Wiregrass Ranch keeper Dayton Wetherby commits to Navy

Posted Feb 22, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Feb 22, 2012 at 09:40 AM

Wiregrass Ranch junior goalkeeper Dayton Wetherby has decided to serve here country and on her college plans, as she has committed to Navy, Bulls coach Erin Dodd told the Tampa Tribune on Wednesday morning.

“Dayton Wetherby recently made her college commitment to play for the Naval Academy. She is currently in Panama training and playing with the Panama U-20 National Team,” Dodd said in an e-mail.

While playing for the 17-5 Bulls that were 4A-8 district semifinalists this season, Wetherby logged 1,540 in net, making 78 saves, 11 shutouts and gave up just 11 goals. In three seasons since starting as a freshman in 2009-10, Wetherby’s career stats have been impressive: just 39 goals against, 247 saves and 24 shutouts.

Wetherby joins teammate, junior forward A.J. Blount, as an early commit for the 2013 recruiting class. Blount, who missed the entire 2011-12 season recovering from an ACL injury, committed to USF in December after scoring 68 goals, 18 assists, 109 shots and 154 points in two seasons with Wiregrass.

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

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Wiregrass OL/DL Edmond Boateng receives offers, will sign Thursday

Posted Feb 21, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Feb 21, 2012 at 05:36 PM

Wiregrass Ranch OL/DL Edmond Boateng has been offered a full-ride to Arkansas Pine-Bluff and New Mexico Military Institute, plus is expected to receive an offer from Butler Community College, Bulls coach Jeremy Shobe said Tuesday afternoon.

Boateng, standing at an impressive 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, was part of the unfortunate 0-10 Bulls this past season, but had 24 tackles and three sacks.

Shobe added that the Butler offer is expected in the next day, however, Boateng is more than likely to sign with New Mexico Military on Thursday at 1:05 p.m. in the Student-Services conference room at Wiregrass.

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

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Land O’ Lakes’ Josh Davis to sign with Saint Leo University

Posted Feb 21, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Feb 21, 2012 at 01:42 PM

Just a few days after his high-school soccer career came to a close, Land O’ Lakes senior forward Josh Davis made his collegiate plans and will sign a soccer scholarship to play for Saint Leo University, Gators coach Mark Pearson told the Tampa Tribune on Tuesday afternoon.

Davis, a speedy forward, had a team- and county-high 33 goals for Land O’ Lakes, which lost 3-1 in the 3A state final Saturday to Plantation American Heritage. In two seasons, Davis had 51 goals for the Gators, while he was also garnering interest from the University of Tampa, where he would have rejoined former teammate, keeper Kody Parker.

Davis joins his two teammates — Jake Frahm (North Florida) and Andy Garcia (Palm Beach Atlantic) — in signing letters of intent this recruiting season.

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

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Football: Land O’ Lakes LB Williams signs JuCo Letter of Intent

Posted Feb 21, 2012 by Bart O'Connell

Updated Feb 21, 2012 at 12:23 PM

Coach Brian Wachtel announced this morning that Senior Shadow Williams has signed to play football for Phoenix College, a Community College in Arizona that has a long list of transfers to Division I schools.

Williams played through injury this season to still establish himself as one of the best linebackers in Pasco County. He had 62 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2011.

Phoenix College sent 21 football players to four-year institutions in 2010, including First-team All-American Alonzo Highsmith (Arkansas)

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Updated: Donohoe named football coach at Freedom

Posted Feb 20, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 20, 2012 at 02:34 PM

Former Strawberry Crest head football coach and Armwood assistant Todd Donohoe has been named the new head coach at Freedom High, athletic director Eli Thomas told the Tampa Tribune on Monday afternoon.

“Our top candidates were very close. We just thought Todd brought more to the program,” Thomas said. “He has a lot of organizational skills and has a passion for what he’s doing.”

Donohoe replaces Tchecoy Blount, who was not re-hired following two seasons and a combined 5-15 record.

Donohoe was Strawberry Crest’s head coach for the school’s first two seasons of football. The Chargers played a full varsity schedule in Donohoe’s second year and posted a 5-5 mark, with one win coming by forfeit.

Stay tuned to TBO.com for more details on the county’s newest coach.

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Academy at the Lakes girls state semifinal set for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday

Posted Feb 19, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Feb 19, 2012 at 01:26 PM

Academy at the Lakes girls basketball will play its state semifinal at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lakeland Center, the first of the two 2A semifinals matches.

The Wildcats (22-5), as well as veteran coach Karim Nohra, advanced to their first-ever state semifinal by defeating Winter Garden Foundation 64-28 on Saturday night. This dominating win followed two other blowouts of Winter Haven All Saints’ Academy and Avon Park Walker Memorial Academy 71-33 and 85-37, respectively. Academy is also 2A-8 district champs.

The Wildcats are led by speedy guard Samantha Fernandez, who had 17 points Saturday night, and Amelia Oliver. who scored a game-high 23 points against Winter Garden.

The news of Academy getting the early game time is welcomed by Academy’s boys basketball team, which host its own region semifinal Tuesday night at 7 against All Saints’. The girls early game time allows boys players to attend and support their female peers before returning to Land O’ Lakes for their game.

For live updates for both of Academy’s boys and girls basketball games Tuesday, follow us on Facebook here and Twitter here.

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Live coverage: Boys Class 3A state boys soccer—Land O’ Lakes vs. Plantation American Heritage

Posted Feb 17, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated Feb 18, 2012 at 11:14 AM

Please join us here Saturday for bagels, cream cheese and soccer for our live coverage of the Class 3A boys state soccer championship match between Land O’ Lakes and Plantation American Heritage. The Pasco Tribune’s boys soccer beat writer, Mike Camunas, and Pasco Tribune sports writer Rick Harmon, will bring you live highlights and insights from the match. The Gators are seeking their first state championship in their second attempt under coach Mark Pearson. In 1999, Land O’akes lost 3-0 to Fort Myers. American Heritage has been to the state playoffs every year since 1999, winning state titles in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008. The match is slated for a 11:05 a.m. kickoff at USF’s new Corbett Stadium so please join us!

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Alonso’s Holloway likely out for season with hamstring injury

Posted Feb 16, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 16, 2012 at 03:54 PM

Brandon Holloway said he was about halfway into a 100-meter time trial Tuesday when he felt his right hamstring lock up on him. And from the level of pain he was feeling, he was fairly certain it was no simple strain.

Following an MRI of Holloway’s hamstring today, Ravens coach Roger Mills said his star sprinter and Mississippi State football signee is likely out for the remainder of the season with a Level 2 strain of the muscle. It’s not a tear, but the severity of the strain will require an expected six-to-eight week recovery period before Holloway can return to training.

And that, Mills said, probably means Holloway will not be competing in this spring’s state finals.

“The priority now is to have Brandon ready for Mississippi State,” said Mills. “What we’re talking about here is a four-year education. It would be absolutely irresponsible of me to rush him back and put his college education in jeopardy.”

For Holloway, who recorded 907 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing last season at running back and averaged nearly 38 yards a kick return, it’s yet another disappointment to his prep track career. As a sophomore, he false started in his best event, the 200-meter dash at the district championships. Last season, he false started in the 200 at the state finals.

Each time, however, the Ravens standout has bounced back to medal in the 100 at state with a seventh-place finish. His personal records for the 100 and 200 are 10.54 seconds and 21.28. Holloway, the defending county champion in both races, has also run 48.74 for the 400. He’s hoping for a full recovery and another chance at track in college.

“It’s tough right now but I think things happen for a reason,” Holloway said. “I know I’m not done with track.”

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Land O’ Lakes forced to forfeit 44 athletic contests

Posted Feb 15, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated Feb 15, 2012 at 06:42 PM

The Florida High School Athletic Association announced penalties and sanctions Wednesday to a story first reported by The Pasco Tribune involving illegal recruiting of two Land O’ Lakes student-athletes, who are siblings.

The FHSAA, in a letter to Principal Ric Mellin from executive director Roger Dearing, determined the student-athletes involved violated Bylaw 9.1.2.2 for “Falsification of Information” to enroll at Land O’ Lakes High.

In all, six bylaws and policies were involved.

Because Land O’ Lakes self-reported on Feb. 10, the fines levied were reduced from $80,000 to $3,200.

“At this point I will only confirm that we have self-reported an incident within our athletics program, but we are not willing to discuss the situation and will wait until the FHSAA provides us with a response,” Mellin said in an email Wednesday.

Later, by telephone, Mellin said he had seen a copy of the report and would not comment, pending a possible appeal.

One of student-athlete participated in 23 football games and five boys weightlifting meets last year. The other played junior varsity volleyball.

It is believed the student-athletes never moved and, with the help of a coach and Land O’ Lakes booster, obtained a false address within the Land O’ Lakes school boundaries.

The coach has been dismissed, although Mellin said is was not anyone from current football coach Brian Wachtel’s current staff. Wachtel took over for Matt Kitchie in 2010.

Read the complete story here

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Hudson’s Savage signs with Indian River

Posted Feb 14, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated Feb 14, 2012 at 04:42 PM

Hudson volleyball player Cheye-Anne Savage signed a full scholarship to play for Indian River State College on Tuesday.

Savage, an honorable mention selection for The Pasco Tribune’s All-County volleyball team, had a team-high 210 kills for the 18-9 Cobras that were upset as the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A-District 8 district tournament by Anclote. As a middle hitter, Savage also added 40 aces, 64 blocks and 42 digs.

Complete Signing Day photo gallery

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