The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Land O' Lakes High School

Central Pasco changes being considered

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A number of land-use and zoning changes are being considered on properties within Central Pasco County.

The proposals were considered by the Pasco County Commission and its advisory body, the Pasco County Planning Commission last week.

The County Commission:

  • Transmitted to the state Department of Economic Opportunity and reviewing agencies a request to amend the county’s land-use plan from a designation allowing one dwelling per acre to one that allows six dwelling units per acre on 39.93 acres at the southwest corner of Ehren Cutoff at Caliente Boulevard. The site is about one-quarter mile to the northwest of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. The applicant is proposing 120 single-family dwelling units, which would be regulated by an associate Master Plan Unit Development zoning.

The proposed 120-unit subdivision would result in 22 students for Pine View Elementary, 12 students for Pine View Middle and 15 students for Land O’ Lakes High School

Commissioners are expected to consider the final adoption for the land-use change on May 21.

  • Adopted a change to the county’s land-use map to allow a commercial development on 2.51 acres that previously was designated for residential use. The site is east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, and 778 feet south of Wilderness Lakes Boulevard. The applicant is proposing 8,600 square feet of office uses and 9,800 square feet of office/retail, for a total of 18,400 nonresidential uses.

The county’s planning staff and its planning commission recommended approval of the request. The project is consistent with surrounding Wilderness Commons, Shamrock Plaza and Caliente Resort, according to planners.

The Planning Commission:

  • Approved a request by the Susan A. MacManus Living Trust to rezone a 5-acre site on the west side of Collier Parkway, about 300 feet south of Weeks Boulevard, extending west to Old Collier Road. The current zoning is agricultural. The proposed zoning would allow a professional office district. The current site is unimproved; the applicant proposes a 43,000-square-foot professional office park. The surrounding area is characterized by educational and religious institutions, mixed commercial and residential. County planners recommend approval. The Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction, is scheduled to hear the request on April 23, at 1:30 p.m. at the Government Center in New Port Richey.
  • Approved a request by Starkey Ranch Investment Company LLC to rezone 2.86 acres at the northwest corner of Starkey and Rangeland boulevards. The current zoning is agricultural; the proposed zoning is neighborhood commercial. Planners recommended approval of the request. The Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction, is scheduled to hear the request on April 23 at 1:30 p.m., at the Government Center in New Port Richey.

Published April 17, 2019

Imagine School captures girls soccer title

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Caidee Sumner and Bella Wood were determined to end their middle school soccer careers on a high note.

The eighth-grade team co-captains did just that — leading the Imagine School of Land O’ Lakes Dragons to the 2019 Tampa Charter Athletic League (TCAL) girls soccer championship title.

“It’s our last year here and we wanted to go out as a champion,” Wood said.

The Dragons (9-2) entered the TCAL playoffs as a No. 3 seed, after losing its only regular season contests to Learning Gate Community School and Lutz Preparatory School, respectively.

The Imagine School of Land O’ Lakes girls soccer team won the 2019 Tampa Charter Athletic League championship. It marked the middle school team’s second title in three seasons. (Courtesy of Sam Koleduk)

In each of those defeats, the Dragons were without one of those team captains.

But, with its top two players fully available for the playoffs, the Dragons were poised to claim its second TCAL title in three years.

Sumner’s presence was undoubtedly felt in the games that mattered most.

In the semifinal game against the No. 2 seed Learning Gate, Sumner scored an unheard of four goals in the team’s 5-3 win.

She followed that performance in the title game, scoring the lone goal in the 1-0 win against No. 1 seed Lutz Prep.

It was par for the course for the Dragons forward, who led the team with 42 goals.

Said Sumner, “It’s really nice just to know that my last year here, I get to score the last goal. The ball got up the field by our team for me to score, so I mean it’s a team effort.”

She added: “Every goal I scored, I was thinking for our team, ‘I have to score. I’m the scorer. I have to score for us to win.’ Every goal was for this team, which was really nice just to score to know that like we’re going to win, and the team’s behind me.”

As the one-nil score would indicate, Lutz Prep was the Dragons’ toughest test all season long.

The Dragons figured as much heading into the game.

“We were fighting the whole time, until we scored the goal,” Wood said.

“We had that drive just to win,” Sumner said. “I told them (teammates) before, ‘We have to fight hard if we want to win this game, and we did. We came through.”

The victory added extra meaning as it marked the third straight year the two local charter schools have matched up in the title game. The Dragons lost to the Bolts in last year’s championship, but won in 2017.

“Those are our rivals. We always want to beat them,” Sumner said.

Such familiarity helped the Dragons’ game plan for the Bolts, Sumner said.

She explained: “Over the years, we learned that they had a few of their stronger players we have to watch out for, so we just focused on them, marking them, blocking them, like putting them down so they just didn’t get the ball much.”

The championship put a bow on a season where the Dragons posted seven shutouts and outscored opponents 75 to 9.

It was also a proper sendoff for a quartet of eighth-graders moving on to the high school ranks, made up of Sumner, Wood, Natalie Magharus and Trinity Slone. The rest of the team’s fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders are expected to return next season.

“I’ll miss everyone because it was so fun,” said Wood, who’s moving on to Land O’ Lakes High School with Sumner. “We were a family, and it’s going to be hard to leave them because we’ve known them for three years.”

The season likewise couldn’t have ended any better for Dragons first-year coach Henry Cheung, who coaches the team alongside Saint Leo Hall of Famer Sam Koleduk.

“Overall, it’s a good season. I am proud with the girls for what they did, and I’m happy my first year coaching I got a championship,” Cheung said.

He added: “The girls are hardworking. They gave everything they had.”

Coaching chops aside, Cheung credited the team’s talent level and ability to play together as reasons for the on-field success.

“We’re united,” he said, noting the team knows how to play well together.

And, despite the exodus of Sumner, Wood and the others, the coach has high hopes for next season.

“I’m looking forward to next year,” Cheung said. “Under coach Sam (Koleduk) and all the other girls, we’ll do good next year, too.”

2019 Imagine School girls soccer roster

  • Abigail Courtney
  • Madalyn Courtney
  • Lilie Shen-Dale
  • Ava Folkman
  • Emily Folkman
  • Angelisse Force
  • Natalia Magharus
  • Aurora Nelson
  • Julissa Novillo
  • Siena Pena
  • Madylena Perez
  • Annelisa Russo
  • Trinity Slone
  • Mya Smith
  • Caidee Sumner (co-captain)
  • Gabriella Suppa
  • Payton Webster
  • Bella Wood (co-captain)
  • Keeley Yarbrough
  • Coach: Sam Koleduk
  • Coach: Henry Cheung

Notable performers

  • Caidee Sumner — 42 goals, 13 assists, 97 points
  • Bella Wood — 15 goals, 17 assists, 47 points
  • Annelisa Russo — 13 goals, 9 assists, 35 points
  • Julissa Novillo — 3 goals, 12 assists, 18 points
  • Madylena Perez— 4 goals, 7 assists, 15 points
  • Lilie Shen-Dale— 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points
  • Keeley Yarbrough — 7 shutouts

By the numbers

  • 9-2 overall record
  • 75 goals scored
  • 9 goals allowed
  • 7 shutouts

Game-by-game results for 2019 season

  • New Springs School (13-0 win)
  • Sunlake Academy (15-0 win)
  • Henderson Hammock (10-0 win)
  • Trinity School (7-0 win)
  • Learning Gate (1-0 loss)
  • Lutz Prep (5-4 loss)
  • Hillsborough Academy (7-0 win)
  • Classical Prep (6-1 win)
  • Terrace Community (7-0 win)
  • Tampa Charter Athletic League Semi-Final: at No. 2 seed Learning Gate (5-3 win)
  • Tampa Charter Athletic League Championship: at No. 1 seed Lutz Prep (1-0 win)

Published April 17, 2019

Sunlake sweeps conference track championships

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For the second straight year, the Sunlake High track and field program reigned supreme at the Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) Eastside championship meet, as its boys and girls teams earned first-place overall finishes to best six other east Pasco high schools.

Liina Winborn, of Sunlake High School, right, in the lead over Natalie Abernathy, of Land O’ Lakes High School, during the girls 1600-meter run. (Christine Holtzman)

The Sunlake boys team tallied 189 points, comfortably ahead of second place Wiregrass Ranch (101) and third place Land O’ Lakes (94.5).

The Sunlake girls team registered 253.5 points, more than doubling the point totals of both Wiregrass Ranch and Land O’ Lakes, who tied for second with 125 points.

Cypress Creek, Pasco, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills also participated in the April 3 meet at Cypress Creek Middle High School in Wesley Chapel.

Both Seahawks squads combined to place first in 18 of the 34 events.

That included a near sweep of middle and long distance events, which encompasses the 4×800 relay, 800-meter, 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs. Land O’ Lakes senior Natalie Abernathy was the lone non-Sunlake distance runner to win an event, placing first in the girls 3200-meter, clocking 11:46.60.

D’narijo Troupe, of Sunlake High School, competes in the high jump.

The feats by many of Sunlake’s distance runners shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the success of the school’s cross-country teams this past fall. At the 2018 FHSAA Class 3A state championships in Tallahassee, the Seahawks boys team finished fourth overall and the girls placed 10th.

Grueling summer and fall workouts for cross-country hence laid the groundwork for track season, Sunlake distance coach Randal Reeves said.

“We kind of knew we were going to be out front,” Reeves said of the conference meet.

“They’ve been working their butts off.”

Allison Fleming, of Wiregrass Ranch High School, jumps over a hurdle during the girls 300-meter hurdles race.

Sunlake junior distance runner Liina Winborn turned in one of the more noteworthy meet performances.

She took first place — and set personal bests —  in both the girls 1600-meter (5:09.25) and 800-meter (2:27.35). She opted not to compete the 3200-meter run, though she was seeded No. 2 entering the event.

Winborn’s mark in the 1600-meter was particularly eye-opening — a whopping 21 seconds quicker than second-place finisher, Abernathy (5:30.49), a two-time SAC East Track Athlete of the Year.

“I feel really great because I PR’d and I tried my best, and I had a lot of great supporters out here,” Winborn said of her meet results.

“I want to do my best every race. I don’t really have a specific time in mind. I just set my goals high to where they can be achievable.”

Donte Sol, running for Wesley Chapel High School, is in the lead during the boys 400-meter dash.

Winborn has picked up right where she left off in the fall, where she finished sixth in the Class 3A cross country state meet.

Established as one the state’s top distance runners, Winborn is receiving looks from “quite a few” NCAA Division I programs, her coach said.

“Overall, as a runner, she’s probably top 10 in the state, performance-wise,” Reeves said.

Her achievements — in track and cross-country — don’t come by accident.

Reeves said the distance runner has never missed a practice — even in times when she’s been sick. The coach added Winborn also makes it a point to train alongside the top distance runners on the boys team.

“She is a coach’s dream,” Reeves said. “She does everything I ask of her — and asks for more. Her dedication really says it all. She puts it all out there, and she’s a leader in that regard.”

2019 Pasco County Sunshine Athletic Conference Eastside championships

Team Scores (Boys)
1) Sunlake (189 points)

2) Wiregrass Ranch (101)

3) Land O’ Lakes (94.5)

4) Wesley Chapel (84)

5) Zephyrhills (75.5)

6) Cypress Creek (68)

7) Pasco (28)

Event winners
Track events
100-meter dash: Cartrell Strong, Zephyrhills, senior (11.22)

200-meter dash: Donte Sol, Wesley Chapel, senior (22.62)

400-meter dash: Donte Sol, Wesley Chapel, senior (48.75)

800-meter run: Edward Scheid, Sunlake, junior (2:03.38)

1600-meter run: Dominic Burleson, Sunlake, senior (4:32.20)

3200-meter run: Dominic Burleson, Sunlake, senior (10:15.09)

110-meter hurdles: Brian Parker, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (15:46)

300-meter hurdles: Brian Parker, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (40.64)

4×100-meter relay: Zephyrhills — Maguire Neal, freshman; Ja’Quan Sheppard, senior; Clayton Cornelius, sophomore; Cartrell Strong, senior (43.33)

4×400-meter relay: Sunlake — Issac Taveras, junior; Ludcheel Colas, junior; Cade Whitfield, sophomore; Edward Scheid, junior (3:31.51)

4×800: Sunlake — Dominic Burleson, senior; Edward Scheid, junior; Cade Whitfield, sophomore; Ludcheel Colas, junior (8:10.62)

Field events
High jump: Isaiah Burns, Wesley Chapel, sophomore (5 feet, 10.75 inches)

Pole vault: Shayne Tenpow, Sunlake, senior (11 feet, 0.25 inches)

Long jump: Jacquez Mobley, Pasco, senior (20 feet, 6.50 inches)

Triple jump: Cartrell Strong, Zephyrhills, senior (43 feet, 8.50 inches)

Shot put: Kasean Ridgel, Wiregrass Ranch, senior (49 feet, 10.50 inches)

Discus: Joseph Perez, Sunlake, senior (151 feet, 9 inches)

Team Scores (Girls)
1) Sunlake (253.5 points)

2) Wiregrass Ranch (125)

2) Land O’ Lakes (125)

4) Cypress Creek (60.5)

5) Wesley Chapel (39)

6) Zephyrhills (33)

7) Pasco (9)

Event winners
Track events
100-meter dash: Delcina Gilespie, Cypress Creek, junior (12.58)

200-meter dash: Gianna Levy, Sunlake, junior (26.70)

400-meter dash: Gianna Levy, Sunlake, junior (1:02.18)

800-meter run: Liina Winborn, Sunlake, junior (2:27.35)

1600-meter run: Liina Winborn, Sunlake, junior (5:09.25)

3200-meter run: Natalie Abernathy, Land O’ Lakes, senior (11:46.60)

100-meter hurdles: Allison Fleming, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (16:35)

300-meter hurdles: Allison Fleming, Wiregrass Ranch, junior (47.63)

4×100-meter relay: Sunlake — Nia Johnson, junior; Jaymonda Calmes, Gianna Levy, junior; Hannah Kilmer, junior (49.97)

4×400-meter relay: Land O’ Lakes — Ashley Doers, junior; Lauren Bates, junior; Abigail Perez, junior; Lizzie Epps, freshman (4:19.01)

4×800-meter relay: Sunlake — Shannon Gordy, sophomore; Ashley Spires, sophomore; Emma Burleson, freshman; Justine Ruhlman, senior (10:19.77)

Field events
High jump: Ondrasha Joel, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman (4 feet, 11 inches)

Pole vault: Juliette Pacheco, Sunlake, junior (10 feet)

Long jump: Gianna Levy, Sunlake, junior (17 feet, 2 inches)

Triple jump: Jayda Forester, Sunlake, junior (33 feet, 8 inches)

Shot put: Lauryn Beacham, Sunlake, senior (38 feet, 4.25 inches)

Discus: Lauryn Beacham, Sunlake, senior (108 feet, 10 inches)

Published April 10, 2019

Land O’ Lakes tennis standout eyes district title

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After a sophomore campaign that yielded an undefeated mark in regular season dual matches and being named Sunshine Athletic Conference Eastside Girls Tennis Player of the Year, Land O’ Lakes High School’s Courtney Piltaver has even bigger goals in sight this season.

The junior is eyeing a 6-3A district title.

“I’m hoping to win districts this year,” she said.

Beyond that, Piltaver is hoping for a deep run in the Florida High School Athletic Association state series, at regionals and possibly a state qualification.

Land O’ Lakes High School varsity girls tennis standout Courtney Piltaver is the reigning Sunshine Athletic Conference Eastside Girls Tennis Player of the Year. She’s building off last season’s sophomore campaign with a 4-0 start to the 2019 regular season. (Kevin Weiss)

In doing so, Piltaver must first avenge last season’s defeat in the district finals — a back-and-forth battle to East Lake’s Marissa Penning, who’s currently ranked among the state’s top 25 sophomores by Tennis Recruiting Network.

“It was like a really close match; it was a good, long one,” Piltaver recalled.

Penning, however, transferred schools and is not competing at the high school circuit this year, said Piltaver, who often trains and plays with the Clearwater sophomore in high-level USTA junior tournaments.

That could open the door for an elusive district crown and maybe more.

“I’m not sure if there’s any other competition coming out of East Lake, because typically a lot of good players come from there, so hopefully I can make it to the states,” Piltaver said.

Of course, Piltaver would again like to repeat as east Pasco’s Girls Tennis Player of the Year and garner all-conference first-team honors. “That’d be nice,” she quipped.

Piltaver said winning the awards last year “made me feel good, like I accomplished something that I worked really hard towards, so it was just another thing that made me feel good about all the work I put into tennis.”

She’s certainly on the right track again, with a 4-0 mark on the 2019 season.

“I’m hoping to stay undefeated this (regular) season,” she said, “which I’m thinking I will.”

The tennis standout has the work ethic to back up her play.

In addition to regular high school practices and matches, Piltaver trains five days a week at the Dobsha Tennis Academy in Odessa, where she fine tunes technical skills, including serves and footwork; on weekends, she competes in high-level USTA (United States Tennis Association) junior tournaments.

When it comes to the court, Piltaver means business, said Land O’ Lakes girls tennis coach Jen Gaete.

“She’s really focused; you can see the high energy,” Gaete said. “She does have that wanting to pursue, wanting to chase the dreams.

“She’s really just driven by the sport and wanting to do well,” the coach added.

Gaete also noted Piltaver is quick to give her teammates positive feedback and pointers during matches, offering in-game strategy and reminding less experienced players about techniques, such as proper racket grip, court positioning and so on.

“She’s always willing,” Gaete said. “She helps me with a lot of those leadership roles and wanting to give the girls some coaching.”

Gaete went on: “She’s encouraging of the others. It’s always about being a part of the team.”

Handling the grind of the sport comes naturally for Piltaver, who’s been playing tennis nine-plus years.

“I just love playing, I love competing,” Piltaver said, “and, I just like to challenge myself, and I think that has like really helped me with life skills. Yeah, it gets hard sometimes but, honestly, I just love doing something. Like, it’s really become my life.”

Besides her all-around tennis skillset, Piltaver said her biggest strides of late have come from upping her physical fitness and mental focus — areas that have come in handy during long, drawn-out matches in the Florida heat.

“I feel like I have the body and the mentality to be an athlete, and I think that’s really the thing that’s gotten me so far, said Piltaver, who’s ranked among the state’s top 80 players for the 2020 recruiting class by Tennis Recruiting Network. “When matches get really tough I’m able to stay in it and not lose focus, which is something really important.”

She added, “The sun out here is really horrible, so just being able to endure that for two hours and play another match after that definitely was a big jump.”

Mental and physical strength also helped her recover from a pair of back injuries in recent years.

Early on in her freshman season, Piltaver suffered a grade 3 back strain. She was only able to compete in one high school match and therefore ineligible for postseason play.

“It’s weird because I’ve never been injured and then all of a sudden I hurt my back and then I was out for like five months because it was really bad,” Piltaver said, noting it took another few months to get back to her regular form. “Once you get past the struggle point you’re like, ‘OK,’ and then you start taking off.”

And, before the start of this season, Piltaver was in a car accident, sustaining pulled ligaments in her back.

A less serious injury compared to her freshman year, Piltaver was only sidelined her for a couple weeks before returning to action; she said she now feels 100 percent.

“I’m fine,” Piltaver said. “I think it was just sore. I needed to let my body rest.”

Now fully healthy, Piltaver is looking to play in as many USTA junior tournaments as possible —in addition to her high school slate — to prepare for what lies ahead at the next level, as one of very few tennis players from Pasco County receiving offers to play collegiate tennis.

Piltaver’s actively going through the college recruiting process and considering multiple NCAA Division II schools, including Belmont-Abbey College, Barton College, University of Montavello, Limestone College, and North Greenville University, to name a few.

Piltaver said she’s considering Division II schools “mostly because I feel like academics is important, and I just feel like they have the better academic side that I was looking for.”

Said Piltaver, “I’m trying to get my officials visits in September, so I can sign in early fall, because that’s really what I’m looking toward.”

Published March 27, 2019

All-Pasco County winter awards announced

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High school coaches from the Pasco County School District recently announced the Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) All-Conference Teams, Athletes of the Year and Coaches of the Year, for the 2018-2019 winter sports season.

Selections were made for both the East and West division.

The following high schools from our coverage area were represented in the East: Cypress Creek, Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

This is a listing of the recipients within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

The Land O’ Lakes varsity boys basketball team enjoyed a banner season that included a district title and a 27-3 record. (File)

Winter Sports (Boys)
SAC East All-Conference Boys’ Basketball

Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes

Coach of the Year: Dave Puhalski, Land O’ Lakes

Player of the Year: Chase Farmer, Land O’ Lakes

First Team All-Conference
Chase Farmer, Land O’ Lakes, junior

Isaiah Ramsey, Wesley Chapel, junior

Elijah Howell, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Mekhi Perry, Land O’ Lakes, junior

Jordan Golden, Sunlake, junior

Second Team All-Conference
Jamaal Wright, Sunlake, senior

Dontae Marchman, Zephyrhills, junior

Ethan Jones, Wesley Chapel, junior

Logan Ghoumari, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Jerry Peace, Land O’ Lakes, junior

Honorable Mention
Matthew Webster, Pasco, freshman

Cedric McBride, Cypress Creek, senior

The Wiregrass Ranch High and Pasco High varsity boys soccer teams were named co-team champions of the Sunshine Athletic Conference’s East division. The Bulls went 17-3-4 and the Pirates went 20-1-3. For Wiregrass, it marks their sixth-straight conference crown. They also haven’t lost a game (not including ties) to a Pasco County squad since the 2013-2014 season. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School Athletics)

East All-Conference Boys’ Soccer
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch & Pasco

Coach of the Year: Dave Wilson, Wiregrass Ranch

Offensive Player of the Year: Jason Nicolette, Pasco

Defensive Player of the Year: Malcolm Lewis, Wiregrass Ranch

First Team All-Conference
Jason Nicolette, Pasco, senior

Malcolm Lewis, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

Jaxon Landry, Sunlake, junior

Justin Amis, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore

Javier Todd, Sunlake, senior

Adrian Maldonado, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore

(Courtesy of Pasco High School Athletics)

Jake Bierhorst, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

Jake Rodriguez, Sunlake, junior

Landon Surratt, Pasco, sophomore

Ben McQuay, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

Alan Castro, Wesley Chapel, junior

Second Team All-Conference
Logan Grace, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman

Omar Rios, Pasco, senior

Lincoln Morgan, Sunlake, senior

Sebastian Victoria, Sunlake, sophomore

Alex Montes, Pasco, senior

Collin Corrao, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Adam Mihalek, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore

Camilo Torres, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

Nathan Oparka, Sunlake, senior

Carlos Morales, Zephyrhills, junior

Jared Jimenez, Pasco, junior

Honorable Mention
Marco Svolinsky, Cypress Creek, junior

The Sunlake boys wrestling team was named team champion of the Sunshine Athletic Conference’s East division, for the second year in a row. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School Athletics)

East All-Conference Boys’ Wrestling
Team Champion: Sunlake

Coach of the Year: Sergio Matos

Wrestler of the year: Timothy Johnson, Pasco

106-pound: Nate Ames, Land O’ Lakes, freshman

113-pound: Orion Magoon, Sunlake, freshman

120-pound: Niko Caropreso, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

126-pound: Darion Skelly, Pasco, junior

132-pound: Travis Knowlton, Pasco, junior

138-pound: Tyson Gillott, Wesley Chapel, junior

145-pound: Jack Evans, Pasco, sophomore

152-pound: Scott Kren, Land O’ Lakes, senior

160-pound: Mathew Paduani, Sunlake, senior

170-pound: Mark Kieper, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

182-pound: Zach Spicer, Sunlake, junior

195-pound: Timothy Johnson, Pasco, senior

220-pound: Cayman Wiseman, Sunlake, junior

285-pound: Trent Gilbert, Land O’ Lakes, freshman

Second Team All-Conference
106-pound: Zac Demello, Zephyrhills, sophomore

113-pound: Kyle Eldridge, Land O’ Lakes, junior

120-pound: Krystian Maldonado, Sunlake, senior

126-pound: Jaiden Martinez, Zephyrhills, freshman

132-pound: Tristan Cowley, Zephyrhills, senior

138-pound: Cade Menozi, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

145-pound: Samuel Gilley, Sunlake, junior

152-pound: Kevin Johnston, Pasco, junior

160-pound: Issam Hamad, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

170-pound: Alexander Perusek, Sunlake, junior

182-pound: Benjamin Tomas, Wesley Chapel, senior

195-pound: Angel Vasquez, Land O’ Lakes, senior

220-pound: Andrew Martin, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore

285-pound: Bradley Jasper, Sunlake, senior

Honorable Mention
Sam Payne, Cypress Creek, freshman

Connor O’ Malley, Cypress Creek, senior

The Wesley Chapel varsity girls basketball team captured its first conference title in 11 years and first district title in 10 years, on its way to a 22-3 mark. (Courtesy of Wesley Chapel High School Athletics)

Winter Sports (Girls)
East All-Conference Girls’ Basketball
Team Champion: Wesley Chapel

Coach of the Year: Peter Livingston, Wesley Chapel

Player of the Year: Kayla Grant, Wesley Chapel

First Team All-Conference
Kayla Grant, Wesley Chapel, junior

Zoi Evans, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore

Genesis Gonzalez, Sunlake, senior

Trinity Blanc, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Ariana Heppenstall, Wesley Chapel, junior

Second Team All-Conference
Mia Nicholson, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore

Emilia Cameron, Pasco, senior

Madison Gant, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

Taija McCullough, Zephyrhills, sophomore

Emari Lewis, Wesley Chapel, freshman

Honorable Mention
Erin Whitely, Cypress Creek

After going 3-13 in its inaugural campaign in 2018, the Cypress Creek Middle High varsity girls soccer team enjoyed a remarkable turnaround this season, winning a conference championship and finishing with an 11-4 record. (File)

East All-Conference Girls’ Soccer
Team Champion: Cypress Creek

Offensive Player of the Year: Heather Sefton, Wesley Chapel

Defensive Player of the Year: Katelyn Leavines, Cypress Creek

First Team All-Conference
Heather Sefton, Wesley Chapel, senior

Avery Damjanovic, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

Gaby Cardenas, Wesley Chapel, junior

Taylor Denney, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore

Teresa Rodriguez, Land O’ Lakes, freshman

Ysa Novak, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Katelyn Leavines, Cypress Creek, senior

Courtney Eckel, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore

Kaci Landry, Sunlake, senior

Ashley Doers, Land O’ Lakes, junior

Mackenzie Spurling, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Second Team All-Conference
Jeanine Sullivan, Sunlake, senior

Raegan Bourne, Cypress Creek, junior

Sophia Mitchell, Cypress Creek, junior

Kaylei Koschman, Wesley Chapel, sophomore

Kat Llanos, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Bryanna Joseph, Sunlake, junior

Emily Esquinaldo, Wesley Chapel, senior

Sydney Bauer, Wesley Chapel, sophomore

Abigail Murphy, Cypress Creek, junior

Maddy Golka, Wesley Chapel, freshman

Madison Holcombe, Wesley Chapel, sophomore

Hope Johnson, Zephyrhills, senior

Kamryn Cummings, Pasco, senior

The Wiregrass Ranch High varsity girls competitive cheerleading team were tops among eastside Pasco County schools at the annual ‘Best of Pasco’ tournament. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School Athletics)

East All-Conference Girls’ Competitive Cheerleading
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch

Coach of the Year: Dawn Wetherby, Pasco

Cheerleader of the Year: Reagan Steele, Land O’ Lakes

First Team All-Conference
Rachel Trapeni, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Molly Doyle, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Alexandra Cristafaro, Sunlake, senior

Juliette Pacheco, Sunlake, junior

Emelina Brown, Sunlake, freshman

Reagan Steele, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Abigail Runkel, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Kimberly Benson, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Gabrielle Flannery, Pasco, senior

Megan Partain, Pasco, senior

Second Team All-Conference
Tara Powers, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Cara Alvarez, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Kaytie Odom, Pasco, senior

Mallory McCann, Pasco, senior

Kristal Prado Zapata, Wesley Chapel, junior

Sydney Moye, Wesley Chapel, senior

Lyla Lewczyk, Wesley Chapel, sophomore

Haley Cogan, Wesley Chapel, freshman

Camryn Steele, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore

Emma Runkel, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore

The Sunlake High varsity girls weightlifting team captured its first state championship, in the FHSAA Class 2A girls weightlifting state finals. The feat marks the second state title by a team sport in the school’s history. (File)

East All-Conference Girls’ Weightlifting
Coach of the Year: Denise Garcia

Athlete of the Year: Veronica Salazar, Land O’ Lakes

First Team All-Conference
101-pound: Gabriella Schwarz, Sunlake, freshman

110-pound: Prestine Carter, Pasco, senior

119-pound: Madison Guincho, Sunlake, sophomore

129-pound: Loah Castro, Sunlake, senior

139-pound: Gianna Levy, Sunlake, junior

154-pound: Juliette Pacheco, Sunlake, junior

169-pound: Veronica Salazar, Land O’ Lakes, senior

183-pound: Alyssa Kremer, Land O’ Lakes, junior

199-pound: Sydney Murski, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Unlimited: Abby Shaffer, Zephyrhills, senior

Second Team All-Conference
101-pound: Savannah Soriano, Land O’ Lakes, junior

110-pound: Christina Graziano, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore

119-pound: Alexandro Cristofaro, Sunlake, senior

129-pound: Gianina Rios, Wiregrass Ranch, junior

139-pound: Sarah Davis, Zephyrhills, junior

154-pound: Kayla Robbins, Zephyrhills, junior

169-pound: Brianna Caban, Sunlake, junior

183-pound: Abigail Schmook, Sunlake, junior

199-pound: Cynthia Wilkes, Zephyrhills, senior

Unlimited: Sabrina Diaz, Sunlake, junior

Honorable Mention
Dinah Hardin, Wesley Chapel, senior

Amanda Reyes, Cypress Creek, senior

Published March 20, 2019

Lakeside A/C Begins Third Year Under Ron Ierna’s Leadership

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In the two years since Ron Ierna opened his new company, Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, he has created a culture of technical expertise and exceptional customer service that has helped hundreds of Tampa Bay families with their air conditioning and plumbing needs.

“I’ve been in this business for almost 25 years, both as a technician and owner of two HVAC companies,” said Ierna. “That experience has allowed me to hire the most qualified A/C and plumbing technicians in the area, and to build an office staff that always focuses on the customer.”

Owner, Ron Ierna

Ierna is a Florida native, growing up in Lutz and graduating from Land O’ Lakes High School. He went to work in the A/C industry after high school, and discovered that he had the aptitude and skills needed to excel as a technician.

A few years later, he started his first A/C company with a partner, which grew to over 65 employees by the time he left that business in 2016 to start Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.

“I took all that I learned from my previous business, and applied it to make Lakeside successful,” said Ierna. “I plan to keep this company small, with no more than 10 service vehicles on the road, to ensure that I can provide my customers top-notch technicians and a more personalized experience.”

Ierna’s experience and passion for customer service is key to Lakeside’s quick success.

“After 24 years of helping families with their A/C and plumbing problems, I’ve seen every problem there is, and can quickly and accurately assess the best course of action when someone calls,” said Ierna.

In addition to making service calls himself, Ierna employs licensed HVAC and plumbing technicians, all who are highly skilled craftsmen who specialize in designing, servicing and installing HVAC systems and water heaters.

This expertise allows Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to specialize in helping families with A/C units that are 10 to 15 years old.

“There are thousand of homes in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel that were built in the early 2000s, and whose air conditioning systems need service and upgrades,” said Ierna. “We can save these homeowners a lot of money and stress if they call before the system breaks down in the heat of the summer.”

Lowering your energy cost is another reason to upgrade your A/C system, Ierna adds.

“Most people see savings of 20 to 50 percent on their power bill when they upgrade to a new system with a higher SEER rating,” he said. “All the units we install have a minimum SEER rating of 14, and our top-rated, quietest Rheem system gives an unbelievable rating of 20.5.”

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is proud to be recognized as a Rheem Pro Partner, a prestigious designation awarded by the manufacturer to contractors who adhere to continuing education, professionalism and exceptional customer service guideline. The company has also earned an A rating from the Better Business Bureau, an A Rating from Angie’s List, and is a 5 Star Contractor with HomeAdvisor.

“We are very proud of these honors bestowed on our company, which is a reflection of the quality work of our entire team,” said Ierna.

In addition to Rheem air-conditioning systems, it also installs systems made by Trane, Goodman, Frigidaire and Mitsubishi. Both Duke Energy and TECO offer rebates of up to $800 to customers who replace their old system with a new unit that has a SEER rating of 15 or higher.

The plumbing division of the company installs water filtration systems and hot water heaters, and helps homeowners qualify for up to $550 in water tank rebates with the purchase of tankless gas system. Lakeside takes care of all rebate paperwork for its customers through its customer service department.

Working alongside Ierna in the field is Omar Matos, Michael Moody, Robert Love, Richard Harrilal and Robert Goldsborough, who all strive to use their vast expertise to provide the best experience for each and every customer. Jackie Horruitiner and Amy Miranda work in customer service.

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is located on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. Its central location gives it fast access to customers in Pasco, Hillsborough and Hernando counties.

“We take our responsibility very seriously when you place your trust in us,” said Ron. “Please give us a call, and see what you’ve been missing.”

Lakeside is located at 4608 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., and can be reached at (813) 444-9474 or LakesideComfortPros.com.

Published March 13, 2019

Land O’ Lakes standout finds home in new pro football league

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Not too long ago, Shaheed Salmon was making thumping defensive stops as an All-State linebacker all over the gridiron of John Benedetto Stadium at Land O’ Lakes High School.

He’s still doing the same — now, as a professional football player.

The 2014 Land O’ Lakes High graduate is a backup linebacker in the American Alliance of Football’s (AAF) Birmingham Iron franchise.

The league is about the closest level to the NFL as you can get.

Former Land O’ Lakes High standout Shaheed Salmon is now playing professional football in the Alliance of American Football’s Birmingham Iron franchise, where he’s a reserve linebacker. Salmon graduated from Land O’ Lakes in 2014, then went on to star at Division I FCS Samford University. (Courtesy of Birmingham Iron)

It features numerous NFL veteran players and coaches, plus dozens of big names from the college football ranks.

Salmon’s team alone includes one of the league’s most recognizable faces — running back Trent Richardson, a former NFL first round pick and two-time BCS National Champion and All-American at the University of Alabama.

“The competition — it’s great,” Salmon said in a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News. “You look to your left and you’re playing with someone who played at Alabama, at the highest level, even in the NFL.”

The AAF launched this year by television producer Charlie Ebersol and Hall of Fame NFL general manager Bill Polian.

The eight-team, 10-game season league is an unofficial complement to the NFL by showcasing developing talent.

Play began in February, with games broadcast on CBS, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network and other properties.

Salmon played collegiately at Division I FCS Samford (Homewood, Alabama), where he developed into an All-Conference standout as one of the nation’s most productive tacklers.

Post-college, the 6-foot-2, 227-pound Salmon signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in May.

He was cut three months later after suffering an ankle injury.

Salmon admittedly was unsure what the future held for his football career, as he worked to rehab his injury and get back into playing shape.

“There was definitely a week or two I was kind of confused of what I was going to do next with my path,” Salmon said.

Salmon said he considered entering the Canadian Football League, but “luckily I got a contract to come to the Alliance.”

Salmon made the 52-man Iron squad following a league-wide training camp back in January.

Salmon has, like other AAF players, a non-guaranteed contract worth $250,000 over three years, with additional bonuses tied to performance, statistics and fan engagement.

Shaheed Salmon lettered all four years at Land O’ Lakes, earning All-State, All-Conference and All-County nods. The linebacker registered 261 career tackles and 20.5 sacks, including 117 stops as a senior. (File)

While not NFL money, it’s still a good chunk of change by most standards.

Moreover, Salmon gets to play in a city that’s just a stone’s throw away from his old college stomping grounds.

“You know, I feel real comfortable here in the 205 (area code),” Salmon said, “because I look at the fans and I see a lot of familiar faces, just coming to support me and stuff, so it’s really neat to be back in Birmingham.”

He’s quickly made a name for himself as a pro.

Salmon received some national attention when he made a pivotal play in the Iron’s Week 2, 12-9 win over the Salt Lake City Stallions on Feb. 16.

In a nationally televised broadcast on TNT, Salmon recovered a fumble — forced by teammate Jamar Summers on a punt return — in the end zone near the end of the third quarter, shifting momentum the Iron’s way as it fought back from a deficit.

Recognition followed on national television, sports websites and social media.

Salmon remains humble about the moment.

“I was just grateful for the touchdown. Jamar made an excellent play, and I just kind of did my job and I was at the right place at the right time,” he said.

Besides the fumble recovery for touchdown, Salmon has one assisted tackle through three games, playing mainly in a reserve role.

Like others in the AAF, Salmon dreams of getting to the NFL someday.

The AAF is regarded as a farm system of sorts for the NFL.

In fact, the league has an “NFL out” written into its player contracts, allowing players in the league to sign with an NFL team if given the opportunity.

“That’s everyone’s goal in this league; everyone’s trying to get back to the NFL,” Salmon said.

Salmon acknowledged that widespread goal brings an added layer of competitiveness and intensity to the startup league.

He explained: “Everyone that’s in this league was pretty much told no (by NFL teams), so it kind of makes them hungry, so that everyone’s a competitor.”

Salmon’s more immediate target, however, isn’t on the NFL.

Instead, it’s striving to do the best he can for the Iron.

“I’m just trying to perfect myself in this defense that we’re playing in,” he said. “I’m just focused right now on this team.”

Meantime, Salmon reflects fondly on his days at Land O’ Lakes.

He lettered in football all four years, collecting 261 career tackles and 20.5 sacks, including 117 stops as a senior in 2013.

The pro footballer said his favorite year as a Gator was as a wide-eyed freshman on varsity in 2010.

(That team finished 9-2, but later had all its wins forfeited after being found guilty of recruiting violations by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).)

“I was on varsity, so it was just an exciting feeling (as a freshman),” Salmon said. “We were pretty good, too, so I just soaked up all the knowledge I could from the older guys and stuff, so that experience was pretty cool.”

Salmon can next be seen in action March 9, when the Iron hosts the Orlando Apollos. Game start is scheduled for 2 p.m., ET on B/R Live. The game can be streamed online at Live.bleacherreport.com.

Published March 6, 2019

Stellar hoops season ends for Land O’ Lakes

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The Land O’ Lakes High varsity boys basketball team’s banner season — and hopeful bid for a state finals appearance — has come to a close.

After winning a district championship and then dismantling King High 62-35 in the regional quarterfinals, the Gators fell at home to Hillsborough High 52-36 in the Class 7A regional semifinals, on Feb. 26.

The defeat ends what was one of the best hoops seasons ever for Land O’ Lakes, who finish the 2018-2019 season with a 24-3 record and a 7-0 district mark, under longtime coach Dave Puhlaski.

The Land O’ Lakes High boys basketball team finished the 2018-2019 season with a district title and a 24-3 record. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High Athletics)

Land O’ Lakes last surpassed the 20-win plateau during the 2011-2012 season — when they went 22-7 and also won a district crown.

The Gators entered the playoff contest against Hillsborough on a 16-game winning streak.

Their last defeat had come on Jan. 1, a 72-65 overtime loss to Wildwood Middle High in the Greg O’ Connell New Year’s Shootout tournament; the team’s other loss was against Wesley Chapel High 57-53, on Dec. 21.

But, the Terriers’ (27-2) size and experience proved too much for Land O’ Lakes, with a roster featuring nine seniors and six players 6-foot-5 or taller.

Land O’ Lakes shot 29 percent from the field and had just two players in double figures, as standout junior guards Chase Farmer and Mehki Perry scored 11 points apiece.

(Hillsborough went on to qualify for the state final four after beating Auburndale High 75-71 in the Class 7A regional final on March 1.)

Disappointing defeat aside, the Gators again figure to be one of the area’s top contenders next season.

The team expects to return its top four scorers, including Farmer (19.1 ppg) and Perry (14.1 ppg), and leading rebounder, 6-foot-5 post Brett Gwinn (6.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg).

Meantime, another local school hoping for a state finals appearance also saw its season come to an end.

The Freedom High boys basketball team fell to Wharton High 69-51 in the Class 8A regional semifinals, on Feb. 26.

The Patriots finished the season with a 25-4 record and 12-2 district mark.

Unlike Land O’ Lakes however, the Patriots may be in for some rebuilding next year, as the team loses nine seniors, including its top five scorers and rebounders.

2018-2019 Land O’ Lakes High varsity boys basketball

  • Myron Bloom, senior
  • Jerry Cribbs, freshman
  • Levi Downing, junior
  • Emmanuel Durojaiye, senior
  • Chase Farmer, junior
  • Brett Gwinn, junior
  • Justin Knowles, senior
  • Dayvion Luqman, junior
  • Aleks Marczak, senior
  • Jerry Peace, junior
  • Mekhi Perry, junior
  • Nate Santana, sophomore
  • AJ Smith, junior
  • Dave Puhlaski, Head coach, 30th year

Published March 06, 2019

Locals named to All-State football teams

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Athletes within The Laker/Lutz News coverage were well-represented on the FloridaHSFootball.com’s All-State teams for the 2018 season.

Zephyrhills High School senior athlete Cartrell Strong was named Class 5A first-team All-State. Four other Bulldogs also made the All-State team. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills High Athletics)

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 with the consideration of coaches nominations and consultation of all-area/all-county teams and members of the media from around the state.

Zephyrhills High School and Zephyrhills Christian Academy were most represented among local schools, with five selections apiece to the Class 5A and Class 2A All-State teams, respectively.

Zephyrhills High — which went undefeated in the regular season and reached the Class 5A regional semifinals — had two first-team selections (senior defensive tackle Samuel Bergeron, senior returner/athlete Cartrell Strong), a second-team selection (senior utility Tre’ Pavis Mobley), and two honorable mentions (senior quarterback Doug Crawford and junior offensive guard Demetris Wright).

Senior tailback Javion Hanner was one of five football players from Zephyrhills Christian Academy selected to the Class 2A All-State team. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Christian Academy Athletics)

Bergeron, though undersized at 5-feet-9 and 192 pounds, registered big numbers with 104 total tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 21 hurries and eight forced fumbles.

The same can be said for fellow Bulldogs first-teamer, Strong.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound returner/athlete finished the 2018 campaign with 1,709 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns.

Also a defensive standout at cornerback/safety, Strong added 98 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, nine passes defensed and three forced fumbles.

Mobley, the Bulldogs second-teamer, also generated impressive numbers on each side of the ball.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound athlete registered 51 tackles, four interceptions and four passes defensed on defense, and 759 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns on offense.

Senior quarterback Chris Butash was one of three football players from Carrollwood Day School named to the Class 2A All-State team. (Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School Athletics)

He also served as the team’s kickoff specialist, where he averaged nearly 39 yards per kick and had three touchbacks.

Zephyrhills Christian — which finished with a 7-4 mark and reached the Class 2A regional semifinals — had two first-team selections (senior utility Javion Hanner, senior cornerback Kavbion Marbra) and three second-team selections (junior offensive guard Malik Jones, senior defensive end Jalen Spencer, senior outside linebacker Nyjohn Moody).

The 5-foot-9, 188-pound Hanner posted 1,408 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games played. His 1,201 rushing yards ranked sixth in all of Class 2A.

Marbra’s nine interceptions and Moody’s 162 total tackles each ranked first among all Class 2A players; those numbers ranked third (tied) and fourth among all classes statewide, respectively.

Wiregrass Ranch junior linebacker Dylan Ridolph was a Class 7A first-team All-State pick. His 22 sacks were second-most in the state, among all classifications. (File)

Spencer, who played in seven games, ranked eighth in 2A in tackles per game (11.3).

Other schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area also had multiple selections on the All-State list.

Steinbrenner had four selections to the Class 8A All-State team.

Senior middle linebacker Logan Kilburn (132 tackles, 8.5 sacks) was a second-team selection, while junior offensive tackles Matthew Adcock, junior punter Cameron Brown and sophomore returner Deon Silas were third-team picks.

Silas tallied 1,198 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns.

Brown averaged 35.6 yards per punt, including a long of 53 yards, and 15 punts inside the opposing 20-yard line.

And, in addition to Zephyrhills Christian, Carrollwood Day School had three representatives on the Class 2A All-State team.

Senior linebacker Logan Kilburn was one of four Steinbrenner High School football players selected to the Class 8A All-State team. (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High School Athletics)

Senior quarterback Chris Butash (2,466 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, eight interceptions) and senior wide receiver Kyle Benedict (843 yards on 49 receptions, six touchdowns) were second-team offensive selections, while junior athlete Shelton Quarles Jr., was named honorable mention.

Gaither (Class 7A) and Land O’ Lakes (6A) each had two All-State selections.

Wiregrass Ranch (7A), Sunlake (6A) and Wesley Chapel (5A) each had one representative, for  their respective classifications.

There were no All-State representatives in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area from Classes 4A, 3A or 1A.

2018 FloridaHSFootball.com All-State teams

Class 8A
Logan Kilburn, Steinbrenner, senior, linebacker (second-team defense)
Matthew Adcock, Steinbrenner, junior, offensive tackle (third-team offense)
Cameron Brown, Steinbrenner, junior, punter, (third-team special teams)
Deon Silas, Steinbrenner, sophomore, returner (third-team special teams)

Class 7A
Dylan Ridolph, Wiregrass Ranch, junior, linebacker (first-team defense)
Jordan Oladokun, Gaither, sophomore, cornerback (second-team defense)
Brysen Roth, Gaither, senior, linebacker (honorable mention)

Class 6A
Kyle Leivas, Land O’ Lakes, senior, running back (honorable mention)
Collin Corrao, Land O’ Lakes, senior, kicker (honorable mention)
Clark Cooley, Sunlake, senior, punter (honorable mention)

Class 5A
Samuel Bergeron, Zephyrhills, senior, defensive tackle (first team defense)
Cartrell Strong, Zephyrhills, senior, returner (first-team special teams)
Tre’ Pavis Mobley, Zephyrhills, senior, utility (second-team defense)
Doug Crawford, Zephyrhills, senior, quarterback (honorable mention)
Demetris Wright, Zephyrhills, junior, offensive guard (honorable mention)
Jelani Vassell, Wesley Chapel, junior, utility (honorable mention)

Class 2A
Javion Hanner, Zephyrhills Christian, senior, utility (first-team offense)
Kavbion Marbra, Zephyrhills Christian, senior, cornerback (first-team defense)
Chris Butash, Carrollwood Day, senior, quarterback (second-team offense)
Kyle Benedict, Carrollwood Day, senior, wide receiver (second-team offense)
Malik Jones, Zephyrhills Christian, junior, offensive guard (second-team offense)
Jalen Spencer, Zephyrhills Christian, senior, defensive end (second-team defense)
Nyjohn Moody, Zephyrhills Christian, senior, outside linebacker (second-team defense)
Shelton Quarles Jr., Carrollwood Day, junior, athlete (honorable mention)

Published February 27, 2019

Local band primed for big stage

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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.

Local up-and-coming band Sick Hot is releasing their first EP on March 1. From left, bassist Chris Erickson, guitarist and vocalist Nik Wilson, and drummer Cory Bernardi. (Courtesy of Jim Chambers)

It features a pair of Land O’ Lakes High School graduates — guitarist and vocalist Nik Wilson and bassist Chris Erickson— along with Carrollwood Day School graduate Cory Bernardi, who’s on the drums.

For the past six months they’ve been perfecting a three-song EP, titled “House of Delight.” It will be unveiled during a release party on March 1 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., at Crowbar in Tampa.

There, Sick Hot will perform an hourlong set of originals and covers. Other local bands slated to perform include Cannibal Kids, The Raine, and Up From Here.

The young trio is described as “classic rock, with a little modern tinge on it,” by Jim Chambers, the band’s manager and founder.

“You’re going to see a young band that performs well beyond their years,” said Chambers, a longtime music industry executive who now operates Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood.

“They’re fantastic, accomplished players, and at such a young age, the music sounds very mature.”

Wilson and Erickson are both 19. Bernardi is 20.

Shaped by their parents’ love of music — and mainly classic rock — each have been playing various instruments since grade school.

Sick Hot’s three-song debut EP, ‘House of Delight,’ will be celebrated with a release party at Crowbar on March 1.

That passion for creating music has stayed with them since.

“I just like playing, especially with (Nik and Cory) because they’re always challenging me to be better and keep it interesting,” Erickson said. “We’re always bouncing stuff off each other, but I think the three of us enjoy playing more than anything.”

“We’re always kind of force each other to be better than we could,” Bernardi said.

Wilson undoubtedly stands out, as Sick Hot’s lead guitarist and vocalist.

So does his long, wavy hair, slender frame, and tattoo of Led Zeppelin founder Jimmy Page on his left wrist.

The bandleader doesn’t read music. Instead, he’s able to play back virtually any record after hearing it a few times, keying in on different tones and so forth.

“I can read tabs, but I can’t read like actual music,” Wilson said. “I have a musician’s ear, I guess.”

However Wilson does it, Chambers describes him as “kind of a wunderkind.”

Bernardi and Erickson, meanwhile, mostly let their instruments do the talking.

Aside from Led Zeppelin, of course, Sick Hot draws influences from Rush, Aerosmith and Ted Nugent. They also twist in their own “technical, funky vibes.”

The band swears their sound isn’t just another ’70s rock band clone.

“That’s the one thing we’re trying to avoid,” Erickson said. “No one wants to hear the same thing over and over.”

Added Wilson: “It’s like keeping the spirit of classic rock, like in our generation.”

Sick Hot’s lyrics, meanwhile, have a “kind of psychedelic” feel in the mold of Jimi Hendrix and Cream, band members agreed.

Some of the band’s songs are based on a historical narrative. One track, for instance, revolves around the Prohibition Era.

“I think the idea is we’re kind of like telling a story, rather than singing about a personal thing or something that happened in your life,” Erickson explained. “Kind of telling a story from the outset.”

Whatever they are, Chambers sees a bright future for Sick Hot.

He noted recent Grammy Award-winning Greta Van Fleet has opened the door for other bands to bring classic rock “back into the fray.”

Chambers would know. He won three Grammys with Maroon 5, the Dave Matthews Band and Flyleaf, as a record executive.

“I see classic rock coming back into the modicum of everything, and so with that, they’re poised to be shopped (to record labels),” Chambers said. “I have no doubt I’ll be shopping this record personally to New York City, trying to get them a deal.”

In the meantime, Sick Hot plans to flood the local market with their sound, then take a small summer tour somewhere out of state.

They’re currently shooting a music video for one of their EP tracks, titled “Lost and Forever Gone,” which is set to be released later this month.

A full-length album is also being considered by the up-and-coming band.

“We definitely have enough material to make a whole other album, a full LP,” Bernardi said. “That’s definitely an idea we’ve thought of before.”

Sick Hot’s  “House of Delight” EP release party
When: March 1, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: Crowbar, 1812 N. 17th St., Ybor City
What: Celebration of Sick Hot’s debut EP, “House of Delight,” with live music performances from several local bands
Cost: $10, all ages
Tickets: Visit Eventbrite.com, and search “Sick Hot”

Published February 20, 2019