SPRING HILL — First-year coach Jim Diven was hired to right the ship for Springstead after a season of turmoil. So far, he looks to have the Eagles on the right track. Springstead improved to 4-1 with its 6-1 victory over Nature Coast on Thursday night, coming from behind to ...
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Thu. Feb. 28, 2013 at 10:59 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
With winter sports wrapping up this week, baseball is swinging into focus. Here are the North Suncoast’s five biggest questions after the season’s first few games, plus a look at some of 2013’s top early performers: Five early questions 1. How will Land O’Lakes rebound from 2012? The Gators have ...
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Thu. Feb. 28, 2013 at 1:01 p.m. | Matt Baker
Although the basketball season continues over the next few days with boys state championships in Lakeland, the North Suncoast’s year is already over. We’ll announce our all-area honors next month. In the meantime, here’s a look back at some of the other notable players, teams and moments from the 2012-13 ...
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Tue. Feb. 26, 2013 at 2:59 p.m. | Matt Baker
BROOKSVILLE — Louise Disi has the task of replacing Lexi Adams, arguably the best pitcher in Springstead history. With every passing game Disi seems to show she’s up for the challenge. Led by their sophomore hurler, the Eagles upended Nature Coast 9-4 at Sharks Field on Thursday. “We have such ...
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Thu. Feb. 21, 2013 at 10:04 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
BROOKSVILLE — A difficult rivalry has developed over the past two seasons between Nature Coast and district foe Eustis, and that rivalry helped fuel the Sharks’ departure from the Class 5A state playoffs. The Panthers, who had lost all three previous meetings this season with Nature Coast, eliminated the Sharks ...
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Tue. Feb. 19, 2013 at 10:39 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
USF’s recruiting push across Tampa Bay extended into Hernando County on Sunday. The Bulls offered Nature Coast DE Rohan Blackwood, Sharks assistant coach Rob Kazmier announced on Twitter. Blackwood, a 6-foot-5, 194-pound junior, is one of Tampa Bay’s top two-sport stars. He racked up 15 sacks, 69 tackles and a ...
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Sun. Feb. 17, 2013 at 8:28 p.m. | Matt Baker
Nine North Suncoast girls soccer players have earned all-star honors by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association in District 10, which covers Pasco and Hernando counties. They are: Berlin Waters (Wiregrass Ranch) A.J. Blount (Wiregrass Ranch) Dayton Wetherby (Wiregrass Ranch) Hannah Eder (Wiregrass Ranch) Kelsey Bare (Wesley Chapel) Brooke Silvest (Land ...
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Fri. Feb. 15, 2013 at 6:57 p.m. | Matt Baker
BROOKSVILLE — With trips to the region final under its belt each of the past three seasons, Nature Coast looks primed for a similar run this year after Thursday’s convincing Class 5A region quarterfinal victory. Despite falling behind in the first quarter, Nature Coast upended Anclote 89-47. Momentum turned when ...
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Thu. Feb. 14, 2013 at 10:54 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
Ask around and you’ll hear about how this is Jesuit High School’s year. The boys basketball team is loaded with battled-tested seniors big and small, steered by a terrific point guard in Devin Harris, its desire forged by last year’s 41-point loss in the region final. In 27 games, the ...
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Mon. Feb. 11, 2013 at 6:52 p.m. | John C. Cotey
A gorgeous Sunday afternoon just begged for some football, and while not the real stuff, a 7-on-7 scrimmage between Unsigned Preps and the Next Level Nighthawks at Ferrell Middle School seemed a worthy way to catch some rays. Unsigned Preps has a nice little squad, and Next Level was clearly ...
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Mon. Feb. 11, 2013 at 2:04 p.m. | John C. Cotey
TRINITY — Host Mitchell won its first district title, riding Ryan Doherty’s hot hand to a 64-40 victory over Land O’Lakes in the Class 6A, District 10 final. Never has the Mustangs’ scoring depth been put on display better than in their two tournament games. Doherty scored 23 after he ...
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Fri. Feb. 08, 2013 at 11:26 p.m. | Darek Sharp
TAMPA — Nothing went as expected Wednesday at Steinbrenner. Freedom, the No. 2 seed, lost 63-59 to Wiregrass Ranch, and top-seeded Chamberlain barely held off Steinbrenner 78-71. The Chiefs led by two in the third quarter then again in the fourth. The Bulls and the Chiefs will play Friday for ...
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Wed. Feb. 06, 2013 at 11:07 p.m. | Andy Warrener
BROOKSVILLE - Matt Breida woke up feeling nervous. The Nature Coast running back had been quietly committed to Georgia Southern, but other schools had been chasing him in the run toward signing day. Memphis. Boston College. Appalachian State. If something unexpected broke Wednesday, an offer from one of them could ...
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Wed. Feb. 06, 2013 at 2:13 p.m. | Matt Baker
Nature Coast running back Matt Breida plans to sign with Georgia Southern next week, Sharks coach Charles Liggett said Thursday evening. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior established himself as one of the North Suncoast’s top running backs by rushing for more than 3,000 yards over the last two seasons. In 2011, ...
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Thu. Jan. 31, 2013 at 8:30 p.m. | Matt Baker
Our final North Suncoast basketball rankings of the regular season. 1. Nature Coast (20-3): Carlos Clemente and the Sharks haven’t lost since December. The top three spots remain close, but NCT’s hot streak gives it the edge heading into districts. 2. Wesley Chapel (20-4): Senior star Erik Thomas will likely ...
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Thu. Jan. 31, 2013 at 2:09 p.m. | Matt Baker