NEW PORT RICHEY — It took 34 years for it to happen, but Springstead not only won its first district title Wednesday, the Eagles swept the Class 3A, District 6 championship. The Eagles had things in hand almost from the start. “With the girls winning too, it is like icing ...
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Wed. April 03, 2013 at 9:40 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
Springstead LB Luke McLeod has orally committed to Harding University, Eagles assistant Dustin Kupcik announced Saturday via Twitter. McLeod had a standout senior season to emerge as one of Tampa Bay’s top under-the-radar prospects. He earned first-team all-Suncoast honors with 149 tackles and four sacks while averaging 32 yards per ...
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Sat. March 30, 2013 at 6:04 p.m. | Matt Baker
Boys player of the Year F Erik Thomas, Sr., Wesley Chapel Why we picked him: Thomas compiled one of the most prolific seasons and careers in North Suncoast history. He ranked among the nation’s leaders by averaging 33 points and 16 rebounds while earning all-state honors from the Florida Athletic ...
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Sat. March 23, 2013 at 5:40 p.m. | Matt Baker
SPRING HILL — After losing in their first game against Springstead earlier this season, Central knew how important Thursday’s Class 6A, District 6 contest was to its postseason hopes. The Bears’ determination motivated a 4-3 win over the two-time defending district champion Eagles, surpassing Springstead in the standings. “Central hasn’t ...
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Thu. March 21, 2013 at 11:07 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
Baseball super seven 1. Land O’Lakes (11-0): The Gators finally found one opponent they couldn’t beat. The rain, which washed out Tuesday’s showdown with Wesley Chapel. 2. Wiregrass Ranch (9-3): Standout pitcher Zach Drury took a rare loss in this week’s 4-3 Gaither victory. A tough Class 7A, District 9 ...
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Thu. March 21, 2013 at 12:02 p.m. | Matt Baker
Softball super seven 1. River Ridge (16-1): Even when the Royal Knights are off — like allowing four early runs against Wesley Chapel — they’re on. Melissa Moore led River Ridge to a 15-5, five-inning victory over the Wildcats. 2. Hernando (10-2): Few teams are hotter than the Leopards, who ...
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Wed. March 20, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. | Matt Baker
Girls player of the year Amanda Hayes, So., Mitchell Why we picked her: Hayes was the top offensive threat on the North Suncoast’s best team in a decade. She scored four goals in a season-opening win over Hudson and didn’t slow down. Hayes finished with a team-best 33 goals and ...
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Sat. March 16, 2013 at 8:03 p.m. | Matt Baker
Baseball super seven Results through Wednesday 1. Land O’Lakes (10-0): The Gators claim to win with pitching and defense, but their hitting’s not bad, either. Six regulars are batting at least .346, and four have double-digit RBI totals. 2. Mitchell (9-2): A six-game winning streak — including a 14-2 throttling ...
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Thu. March 14, 2013 at 5:04 p.m. | Matt Baker
Softball super seven Results through Tuesday 1. River Ridge (12-1): A 1-0 loss to Plant doesn’t hide the Royal Knights’ talent. River Ridge also knocked off Seminole and defending state champ Durant last week and blew out rival Mitchell 11-0 Tuesday. 2. Gulf (11-1): The Buccaneers seemed to have rebounded ...
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Wed. March 13, 2013 at 6:35 p.m. | Matt Baker
Softball super seven 1. River Ridge (8-0): Ernie Beck’s Royal Knights have outscored opponents 105-11, and ace Makenzie Goluba has only allowed one earned run. Competition in PHU’s tournament this weekend will be fierce and show how strong River Ridge is. 2. Gulf (9-0): The Buccaneers have been almost as ...
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Thu. March 07, 2013 at 3:16 p.m. | Matt Baker
Baseball super seven 1. Land O’Lakes (9-0): The victories aren’t coming as easily, with the last three wins by one run each, but they’re still rolling in. Josh Nissen, Alex Reynolds and Kyle Sheffield are all batting at least .500. 2. Wiregrass Ranch (7-1): Aside from a blowout loss to ...
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Thu. March 07, 2013 at 2:58 p.m. | Matt Baker
SPRING HILL – Will Allen headlined a group of five Springstead athletes to sign college letters of intent Thursday morning. Allen, one of the best linemen to come through the North Suncoast, went through a rigorous recruiting process, gaining attention from many different programs. In the end, the 6-foot-7, 278-pound ...
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Thu. March 07, 2013 at 11:07 a.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
Wrestler of the Year: Jordan Rivera, Jr., Springstead (45-4) Why we picked him: If there has ever been a more pressure-packed individual match victory, we’ve never seen it. In Rivera’s 138-pound state final bout against Melbourne’s Joey Miuccio, the junior captain needed to not only win to keep Springstead in ...
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Sat. March 02, 2013 at 5:44 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
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