Don Howards steps down as Wiregrass Ranch’s girls track and field coach

Posted May 8, 2013 by Mike Camunas

Updated May 8, 2013 at 03:01 PM

Don Howard has officially turned in his letter of resignation as Wiregrass Ranch’s girls track and field coach, the coach said Wednesday afternoon.

“I’ve been thinking about stepping down each of the last four seasons,” Howard said. “It was just the right time for me to step down. Coaching the team and teaching AP dual enrollment classes was tough for me. I’ll continue to coach the distance girls (events) if the next coach wants me to.”

Howard, who just completed his fourth year as coach, led the Bulls to four Sunshine Athletic Conference titles and also four district crowns. Howard stated that he will continue to coach Wiregrass’ girls cross country team.

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

Hudson to host spring basketball tourney this weekend

Posted May 8, 2013 by Andy Villamarzo

Updated May 8, 2013 at 12:41 PM

Hudson High’s basketball team will be hosting a seven-team tournament this Saturday at their gymnasium, with games starting at 9 a.m., according to an email by Cobras coach Jason Vetter. The seven teams that’ll be participating are Hudson, Lecanto, Sunlake, Ridgewood, Brooksville Nature Coast, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

Each game will include two-16 minute halves and halftime will only last for a minute. There will be 10 games played and below is the schedule for the tournament.

9 a.m - Wiregrass Ranch vs. Hudson
10:05 a.m. - Brooksville Nature Coast vs. Hudson
11:10 a.m. - Sunlake vs. Wiregrass Ranch
12:15 p.m. - Brooksville Nature Coast vs. Wiregrass Ranch
1:20 p.m. - Lecanto vs. Ridgewood
2:25 p.m. - Sunlake vs. Zephyrhills
3:30 p.m. - Ridgewood vs. Brooksville Nature Coast
4:35 p.m. - Lecanto vs. Sunlake
5:40 p.m. - Zephyrhills vs. Ridgewood
6:45 p.m. - Zephyrhills vs. Lecanto

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

Football: Sunlake’s Burgos headed to Black Hills State

Posted May 6, 2013 by Bart O'Connell

Updated May 6, 2013 at 08:12 PM

Sunlake RB/DB Eddie Burgos will play football for Black Hills State University in South Dakota, according to Coach Bill Browning.

Burgos took an extended amount of time to make his college choice, but Browning said the school in Spearfish, S.D. was ultimately the place he liked the best of the schools recruiting him, despite how far away it is from home.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound three-year starter was one of Pasco County’s most versatile players in 2012. On offense he posted 1013 rush yards, 152 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. On defense he had four interceptions, one forced fumble, and three more TDs. All this while dealing with nagging injuries that at times prevented him from playing on offense, though he appeared in all 10 of Sunlake’s games.

Burgos also has experience playing wide receiver. Prior to moving to running back, he had 38 catches for 639 yards and seven TDs in his sophomore and junior seasons combined. He was recruited by Black Hills State as an athlete.

The Yellow Jackets are entering their second year as members of the Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. They went 4-7 last season but won their final three games.

Weather forces baseball, softball postponements

Posted May 1, 2013 by Tribune staff

Updated May 1, 2013 at 05:45 PM

For a second straight day, rain and lightning played havoc with the high school sports schedule.

Every area baseball team had their games postponed until Thursday.

In addition, the two softball games that were suspended Tuesday until today were suspended again. Blake and Bradenton Bayshore are tied at 6 in the bottom of the third inning. The game will resume Thursday at Blake at noon. In the 7A-Region 3 semifinal, Freedom leads Chamberlain, 3-2, in the top of the fourth inning. That game is scheduled to resume at 4 p.m. at Chamberlain on Thursday.

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.