Best chances to move on 1. Nature Coast Tech: At 27-1, the boys are easily the North Suncoast’s best team, with size, speed and depth. Even a potential rematch with district foe Eustis doesn’t seem as much of a roadblock as it did earlier this season. 2. Academy at the ...
Read more
Mon. Feb. 13, 2012 at 5:59 p.m. | John C. Cotey
Girls region basketball 6A, Winter Haven 56, Mitchell 17: The Mustangs’ season ended Thursday in a 39-point loss to the defending state runnerup. It was the fewest points Mitchell scored all season and the most lopsided defeat since a 39-point loss to Olympia in November. The Mustangs earned back-to-back trips ...
Read more
Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 11:15 p.m. | Matt Baker
NEW PORT RICHEY — Mike Quarto is hoping the third time is the charm. For the third season in a row, the Gulf coach and his team will be headed to the second round of the state playoffs after a 57-45 win in the Class 5A region quarterfinals Thursday over ...
Read more
Thu. Feb. 09, 2012 at 9:50 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
The Florida High Athletic Coaches Association has announced its girls basketball awards for District 10. They are: District 3A-10 Player of the Year: Andrea Niggebrugge, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin District 5A-10 Player of the Year: Kayla Kivinski, So., Gulf District 6A-10 Player of the Year: Vashoula Kostogiannes, Sr., River Ridge District ...
Read more
Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 at 3:22 p.m. | Matt Baker
NEW PORT RICHEY — Soon after Gulf finished its 26-win season and a run to the region semifinals last year, coach Mike Quarto looked at his roster and wasn’t sure what to think. How would the Buccaneers replace 86 percent of their offense? Who would fill the void left by ...
Read more
Mon. Feb. 06, 2012 at 7:51 p.m. | Matt Baker
HOLIDAY — Kayla Kivinski and Gulf started slowly Saturday night against Pasco. But when the sophomore star ignited in the third quarter, so did the Buccaneers.Kivinski scored 14 of her game-high 23 in the third quarter to help Gulf break open the game and earn the Class 5A, District 8 ...
Read more
Sat. Feb. 04, 2012 at 8:16 p.m. | Matt Baker
Girls district basketball 6A-10, Tarpon Springs 32, Mitchell 26: The Mustangs hung with the top-seeded Spongers but faded late in the District 6A-10 final. Mitchell took a three-point lead on a three-point play by Emily Morales with four minutes to go, but she fouled out moments later after scoring seven. ...
Read more
Fri. Feb. 03, 2012 at 10:24 p.m. | Times Staff
Girls region soccer 3A, Eustis 5, River Ridge 1: The Royal Knights’ best season in school history ended Tuesday night with a tough loss at Eustis in the region finals. “I’m very proud of them,” coach Skip Glover said. “It’s one of those deals — we weren’t just happy to ...
Read more
Tue. Jan. 31, 2012 at 11:13 p.m. | Matt Baker
Girls region soccer 3A, River Ridge 3, Wesley Chapel 0: The Royal Knights are back in the region semifinals for the second year in a row after ending one of Wesley Chapel’s most successful seasons. “We just played our usual style of ball,” River Ridge coach Skip Glover said. Kendra ...
Read more
Wed. Jan. 25, 2012 at 12:12 a.m. | Times Staff
Boys basketball Land O’Lakes 61, Mitchell 43: Ernest McClendon scored a season-high 22 points as the Gators won their fifth straight game while snapping the Mustangs’ five-game win streak. The Gators (11-6) completed a season sweep of Mitchell (15-4) and wrapped up first-place in 6A-10 after both teams entered the ...
Read more
Fri. Jan. 20, 2012 at 11:22 p.m. | Times Staff
NEW PORT RICHEY — Gulf has been a traditional power over the years, coming on especially strong of late. The Buccaneers have defended their district title for consecutive seasons while competing against and defeating the area’s best. Pasco has been viewed as the bottom-dweller, struggling to find its identity and ...
Read more
Fri. Jan. 13, 2012 at 10:42 p.m. | Basil Spyridakos
It's Morning Meanderings, which means I'm cruising box scores and looking for highlights. If you want to help, and you know you do, email me at cotey@tampabay.com, or shoot me a text (727-580-3691), or hit me up on Twitter (@JohnnyHomeTeam) or Facebook. There's four items and a video that are ...
Read more
Wed. Dec. 14, 2011 at 10:03 a.m. | John C. Cotey
Stories to watchWill Wiregrass Ranch rebound? The Bulls are under new leadership after a recruiting scandal forced out former coach Greg Finkel. New coach John Gant will look to Kelly McCaffrey (already more than 1,000 career points) and Logan Seoane to help Wiregrass recover in Class 7A.What's next at Academy ...
Read more
Sun. Nov. 13, 2011 at 4:55 p.m. | Matt Baker
If losing standout guard Nicole Adams to graduation weren't enough, Gulf's girls basketball program has taken another hit with rising senior Leighlani Paselio's move to Hawaii. It was her family's decision to return to their home state. "She told me about the second week of June that she was going ...
Read more
Tue. Aug. 02, 2011 at 3:12 p.m. | Andy Villamarzo
Call them, simply, the season’s best performances. A 10 spot of the finest single-day athletic achievements that helped shape this school year’s North Suncoast athletic scene. These triumphs are the best of the best. Some led to state titles. Others brought their teams to never-before-seen heights. All combined to provide ...
Read more
Tue. June 14, 2011 at 5:21 p.m. | Bryan Burns