Gattaca: this one is not a movie, it’s football

Posted Mar 23, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Mar 23, 2012 at 04:14 PM

Leto Falcons head football coach Matt Kitchie announced Friday that 6-foot, 180-pound senior wide receiver Francisco Salcedo has signed with Gattaca, a club football program in Trenton, N.J.

Salcedo join 2010 Leto graduate David McPherson, a 6-5, 250 offensive lineman, at Gattaca.

So what is Gattaca, besides a 1997 science fiction film that starred Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law?

To find out more about this unique football program in the hard-working, blue collar town of Trenton, N.J., please follow this link: http://www2.tbo.com/sports/sports/2012/mar/23/gattaca-its-not-movie-its-football-ar-384336/

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Tampa Prep’s Fenlon, Morgan earn state awards

Posted Mar 22, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Mar 22, 2012 at 04:35 PM

Tampa Prep head boys basketball coach Joe Fenlon and Terrapins guard Devontae Morgan were recognized Thursday with awards presented by the Florida Dairy Farmers.

Fenlon, who guided the Terps to their first state championship title in his 29 years as their coach, was named 3A coach of the year.

Morgan, a Butler University signee and Tampa Prep’s top scorer last season, earned 3A player of the year honors. Morgan was also the first basketball player in Hillsborough County to compete in four consecutive state final four tournaments.

Both Fenlon and Morgan were selected in a statewide ballot of coaches and media representatives. As a result of these awards, they become eligible for the state’s Coach of the Year and Mr. Basketball awards, to be announced later this spring.

Morgan averaged 15.6 points 3.2 steals per game—tops on the squad—and his rebound average (5.9) and assists average (3.3) were second best for the Terps. He was featured in a Tampa Tribune story just before the state finals that chronicled the personal hurdles he has overcome en route to his college scholarship and state championship.

To read Morgan’s story, please follow this link: http://www2.tbo.com/sports/prep-sports/2012/feb/25/2/spsporto1-on-the-right-path-ar-362644/

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Charles apologizes to his Twitter “fam”

Posted Mar 22, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Mar 22, 2012 at 01:25 PM

Former Plant High and University of Georgia tight end Orson Charles has been busy preparing for the NFL draft, April 26-28 in New York City. Charles has also been letting folks who follow him on Twitter how sorry he is for his arrest last month by Athens-Clarke County Police on DUI charges.

Here’s a few tweets from Charles since his arrest:

“Twitter fam, I would like to sincerely apologize for my actions. I accept full responsibility for the mistake I made this past week.”

“It will never happen again. I’m sorry for the embarrassment I put my family, Georgia fans and my God through.”

“I can only pray that you all will forgive me. Thank you for all of your support.”

Despite the incident, the 6-foot-3, 241-pound Charles is still considered one of the best tight ends available in the draft. And most who know him well say Charles was genuinely upset with himself for the DUI. Draft experts say if he doesn’t go in the first few rounds, it likely will not have much to do with the incident.

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Former Northeast swim star Romano sets American record at NCAAs

Posted Mar 20, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Mar 20, 2012 at 12:48 AM

Former Northeast High swimming star Megan Romano capped off one of the best meets of her career last weekend when she set an American record in the 200-yard freestyle and anchored her University of Georgia 800 free relay to first place at the NCAA Championships at Auburn’s Martin Aquatics Center.

Paced by Romano, the Lady Bulldogs finished second in the final team standings to the University of California-Berkeley, 412.5-366.

Friday, Romano turned in a winning time in the 200 free of 1 minute, 41.21 seconds to better the American record in the event, as well as the U.S. Open and NCAA records of 1:41.53 set by California’s Dana Vollmer in 2009. Romano’s performance also eclipsed Georgia’s school record (1:42.08) and the pool record of 1:42.65 set in 2002 by Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin.

“I was just trying to help my team out,” Romano said. “I was just honestly trying to go 1:42, but 1:41, I’ll take it. It was exciting. The whole race felt good. I am really happy with the time.”

To read more about Romano’s big meet, please follow this link: http://www2.tbo.com/sports/sports/2012/mar/20/romano-dazzles-breaks-us-record-ncaa-swim-champion-ar-382911/

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BCP offers camps for rising freshmen football players

Posted Mar 19, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Mar 19, 2012 at 07:01 PM

Big County Preps is offering a unique camp for all football all eighth grade players expecting to compete next fall for a high school junior varsity or varsity squad.

The goal of the two-day camp is to ease the transition for these players heading to high school programs by introducing them to the type of drills, tempo, coaching, nutrition, time management, academic requirements, weight training and conditioning expected of them in high school.

Dates for the camp are April 28-29 at the Larry Sanders Sports Complex in Tampa. A maximum of 250 players will be accepted. Cost of the camp is $90 per athlete.

For more information about the camp, or to register, please follow this link: http://bigcountypreps.com/180/events/elevate/#.T2delHjCvrg

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Kroll out as TC girls basketball coach

Posted Mar 16, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Mar 16, 2012 at 08:14 PM

Nancy Kroll, who guided Tampa Catholic’s girls basketball program to back-to-back state championships in 2010 and 2011 and three straight trips to the final four, will not be retained by the school, principal Tom Reidy announced Friday afternoon.

The central Tampa school issued a news release about Kroll’s departure but did not offer an explanation for deciding to let her go. The statement did, however, say TC was accepting applications for her vacancy.

“We thank Coach Kroll for her service to Tampa Catholic and wish her continued success in her future endeavors,” the statement said.

Kroll said she was informed of the school’s decision by a telephone call from Reidy on Friday afternoon as she was en route to Indian River State College in Fort Pierce to watch her daughter, Micah Kroll, and another Crusaders standout, Kai Jones, play in the FACA North-South All-Star Game.

“He (Reidy) said (athletic director) ‘Freddie (Langiotti) and I have decided not to retain you,’ ” Kroll said. “I said ‘Well, meeting you in person, would that change what you have to say?’ and he said “No.’ And I asked “After six years of service, this is how I’m treated?’  ‘’
Kroll said Reidy told her “I don’t have to discuss personnel issues. We’re a private school and it’s my prerogative.”

Neither Reidy or Langiotti were available for comment.

Kroll is a physical education teacher at Christ the King, a K-8 school in Tampa where she coaches middle school track and softball. Before her six seasons at TC, she was girls basketball coach for two seasons at Freedom High.

“It’s a little disappointing, obviously. I put my heart and soul into the program. It’s a full-time, part-time job. But I think my resume speaks for itself.”

Will she try to coach girls basketball again elsewhere?

“Absolutely. I have coached the past 26 years of my life and I plant to coach the next 26 years of my life.” 

Kroll has been the Crusaders’ girls basketball coach the past six seasons, compiling an impressive record of 146-33 and a winning percentage of .816. After her 2009 team made it to the Class 3A final four—the first time in school history—the Crusaders captured the 3A title the next two years. In 2010, Kroll was the Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year for 3A.

This season, TC won its district title, posted a 20-11-0 record and advanced to the 4A regional final, where it lost 63-58 in overtime to eventual state champion Dunbar.

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USF/Steinbrenner Invitational boasts big field, strong talent

Posted Mar 16, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Mar 16, 2012 at 12:46 PM

One of the largest track and field meets in the state gets underway Saturday with the University of South Florida/Steinbrenner Invitational at the Bulls’ multi-million dollar facility in Tampa.

More than 1,500 individuals and a total of 71 teams are expected to compete at USF, which features a Mondo track and state-of-the-art jumps, throws and pole vault areas. Action begins at 9 a.m. with the 4x800-meter relays and field events, followed by non-seeded races in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. Qualifying rounds in the 100, 200, 100/110 hurdles are at noon and running event finals start at 2 p.m.

Medals will be awarded to the top three in each individual race. Ribbons go to 4th through 8th places. Team trophies will be presented to the boys and girls champions and runners-up.

Admission is $5 at the gate.

To read about some of the top athletes and teams headed to the meet, follow this link:http://bit.ly/yaJNhF

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Berkeley Prep leads FHSAA Academic Award standings

Posted Mar 14, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated Mar 14, 2012 at 01:05 PM

Berkeley Prep leads the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Academic Team Champion in Class 4A through the completion of winter sports.

The recognition program honors teamwork not only in competition, but in the classroom as well. The program recognizes teams in each of the Association’s 22 sanctioned sports and 8 recognized sports, naming an Academic Team Champion in each classification.

See complete winter standings here

Overall standings here

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Anclote’s Patterson gets first offer

Posted Mar 14, 2012 by Andy Villamarzo

Updated Mar 14, 2012 at 12:53 PM

Two-way man Ryan Patterson, who started at both wide receiver and safety for Anclote, received his first offer from Division III Delaware Valley College (Doylestown, Pa.), according to Sharks coach Matt Wicks early Wednesday morning.

Patterson caught 24 passes for 333 yards and scored two touchdowns and recorded 28 tackles, three interceptions and a sack according to MaxPreps.com. If Patterson signs with Delaware Valley College, the senior will be the second Shark to sign. Teammate Alonzo Pettiford signed with Wayne State last month.

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Tampa Prep leads FHSAA all-sports standings

Posted Mar 8, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated Mar 8, 2012 at 03:47 PM

GAINESVILLE – Tampa Prep, with help from state championships in boys soccer and boys basketball, has moved into the lead in the Class 3A privite school division for the FHSAA Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup All-Sports Award.


Here are the current standings:


CLASS 8A
1. Olympia (Orlando), 523 points.
2. Plant (Tampa), 517.
3. Dr. Phillips (Orlando), 492.
4. Spruce Creek (Port Orange), 487.5.
5. Palm Harbor University, 449.
6. Hagerty (Oviedo), 401.5
7. Boca Raton, 380.
8. Winter Park, 343.
9. Riverview (Sarasota), 323.5.
10. Colonial (Orlando), 323.

CLASS 7A
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), 769.5 points.
2. Martin County (Stuart), 590.
3. Chiles (Tallahassee), 423.
4. Oviedo, 373.
5. Fleming Island (Orange Park), 343.
6. Buchholz (Gainesville), 338.
7. Seminole (Seminole), 303.5.
8. Sebastian River (Sebastian), 264.
9. Harmony, 247.
10. Osceola (Kissimmee), 236.

CLASS 6A
1. Gainesville, 503.
2. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton), 473.5.
3. Niceville, 387.5.
4. Fort Myers, 340.
5. Choctawhatchee, 328.
6. Winter Haven, 326.
7. Miami Norland, 317.
8. Gulf Coast (Naples), 259.
9. Belen Jesuit (Miami), 243.
10. Edgewater (Orlando), 238.5.

CLASS 5A
1. American Heritage (Plantation), 793.
2. Ponte Vedra, 502.
3. Bartram Trail (St. Johns), 462.
4. Jesuit (Tampa), 382.
5. Nature Coast (Brooksville), 331.
6. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), 325.5.
7. Estero, 316.
8. Jensen Beach, 307.
9. Robinson (Tampa), 275.
10. Creekside (St. Johns), 261.

CLASS 4A PRIVATE
1. Bolles (Jacksonville), 903 points.
2. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando), 550.
3. Berkeley Prep (Tampa), 535.5.
4. Trinity Catholic (Ocala), 442.
5. Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale), 356.
6. Ransom Everglades (Miami), 349.
7. St. Andrew’s (Boca Raton), 346.5.
8. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale), 317.5.
9. Pensacola Catholic, 281.5.
10. Bishop Moore (Orlando), 271.5.

CLASS 4A PUBLIC
1. Cocoa Beach, 217 points.
2. Godby (Tallahassee), 205.
3. Dunbar (Fort Myers), 174.5.
4. Lincoln Park (Fort Pierce), 167.
5. Ribault (Jacksonville), 163.
6. Jones (Orlando), 154.
7. Yulee, 144.
8. Key West, 136.
9. West Nassau (Callahan), 131.
10. Raines (Jacksonville), 129.

CLASS 3A PRIVATE
1. Tampa Prep, 507.
2. Maclay (Tallahassee), 451.5 points.
3. American Heritage (Delray Beach), 402.
4. Evangelical Christian (Fort Myers), 398.
5. Community School (Naples), 395.
6. Providence (Jacksonville), 315.
7. Holy Trinity (Melbourne), 300.
8. First Academy (Orlando), 294.5.
9. Trinity Prep (Winter Park), 257.
10. King’s Acdemy (West Palm Beach), 249.

CLASS 3A/2A PUBLIC
1. P.K. Yonge (Gainesville), 308 points.
2. FAMU (Tallahassee), 225.
3. Fort Meade, 112.
4. Parkway (Miramar), 98.
5. McKeel (Lakeland), 84.
6. Taylor Pierson), 60.
7. Florida Deaf & Blind (St. Augustine), 49.
8. Oasis (Cape Coral), 46.5.
9. Pahokee, 26.
10. (tie) Brooks-DeBartolo (Tampa), 25.
10. (tie) Archimedean (Miami), 25.

CLASS 2A PRIVATE
1. Sarasota Christian, 188.
2. Grandview Prep (Boca Raton), 185.
3. Lake Worth Christian (Boynton Beach), 164.5.
4. (tie) Academy at the Lakes (Land O’Lakes), 153.
4. (tie) Westwood Christian (Miami), 153.
6. (tie) Canterbury (St. Petersburg), 130.
6. (tie) Hollywood Christian, 130.
8. Pine Castle Christian (Orlando), 118.
9. Orlando Christian Prep, 110.
10. First Baptist (Naples), 104.

CLASS 1A
1. Union County (Lake Butler), 251 points.
2. Chipley, 205.
3. Newberry, 188.
4. Jefferson County (Monticello), 175.
5. Lafayette (Mayo), 170.
6. Holmes County (Bonifay), 158.
7. Freeport, 156.5.
8. Graceville, 150.
9. Crescent City, 146.
10. Trenton, 130.

The complete standings can be found here

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