Wesley Chapel/New Tampa Sports

Freedom developing team bond to continue success

August 21, 2013 By Steve Mistretta

By Jeff Odom

The Freedom High volleyball team has a new motto this season that is aimed at keeping its run of success going and developing younger players.

That fresh adage, according to interim coach Michelle Davis, is “One Team, One Dream.” But to the team, it’s much more than just a slogan on the back of a T-shirt.

Freedom senior setter Kelly Schaller had 154 digs and 80 assists for the Patriots last season. (File photo)

“We’re going to incorporate co-practices this season to really work with our girls (to) have a one-team atmosphere between our junior varsity and varsity players,” said Davis, who is filling in at head coach this season for Kerry Short, who is out on maternity leave.

“What (assistant coach Jeff) Saxton and I have noticed with some of the junior varsity from last year was that some of them were not ready to move to the varsity level, because they did not have the talent and the skills to get there. But the best way to build a solid program is to make sure we have a strong junior varsity team, so we’re focused on that to have a feeder program, which is going to be very important moving forward.”

The Patriots are coming off of three straight winning seasons, which included a runner-up finish in Class 7A-District 9 last year.

However, if Freedom continues its run of success, the squad will have to do it without 2013 graduate Jasmyn Perry (422 kills) and senior outside hitter Ashley Wilson (212 kills, 190 digs), who are no longer with the team.

While the team will feel the impact left by their voids both on and off the court, Davis said, it’s best for her players to treat it like a work environment where people come and go.

“You’ve got to move forward and that’s the sign of a true champion,” she said. “These girls have really picked that up. At the beginning of the season, they acknowledged there was a hole and we weren’t sure with (junior varsity) girls stepping up or incoming freshmen, what we were going to have. And we’ve been very fortunate that everyone’s been healthy and everyone has stayed focused and strong and they are one collective unit that wants success for the program.”

One of the ways her team has worked to fill that hole is through honing their skills and staying in shape through outdoor beach volleyball.

“Running in the sand, playing in the sand and playing in the heat has made their conditioning level already really high coming into this year,” Davis said. “And there’s no hiding a girl like you can indoors if you have a girl who’s taller and can be put onto the back row and you can sub a girl out, there’s none of that happening in beach. So, it’s made the girls have to work a little bit harder to become more well-rounded.”

One of the teams that Freedom is trying to learn from is none other than cross-town rival Steinbrenner, which has won four district championships in as many years.

Davis was originally hired as the Warriors’ junior varsity coach, but opted to come to Freedom when a spot opened because it was closer to her New Tampa home. After seeing how strong Steinbrenner’s junior varsity program was, the idea of meshing practices became a no-brainer and, so far, it has led to many of her players stepping up as leaders. That includes setter Kelly Schaller (154 digs, 80 assists) and defensive specialist Gabbi Jacobs, who had 105 digs and 27 aces last season, according to statistics as entered by coaches to MaxPreps.com.

Jacobs said the early guidance of Davis has helped the program tremendously in just the first few days of organized practice, and added that she feels like the team has a good chance to make even bigger strides this season to possibly steal the district championship.

“We’ve all worked really well together, and we all have really strong players,” Jacobs said. “Even though we’re just now at the beginning, we’re all looking really good together.”

Davis said she’s expecting a lot out of Jacobs, a senior, and believes her speed is going to be great for her back row. However there is one other player that has caught her eye, and that’s Jacobs’ sister, Carlee, a sophomore outside hitter.

“With those girls running the back row, I have a lot of confidence in our defense, and I don’t see our back row letting anything get by,” Davis said.

Still, even with a surplus of young talent and blossoming leaders, Davis said she knows it’s going to be a difficult schedule at times. But that won’t stop her from making any bold predictions.

“This program has the opportunity to be fantastic, because these girls are working so hard,” Davis said. “I honestly don’t think they’re going to be stopped this year. I know that we have Sickles and Steinbrenner and they may see us as an underdog, but I have the utmost confidence in this team. I think we will win the district championship.”

Freedom opens the regular season at home against Hillsborough on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.

Seniors hope to take Wiregrass volleyball to next step

August 21, 2013 By Steve Mistretta

By Jeff Odom

As Mindy Kantor walked into the Wiregrass Ranch gymnasium recently, the Bulls’ volleyball coach took a moment to glance at the row of championship banners hanging from the rafters.

Football, baseball, soccer, cross-country and track are just a few that are christened with seasons of titles, glory and remembrance of their respective accomplishments.

Then, there’s volleyball — blank.

“They believe in themselves. They’re determined,” said Kantor, the only coach since the school opened in 2007. “We’ve built this team on respect for everything — the uniform, the school, the coach and yourself, big time. And if you have the confidence to believe all of that, it’s in your court, and it’s what they put out on that court that’s going to go up on that banner.”

It’s that kind of confidence that has the Bulls believing that this can be the year they get over the hump and into the postseason, which they fell one win short of last season after losing to Freedom in the district semifinals.

One of the major factors that could lift them to the title this time around is leadership from the program’s nine returning seniors, many of whom have grown through the program since they were freshmen and sophomores.

“We’ve gone so far and then the ups and downs and the disappointments, but they’ve taken those disappointments and they feed off of it,” Kantor said. “They’ve wanted (to win the title) from all the way back in June, when we started open courts and conditioning. They gave it through the summer, they gave it through camp … you name it, they gave it, and it’s now transpiring into practices. It’s nonstop.”

One of the benefits of bringing back that many seniors, according to Kantor, is the return of what she refers to as the “Big Three” — outside hitter Grace Olsen, setter Teddi Wright and libero Izah Deang.

Olsen, who was one of Pasco County’s leader in kills with 305 and added 252 digs, said it’s a huge advantage to return so many familiar faces, because it means the team’s chemistry will still be on the mark.

“I’ve gotten to know these girls over the past three, four years and even playing with them (during practice), I’ve noticed that we mesh as a team, we play well and no one gets mad at each other,” Olsen said. “Everything is always moving forward. We never take any steps back.”

Deang, who is referred to by her nickname, “The Beast,” led all Bulls with 337 digs and has anchored her squad’s back row as a quick defender. A family atmosphere surrounds the team both on and off the court, she said.

“We’ve all really grown together,” Deang said. “We really want to see us succeed as a team, and it’s a very big advantage because most teams don’t have as much family-wise as we do or have a very close knit group.”

If Wiregrass Ranch is able to win its first Class 7A-District 8 championship this season, the route to it won’t be easy.

Aside from Freedom, the Bulls will also have to defeat newcomer Sickles — winner of three straight district titles — and Steinbrenner, which has won its district each year since the school opened in 2009 and is a perfect 22-0 all-time in district matches, dropping just one set in four years.

Wright, who had a team-high 79 assists last season, said it will take a lot more work to get past those teams, but it’s nothing they can’t handle.

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work from us,” Wright said. “Once we step onto the court, we know it’s time to be serious. Yeah, we can have fun, but we also know when we go, we are all out, and we never give up and we always push each other to the max.”

Added Kantor: “They want that district title, they want that (Sunshine Athletic Conference) title and they can almost taste it. They’re not being cocky about it and they’re not overconfident, but it’s a goal they want and it’s a goal that they really want to reach their senior year.”

Wiregrass Ranch opens its season on the road against Fivay on Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Can Anclote be stopped in Class 5A-District 7?

August 14, 2013 By Jeff Odom

As the 2013 high school football season fast approaches, The Laker/Lutz News sports staff is previewing the new districts marked up by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Our fourth installment in the series takes a look at Class 5A-District 7.

For past editions, go to LakerLutzNews.com.

Meet the teams
Anclote (6-5, 5-2 in 5A-6)
Gulf (0-10, 0-7 in 5A-6)
Hudson (3-7, 3-4 in 5A-6)
Ridgewood (1-9, 1-6 in 5A-6)
River Ridge (3-7, 1-6 in 6A-6)
Wesley Chapel (3-7, 2-5 in 5A-6)

ANCLOTE’S TITLE TO LOSE
The Anclote Sharks made the playoffs last season as a district runner-up behind region semifinalist Pasco, and are the only team in 5A-7 that had a winning record last season.

Anclote’s Willie Barrett nearly eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark last season. If he does it again, the Sharks will be hoisting the championship trophy at season’s end. (File photo)

And the bad news for fellow opponents — all signs point to coach Matt Wicks’ team keeping its foot on the gas pedal.

Though they lost a few key offensive linemen, the Sharks return one of the top running backs in the North Suncoast in senior Willie Barrett.

Barrett rushed for 1,901 yards on 20 carries last season, and finished with 22 total touchdowns. He was also invited to compete in the Under Armour All-America underclassmen combine, which was at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg in January, and featured some of the best players in the country.

If Anclote can keep running the ball with Barrett and find a good replacement for quarterback John Forgione — who graduated in May after passing for 906 yards with 15 touchdowns his senior season — the Sharks will be very hard to knock off, and could cruise to their first district championship in program history.

KANTOR TURNS AROUND HUDSON
Former Gaither coach Mark Kantor came to Hudson without any real expectations other than to win a couple games here and there.

But after his first season, which saw the Cobras improve from an 0-10 record in 2011 to 3-7 last year, Kantor might just sneak Hudson into the playoffs in his second year.

The Cobras return a host of playmakers, including running back Noah Siegrist, who rushed for 656 yards and four touchdowns during his junior season. Under an experienced leader like Kantor, Siegrist could thrive in 2013.

Another big key for Hudson this season will be the development of quarterback Joey Caruso. As a sophomore, Caruso appeared in six games for the Cobras last season and passed for 266 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Though those are not Joe Montana-like numbers, Caruso will continue to get better, especially with one year under his belt in Kantor’s system.

WILDCATS GET STRONGER
With interest back in its program, Wesley Chapel has high hopes for the future.

The Wildcats struggled to draw players into its program under Ben Alford last season, and it showed as only 26 players were on the spring roster in 2012.

But optimism is shining bright this season under first-year coach Tico Hernandez, who took over for Alford after he left Wesley Chapel to take a director job in Iowa. And that could be a major impact for the young Wildcats.

Hernandez has instilled a new motto for his players — Building Men for Others — and that doesn’t just ring true in the community, but on the field, too.

Wesley Chapel lost 12 seniors to graduation after last season, but returns a host of leaders, including quarterback Ty Tanner, who passed for 445 yards with four touchdowns during his sophomore campaign.

Still, even with a new culture, there are bound to be some bumps in the road.

Question marks swirl around the Wildcats’ offense, which loses leading-rusher Daquan Caesear (671 yards on 125 carries) and top-receiver Jordan Primus (222 yards on 18 receptions). On defense, Wesley Chapel returns Nalu Fraticelli (108 total tackles) and Mark LaBarbera (67 total tackles), but loses Kudiel Gomez, who had 57 total tackles, including five for losses.

It won’t be easy going up against the likes of Anclote and nondistrict opponents in Pasco and Sunlake. But Wesley Chapel has enough quality players to get close to a playoff spot this season.

KEEP AN EYE ON …

Willie Barrett, running back, Anclote
Barrett represents the Sharks’ biggest bite out of the backfield. The senior has one offer on the table from South Alabama, but expect Division I programs to line up at the door for his services if he is able to repeat or better his near-2,000-yard season in 2012.

Marcus Hayne, wide receiver, Wesley Chapel
Hayne has been one of the best players for the Wildcats’ athletic program, but on the hardwood, not the gridiron. The 6-foot-7 senior is giving football a try after helping lead the Wesley Chapel boys basketball team to its first district title in seven years. With that kind of experience, he will be an appreciated member of the locker room and possibly even an under-the-radar playmaker that will give Tanner a nice target down the field.

CAN’T MISS MATCH-UP
Wiregrass Ranch at Wesley Chapel, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Yes, it’s a nondistrict game. Yes, Wiregrass Ranch has never defeated its cross-town foe in the regular season. And, yes, this could be one of the dark horse picks for the best game in Pasco County this year.

‘Nuff said?

This game won’t have implications for the district championship, but a reloaded, hungry to win Wiregrass against a scrappy Wesley Chapel bunch will make for some big fireworks.

And if the spring meeting between these two teams in early June was any indication of what’s to come in November, you better buckle your seatbelts. It’s going to be a dogfight.

Projections
1. Anclote
2. Hudson
3. River Ridge
4. Wesley Chapel
5. Gulf
6. Ridgewood

Performance-enhancing drugs hit high school level

August 14, 2013 By Jeff Odom

In light of the recent Biogenesis scandal that put a black eye on Major League Baseball, the Florida High School Athletic Association is conducting a major review of its policies against the use of performance-enhancing drugs for student-athletes.

In a release by the organization, which regulates interscholastic athletic programs for high school students at member public and private schools, FHSAA executive director Roger Dearing asked the Sports Medicine Advisory committee to perform a “top-to-bottom review” of existing policies to determine what can be done to eliminate PED use.

“The FHSAA’s overriding priority is the safety, well-being and constructive development of young student-athletes, whose bodies and character are still forming,” Dearing said. “Performance-enhancing drugs undermine every aspect of this goal, and so it is imperative that our student-athletes adhere to a zero tolerance policy toward these inherently unfair and dangerous substances.”

Existing FHSAA policies and bylaws state that student-athletes can be suspended from competing if they have used PEDs, but Dearing said it isn’t enough. Especially after a report by the Miami Herald alleged that two current high school baseball players were clients of the Biogenesis Anti-Aging Clinic in South Florida where many professional baseball players, including New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun and Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, were found to have allegedly obtained banned substances.

In total, MLB officials suspended 13 players for their involvement.

Dearing said the issue starts and ends with coaches.

“Here is the bottom line for me: As executive director of FHSAA, I believe we must draw a line in the sand against performance-enhancing drugs,” Dearing said. “School districts simply cannot tolerate coaches who encourage or look the other way when athletes use PEDs. Therefore, these coaches cannot be allowed to keep their jobs or have anything to do with young athletes.

“This is more than safeguarding fair play. It’s about saving lives.”

According to the release, Dearing has asked the 15-member committee, which includes 11 physicians, as well as athletic trainers, former coaches and educators, to review a full range of issues related to PED use, including but now limited to:

–Whether existing policies and procedures provide sufficient authority for schools to test and discipline student-athletes who may be using banned substances.

–The legal, policy and fiscal implications of heightened policies against performance-enhancing drugs; and

–Whether the FHSAA prohibition of PEDs would be more effective if set out as a stand-alone policy rather than existing as a part of a broader policy on sportsmanship.

Dearing was joined in his pledge for a review by State Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, who is a former school principal and superintendant and now serves as chief executive officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.

“Performance-enhancing drugs pose a very real, very dangerous threat to high school student-athletes, both physically and psychologically,” Montford said in the release. “I commend the FHSAA for being proactive in addressing the challenge presented by coaches, parents and young athletes who want to get ahead by any means possible, whatever the personal cost.”

Jennifer Roth Manyard, an assistant professor of family and sports medicine with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and member of the FHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, said the organization is making positive strides to eliminate PEDs.

“Teenagers are still developing … and PEDs have no place in their lives,” Maynard said in the release. “Whatever the FHSAA can do to stop PEDs from being used by high school student-athletes is a step in the right direction.”

Class 6A-District 6 up for grabs

August 7, 2013 By Jeff Odom

During the next few weeks leading up to the first game of the 2013 high school football season, The Laker/Lutz News sports staff is previewing the new districts marked up by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Our third installment in the series takes a look at Class 6A-District 6:

Meet the teams
Fivay (6-4, 5-2 in 5A-6)
Land O’ Lakes (4-6, 2-5)
Mitchell (6-4, 3-4)
Springstead (9-2, 6-1)
Sunlake (8-2, 5-2)

GATORS’ DYNAMIC DUO
Land O’ Lakes’ success in 6A-6 this season may rest on the arms of quarterbacks James Pensyl and Ethan Weilant.

Land O’ Lakes quarterback James Pensyl looked impressive in the spring game and has plenty of offensive weapons to get the Gators back into the postseason for the first time in two years. (Photo by Tim McCLain)

Pensyl looked impressive at times during the Gators’ spring game loss against Pasco on May 23 finishing 8-of-17 with one touchdown and one interception. He also added 30 rushing yards. And Weilant, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, turned plenty of heads with his performance in the North Suncoast 7-on-7 summer league. He even lined up at wide receiver at times.

While Pensyl looks to be the favorite to land the starting job in Week 1 after he passed for 946 yards last season, the battle could end up down to the wire for Land O’ Lakes, which is looking to end its two-year playoff drought and get past the dark cloud of recruiting violation penalties handed down by the FHSAA in 2011.

The Gators have the offensive weapons to do just that, but their final place in the standings will depend on how they use them against the slate of tough district opponents.

SEAHAWKS HOPE TO KEEP SOARING
Sunlake has been one of the most dominant teams in Pasco County during the past three seasons, racking up back-to-back wins over rival Land O’ Lakes and 26 total wins.

However, the Seahawks didn’t have the best spring jamboree by losing to Wiregrass Ranch 7-0, but fared better in their 21-0 win against a young Wesley Chapel squad.

“We got our feet wet,” Coach Bill Browning said after the game. “At times we swam, at times we treaded water, and at times we drowned.”

Growing pains early in the season are to be expected, and projected starting quarterback Esteban LeWallen, who is Sunlake’s fourth starter in as many seasons, did not even step onto the field in the spring games due to personal reasons.

But the loss of quarterback Josh Zifer, 1,000-yard rusher Eddie Burgos and linebacker Ray Busbee to graduation might be too much to overcome, especially after the Seahawks missed the playoffs with an 8-2 record last season. And with the way the district is shaping up again, they may have to repeat that performance to earn a shot at a postseason berth.

KEEP AN EYE ON …
Ben Wood, inside linebacker, Sunlake
Wood was a key part of Browning’s defense last season by racking up 86 tackles (56 solo), seven sacks and three forced fumbles. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior also split time on offense at tight end. If Wood and company can repeat his masterful performance, expect Sunlake to be in the playoff conversation once again.

Austin McGuire, halfback, Land O’ Lakes
McGuire was impressive against a tough Pasco High defense in the Gators’ spring game, helping stage a late comeback against the Pirates by scoring a touchdown and leading multiple drives down the field. The junior, along with teammate Larenz Scroggins, could be Land O’ Lakes’ go-to-guy this season after racking up 145 yards on 10 carries last year.

Bishop McLaughlin football enters new era after joining district

July 31, 2013 By Jeff Odom

Bishop McLaughlin quarterback R.J. Perciavalle says his team is excited about joining a major district for the first time in program history, and expects to be competitive in each game this season. (File photo)

For the first time in the program’s nine-year history, the Bishop McLaughlin Hurricanes are in a major district — Class 3A-District 4 — that will now make them eligible for the postseason for the first time sine 2007.

That has players excited for what could be coming down the road.

“We’re a private school and still a very young program,” senior quarterback R.J. Perciavalle said. “Moving into a district was necessary for moving the program forward.”

District 4, Perciavalle said, is one of the best districts in the state, and that’s going to be a challenge for the Hurricanes.

“Obviously we’re going to go out and try to win every game,” he said. “We know we’re young, but we’re trying as hard as we can, and we want to go out and prove ourselves.”

In its first district appearance since the 2007-08 season when it was in the now-defunct Class1B-District 8, Bishop McLaughlin will match up with Berkley Prep, Tampa Catholic, Fort Meade, Frostproof and Lakeland Christian. Three of those teams made the playoffs last season, and none had a losing record.

Bishop McLaughlin, however, finished last season at 4-7 as an FHSAA Independent in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference.

Intimidated? Not at all, Perciavalle said.

“We’ve been picked last in a lot of preseason rankings and stuff like that, and we just want to show that we’re here to fight and not just some pushover team,” Perciavalle said.

One of the blueprints to how Bishop McLaughlin plans to reach its success can be found in the school’s cross-town rivals — Carrollwood Day School.

Though the Hurricanes lost to the Patriots 41-7 in their inaugural spring game back in May, the young program has drawn plenty of comparisons to Carrollwood Day, which went to the Class 2A region finals last season just three years after moving into its first district, 2A-5, because of how they are building their program.

Perciavalle threw for 1,319 yards with 15 total touchdowns last season and expects to use those numbers to help lead the team to a stronger upcoming season. Third-year coach Derrick Alexander said after the spring game that it will take leadership from players like Perciavalle to set up the program for success.

“We want to get stronger and in better shape,” Alexander said. “Just because we don’t have the big numbers, our guys have to be in maximum shape, because they’re playing on both sides of the ball.”

That’s even more important this season with a much tougher schedule ahead of Bishop McLaughlin.

“We’re trying to put in some extra work in the weight room, on the field and just do everything you can do to just better prepare ourselves,” Perciavalle said. “We know it’s not going to be easy, but we’re definitely up for the challenge.”

–Statistics as entered by coaches on Maxpreps.com

Wharton QB Chase Litton decommits from USF

July 31, 2013 By Jeff Odom

Wharton High senior quarterback Chase Litton decommitted from the University of South Florida on July 26. (File photo)

One of the highest regarded local prospects in the state won’t be joining the University of South Florida football team next season.

Wharton High senior quarterback Chase Litton announced on his Twitter page July 26 that he has decided to back out of his verbal commitment with the Bulls to explore other options.

“I want to apologize to USF, but I will be decommitting and opening my recruitment up for my senior year,” Litton tweeted.

Litton’s decision comes a month after he made the choice to join the program alongside first-year Bulls coach Willie Taggart in front of a live television audience on Bright House Sports Network.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Rivals.com, Litton was on a trip to Gainesville July 27 and 28 to visit the University of Florida. He also has offers from several other Division I programs including Louisiana State University, South Carolina, Florida, Miami and Notre Dame.

As a junior, Litton compiled an area-leading 2,732 yards with 23 touchdowns with 10 interceptions for the Wildcats. He was also the top quarterback this summer for the IMG Academy’s Team Tampa 7-on-7 squad, which won its second consecutive national championship.

If the 6-foot-6 Litton kept his commitment to USF through National Signing Day in February, the three-star recruit would have battled returning starter Matt Floyd, Penn State transfer Steven Bench, Mike White of Fort Lauderdale High School and former Jesuit standout Tommy Eveld for the starting job.

Wiregrass tennis standout wins USTA title

July 31, 2013 By Jeff Odom

Wiregrass Ranch boys tennis player Noah Makarome recently took home the USTA National Clay Court Championships’ Boys 14 Singles title for the competition in Fort Lauderdale. It’s the second time Makarome has won a National Championship Gold Ball. (Photo courtesy of James Makarome)

Noah Makarome is no stranger to dominating opponents on the tennis court.

The Wiregrass Ranch High sophomore-to-be continued that trend recently during a summer competition at the U.S. Tennis Association’s National Clay Court Championships, winning the Boys 14 Singles title at the prestigious Jimmy Evert Tennis Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Makarome’s route to the championship wasn’t easy, though.

He fought through challenging opponents and bouts of heavy rain the entire week, which, at times, delayed competition. Makarome also dealt with an illness he contracted midway through the tournament.

However, dizzy spells, nausea and severe body cramps did not hold him back. Makarome battled through it all to win his second career USTA National Championship Gold Ball to go along with the organization’s 2013 National Open 14 Boys Sportsmanship Award, which was given to him two weeks earlier after a vote by his peers.

The gold ball is the highest award the USTA gives to amateurs after winning the national championship.

His sister, Star Makarome, also got in on the action, too.

The Wiregrass Ranch girls tennis team’s top-ranked player placed fourth at the Girls 18 USTA National Open Tournament in Denver in early July. It was the first time she competed in that event.

Steinbrenner loses another girls soccer coach

July 25, 2013 By Jeff Odom

For the fourth time in as many years, the Steinbrenner High girls soccer team will have a new coach leading the charge.

Angela Gillisse resigned from the position on July 11 after just one season at the helm and said she has taken a position with a local nonprofit group.

Gillisse, a former Durant High and University of Tampa standout, who was also a physical education instructor at the school, took over the program in July 2012 and said she was “excited about the opportunities and where the program can go.” However, the Warriors failed to win their fourth consecutive Class 4A-District 8 title, falling to Wiregrass Ranch in the championship game, 2-1.

They made the playoffs as district runner-up, but lost to Lakeland George Jenkins in the region quarterfinal to end the season with a 14-6 overall record.

Gillisse’s resignation means even more turnover at the top for Steinbrenner, which won the 2011 Class 4A state title under former coach Teresa Patterson. Patterson, who was with the team for its first two seasons, compiled an overall record of 38-4-4 and stepped down after a 16-year coaching career to start a family.

At 24-years-old, Patterson became the head coach at Marshall University, and — at the time — was the youngest women’s soccer coach in Division I history. She also had assistant coaching positions at University of Alabama and Alabama-Birmingham and high school head coaching positions at Orlando Dr. Phillips, Largo and Gaither, before coming to Steinbrenner when the school opened in 2009.

Robert Woodard coached the team for one season in 2012, but he too resigned for unspecified reasons after a 16-4-2 campaign, which included a playoff win over Bartow.

Before coming to Steinbrenner, Woodard previously served as an assistant boys soccer coach at Jesuit and Bloomingdale in the mid-1990s.

The position is being advertised on the Hillsborough County School District’s website, but there is no timetable on when a decision will be made, according to school athletic director Eddie Henderson.

The Warriors return University of Tampa commit Miranda Gonzalez and East Carolina commit Danielle Eule, but will have to replace seven seniors lost to graduation this season, including the program’s all-time leading scorer Alexis Bredeau, midfielder Marley Opila and starting goalkeeper Stephanie Hirsch.

Steinbrenner also moves up into Class 5A-District 7 this season, which includes Alonso, Countryside, East Lake, Plant and Palm Harbor University.

Freedom’s Williams commits to Broward College

July 25, 2013 By Jeff Odom

Freedom High girls basketball player Monet Williams committed to Broward College in Fort Lauderdale on July 18. The point guard was one of the Patriots’ key players during their run to the Class 7A state semifinals averaging 2.4 points and 3.7 assists per game. (File photo)

Another one of the Freedom High girls basketball team’s key contributors during its run to the Class 7A state final four is moving on to the next level, coach Laurie Pacholke announced.

Point guard Monet Williams signed with Broward College in Fort Lauderdale on July 18 after averaging 2.4 points, 3.7 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game for the Patriots last season.

Williams, who transferred to Freedom from Riverview prior to the start of the 2012-13 school year, overcame two major knee injuries in 2012 with the Sharks when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a game in January, and again five months later while rehabbing the injury.

For her comeback and contributions to Freedom’s region title, Williams was awarded with second-team honors on The Laker/Lutz News’ 2013 Girls Basketball All-Star Team.

Pacholke praised Williams for her hard work and said the team would not have made it as far without her.

“Mo was vital to our success. Not just on the court, but off the court as well,” Pacholke said. “The girls saw her drive and passion first-hand, watching her go through rehab and how hard she worked to get back on the court.

“Mo’s best basketball still lies ahead of her, and she is going to do great things at Broward and beyond. I’m so happy for her and extremely proud of her. Not many kids could or would do what she did.”

Broward College competes in the Southern Conference of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The Seahawks finished with an overall record of 9-18 last season.