Panthers get their state title rings

Posted May 21, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 21, 2012 at 11:05 AM

Members of Plant’s 2011 Class 8A state championship football team received their long-awaited title rings Saturday night. The Panthers’ ring ceremony was staged at halftime of the school’s annual Black & Gold intra-squad scrimmage at Dad’s Stadium.

Head coach Robert Weiner presented the rings by calling out all the names of the players from the squad that knocked off nationally-ranked Miramar High last season in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.

This is the fourth championship ring the Panthers’ football program has produced in the past six seasons. Each time, Weiner has been the ring’s chief designer. The 2011 rings feature a football helmet bordered by five stones. The four black stones in the corners of the ring represent the four state championships Plant has captured since its first in 2006.

Plant defeated Ponte Vedra Beach Nease 25-21 in Miami’s Dolphins Stadium for the 2006 Class 4A state championship, Tallahassee Lincoln 34-14 in Orlando for the 2008 Class 4A state title, Manatee 21-14 in Orlando for the 2009 championship and, last December in the Citrus Bowl, Miramar 31-20.

---

UPDATED: Brandon state baseball final moved to 4:50 p.m.

Posted May 20, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated May 20, 2012 at 04:16 PM

After an afternoon rain shower, the starting time for the Class 7A state baseball championship game between Brandon and Venice has been moved to 4:50 p.m. at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie.

Click here to join Tribune prep writer Rick Harmon in a live chat from the stadium.

---

Gulf’s Ennis promoted to head girls hoops coach

Posted May 20, 2012 by Andy Villamarzo

Updated May 20, 2012 at 02:05 PM

Gulf didn’t have to look far for a successor to girls basketball coach Mike Quarto.

She was sitting right next to him.

Assistant coach Claire Ennis has been promoted to the head coach position, Ennis conformed Sunday.

“I’m just so grateful for all the support I’ve received from everyone and this great opportunity,” Ennis said. “I learned a lot under Mike (Quarto) last season and continue to learn from him. The girls and I are excited about keeping the great tradition this school has and not much will be changing in the aspect. We’re looking to just continue the success.”

Ennis, who was a four-year starter at The State University of New York at Potsdam and coached at Clarkson University (Potsdam, N.Y.) and Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), before moving to Florida.

Ennis takes over one of the most talented girls basketball team in Pasco County, as the Buccaneers return point guard Lexy Schulman (9.1 points per game, 9.8 assists per game) and guards Kayla Kivinski (18.2 points per game) and Kadejah Saunders (16.8 points per game). Gulf went 28-3 under Quarto last season and reached the Class 5A-2 region final, losing to St. Johns Bartram Trail, 56-39.

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

---

This week’s prep football offers

Posted May 19, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 19, 2012 at 11:29 PM

This week’s college scholarship offers for Hillsborough County prep football players, as reported by their coaches:

Gaither: Defensive end Ernest Suttles (6-5, 240) received his first BCS school offer Wednesday, from Indiana. Earlier, he had another offer from a Mid-American Conference school, this one from Ball State.

Hillsborough: Defensive End Jordan Sherit (6-3, 245) made it an even 30 offers with pitches from Pitt and Michigan State. Defensive back Jeremiah Green (5-8, 150) landed his second offer this week, from Bowling Green.

Jefferson: Sophomore defensive end Juwaun Brown (6-3, 215) landed his first offer, from Indiana.

Leto: Junior running back Andre Simpson (6-1, 197) received an offer from Tennessee State.

Sickles: Wide receiver Bilal Salat (6-3, 170) has been offered by Tennessee State and Ball State.

Robinson: Offensive lineman/defensive lineman Bruce Hector (6-1, 230) has been offered by the Akron.

Tampa Bay Tech: Junior defensive end Antonio Geurad (6-4, 260) landed a Big East offer, from Cincinnati, as well as Middle Tennessee State, on Wednesday. Thursday, he got Tennessee State and Western Kentucky. He also has FIU, Ohio and South Alabama. Titans junior teammate Jevon Fripp (6-0, 275) also received an offer from Tennessee State, which is his first.

---

Coming Sunday: Live chat—Brandon vs. Venice in Class 7A state baseball final

Posted May 19, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated May 20, 2012 at 03:27 PM

Join Tribune prep writer Rick Harmon live from Port St. Lucie as Brandon High attempts to win its first state baseball title when the Eagles battle Venice at 4:35 p.m. in the Class 7A championship at Digital Domain Park.

We’ll begin the chat at 4:15 p.m. with starting lineups and take you through the final pitch. You can also follow on Twitter at @TBO_PrepSports or @RickHTampaTrib

---

Live chat: Class 7A state baseball—Brandon vs. New Smyrna Beach

Posted May 19, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated May 19, 2012 at 08:50 AM

---

Four East Bay soccer players sign college scholarships

Posted May 18, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 18, 2012 at 06:04 PM

East Bay High held a signing ceremony for four Indians players who are moving on to attend college and play the game at that level. Here are the four players and their bio, as provided by East Bay athletic director Scot Tipton:

Rachel LoBrutto, midfielder, Warner College: A four-year varsity letterman at East Bay.  Rachel is a physical player with great vision of the field.  She has the ability to contribute to the team offensively or defensively.  Rachel has been a key player the last four years and will be missed.  Rachel has played club soccer for New Tampa and Florida Revolution.

Jennifer Sickles, midfielder, Mount Olive College:Jen has great touch and vision on the field.  As a center midfielder, she is a valuable playmaker with the ability to find forwards’ feet.  Not only is she a leader on the field, she also excels in the classroom.  Jen has battled injuries throughout her career but persevered for a well-deserved scholarship.  Jennifer plays club soccer for The Florida Revolution.

Isabel Vazquez, defender, Northern Iowa University:A four-year starter at defense for the Lady Indians.  Isabel is a rock on the soccer field.  An extremely hard working, level-headed player who will anchor any team she plays for.  Isabel battled through injuries and illness to make sure that she was an effective member of the team every year.  A coach’s dream player.  Isabel has played club soccer for RSL, Brandon, Florida Revolution and New Tampa.

Gabby Watson, midfielder, Georgia Southern University:A two-year member of the Lady Indians team, Gabby was dominant in the county.  With excellent skill, soccer knowledge, and work ethic, Gabby will be a benefit to her college squad.  As a center midfielder, Gabby had the ability to set up plays, score goals, and mark some of the best players in the county.  Gabby has played club soccer for RSL and IMG.

---

Armwood to host XC invite on USF golf course

Posted May 18, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 18, 2012 at 04:15 PM

Armwood High is planning to host a countywide cross country invitational this fall by staging the event at the University of South Florida golf course, Hawks coach Pete Mirones said Friday.

“We want to fill the void of the pre-state meet,” said Mirones. “And the USF golf course is a great venue for our county teams. We’re going to make this happen.”

The meet is slated for Friday, Oct. 12, in the evening. Due to the course limitations, Mirones said only the county’s public and private schools will be invited. But depending upon registration, Mirones said some teams from outside Hillsborough might be able to participate.

The only hurdle remaining, Mirones said, is finding sponsors to cover the $1,500 rental fee for the Bulls’ golf course. Any group or individual interested in being a sponsor should contact Mirones by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

---

East Bay’s Duque signs with South Georgia Tech

Posted May 18, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 18, 2012 at 03:41 PM

Easy Bay guard Dario Duque has signed with South Georgia Technical College, his club coach, Ben Bromley, announced Friday.

South Georgia Tech is a two-year junior college program located in Decatur, Ga.. The Jets compete in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.

The 6-foot-4, 175-pound Duque is the third member of Bromley’s Hurricanes club squad to sign a letter of intent, joining Riverview forward Jamal Evans (Polk State) and Bloomingdale’s Ryan Bethoney (Montreat College).

---

Three more Terriers headed to college

Posted May 18, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 18, 2012 at 10:01 AM

Three more players from the 2011 Hillsborough High playoff football team are headed to the next level to attend college and continue their playing careers, Terriers coach Earl Garcia announced Friday.

Cornerback Armaud Herndon will attend Adrian College, a Division III school in Adrian Michigan, wide receiver Jarius Gainey is going to Hiram College, a Division III school in Hiram, Ohio, and outside linebacker Jalen Hill will attend Victory Valley College, a junior college program in Victorville, Calif.

All three players attended Hillsborough for four years and have been part of the varsity squad the last three seasons, Garcia said.

---