The Tampa Charter Athletic League (TCAL) started with just five middle schools when it launched in 2013. In a few short years, the league has ballooned to 22 schools and nearly 5,000 athletes throughout Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Of those schools, seven are in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area: Carrollwood Day School, Imagine School Land O’ Lakes, Learning Gate Community, Lutz … [Read more...]
Prep football midseason review
October 2, 2019 By
The 2019 Florida high school football regular season has reached the midway point. Here’s a closer look at how teams and players are faring from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Perfect performers At the midway mark, there are three programs sporting undefeated records — Academy at the Lakes, Gaither and Steinbrenner. What do each have in common? Potent offenses backed by efficient, … [Read more...]
Volleyball team seeks to avenge state title defeat
September 18, 2019 By
The Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School Hurricanes volleyball team lost just one game last season — but, that loss came in the FHSAA Class 3A state championship. The Hurricanes had won 30 consecutive games through the regular and postseason before losing to Doral’s Divine Savior Academy Sharks, in three straight-sets at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers. The scores were 25-16, … [Read more...]
Title Teams
May 15, 2019 By
A trio of local middle school sports programs earned team titles at last week’s Tampa Charter Athletic League (TCAL) championships. Winning teams included: Carrollwood Day School boys ball hockey, Lutz Preparatory School girls ball hockey, and Imagine School of Land O’ Lakes girls flag football. The TCAL is one of state’s largest charter school leagues, consisting of about 20 schools and 14 … [Read more...]
Spring football preview for area teams
April 24, 2019 By
High school football is back in session, as spring football practices are now underway statewide. And, while the 2019 prep season remains months away, Florida high school football fans still will get a taste of how their teams are shaping up with a series of exhibition games and jamborees in late May. Florida high schools are allowed a maximum of 20 practice sessions from April 22 through … [Read more...]
Locals named to All-State football teams
February 27, 2019 By
Athletes within The Laker/Lutz News coverage were well-represented on the FloridaHSFootball.com’s All-State teams for the 2018 season. In total, 24 players from nine local schools in Hillsborough and Pasco counties were named first-team, second-team, third-team or honorable mention for their respective classifications. The All-State teams were compiled by FloridaHSFootball.com, along … [Read more...]
Local band primed for big stage
February 20, 2019 By
They’ve been featured on radio stations, such as 102.5 The Bone and 88.5 WMNF. They’ve performed gigs at major venues, including The Orpheum and State Theatre. Now, they’re poised to release their first EP. Not too shabby for a two-year-old band made of three local high school graduates, all still under the legal drinking age. The band is called Sick Hot. It features a pair of … [Read more...]
Top moments in sports during 2018
December 26, 2018 By
Teams captured state titles and local athletes turned in outstanding performances, during a year that brought shining moments and lasting memories. Here are some of the highlights, from across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area: USA Women’s Hockey, fans celebrate gold in Wesley Chapel Just days after celebrating a gold medal win in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, the … [Read more...]
Prep football regular season recap
November 7, 2018 By
With the 2018 prep football regular season coming to a close — and playoffs set to begin — here’s a look at some of the storylines and highlights from schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area: Zephyrhills notches perfect campaign The 2018 campaign will be one to remember for the Zephyrhills Bulldogs. They finished 10-0 and captured their second straight Class 5A, District 8 title — … [Read more...]
Prep football midseason review
September 26, 2018 By
With five weeks of high school football in the books, the midway point of the 2018 season has been reached. Here’s a look at some of the storylines and highlights from schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area: Boisterous Bulldogs No Charles Harrison III? No problem. The Zephyrhills High Bulldogs have maintained their winning ways, even without the prolific and record-setting … [Read more...]
