Fill out this form to email this article to a friend

Your name		Your email
Recipient email	You may enter up to 20 multiple email addresses, separated by commas.
Your message
Validation Code	Hear validation code
	Enter validation code

We were unable to send your email.

Click here to try again.

North Suncoast: News and notes

By Joey Knight and Izzy Gould, Times Staff Writers
In print: Thursday, May 1, 2008

Story Tools E-mail this story Contact the editor Print this story Comment on this story Social Bookmarking Digg Facebook Stumbleupon Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine

ADVERTISEMENT Land O'Lakes sharpshooter sharpshooter Jerome Harrison

Gators' Harrison to sign

Land O'Lakes sharpshooter Jerome Harrison, above, will sign a letter of intent with Brevard Community College this morning, Gators coach Dave Puhalski said.

One of the area's most versatile players, Harrison was the catalyst for the Gators (21-8), averaging 18.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and making 41 3-pointers while leading them to the Class 5A region quarterfinal.

Harrison considered Division II Eckerd College and the prep school route, but as a partial qualifier he will have the option of transferring to a Division I program if a scholarship becomes available. Harrison visited Brevard a few weeks ago and meshed well with the players and coaches.

"He was one of the most explosive players in the county," Puhalski said. "He was just able to put up big numbers quickly."

Bucs coach
back home

Gulf football assistant and boys track coach Brian Wright, at home recovering from emergency esophageal surgery, may be able to attend some spring football practices this month, coach Jay Fulmer said Tuesday.

Wright underwent surgery to repair a ruptured esophagus April 12, and initially was placed in a medically induced coma. He has since been released from the hospital and, according to Fulmer, is eating and drinking normally and can talk, albeit with a hoarse voice.

"I'm hoping he can come out to at least golf-cart status by the middle of May, maybe by the third week of practice," said Fulmer, whose team begins spring drills today. "He's under no rush; if he misses the whole month of May that's fine. I know that he's not going to want to sit there and miss that."

Pilot program close to becoming law

A Senate bill that would allow private school students to participate in public school athletics won House approval Wednesday after heated debate. House members amended the bill so only three counties would launch a two-year pilot program, to begin in the fall.

The bill would allow private school students to participate in public school sports at the middle and high school levels, as long as their schools do not offer those programs or are not members of the Florida High School Athletic Association. The pilot program would be held in Duval, Bradford and Nassau counties and requires final approval by the Senate and Gov. Charlie Crist.

Compiled by staff writers Joey Knight and Izzy Gould.