HomeTeam Hot Shots of the Week: First Hillsborough County win

HomeTeam Hot Shots 
A spotlight on the Times’ bay area players of the week

Male Hot Shot: Devin McCaffrey, Mitchell
Sport:  Swimming
Skinny: Pasco County’s top swimmer continues to add accolades to his already impressive resume. Last season’s North Suncoast swimmer of the year won two individual gold medals at the Class 2A, District 5 meet. He took first in the 100 breaststroke and 100 butterfly (with an All-America consideration time of 49.97 seconds) and helped his team win the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays. Those were just the latest accomplishments during an eventful October. The senior broke his own Sunshine Athletic Conference meet records in the 100 fly (51.28) and the 100 breast (59.01) and verbally committed to LSU. McCaffrey won both events at state last year to become the county’s first swimmer to win two individual golds at the same state meet.

Female Hot Shot: Ashley Cozart, Plant
Sport: Volleyball
Skinny: The 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter twice helped the Panthers rally to five-set victories in the Class 8A, District 7 tournament, first in the semifinals against Bloomingdale and again in the finals against top-seeded Wharton. Cozart totaled 30 kills in the tournament, leading Plant to its 16th straight district championship. Trailing 2-0 against Wharton in the final, Cozart was instrumental in helping the Panthers win the next three sets. “She’s moved into a leadership role,” coach Jessica Lamm said. “Ashley is really getting to that point where she’s confident in what she’s doing on the court.”

Voting results
Name, school    Votes    Pct.
Devin McCaffrey, Mitchell swimming    802    30.87%
Ryan Orr, Clearwater Central Catholic golf    499    19.207%
Tristan Sanders, Palm Harbor University swimming    272    10.47%
Ashley Cozart, Plant volleyball    231    8.891%
Mike Smith, Zephyrhills football    231    8.891%
Kaylan Markese, St. Petersburg volleyball    220    8.468%
Mallory Etcheberry, Academy at the Lakes golf    115    4.426%
Lexi Thompson, Durant volleyball    78    3.002%
Lee Myers, Sickles football    72    2.771%
Michelle Turek, East Lake swimming    46    1.771%
Mary Kujak, Ridgewood volleyball    24    0.924%
Jimmy Stanger, Gaither golf    8    0.308%
Total: 2598 votes

Teams in post

• Mitchell High School
• Plant High School