Even while standing on the court last fall with a gold medal around her neck after leading her team to a second straight state championship, East Lake setter Rachel Reed was unsure if that would be the last competitive volleyball game of her career. But now, she's sure it won't ...
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Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. | John C. Cotey
Seminole senior righthander Jordan Doyle has committed to play at Polk State College in Winter Haven, according to Warhawks coach Jeff Pincus. Doyle was 6-2 with a 1.09 ERA as a starter last season for Seminole. He was a Times' all-county honorable mention as a junior. Doyle originally committed to Florida ...
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Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 10:09 a.m. | Rodney Page
Academy at the Lakes sophomore first baseman Lauren Evans has verbally committed to play softball at USF, Wildcats athletic director Tom Haslam said Wednesday evening. Evans had interest from a handful of other colleges but committed to USF because she wanted to stay close to home and because she liked ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 10:41 p.m. | Matt Baker
Wesley Chapel WR Robert Jota plans to sign with Ridgewater (Minn.) College, Wildcats coach Ben Alford said Wednesday in a text message. Jota led Wesley Chapel in receiving during his senior year, racking up three touchdowns and 438 yards on 26 catches. The 5-foot-8 Jota also had five carries for ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 1:57 p.m. | Matt Baker
Pasco athlete Mike Larry will sign with North Dakota State College of Science on Thursday morning, Pirates coach Tom McHugh said. Larry, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound senior, was one of Pasco's most versatile players. He lined up at eight different positions during the Pirates' run to the Class 5A state semifinal, ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. | Matt Baker
National Signing Day was a week ago - which means RIvals is already looking ahead to next year. The recruiting site released its initial top 100 recruits for the class of 2013, and four Tampa Bay players are included. Wharton DB Vernon Hargreaves III is a five-star prospect and the ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 11:33 a.m. | Matt Baker
Robinson CB Vic Rivera, a two-year starter who picked off six passes in a breakthrough junior season, has signed with Ridgewater College, a two-year program in Minnesota. Flanked by eventual Division I signees Frankie Williams, Ruben Gonzalez and Marqus Baker, Rivera (6-foot, 190 pounds) had a pair of two-interception games ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 11:22 a.m. | Joey Knight
Bishop McLaughlin soccer player Spencer Valdespino signed with Nicholls State yesterday. She led the Hurricanes with 18 goals and 17 assists during her senior year to help Bishop to a 13-6-3 record. She finished her high school career with a school-record 61 goals. She's also a standout golfer who advances ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 10:29 a.m. | Matt Baker
Lakewood wide reciever Rodney Adams picked up another suitor Tuesday as Vanderbilt made a verbal offer to the Spartan pass catcher. "It pretty much came out of nowhere,'' said Adams, who said hadn't heard anything from the Commodore coaches until Wednesday. Adams, ranked No. 5 in the Times Top 25 ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 7:27 p.m. | John C. Cotey
A report by Yahoo! Sports indicates USC football coach Lane Kiffin -- no stranger to NCAA violations -- could again be in hot water over a Feb. 1 text message possibly regarding eventual Trojans signee Nelson Agholor. The report centers around a pair of text messages Kiffin allegedly sent ESPN ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 3:32 p.m. | Joey Knight
The college signing period continues in the North Suncoast with two more ceremonies scheduled in the next week. Hudson volleyball player Cheye-Anne Savage plans to sign with Indian River State College on Feb. 14, Cobras coach Kortney Newton said Tuesday morning. Savage, a third-team all-conference selection at middle hitter, averaged ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 9:54 a.m. | Matt Baker
St. Petersburg Catholic running back Ryan Green, the Times' top-rated prospect in the 2013 class, was offered Monday evening by Auburn, and Tuesday morning by Virginia. The Tigers and Cavaliers are now in contention with a strong group of early suitors for the two-time 1,000-yard rusher, including Florida, FSU, Miami, ...
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Mon. Feb. 06, 2012 at 10:01 p.m. | John C. Cotey
Nick Mazzoni and Tyler Ramsey, a pair of East Lake baseball standouts, signed with their respective colleges last week. Mazzoni, a shortstop who batted .311 and drove in 21 runs while scoring 20, signed with Polk State College. Ramsey, a pitcher, signed with Southeastern University. Last season, he has a ...
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Mon. Feb. 06, 2012 at 6:49 p.m. | John C. Cotey
Seminole cross country runner Jacob Hudak, the Times 2011 Pinellas County runner of the year, signed with Nova Southeastern University this past week. Hudak also was considering Alabama-Huntsville, Auburn and Queens. During his senior season, Hudak took over as the Warhawks' No. 1 runner after Chase Sutton graduated and led the ...
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Mon. Feb. 06, 2012 at 3:10 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Last Wednesday's National Signing Day was only the beginning of seniors officially choosing their schools. Now that the dust has settled, many smaller schools will ink the majority of their players. Jefferson LB Zach Condon is among the first County players to commit post-Signing Day, as he signed with Ave Maria, ...
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Mon. Feb. 06, 2012 at 11:44 a.m. | Laura Keeley
Seminole is hosting two big playoff games on Friday night, prompting a time change for one of the events. The boys soccer team will still host its Class 4A state semifinal against Hialeah American at 7 p.m. But the boys 7A-10 district basketball final between the Warhawks and St. Petersburg ...
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Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 3:45 p.m. | Times Staff
TAMPA — After a 15-year-old, internationally acclaimed ballerina, a contestant on the upcoming Survivor, and a drug-busting dog named Tebow were introduced and recognized for their accomplishments, it was time for Plant’s football and cross country teams to receive their praise in the governor's cabinet meeting Thursday at the Florida ...
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Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 2:24 p.m. | Laura Keeley
Wharton High 16-year-old athletes Chase Litton and Rocky Enos, starters on the school's Class 8A playoff football team last fall, were arrested Wednesday afternoon on a series of felony burglary and theft charges stemming from an incident in late December. Both were honorable mention picks on the Times' all-Hillsborough County ...
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Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 12:51 p.m. | Joey Knight
An unprecedented season in local boys soccer reaches a climactic stage this weekend. For the first time ever, four Hillsborough County schools are headed to the state semifinals. Unlike previous years, when all semifinals were held at one neutral site, this year's games will be played on the home pitch ...
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Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 11:08 a.m. | Joey Knight
At West Palm Beach, Berkeley Prep — victim of two consecutive one-goal region final defeats — earned redemption Wednesday behind an early Justin Vogel goal and a late one from Tyler Sacone for a 2-0 win over King’s Academy. The Buccaneers (19-7-2), two victories from their first state title since ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 10:11 p.m. | Joey Knight
After advancing to the Class 7A region final against Lakeland in his first season, Gaither football coach Jason Stokes has decided to change his offensive philosophy. Or, perhaps more accurately, “flex” it a bit. By hiring former Tampa Bay Tech and Lennard offensive coordinator Daryl Stewart, Stokes has brought option ...
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Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 11:03 a.m. | Laura Keeley
Tarpon Springs hired Countryside assistant Brian Nay as offense coordinator. Nay was the Cougars’ wide receivers coach the past two seasons and served as Gibbs' offensive coordinator in 2009. Spongers coach Ron Hawn was searching for an offensive coordinator since he was hired permanently in December. Atif Austin, the previous ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 4:48 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Second-year Leto football coach Matt Kitchie announced this morning former Plant assistant Greg Meyer will become the second ex-Panther to join his renovated staff. Meyer, who spent the past two seasons as coach at Jacksonville Wolfson, will be Kitchie's defensive coordinator. Kitchie also recently announced former Plant and Tampa Bay ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 9:42 a.m. | Joey Knight
TALLAHASSEE — Lawmakers last week battled over a pair of proposals that would make sweeping changes to the Florida High School Athletic Association, which has governed public and private school sports for nearly a century. The most dramatic — allowing private and charter schools to have their own independent athletic ...
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Mon. Feb. 06, 2012 at 5:24 p.m. | Kathleen McGrory
TAMPA — In the heart of Port Tampa, Tina Maiorana’s spirit remains as radiant as ever. It’s as plain as the shimmering gold medals around her cheerleaders’ necks. “Oh yeah,” team co-captain Ciara Alvarez said. Less than 17 months after the shocking death of Maiorana, Robinson High’s 34-year-old cheerleading coach, ...
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Mon. Feb. 06, 2012 at 4:35 p.m. | Joey Knight
Another national signing day is in the books. Let’s take one last look at how our local schools and atheltes fared, and sneak a peek at 2013. Top high school classes 1. Armwood: Quantity and quality. Ten of the Hawks’ 11 signees are D-I dudes, and the class packs a ...
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Sat. Feb. 04, 2012 at 2:46 p.m. | Times Staff
ST. PETERSBURG Dante Fowler Jr. changed his mind Wednesday morning. The Lakewood High School defensive end said no to Florida State, the school he had been orally committed to since 2010, and said yes to a school he fell in love with, Florida. He went from five-star recruit to a ...
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Wed. Feb. 01, 2012 at 10:05 p.m. | John C. Cotey
A video roundup of some of the signings from the bay area Wednesday.
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Wed. Feb. 01, 2012 at 9:03 p.m. | Times Staff
The list is huge and it's quite possible we missed someone. Hit us up at hometeam@tampabay.com if there are any additions. Pinellas Football signees Shawn Barker, Largo DL Wayne State Kenny Blanch, Tarpon Springs DB Highland CC Stephen Buric, East Lake TE Yale Cody Chmelik, Countryside DB Quincy ...
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Wed. Feb. 01, 2012 at 8:56 p.m. | Times Staff
Join us at 8 a.m. Wednesday for live coverage of area signings, with plenty of national flavor sprinkled in. We're planning to have the signing day party going for as long as you stay with us ... or we get hungry and need to leave for lunch. And don't forget ...
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Wed. Feb. 01, 2012 at 12:10 a.m. | Times Staff
Pinellas Park is hosting its annual Hoops for Lupus shootout Wednesday. The shootout is a double-header with Northeast and Boca Ciega in the first game at 6 p.m., followed by the Patriots and Shorecrest at 7:30. All proceeds from Wednesday’s games will be donated to the local chapter of the ...
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Tue. Jan. 31, 2012 at 3:07 p.m. | Bob Putnam
After Armwood High School won the Class 6A state title game, running back Matt Jones, a Florida commit, was greeted by a swarm of reporters. Some did ask about his 80-yard touchdown catch, which proved to be the game winner in the Hawks’ 40-31 victory over Miami Central. But most ...
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Tue. Jan. 31, 2012 at 2:57 p.m. | Laura Keeley
Former Chamberlain QB Dontae Aycock, the 2008 Guy Toph Award winner, was arrested last Friday on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and criminal mischief less than $200. Aycock, 20, was arrested by Tampa police Friday morning at his apartment at 4050 Rocky Creek and released the following afternoon on his ...
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Tue. Jan. 31, 2012 at 1:43 p.m. | Joey Knight
While his players are in a television studio making their college choices official, Lakewood coach Cory Moore will be making final preparations for a rarity -- a National Signing Day Football game. Moore is coaching the linebackers for the USA Under-19 football team in the International Bowl being played Wednesday ...
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Tue. Jan. 31, 2012 at 12:47 p.m. | John C. Cotey
Our annual list of the top recruits in the Tampa Bay area. As usual, the talent is so deep that we could have gone way, way beyond 25. The list kicks off with our blue chip player of the year, Nelson Agholor.
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Tue. Jan. 31, 2012 at 11:40 a.m. | Times Staff
GIBSONTON — On paper, Riverview had the size to match up with Tampa Bay Tech. In practice, the Sharks had no answer for 6-foot-7 center Elgrin Wilson. Wilson notched a double double and scored a game-high 32 points Wednesday as Tampa Bay Tech, the No. 2 seed, eliminated No. 3-seeded ...
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Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 12:45 a.m. | Laura Keeley
SEMINOLE — St. Petersburg and Seminole, the top seeds in Class 7A, District 10, won their semifinals to advance to Friday’s championship game. But the outcomes were anything but a foregone conclusion. Both stretched into overtime. The top-seeded Green Devils trailed most of regulation before taking control late in a ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 9:36 p.m. | Bob Putnam
TRINITY — As the seconds ticked down to the end of River Ridge’s season, sophomore John Childs sat at the end of the bench, alone, with his head down, staring at the hardwood floor at Mitchell. His triple double wasn’t enough to begin one of the most unlikely region runs ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 8:43 p.m. | Matt Baker
Boys soccer state semifinals Who: Palm Harbor University (17-1-4) at Jacksonville Mandarin (23-3-3) When: 7 p.m. Friday At stake: Winner will play Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. at USF for the Class 5A state title Notes: PHU has not given up a regulation goal since the PCAC final against St. ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 4:54 p.m. | Rodney Page
Land O'Lakes will send its boys soccer team off for its trip to the state semifinals at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. The departure time was initially scheduled for 10:30 but was pushed back an hour. The Gators advanced to state Tuesday night with a 5-0 win over Gainesville Eastside. It's Land ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 11:16 a.m. | Matt Baker
BRANDON — Marissa Kazbour, one of the most decorated girls soccer players in Hillsborough County history, makes her return to Tampa sidelines Saturday.But this time, she'll be doing so with a whistle around her neck.Kazbour leads George Jenkins against Cape Coral Ida S. Baker at the USF Soccer Stadium with ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 10:57 a.m. | Times Staff
TAMPAFew, including longtime coach Bob Bauman, knew what to expect heading into this season.Considering the wake left by the exodus of 15 seniors from the 2010-11 Tigers, the coach had more questions than answers."I was concerned about who would assume the leadership role because we lost a lot," Bauman said. ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 10:36 a.m. | Times Staff
No. 2 seed Keswick Christian jumped out to an 18-point lead at halftime and held off a brief rally to beat No. 3 seed Canterbury in the first semifinal 69-59. Keswick had a balanced offense with Derek Sanson (21 points), Justen Del Grosso (14), Taylor Angell (11) and TJ Muscarella ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 12:34 a.m. | Bob Putnam
EAST LAKE — It was hard for East Lake coach Joe Bloznalis not to worry about complacency taking hold with his players in the days leading up to Tuesday’s Class 8A, District 8 semifinal against Palm Harbor University. All week, the Eagles were concentrating on a road game against North ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 12:34 a.m. | Bob Putnam
Since suffering its first loss of the season to Countryside in the district final two weeks ago, Palm Harbor University has had to travel a long road through the playoffs. But the Hurricanes keep passing each test, thanks to a stifling defense and timely offense. In Tuesday’s Class 5A region ...
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Wed. Feb. 08, 2012 at 12:32 a.m. | Bob Putnam
At Fort Meade, Tampa Prep (18-6-2) built a 2-0 first-half lead and survived two second-half Fort Meade penalty kicks to advance to within two victories of its fifth state title in eight seasons with a 3-2 victory in the Class A region final. The Terrapins travel to St. Augustine Saint ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 11:57 p.m. | Joey Knight
At Kissimmee in the Class 4A region final, Gaither senior Jonas Bukh continued his mesmerizing postseason pace, scoring both goals to lead the visitors (20-4-1) to their second consecutive final four berth with a 2-1 victory over Kissimmee Osceola. His second, with less than 10 minutes remaining, locked up a ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 11:55 p.m. | Joey Knight
TAMPA — The futbol purist in Jesuit coach Bob Bauman is easily repulsed by penalty kick rounds, even when his season hinges on them. By the time Tigers senior Chris Conlon sent the 10th and final PK of the Class 3A region final into the back of Immokalee’s net Tuesday ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 11:49 p.m. | Joey Knight
Jesuit senior ace Lance McCullers Jr. will likely be one of Hillsborough County's most decorated high school baseball players when he graduates. And he's happy to share some of that prestige with his school. On Tuesday night before the Tigers' preseason opener against Land O'Lakes, McCullers gave the school his Jackie Robinson ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 11:45 p.m. | Times Staff
Seminole continues to roll through regionals, notching its second straight shutout with a 3-0 victory over Naples Gulf Coast in the 4A regional final. The Warhawks (19-2-2) led 1-0 after the first half on a goal by Nathan Yeager on an Eric Sines cross. Liam Murphy and Garrett Bocon each ...
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Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 9:49 p.m. | Rodney Page