Basketball showcase tonight at Berkeley Prep

Posted Jun 17, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Jun 17, 2013 at 01:20 PM

The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches Tampa Bay Futures Shootout will be held tonight at Berkeley Prep. The girls game starts at 5:30p.m., followed by the boys game. Admission is $5.

White Team (Boys)
1 Savonte Frazier - Lake Wales 6’ Sr.
2 Sam Harris - Tampa Catholic 5’10” Sr.
3 Jacob Mathis – Berkeley Prep 6’3” So.
4 Dayon Griffin – St. Pete HS 6’4” Sr.
5 Anthony Lawrence – Lakewood 6’4” Jr.
11 John Christian – Wharton 6’1” So.
12 Michael Clark – Lakewood 6’6” Sr.
13 Roderick Davis – Brandon 6’7” Sr.
14 Justin Gray – Berkeley Prep 6’5” Sr.

Blue Team (Boys)
1 Alsean Evans – Kathleen 6’2” Jr.
2 3 Brandon Jones – Largo 6’6” Sr.
4 Jamal Crawford – Largo 6’3” So.
5 Marshall Holmes – Berkeley Prep 6’2” Sr,
11 Leandre Thomas – St. Pete HS 6’8” so.
12 Jacobi Boykins - Lakewood 6’5” Sr.
13 Chivarsky Corbett - Tampa Catholic 6’6” Sr.
14 Ben Clare - St. Pete HS 6’7” Sr.
15 Marcus Russell - Ridge Community 6’6” Sr.

White Team (Girls)
1 Maggie Flynn –Venice 5’5” Sr.
2 Bianca Roberts – Pasco 5’7” Sr.
3 Ly’na Battles – Winter Haven 5’8” Jr.
4 Aliyah Gregory – Strawberry Crest 5’9” Jr.
5 Deja Turner- Plant 5’9” So.
11 Emily Harding – Sarasota 5’9” Sr.
12 Keyshawna Robinson – Southeast 5’8” Sr.
13 DeJa Swinton – Lakewood 6’1” So.
14 Lauren Boerger – Newsome 5’11” Sr.
15 Alicia Artley – Fivay 6’1” Sr.

Blue Team (Girls)
1 Emily Buflin – Lakewood Ranch 5’5” Sr.
2 Sabrina Whiting – Seffner Christian 5’6” Sr.
3 Destiny Small – Kathleen 5’8” Jr.
4 Kylie Warner – Sarasota 5’8” Sr.
5 Siyana Allen – Lakewood 5’9” Jr.
11 Yamaris Guevarez – Booker 5’9” So.
12 Niaya White – Boca Ciega 6’ So.
13 Diamond Battles – All Saints Academy 5’8” 8th
14 DeAngela Mathis – Southeast 5’10” Sr.
15 Bailee Wolfe – Bartow 6’2” Jr.

Tampa Bay baseball players selected to all-state team

Posted Jun 13, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Jun 13, 2013 at 03:48 PM

The following local players were selected to the Florida Atheltic Coaches Association All-State Baseball Team:

Class 2A: Matthew Gladfelter, Northside Christian, Matt Bryan, Northside Christian, Dalton Eckstein, Northside Christian, Levi Gilcrease, Cambridge Christian, Nick Eicholtz, Cambridge Christian. 3A: Josh Falk, Bishop McLaughlin, Russell Perciavalle, Bishop McLaughlin, Colton Nussel, Bishop McLaughlin, Matt Piatt, Calvary Christian, Max Geller, St. Pete Catholic, Sam Martin, Tampa Prep, Kirby Wilson, Tampa Prep. 4A: Bubba Olivera, Berkeley Prep. 5A: Kellen Brown, Dunedin, Spencer Trayner, Jesuit, Cody Beckman, Jesuit, Leland Saile, Jesuit, Daniel Portales, Jesuit, Adrian Chacon, Jesuit, Jordan Parnell, Jesuit, Vincent Miniet, Jesuit. 6A: Steven Petrilyak, Largo, Brett Morales, King, Brandon Brosher, Springstead, Brandon Lawson, Hernando, Christian Arroyo, Hernando, Dylan Harris, Land O’ Lakes, Josh Nissen, Land O’ Lakes. 7A: Clay Gilman, Clearwater, Cole Gordon, Steinbrenner,Oscar Mercado, Gaither, Cole Gordon, Steinbrenner, Corey Baptist, Seminole, Jake Mielock, Countryside, Nick Nolan, Seminole, Michael Mann, Seminole. 8A: Grant Hodges, East Lake, Tyler Scott Neuhaus, East Lake, Troy Strominger, East Lake, Tyler Danish, Durant, Pete Alonso, Plant, Cody Crouse, Bloomingdale; Tucker Neuhaus, Tampa-Wharton, Alexander Faedo, Alonso, Sean Labsan, Riverview.

All-Academic Baseball Team
2A: Clayton Hasko, Northside Christian, Blake Eversole, Northside Christian, Dalton Eckstein, Northside Christian, Sam Martin, Cambridge Christian. 3A: Russell Perciavalle, Bishop McLaughlin, Rappy Bournigal, Lakeland Christian. 4A: Bubba Olivera, Berkeley. 5A: Christian Arroyo, Hernando, Brandon Lawson, Hernando. 6A: Brandon Brosher, Springstead, Josh Nissen, Land O’ Lakes, Brett Morales, King, Ryan Jones, Jefferson, Gabriel Selochan, Jefferson. 7A:Reed Avers, Clearwater, Clay Gilman, Clearwater, Nicholas Solenberger, Clearwater, Logan Lapace, Steinbrenner,  Cole Gordon, Steinbrenner. 8A: Shane Mullen, Palm Harbor, Kevin Griffith, Palm Harbor, Brian Auerbach, Palm Harbor, Will Shay, Palm Harbor, Troy Strominger, East Lake, Thomas Murphy, Alonso, Pete Alonso, Plant, Sean Labsin, Riverview.

Wiregrass Ranch baseball coach Jeff Swymer resigns upon facing suspension

Posted Jun 13, 2013 by Mike Camunas

Updated Jun 13, 2013 at 04:39 PM

After the team’s most successful season, Wiregrass Ranch baseball coach Jeff Swymer has resigned from his position, Swymer told the Tampa Tribune on Thursday afternoon.

According to Pasco County School Board spokeswoman Linda Cobbe, Swymer, 32, was facing a year-long suspension from coaching for an incident during Spring Break that occurred with players present. Swymer, who took the Bulls down to a March tournament in Fort Lauderdale, went to a bowling alley with the players and other parent chaperons one evening. Swymer then consumed a beer with the parents, however, in front of players, Cobb said.

While players without parents present are with Swymer, they are his responsibility and coaches and/or teachers are not allowed to consume alcohol, Cobbe added.

“It’s terribly unfortunate — I know the school feels sick about it. I know he feels sick about it,” Cobbe said. “It was a unfortunate lapse of judgement and you feel bad for everyone, especially the players who lose their coach.”

Cobbe added Swymer, who is not employed as a teacher for Pasco County, had not yet been suspended or told of the suspension, an assistant principal at the school, however, advised him of the likely outcome, so Swymer opted to resign.

Bulls athletic director Dave Wilson said Thursday morning the school and administration stood behind Swymer, but Swymer decided to step down because of the circumstances. Swymer, who was named the Tribune’s All-Pasco County Coach of the Year, said he was touched by the outreach and support from players and the text messages they sent.

“They are the ones I’m the most concerned about,” Swymer said. ‘I’ve got kids I’ve had since they were eighth graders and now they’re going to be seniors. ... They’re struggling with this.”

In a letter to players and their parents that was obtained by the Tribune, Swymer addressed his gratitude to player’s hard work and dedication. However, he also mentioned that an anonymous party reported the incident.

Swymer, who was 76-33 record in four seasons, led the Bulls to a 19-10 record and to the Class 7A region final that included an upset of then-nationally ranked Steinbrenner. This 2013 season was also Wiregrass’ first postseason berth in program history.

“Wiregrass Ranch High School baseball has become one of the top baseball programs in the state over Jeff’s tenure due to his tireless work and dedication to the program,” Wilson said in a statement.

Swymer’s resignation also hurts the football team, as Swymer had become an invaluable assistant to a Bulls team looking to snap a 22-game losing streak.

Players took to Twitter to display their outrage and support for Swymer.

“Coach swymer is wiregrass baseball. Can’t do it without him, bring him back!” junior outfielder Austin Drury said.

Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @MikeCamunas.

Tampa Bay athletes named to FACA All-State Softball Team

Posted Jun 13, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Jun 13, 2013 at 03:49 PM

The following players were named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State Softball Team.

Class 2A: Lauren Evans, Academy at the Lakes, Sydney Boyton, Academy at the Lakes, Skyler Boynton, Academy at the Lakes, Savannah Mitchell, Canterbury, Alea White, Cambridge Christian. 3A: Tiffini Linville, Seffner Christian. 4A: Kristin Hoover, Berkeley Prep. 5A: Courtney Riddle, Hernando, Megan Lane,Hernando, Alexis Jackson, Robinson. 6A: Chelsea Armstrong, Sickles, Christina Linton, Sickles. 7A: Lindsey Hagberg, Chamberlain, Hailee Kesling, Countryside. 8A: Moriah Connolly, Palm Harbor University, Jess Adams, Palm Harbor University, Paige Davis, Durant, Kasey Weaver, Riverview, Victoria Groves, Riverview.

All-Academic Softball Team
2A: Skyler Boyton, Academy at the Lakes, Whitney Laurent, Canterbury, Megan Rygiel, Cambridge Christian. 4A: Kristin Hoover, Berkely Prep. 6A: Chelsea Armstrong, Sickles. 8A: Vanessa Fernandez, Palm Harbor, Stephanie Kouvatos, Riverview.

Wesley Chapel star PF Erik Thomas signs with East Georgia State

Posted Jun 11, 2013 by Andy Villamarzo

Updated Jun 11, 2013 at 05:29 PM

Arguably the best boys basketball player to ever don a Wesley Chapel jersey has finally found a college to call home.

Former Wesley Chapel power forward Erik Thomas signed with East Georgia State on Tuesday afternoon, according to a text message from Thomas.

Thomas is the second in his family to sign with a college for basketball, as his older sister, Sthefany, signed with Clemson. Both siblings also scored more than 2,000 points during their time at Wesley Chapel and are the only two to do so in their respective program’s histories.

Erik, a 6-foot-5 forward, put up impressive numbers during the 2012-13 season, averaging 33 points and 16 rebounds per game. Thomas career highs came in a 47-point effort against Hudson and a tremendous 32-rebound output against Ridgewood.

His height, though, was a factor in colleges giving serious looks to the Wesley Chapel standout. Numerous other Division II and Division III schools sought interest in the power forward.

Correspondent Andy Villamarzo can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.