep for the advanced routine, the team practiced every day during the school’s spring break, which began March 7.

The routine is “flashier” than others the team has performed, according to junior flyer Amanda Kahn.

Freshman backspot Thad Anderton, one of the team’s two male cheerleaders, said the routine’s challenge lies in putting “it all together.”

“We upped it up a little bit for nationals,” the Zephyrhills High graduate said. “We have a little more difficult tumbling. We have a couple more layouts and tucks that are jumps, and a little more difficult stunting, too.

“You have to think — doing a single stunt is really hard, but when you throw 20 stunts in the same routine in two minutes and 30 seconds, it’s pretty crazy,” he said.

Since team tryouts last June, the cheer team has improved its skills tremendously, said Sophia Haddad, second-year head coach.

Sophia Haddad is in her second year as coach of the Pasco-Hernando State College cheer team. She was a former cheerleader at PHSC (2009-2011) and at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (2011-2013.)
Sophia Haddad is in her second year as coach of the Pasco-Hernando State College cheer team. She was a former cheerleader at PHSC (2009-2011) and at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (2011-2013.)

“Just from the beginning of this season, or even just a couple of months ago, the routine we performed at state wasn’t a routine that we could do. It was something we were working toward,” said Haddad, a former cheerleader at both PHSC and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “They have done a tremendous job of improving and really getting so much better all around. They came in with certain skills, and they’re going to be competing with skills that are so much higher than what they had when they started.”

Much of the team’s improvement over the past several months can also be attributed to Haddad’s coaching mechanisms, members of the team said.

“From tryouts, we basically had Level 2 skills and thanks to (Coach Haddad), we full out have Level 6 skills, which is way more advanced and difficult,” Kahn said. “The more Level 6 skills we put into our routine, the higher the chance that we will win, if…we execute it properly.”

Sophomore base Damari Sanchez pointed out Coach Haddad’s ability to motivate has benefitted the squad.

“I love how she pushes us to our limits, and that’s exactly what we need, because if we didn’t have somebody here to push us, then we wouldn’t try as hard,” Sanchez said. “She has love for us; it’s tough love sometimes, but that’s what we need.”

Anderton referred to Haddad as the “most caring” and “hardest” coach he’s ever had.

In building a roster each season, Haddad looks for cheerleaders that are good students and have an upbeat attitude.

“I liked all of the teams I was on, but this year I feel like everybody here has a great, positive energy,” said Kahn, who’s in her third-year with the program. “You don’t hear the stereotypical cheerleader ‘drama.’ They’re very friendly.”

Anderton added the team has a “very family feel.”

“I just feel like I’ve gained so many good friends out of this cheerleading team, and all the hard work…is going to pay off when we go to nationals,” he said. “I’m really excited to spend that time with them and have our fun time since we didn’t really have a spring break.”

Since Haddad was a cheerleader at PHSC from 2009-2011, the program has grown substantially in terms of resources—with partial scholarships and new equipment each year.

In addition to a scholarship pool of $2,000 to split among team members, the program also receives new cheerleading mats each year, which can total up to $1,000, Haddad said.

“The school has allowed for increased mats for safety, and team equipment has grown tremendously,” the cheer coach said. “They get bags and practice uniforms, and bows and all those things they didn’t get before, and if they did get them, the team was paying out of pocket, whereas now the school takes care of those fees.

“We never traveled out of state for competitions until last year, so that’s a really big deal,” she said.

While a first-place finish in Myrtle Beach would be ideal, the team is hoping to wind up in the top three.

“Last year, our team was good, but not as good as we are now,” Kahn said. “The improvement every year — you can see it.”

“I’d say we have a lot more talent than we did last year. We have more tumbling skills,” Sanchez said. “If all of us try out next year, I wouldn’t even doubt it that we’d make first.”

Published March 16, 2016

Standout catcher paces Wiregrass Ranch softball

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From her powerful bat to her leadership behind the plate, Kameron Aitken’s talent is evident the moment she steps on the Wiregrass Ranch softball field.

So evident, in fact, that several major in-state universities—South Florida, Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast and North Florida — showed interest in the junior catcher last season.

Aitken opted to verbally commit to Florida International University (FIU) in Miami on Dec. 1, 2015 — after visiting the campus on an unofficial visit and quickly realizing the school “just felt like home.”

Wiregrass Ranch junior catcher Kameron Aitken is one of the top players in Pasco County. She has a verbal commit to play softball at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami after she graduates in 2017. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch Softball)
Wiregrass Ranch junior catcher Kameron Aitken is one of the top players in Pasco County. She has a verbal commit to play softball at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami after she graduates in 2017.
(Photos courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch Softball)

“I felt like I could go to the team and be welcomed right away,” Aitken said about choosing FIU, a Division I school. “I had been looking at it for two years. The coaches made me feel like that’s where I wanted to be.”

A varsity softball player at Wiregrass Ranch since her freshman year, Aitken broke out as a sophomore, batting .379 with 17 doubles and 39 RBIs.

“I’m a lot stronger player now than I was my freshman year,” Aitken said about her development. “I’ve learned to recognize pitches better.”

Through 10 games this year, the slugger is picking up right where she left off, batting .379 with a team-leading two home runs and 13 RBIs.

“She’s a big, strong girl. A very intelligent player,” said Tyler Finn, assistant coach for Wiregrass Ranch. “Thank God we’re going to get her for another year.”

Teammates describe Aitken, who bats cleanup, as a player that provides vocal leadership and contributes in critical moments of games.

“Her offense is a big key. She really comes through in big situations,” said senior third baseman Tylah Remaley.

“She is a clutch hitter, and gets those hits that you need that help you out in the end of games,” said junior second baseman Alexis Ridolph.

“She pushes others. If you’re struggling, she’ll say, ‘Hey, keep your head up, and just keep going,’” junior Samantha Hiley said.

In addition to her hitting ability, Aitken provides a calming influence as a catcher, where she works closely with a young pitching staff that includes three freshmen.

“She has great leadership and is always communicating with her teammates,” said Wiregrass Ranach head coach Yamani Vazquez. “She’s a catcher, so she’s the brains of the operation. She’s what you would expect from a catcher, basically.”

Coach Finn echoes Vazquez’s sentiment, calling Aitken a “tremendous, tremendous catcher.”

Kameron Aitken’s production at the plate skyrocketed as a sophomore, when she batted .379 with 17 doubles and 39 RBIs. Aitken is picking up right where she left off this season with a .379 batting average through 10 games.
Kameron Aitken’s production at the plate skyrocketed as a sophomore, when she batted .379 with 17 doubles and 39 RBIs. Aitken is picking up right where she left off this season with a .379 batting average through 10 games.

“She’s been a catcher her whole life. She’s a leader behind the plate. She’s got a rocket arm that’s accurate,” the Wiregrass assistant explained. “She’s going to play Division I (softball) for a reason.”

While Aitken is a natural playing softball, she is always trying to improve — even during the course of a ballgame.

According to Vazquez, in a recent game, Aitken struggled in her first at-bat, and had her mother record the plate appearance so she could analyze her swing mechanics for her next time up to hit.

As it turned out, Aitken figured out the problem. She had “dropped her shoulder” during her swing path.

“I’ve never seen that — just trying to better yourself in the same game,” her head coach said.

Aitken’s willingness to correct mistakes on her own—and handle it with a positive attitude—is what makes her special, Vazquez added.

“She has that drive. She has that intrinsic drive that you can’t really teach,” he explained. “It comes from just knowing what you want and knowing your goals. And that’s what she has going on. She has that intrinsic drive to get better more than anyone else on this team, I would say.”

Published March 9, 2016

Cash is becoming accustomed to leading role

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After taking over for highly regarded manager Joe Maddon in 2015, Kevin Cash feels more comfortable as he enters his second season as manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

He’s established relationships with the roster and front office. He’s been battle-tested on in-game decision-making.

He’s also learned from rookie managerial mistakes after the club ended last season with an 80-82 record, missing the playoffs, and finishing fourth in the five-team American League East division.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash returns for his second season. The youngest manager in baseball led the team to an 80-82 record in 2015. (Courtesy of Tampa Bay Rays)
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash returns for his second season. The youngest manager in baseball led the team to an 80-82 record in 2015.
(Courtesy of Tampa Bay Rays)

The 38-year-old Cash, the youngest manager in baseball, often found himself relying on his coaching staff for help in critical moments of ballgames.

“That first year, you really lean on your coaching staff, and kind of take their opinions because the bulk of our coaching staff had years of experience working for Joe (Maddon),” Cash said. “You try to listen to their opinions, and get their thoughts on specific players and specific things on how they were done, and formulate your own ideas a little bit.

“It’s no secret that first month, there was some stuff that popped up where I really had to rely on my coaching staff,” the manager said. “As the year went on, I was able to learn from experiences that happened a week before or a month before, and make some better decisions.”

With 162 regular season games under his belt, Cash has more of an appreciation of how important communication is in the job description of being an MLB skipper.

“You have to communicate on a daily basis, on a weekly basis, and that’s with everybody,” the second-year manager said.

If that happens, relationships will build and evolve, Cash added.

In reflecting on his first season, he said the “most challenging aspect” was developing those relationships with “everybody you’re going to see on a daily basis.”

With just a few new players set to don a Rays uniform, Cash already has laid the groundwork.

That familiarity will definitely have its benefits, Cash said.

“Already having the relationships with the guys, and knowing (third baseman) Evan Longoria and (starting pitcher) Chris Archer, and what those guys stand for and how they go about their business, that helps. It also helps to get the new players acclimated,” he said.

While some coaches or managers would feel pressure taking the reigns from a wildly successful predecessor, Cash is grateful he had the opportunity to follow in Maddon’s footsteps.

The former Rays’ manager guided the team to the playoffs four times in eight years before accepting the Chicago Cubs’ managerial job in 2015.

“He’s a huge part of this organization, and a reason why they’ve been so successful, along with (former general manager) Andrew Friedman,” said Cash, who played for Maddon in 2005. “Matt Silverman (Rays’ chief of baseball operations) and I came into a situation that had great culture, really good players, and there was a great foundation. I’m just extremely appreciative and thankful that I got to follow him.”

In fact, Cash views Maddon as an influence in his own managerial style, along with other successful skippers including Terry Francona, of the Cleveland Indians and Buck Showalter, of the Baltimore Orioles.

“You try to take something from a lot of different managers. You have a lot of respect and admiration for anybody that fills this role,” Cash explained. “You try to take little bits of information and form your own style, but to get your own style, you’ve got to look and see what some other people are doing sometimes.”

With the offseason additions of hitters Corey Dickerson, Logan Morrison, Hank Conger, Steve Pearce and Brad Miller, the Rays figure to enter the season with a more versatile and balanced lineup.

“The front office has done a tremendous job of adding to our lineup,” Cash said. “We brought in some guys that we feel can really help us out and lengthen us out a little on a daily basis.”

After battling injuries nearly all of last season, he’s looking forward to having a roster of healthy players entering.

“Every team has injuries, but (staying healthy) definitely helps. It’s not realistic to say we’re going to be healthy for 162 games,” he said.

As for improving in the win-loss column and possibly clinching a playoff berth, Cash acknowledges the responsibility to show progress falls square on his shoulders.

That starts with properly handling tight situations late in games.

“We’ve got to find a way to win close ball games. We play a lot of close ball games, and as a manager, it goes back to putting your players in a position to succeed in the eighth and ninth innings, and extra-inning games,” he explained. “That’s going to be a focal point for me personally—to have some questions and try to get a read on the guys, and how they feel in those situations better.”

Making History
The Tampa Bay Rays will play an exhibition game against the Cuban National Team in Havana, Cuba on March 22. It will mark the first time since 1999 that an MLB club has visited the country. The Rays will fly to Cuba on March 20. The following day, they will stage a clinic before they finish their trip by playing the exhibition at the Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana. President Barack Obama expects to be in attendance.

2016 Tampa Bay Rays
New additions:

  • Leftfielder Corey Dickerson
  • First baseman Logan Morrison
  • Outfielder/Infielder Steve Pearce
  • Catcher Hank Conger
  • Shortstop Brad Miller
  • Reliever Ryan Webb

Key Returnees:

  • Starting pitcher Chris Archer
  • Starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi
  • Starting pitcher Drew Smyly
  • Third baseman Evan Longoria
  • Second baseman Logan Forsythe
  • Centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier

Published March 9, 2016

Zephyrhills basketball wraps up historic season

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The Zephyrhills High boys basketball team’s historic season has come to an end.

After reaching the state tournament for the first time in 50 years, the Bulldogs fell to the Poinciana (Kissimmee) High Eagles 70-52 in the Class 5A state semifinals at The Lakeland Center on Feb. 25.

Zephyrhills (26-5) shot just 36 percent from the field, including a porous 1-for-15 mark on three-point attempts.

Zephyrhills basketball coach Alan Reed cuts down the nets after the Bulldogs advanced to the state tournament for the first time in 50 years. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills High School)
Zephyrhills basketball coach Alan Reed cuts down the nets after the Bulldogs advanced to the state tournament for the first time in 50 years.
(Courtesy of Zephyrhills High School)

Bulldogs head coach Alan Reed said his team was overmatched by the Eagles’ lethal combination of physicality and quickness.

“Their defense took us out of what we were trying to do,” he said. “We got some shots, but we didn’t get real good shots. The game was a very physical game…I had no problem with that; it’s just we didn’t respond to it offensively.”

At halftime, the Bulldogs trailed 33-16, before “playing even” with the Eagles (25-5) in the second half.

“We played them head-to-head…in the second half, but we created that (deficit) in the first half…and we weren’t able to gain ground,” the Reed said.

“We’ve been facing deficits like that all year, but we haven’t faced a team of that caliber all year to overcome the deficit.”

Coming into the season, Reed felt his team had a chance to have a very successful season, especially since the roster featured a bevy of seniors, including leading scorer Jeremy Oppenheimer (22.5 points per game.)

Reed noted Oppenheimer’s improved defensive awareness—understanding passing lanes—as a catalyst for the team’s deep playoff run.

“Jeremy’s a very good player, and he was a very good on-court presence,” Reed said “He scored a lot of points, but a lot of times he distributed the ball. He led us in steals (4.9) and also led us in rebounds (8.2).”

The team’s “unselfishness” was another factor in the Bulldogs advancing to the state tourney.

“We really, for the most part, played together as a team, played together as a unit, and I thought that was one of the biggest things for us,” Reed explained. “Each person performed to their abilities and didn’t try to do things they weren’t really good at when the lights were turned on.

“We had a couple of kids that were very good defensive players and rebounders, and that’s what they did.”

Reed, 68, hasn’t made a decision if he’s going to coach the team next year.

Seven players expect to return.

“All of them played some, and all are capable of stepping up,” Reed said. “The biggest thing is replacing Jeremy’s scoring ability. That’s going to be tough.”

Published March 2, 2016

New coaching staff leads Wiregrass Ranch softball

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Wiregrass Ranch High made a coaching change for its softball team at the end of its last season, following complaints from parents and players about the “loosey-goosey” structure of the team.

The new head coach, Yamani Vazquez, and assistant coach, Tyler Finn, have spent the past several years coaching rec league and travel softball in Wesley Chapel.

The first-time high school coaches are using their respective military and law enforcement backgrounds to implement a culture change—better organization, more positivity and more discipline.

The Wiregrass Ranch softball team has two first-time high school coaches in Yamani Vazquez, left, and Tyler Finn. They have spent the past several years coaching rec league and travel softball in Wesley Chapel. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
The Wiregrass Ranch softball team has two first-time high school coaches in Yamani Vazquez, left, and Tyler Finn. They have spent the past several years coaching rec league and travel softball in Wesley Chapel.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

Coach Vazquez said he’s incorporated “little things,” such as having players do more fieldwork, having players hustle in between practice drills, and ensuring players remove their headgear before shaking hands with opposing teams at the end of games.

“I have to say they’ve been very receptive and welcoming of our system,” said Vazquez, an eight-year military veteran who currently teaches science at John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel. “It’s definitely a change from last year.

“One of the things (Wiregrass Ranch principal) Robyn White mentioned was the amount of (negative) emails she got from the softball side more than any other sport, and we were like, ‘Okay, we’re going to change that.’ It was a great opportunity for us, because we knew the state of the program and how it was left, so we felt we could get it back up, and change a few things.”

Junior Samantha Hiley, one of the Bulls’ top hitters, said the new coaching staff is paying more attention to details, such as making sure the team’s uniforms are clean, the field is maintained better and team is better equipped.

Junior catcher and Florida International University softball commit Kameron Aitken said the new coaches “have done everything to make our experience better.”

“They’re great coaches,” Aitken said. “They work well with us.”

While the team “practices a lot more,”—five days a week—than prior years, Bulls players enjoy the new staff’s willingness to listen, and value their input on team matters.

“These coaches listen to our opinions and they take into consideration some of the things we say,” junior second baseman Alexis Ridolph said. “They are much friendlier.”

“I really like how they’re open to letting us play how we want to. It’s not, ‘You must do this, this and this,’” said senior third baseman Tylah Remaley, a Florida Tech softball commit.

Junior centerfielder Jaime Valenta noted the new coaches are “really nice and funny” and “listen to us a lot more.”

Finn, a retired New York state trooper and former Saint Leo University baseball player, said taking over the program and working alongside Coach Vazquez has been a “thrill” and a “dream.”

“The great thing for me is I’ve coached almost every one of these kids since they were little,” said Finn, who has two daughters, Karlye and Taryn, on the roster.

“When you get to the high school level, especially with the talent here, you’re not doing a heck of a lot of coaching.

“These kids are seasoned players. We just sit there and guide them, and call the offensive plays when they get up. …These girls are extremely talented, and very bright athletes,” he said.

With a 3-5 record as of Feb. 28, the team is not off to the start they expected.

One reason for the slow start can be attributed to the departures of ace pitcher Lindsey Snyder and three of the top four run producers from last year’s lineup.

With the loss of Snyder, the new coaches have been forced to use three freshmen in the pitching circle, with shaky results.

“We’ve tried out a bunch of young pitchers that are being tested a little bit,” Finn said. “We had no experienced pitchers. Lindsey was a workhorse; we don’t have that right now.”

Alexis Ridolph added the youthful pitching staff is trying to “get into a rhythm.”

“I know the pitchers are working really hard,” the second baseman said. “It’s just the fact they’re young and aren’t as experienced in high school situations. But, I think they’ll be better by the end of the year.”

As the Bulls go through some early season growing pains with the green pitching rotation, they’ll be forced to rely on their hitting prowess to pick up the slack.

Six players currently sport averages of .300 or better, including sophomores Kacie Lemanski (.471), and Keanna Harris (.417). Hiley (.458), Aitken (.364), Remaley (.348) and Ridolph (.304) are the others.

“Hitting is our fine point. There’s no doubt about it,” Finn said.

As the pitching staff gets more comfortable, the team feels they have a legitimate shot to win their conference and district.

“I know the girls believe it. We’re not going to settle for being a .500 team,” Finn said. “We see good things in the future,” Finn said.

Published March 2, 2016