The Laker and the Lutz News has named The Laker/Lutz News team for the 2012-13 high school basketball, wrestling and girls weightlifting season. Members were selected based on skill, value to their squad and final statistics. Teams in the coverage area include Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin, Carrollwood Day, Freedom, Gaither, Land O’ Lakes, Steinbrenner, Sunlake, Wharton, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch. The soccer team was released last week. Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono and Staff Writer Jeff Odom selected the team. Stats are as recorded to Maxpreps.com or provided by coaches, and all playoff performances are from the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Boys basketball first team
–Point guard: Antwan Bradley, Sr., Freedom. The Patriots’ floor general posted 9.9 points, 2.8 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.0 rebounds.
–Guard: Ke’Shawn Ingram, Jr., Steinbrenner. Quietly put together one of the most explosive seasons with 21.5 points, 4.0 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.5 rebounds.
–Guard: Chris Parra, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. A sniper from outside, Parra hit 40 percent of his 3-point attempts and finished with 15.8 points, 3.8 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.2 rebounds.
–Forward: Rico Kerney, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Not only did he lead the Bulls with 22.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.8 steals, he was also where the squad got its energy.
–Forward: Brandon Patchan, Sr., Freedom. The 6-foot-7, 236-pound senior was a monster in the paint. Put up 10.2 points and pulled down 5.8 rebounds.
–Center: Victor Obi, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. The Gators’ 6-foot-5 force put up 10.8 points, grabbed 8.6 rebounds and blocked 2.4 shots.
–Utility: Sir Patrick Reynolds, Sr., Wharton. A true hybrid, Reynolds played all five positions on the floor while averaging 16.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
Boys basketball second team
–Point guard: Dimarco Burgess, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Missed several games with a sprained ankle but still posted 6.0 points, 3.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals.
–Guard: Jaken Grier, Sr., Wharton. A consistent presence for the Wildcats, he racked up 10.9 points and 2.7 rebounds.
–Guard: Ethan Haslam, So., Academy at the Lakes. The Wildcats’ top offensive threat posted 17.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals.
–Forward: Bryce Nickels, Jr., Steinbrenner. Controlled the paint of the defensive side of the floor with 7.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks. Also scored 13.1 points.
–Forward: Stephen Odunna, Sr., Freedom. A key cog in the resurgent Patriots lineup. Averaged 11.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals.
–Center: Marcus Hayne, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Used every bit of his 6-foot frame to rack up 10.3 points and 7.5 rebounds.
–Utility: Mike Obi, So., Land O’ Lakes. The combo guard stepped right in as the Gators’ No. 1 scorer with 14.2 points and 5.0 rebounds.
Boys basketball honorable mention
–Point guard: Malik Hall, Jr., Academy at the Lakes. The Wiregrass Ranch transfer posted 10.6 points and 3.4 assists.
–Point guard: Brenden Huynh, Jr., Sunlake. The Seahawks’ top scorer averaged 16.4 points while adding 3.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds.
–Point guard: Brian Rodriquez, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Dished out 3.6 assists while adding 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals to Wesley Chapel.
–Guard: Jon Marc Carrier, Sr., Steinbrenner. Added 7.5 points to the Warriors’ attack while posting 2.5 steals to the defense.
–Guard: Carson Emery, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Took his game to another level by scoring 10.0 points, dishing out 3.5 assists, pulling down 2.5 rebounds and getting 2.0 steals.
–Guard: Virgil Crump, Sr., Wharton. The spark plug off the bench scored 7.3 points in his final high school season.
–Guard: Larrentz Manora, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Was always a threat to take over a game. Manora racked up 10.8 points and 3.6 rebounds.
–Guard: Jonuel Martinez, Sr., Sunlake. Returned from a torn ACL that robbed him of last season to average 12.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.4 steals.
–Forward: Dane Barhonovich, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. Part of a highly athletic ’Canes front court (11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds).
–Forward: Travis Doyel, Sr., Sunlake. The Seahawks’ threat in the paint scored 9.2 points and pulled down 6.8 rebounds.
–Forward: Will Potosky, So., Bishop McLaughlin. The second half of the Hurricanes frontcourt duo (10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds).
–Forward: Ricky Ramirez, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Did much of the dirty work near the basket for the Bulls (8.0 points, 6.1 rebounds).
–Center: DeAndre Williams, Jr., Academy at the Lakes. The massive 6-foot-7 Wharton transfer gave the academy a true post presence (9.0 points, 6.5 rebounds).
–Center: Jack Frank, So., Steinbrenner. Picked up where he started last season to the tune of 9.7 points and 8.0 rebounds.
–Utility: Elijah Blackman, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Scored 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds while playing and defending both the forward and guard positions.
–Utility: Marcus Guzman, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Switched between forward and guard in the Bulls high-energy offense. Finished with 7.6 points and 2.3 rebounds.
–Utility: Abaz Igwe, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. The shooting guard/small forward racked up 8.7 points and 3.4 rebounds.
–Utility: Kendall Pearcey, Sr., Steinbrenner. The Warriors’ combo guard scored 6.8 points and added 2.4 steals.
Player of the Year: Erik Thomas, Sr., Wesley Chapel. The forward had, by any statistical measure, one of the most prolific seasons in the region’s history. Thomas scored 32.7 points and pulled down 16.3 rebounds this year while also dishing out 3.0 assists to lead the Wildcats to their first district championship in seven years. He ends his high school career as the program’s all-time leader in points and rebounds. The area won’t likely see as complete a player as Thomas for a long time.
Offensive Player of the Year: CJ McGill, Sr., Wharton. Lightning quick doesn’t begin to describe the kind of speed McGill displays. The point guard, who led the Wildcats with 17.0 points and 5.7 assists, could, on any night, dominate by shooting from outside the 3-point line, by cutting to the basket or without scoring a point with on-target passes to his teammates to help Wharton win the first regional championship in program history.
Defensive Player of the Year: The reigning Offensive Player of the Year for the football season showed he can get it done on the defensive end on the hard courts. The 6-foot-6 forward commanded the paint all season, ripping down a team-high 7.8 rebounds, swatting away 2.7 shots per contest and altering the opposition’s game plan to avoid him at all costs. His work near the basket helped lead the Wildcats to district and regional titles.
Coach of the Year: Cedric Smith, Freedom. Made a huge impact on the Patriots in just his second season at the helm. Freedom’s record improved by six wins from Smith’s first year leading the program thanks to his demands on perfect fundamentals, defense-first mentality and physical play. It’s likely the Patriots will continue that same progression with Smith at the in charge.
Girls basketball first team
–Point guard: Timecia Cohen, Sr., Academy of the Lakes. Moved to a new position to fill a team need and shined by averaging 12.5 points, 7.3 assists, 7.1 rebounds and 5.4 steals.
–Guard: Justice Thigpen, Sr., Steinbrenner. Did a little bit of everything for the Warriors with her 5.7 assists, 3.6 points, 2.9 steals and 2.8 rebounds.
–Guard: Whitney Turntine-Ivy, Sr., Freedom. The Plant transfer showed she’s an expert outside shooter (6.3 points) and also wasn’t afraid to crash the boards (2.1 rebounds).
–Forward: Andrea Mauger, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. The academy’s floor general scored a team-high 17.5 points while posting 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
–Forward: Amanda Melosky, So., Wiregrass Ranch. Posted 14.7 points and 10.3 rebounds, and she’s only a sophomore.
–Center: Rachel Briere, So., Steinbrenner. Knee trouble limited Briere for part of the season, but still came up big for Steinbrenner with 9.3 points and 4.0 rebounds.
–Utility: Bailey Hooker, Sr., Steinbrenner. The forward/guard led the Warriors in points (15.0), rebounds (5.0) and blocks (1.9).
Girls basketball second team
–Point guard: Monet Williams, Sr., Freedom. Added much more to the Patriots lineup than her 3.7 assists and 2.4 points because of her toughness and poised play.
–Guard: Neena Pacholke, Sr., Freedom. Focused her attention on defense this season, but still posted 3.0 points and 2.1 assists.
–Guard: Olivia Unger, Jr., Steinbrenner. Developed into a major scoring threat in her first year starting with 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds.
–Forward: Kelly Brown, Sr., Wharton. The Wildcats’ main post presence muscled her way to 6.5 points.
–Forward: Sarah Nichols, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. The Gators’ top scorer (10.3) and rebounder (4.4) was also the squad’s clear-cut leader.
–Center: Lauren Shedd, Sr., Steinbrenner. Was a physical force for the Warriors before torn ankle ligaments ended her season early (5.9 points, 4.9 rebounds).
–Utility: Brielle Downing, Fr., Bishop McLaughlin. Played much bigger than her 5-foot-1 height, racking up 18.8 points, 5.3 steals, 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists as a combo guard.
Girls basketball honorable mention
–Point guard: Makala Canada, Fr., Land O’ Lakes. Showed she will be a force in Pasco County for years with her 9.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 steals.
–Point guard: Carlena Eugene, Jr., Wharton. Switched positions from forward to fill a team need and responded with 6.2 points.
–Point guard: Taylor Thigpen, Jr., Steinbrenner. Added to the Warriors’ attack with 5.7 points and 2.3 assists.
–Guard: Courteney Cox, Sr., Wharton. Part of a very balanced Wharton attack with 4.8 points.
–Guard: Alex Diepholz, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Did a little of everything for the Bulls, including 5.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
–Guard: Beliz Esen, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch. Part of a young and talented nucleolus of returning Bulls (7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals).
–Guard: Trakyra Kidd, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch. Posted 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals while showing a fearlessness beyond her grade level.
–Guard: Allison Mitchell, Sr., Wharton. Was the Wildcats go-to scorer from Day 1 this season (9.2 points).
–Forward: Kristin Ibison, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. The Bulls small forward averaged 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 points.
–Forward: Taylor McDonald, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Showed she has the ability to develop into a force in the paint (5.9 points, 4.6 rebounds).
–Forward: Lauren Repp, Sr., Freedom. Gave the Patriots a physical presence off the bench with her 3.5 points and 2.1 rebounds.
–Forward: Lauren Wall, Fr., Wharton. A torn ACL limited her to 16 games, but displayed true promise as a freshman (5.5 points).
–Center: Bianca Igwe, So., Freedom. Her toughness near the basket was key in Freedom making the final four (3.5 points, 4.0 rebounds).
–Center: Logan Seoane, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Continued her progression as a force down low with her 8.4 points and 3.9 rebounds.
–Utility: Pamela Andrade, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Scored 8.5 points with 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 steals while playing at several spots on the floor.
–Utility: Tiffany Echevarria, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Was a dynamic scoring threat as the Wildcats primary ball handler.
–Utility: Alex Gittens, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. Listed as a forward, but Gittens (2.5 rebounds, 3.7 points) shined as a defensive stopper for whoever she was matched up against.
–Utility: Ashle Thompson, Sr., Freedom. Name a spot on the floor and Thompson played it this season, scoring 3.0 points and pulling down 2.5 rebounds.
Player of the Year: Faith Woodard, Sr., Freedom. The Riverview transfer and Georgetown University signee showed that she is one of the most dynamic and athletic players in the area’s history. The forward’s 22.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.9 blocks speak for themselves, and her presence on offense and defense was key in Freedom’s 25-4 record and first trip to the final four in the program’s 11-year history.
Offensive Player of the Year: Taylor Emery, So., Freedom. Emery developed one of the most deadly pull-up jump shots in the region this season to go with her ability to drive to the basket. The guard averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. If she continues to progress at the same rate she has the last two years, well, look out Hillsborough County. Emery is on a mission.
Defensive Player of the Year: Tatiana Manuel, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. The Brooks-DeBartolo transfer took a huge step forward this season. The center had been one who simply stood under the basket for blocks and rebounds. She still commanded the paint with her 5.8 blocks and 9.2 rebounds while being much more active stepping out and contesting shots away from the hoop. Her efforts helped get the Wildcats back to the final four.
Coach of the Year: Karim Nohra, Academy at the Lakes. New year, same story for Nohra. It doesn’t seem to matter how many of his players graduate. The veteran coach will have them clicking in February when it matters. He lost four starters and five seniors from last year’s squad that reached the final four. This season he had two starting freshmen, several new players and a first-time point guard. The result — a state runner-up finish.
Wrestling
–Jon Galvin, Jr. Wesley Chapel. Won the consolation match at the Class 1A state tournament in the 126-pound weight division. Went 39-7 overall.
–Theodore Johnson, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Qualified for the Class 1A state meet in the 285-pound weight class. Was 23-16 for the season.
–Zach Kweller, Sr., Sunlake. Earned a spot at the Class 2A state meet and went 34-13 while competing in the 195-pound weight division.
–Nicholas Peshek, Jr., Gaither. Reached the Class 3A state meet in the 113-pound division and finished with a 43-11 overall record.
–Kendrick Portorreal, Sr., Sunlake. Went 2-1 at the Class 2A 132-pound tournament and was 34-10 for the year.
–Dominick Telesco, So., Land O’ Lakes. Advanced to the third round of the Class 2A 106-pound consolation bracket and ended the year 40-8.
–Devin Whitacre, Sr., Wesley Chapel. The 113-pound weight division wrestler competed at the Class 1A state meet and posted a 24-20 record for the year.
Wrestler of the Year: Tony Ruggiero, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Ruggiero did something never before done by a Wesley Chapel wrestler — capture a state championship. The senior won the Class 1A title in the 120-pound weight division and finished the season with a 42-5 record in his final year of high school competition.
Coach of the Year: Jeff Beson, Wesley Chapel. Took four of his Wildcats to the Class 1A state meet, more than any other area coach. He also helped Tony Ruggiero become the first in program history to claim a state title.
Girls weightlifting
–Catalina Valdes, So., Sunlake. Reached states and hoisted 295 total pounds to finish 11th in the 169-pound class.
–Stephanie Frances, Sr., Sunlake. The unlimited lifter posted 320 total pounds to finish 25th in the state.
Lifter of the Year: Alex Ruiz, Sr., Sunlake. The senior captures the award for the second straight year. Ruiz not only won the 119-pound state championship by hoisting a total of 330, she also set the division’s record in the bench press by lifting 180.
Coach of the Year: Denise Garcia, Sunlake. The Seahawks fifth-year coach helped get three student-athletes to the state meet. No other area program sent even one.
