Breakfast with the Terrapins

Posted May 23, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated May 23, 2012 at 12:35 AM

Join Tampa Tribune prep writer Rick Harmon Wednesday morning from Port Sr. Lucie as the Tampa Prep Terrapins battle Jacksonville Providence in a Class 3A state baseball semifinal.

Tampa Prep, under the direction of AJ Hendrix, is making its first appearance in the state Final Four. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. We’ll launch the live chat at 9:45 a.m.

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Former Robinson receiver Ellingson signed by Bucs

Posted May 22, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 22, 2012 at 11:50 AM

When Robinson High wide receiver Greg Ellingson signed with Florida International University in 2007, Knights coach Mike DePue said the Panthers were “getting a steal.”

Some five years later, looks like DePue was right. Not only did Ellingson go on to become one of FIU’s top receivers, he has found a way to keep playing football as a pro. Ellingson, a first team all-Hillsborough County selection by the Tampa Tribune in 2006, was signed today as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Ellingson was first signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011 but was waived before the start of the regular season. He went on to play in the Arena Football League for the New Orleans VooDoo before being signed today by the Bucs following the release of Tyler Shoemaker of Boise State. Before leaving the VooDoo this season, Ellingson had 33 receptions for 475 yards and eight touchdowns.

Photo: Greg Ellingson from his senior season at Robinson, where he was a first team all-Hillsborough County selection by the Tampa Tribune.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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County AD: Arwmood’s response to FHSAA charges could “take a while”

Posted May 16, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 16, 2012 at 09:59 PM

Hillsborough County athletic director Lanness Robinson said Armwood’s response to the allegations presented by the Florida High School Athletics Association on Monday could require the 10 full business days allotted to it by the association.

Robinson said much of that time would likely be spent by he and Armwood principal Mike Ippolito speaking to the parents whom the FHSAA report claim either falsified documents to gain entry into Armwood or did not make the required full and complete move prior to registering for the Seffner school.

In addition, Robinson said he and the school need to sort out the eligibility status of the five other players mentioned in the report that arrived at the school this year but are not eligible to participate in spring drills currently taking place.

“It’s going to take a while,” Robinson said Wednesday. “There are five kids named from last year, and five additional kids from this year, whom the FHSAA want information about as well.”

The Tampa Tribune received a copy of the FHSAA’s tentative findings but have chosen not to name the players involved due to their ages.

FHSAA Executive Director Roger Dearing says Armwood can respond to the allegations in one of three ways: 1) Yes, there was a violation; 2) No, there was not a violation and the investigator got the facts wrong or 3) Yes, there was a violation but there were extenuating circumstances that caused a violation. Dearing said for the second or third response, it’s up to the school to present evidence to the FHSAA proving the point.

Dearing said there was no evidence of recruiting with Armwood’s football program, which last fall went 15-0 and won the Class 6A state championships. All violations and potential current violations regard residency issues with former or current players.

Once Armwood responds to the FHSAA’s allegations, the FHSAA has 10 business days to give its final letter to Armwood listing fines and sanctions. Dearing said unless the Hawks can prove all five former players met residency requirements, the team would have to forfeit any and all games they participated in, including the playoffs.

If that happens, it means Armwood will officially lose its state crown—its third since 2003—and the 6A title will be vacated.

“Our investigator could be wrong—it has happened before—but it doesn’t happen very often,” Dearing said.

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Rocha named Tampa Catholic girls hoops coach

Posted May 16, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated May 16, 2012 at 05:16 PM

Ridgewood girls basketball coach Matthew Rocha has been named to the same position at Tampa Catholic, principal Thomas J. Reidy announced Wednesday.

“Coach Rocha attended Catholic high school, is an expert in the sport of basketball, and has great passion for the game,” Reidy said. “His values as a coach and educator match well with Tampa Catholic’s traditions of ‘Faith, Excellence & Family.’ I welcome him to the TC family.” 

Rocha, a Jacksonville native attended Bishop Kenny High School and began his coaching career at the Jacksonville school. In two years at Ridgewood, Rocha compiled a 34-20 record.

Tampa Catholic won back-to-back state titles in 2010 and 2011. Last season, The Crusaders went 20-11 and advanced to the Class 3A region finals. Rocha will have three starters returning from that team.

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Another Fulmer heads to Ridgewood

Posted May 16, 2012 by Andy Villamarzo

Updated May 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM

Former Hudson quarterback Will Fulmer has officially enrolled at Ridgewood, he said via text early this morning.

Fulmer, who played at Gulf his first two years of high school before going back to Hudson, his home school, after his father, Jay Fulmer, was forced to resign his coaching position at Gulf prior to the 2010 season.

Will only played two games last season for the Cobras, before an ankle injury in the second game against Clearwater Central Catholic derailed the remainder of his junior campaign. Through two games, Fulmer completed 2-of-14 passes for 22 yards and rushed for 38 yards.

When Jay Fulmer was hired as head coach at Ridgewood, it was expected Will would follow but he couldn’t officially enroll until Jay was teaching at the school. With the move, Will will have the opportunity to play his first varsity season under his father and that’s something that means a lot to the both.

“I’m just extremely happy he’s here,” Jay Fulmer said. “It just really means a lot to me that I can get to coach my son in his senior season. I think he will be a great addition to the team.”

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

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