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North Suncoast: News and notes

By Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, May 16, 2008

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Sharks' Silvestri off to Valdosta St.

Nature Coast small forward Joe Silvestri, a first-team pick on the Times' all-North Suncoast basketball team as a senior, confirmed Thursday that he will play at Division II Valdosta (Ga.) State, where he intends to walk on but hopes to earn at least a partial scholarship.

Silvestri, who averaged nearly a double-double (17.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg) for the Sharks last season, said he hopes to find out by the end of May what type of financial aid he'll receive.

"I love the facilities. I went to see one of their games and loved it," said Silvestri, who has visited the south Georgia campus twice. "The coaches are very nice. I like the whole school."

Silvestri, recruited as a shooting guard, arguably had an even more impressive baseball season, winning five of six decisions and striking out 64 in 53 innings for a club that reached the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.

Joyer picks up more offers

Wesley Chapel lineman Kamran Joyer spent two hours with USF coach Jim Leavitt on Wednesday and received another scholarship offer. In fact, he loved what he heard so much that he lists USF as his top choice followed by Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Miami.

Illinois made an offer to Joyer this week as well. He has offers from Tennessee and South Carolina, and Miami will visit next week.

Joyer will attend a camp at Florida on June 11.

Joyer moved USF to the top of his list for two reasons: Leavitt said Joyer would have a strong chance to earn a starting position, and USF is close to home.

USF is thin at center and is considering Joyer in that role with four seniors on this year's line. Joyer plays guard now, but he was a center in middle school, and his father, Jack, said he should get some practice snaps with the Wildcats, though he will not move to center this fall.

Jack Joyer said that his son is expected to make an oral commitment by the end of June and that a chance to start would certainly carry a lot of weight in his decision.

"He started day one at Wesley Chapel," Jack Joyer said. "His goal is to be a four-year starter."

Number of the day

63 Wiregrass Ranch student-athletes who qualified for the Sunshine Athletic Conference All-Academic team, most of any school in Pasco County. To be eligible for the team, student-athletes must have lettered in at least two varsity sports and maintained a 3.2 GPA.

Compiled by Times staff writer Joey Knight.