River Ridge QB Josh Maisel commits to LaGrange College

Posted Apr 30, 2013 by Mike Camunas

Updated Apr 30, 2013 at 09:59 AM

River Ridge quarterback Josh Maisel said via Twitter that he has committed to LaGrange College.

“Ready to be a panther!” Maisel added.

In the past two seasons, Maisel led the Royal Knights to a 10-10 record, while throwing 15 passing TDs ans rushing for 12 more. Despite going just 3-7 in 2012, Maisel passed for 1,002 yards.

Maisel was named to honorable mention of the Tribune’s 2012 All Pasco County Football Team this past season.

LaGrange is a Division III, private, liberal arts college located in LaGrange, Ga., and the Panthers were, ironically, 3-7 last season.

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

Former longtime Land O’ Lakes Gators football coach John Benedetto passes away

Posted Apr 22, 2013 by Mike Camunas

Updated Apr 22, 2013 at 05:03 PM

Former Land O’ Lakes football coach John Benedetto, who coached the Gators from 1977 to 2008, passed away early Monday morning, the Tampa Tribune has learned.

Benedetto, 66, died in his sleep.

During his 32-year tenure, Benedetto amassed 196 wins, 13 district titles, 18 winning seasons, 17 postseason appearances and two trips to the regional finals. Benedetto, who celebrated his birthday Friday, is Pasco County’s winningest coach.

On Oct. 19, the Land O’ Lakes stadium was re-dedicated in his honor.

“There was not a more caring individual I knew than John,” former assistant and player under Benedetto Tom Carter said. “He was all about the kids, the players.”

House Speaker Will Weatherford once played for Benedetto and had this to say Monday afternoon:

“I am saddened by the passing of a family friend and a great high school football coach, John Benedetto. As a coach to my brothers and me, Coach Benedetto taught us lessons on the football field that have made a lasting impact on all of our lives. I am forever grateful to have called him a coach, a mentor and a friend. We will miss him, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

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

College signings around Hillsborough County today

Posted Apr 17, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 17, 2013 at 06:42 PM

Today, April 17, marks the final regular signing period for prospective student-athletes enrolling at a NCAA sports program for 2013-2014. This national letter of intent period runs from April 17 through August 1, 2013

The NLI (national letter of intent) is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an NLI member institution. A prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the institution full-time for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) and the institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).

NCAA members provide more than 1.5 billion in athletic scholarships annually.

Here is a list of signings taking place around Hillsborough County. NCAA Division II, NAIA and NJCAA (junior college) athletes may have already signed.

Tweet us your signing day photos to @TBO_PrepSports using hashtag #TBOPreps. Need to add your name to the list? Email staff writer Nick Williams .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Baseball
Keven Long, Plant City, Three Rivers Community College
Benny Ely, Jesuit, Rollins College
Zack Cartwright, Sickles, University of Massachusetts
Derrick Smith, Seffner Christian, Clearwater Christian

Boys Basketball
Devin Harris, Jesuit, East Tennessee State
J.J. Weir, Jesuit, Rhodes College
Malcolm Johnson, Sickles, Navy
Reggie Twiggs, Brandon, Hillsborough Community College
Trend Robertson, Durant, Coastal Georgia

Girls Basketball
Le’Area Wilkerson, Blake, South Georgia Tech

Bowling
Tony Orr, Brooks-DeBartalo, Midland University

Cross Country
Josh Keenan, Seffner Christian, Florida College

Football
Amoretto Curraj, Leto, Marshall University
Seth Crowell, Plant City, Florida Technical University
Joe Davis, Plant City, Webber University
Anthony Sferra, Jesuit, Catholic University
Christian Freemen, Tampa Catholic, Southeastern University
Wyatt Brown, Seffner Christian, Berry College
Nate Smith, Seffner Christian, Webber International
Zach Romp, Freedom, Berry College
Lucas Cancio, Chamberlain, Webber International

Golf
Lucas Trim, Jesuit, Villanova University

Lacrosse
Ryan Brady, Jesuit, Washington and Lee
Cole Fox, Jesuit, Swarthmore College

Soccer
Morgan Parrish, Tampa Bay HEAT (Homeschool graduate), Asbury University

Softball
Rachel Dwyer, Chamberlain, University of Virginia
Devon Morrison, Sickles, State College of Florida
Christina Linton, Sickles, State College of Florida
Ashley Weisman, Sickles, Eckerd College
Megin Eskew, Sickles, University of Tampa
Erin Reynolds, Tampa Catholic, Coast Guard Academy
Cassie Pesce, Tampa Catholic, Spring Hill College

Swimming
Kelsey Fry, Plant City, University of West Florida

Tennis
David Pagliarulo, Jesuit, St. Joseph’s University

Volleyball
Megan Taris, Sickles, Indian River State College
Megan Schillo, Sickles, Reinhardt College
Alyssa Prescott, Brandon, Southeastern University
Jamee Townsend, Strawberry Crest, Saint Leo University

Leto’s Curraj commits to Marshall

Posted Apr 15, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 15, 2013 at 01:16 PM

Leto punter/kicker Amoreto Curraj has verbally committed to Marshall, Leto head coach Matt Kitchie announced Monday.

This past season, Curraj recorded 878 punting yards and 854 yards in kickoffs. His longest field goal of the season was for 52 yards.

Immokalee, CCC highlight Jesuit’s football 2013 & 2014 schedule

Posted Mar 22, 2013 by Nick Williams

Updated Mar 22, 2013 at 10:26 AM

Jesuit High’s varsity football schedule won’t be easy the next two years.

Highlighting the Tigers’ 2013 and 2014 season schedules are Class 5A Immokalee, last year’s 5A state runner up, and Clearwater Central Catholic, the 2012 3A state semifinalist. Also on the schedule are games against Trinity Catholic, which reached the 3A region final last season, and Newsome, which advanced to the 2012 7A region final.

Jesuit’s district (5A-9) includes two other teams, Middleton and Spoto. And of course, there’s the annual regular season finale against rival Tampa Catholic.

Jesuit will face Dixie Hollins in the 2013 and 2014 spring jamboree games.

Aug. 22 (preseason classic)—Palm Harbor
Aug. 30: at Hardee
Sept. 6: Lakewood Ranch
Sept.13: at Clearwater Central Catholic
Sept. 20: Largo
Sept. 27: at Newsome
Oct. 4: at Spoto
Oct. 11: Trinity Catholic
Oct. 18: Bye
Oc. 25: at Immokalee
Nov.  1: Middleton
Nov. 8: Tampa Catholic