Robinson’s football team is gearing up for its first home state playoff game in more than three decades, and the Knights certainly will have their hands full.
The Knights welcome in Arcadia DeSoto County, which has one of the state’s top running backs in senior Marcus Shaw.
Shaw has put together consecutive 2,000-yard rushing seasons and enters Friday’s playoff game at Jack Peters Field – the first there since 1977 – with 2,361 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns this year.
Knights coach Mike DePue is well aware of Shaw, who could be a familiar name to some Hillsborough County football fans. After all, Shaw was a catalyst in ending Spoto’s season last year, rushing for 196 and three touchdowns in an opening-round playoff win against the Spartans.
Perhaps the most worrisome aspect for the Knights is the method in which DeSoto County’s offense moves the ball – out of the Wing-T. Robinson had trouble with another Wing-T team (Newsome) and its standout runner (fullback Conner Powers) earlier this season. The Knights suffered their only home loss of the season to the Wolves, 41-20, as Powers rushed for 179 yards and four touchdowns.
“I think the difference is we matchup up front with them (DeSoto County) a little better,” DePue said last wee. “I think that might give us a little bit of help there.”
If not, Robinson could be forced into a shootout with the Bulldogs. The good news is the Knights have averaged 39.8 points per game this season.
“It could end up being a barn-burner,” DePue said.
Six years ago, former high school basketball coach Jan Bennett acted on a suggestion from a former Tampa Tribune reporter to start his own tournament between teams coached by his former players. Now in its six-year, the Jan Bennett Pre-season Hoop It Up tournament has become a tradition for many high school programs in the Bay Area and in the last five years, has donated $5,840.00 to the Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association and the Doug Walker Scholarship Fund.
“It gets me in the gym for two days,” said Bennett, who is 20th all-time in Florida basketball with 576 career wins. “I just hope it helps a bunch of young people.”
Bennett coached at the high school and collegiate level for more than three decades, with stints at Tampa Bay Tech (1974-76), Brandon (1976-81), Robinson (1986-94), Fort Meade (1997-98), Seminole Presbyterian (1998-2000), University of South Florida (2001-2003) and Tampa Prep (2005).
Bennett said all of the gate receipts from the tournament go towards the TBBCA, which help pay for its annual banquet, awards and scholarships. He said without the help of the West Coast Officials Association, which pay for the officials during the two-day tournament, Valrico State Bank, The Brew Crew and former Plant High basketball coach Richard Dyer, the tournament wouldn’t be possible.
This year’s tournament will be played Thursday and Friday at Seffner Christian Academy. Teams expected to participate are Seffner Christian, Tampa Bay Tech (head coach Adrian Johnson played under Bennett), Newsome, Armwood, Durant and Bloomingdale. This is the fourth year the tournament has been played at Seffner Christian. The first two tournaments were played at Cambridge Christian in Tampa. Tickets are $5.
The schedule is as follows:
Thursday: Tampa Bay Tech vs. Newsome, 5 p.m.; Bloomingdale vs. Armwood, 6:30 p.m.; Durant vs. Seffner Christian, 8 p.m.
Friday: Bloomingdale vs. Tampa Bay Tech, 5 p.m.; Newsome vs. Durant, 6:30 p.m.; Armwood vs. Seffner Christian, 8 p.m.
By ROY CUMMINGS
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TAMPA – Now that Arron Sears is back, the Bucs plan is take it slow with him. Real slow.
Back following an absence due to a personal matter that dates back to April, it Sears will spend this week working out on his own. It will be next week at the earliest before he returns to the practice field and possibly next season before he sees game action again.
As for the problem that has beset the Bucs young guard, the Bucs still aren’t saying. Nor is Sears. As part of his slow indoctrination back into pro football, the Bucs plan to keep him away from the media until next week at the earliest as well.
Sears returned to the Bucs on his own, according to Bucs general manager Mark Dominik and is “hungry’’ to get back on the field.
Armwood’s football team faced a huge problem entering the 2009 season. A ton of talent was lost to graduation from the Hawks’ 2008 defense, and the unit sorely needed playmakers to emerge to fill in the gaping holes.
Jermaine McKinney firmly believed he could be a solution to the problem. A starter at linebacker as a sophomore in 2008, McKinney was productive, totaling 84 tackles and four sacks. The Hawks needed better this season, however. And McKinney (No. 4 in photo) knew it.
“I just knew I had to come hard this year,” McKinney said. “I told Coach Cal that this was my year.”
There’s little doubt as the Hawks gear up for another postseason run that McKinney, a junior, has answered the call by elevating his game. Known by the nickname Juice - he got it in youth league after wearing No. 32 (O.J. Simpson’s number) and playing running back - McKinney has emerged not only as one of the Hawks’ top playmakers, but also as one of the top defensive standouts in Hillsborough County.
“He was one guy that we knew could bring everything to the table for us: the speed, knowledge of the game and (someone who could) make big, impact plays,” Armwood coach Sean Callahan said.
To read the rest of the story, which appeared in today’s Brandon News and South Shore News zone sections, click HERE.
The following is the 2009 All-Western Conference (Hillsborough County public schools) Volleyball Team. The teams are selected by Hillsborough County public school varsity volleyball coaches.
AMERICAN DIVISION
1ST Team
Maddie Martin, Plant; Leah Jordan, Plant; Becca Howard, Plant; Lauren Ramsey, Sickles; Kristen Ligouri, Steinbrenner; Laura Ackart, Gaither; Libero - Ali McCurdy, Plant
2nd Team
Fatima Domingush, Leto; Alex Johnson, Plant; Jenna Clark, Gaither; Tina Catanach, Plant; Alex Biver, Aloso; Katie Daorai, Plant; Libero -Cary Anne Bame, Steinbrenner
Coach of the Year: Leanna Taylor, Plant
FEDERAL DIVISION
1ST Team
Sarah Burrington, Riverview; Nicole Higgins, Brandon; Devin Whale, Brandon; Jonni Raga, Newsome; Lindsey Watson, Brandon; Lauren Zellmer, Newsome; Libero—Katlyn Messick, Durant
2nd Team
Hillary Byrd, Newsome; Chelsea Bowden, Durant; Aly Woodlee, Brandon; Aly Wade, Durant; Taylor Hackemack, Durant; Danielle Jenkins, Bloomingdale; Libero—Alix Hooker, Plant City
Coach of the Year: Kate Correa, Newsome
NATIONAL DIVISION
1st Team
Emilee Taylor, Armwood; Jasmine Linville, Freedom; Timber Times, Wharton; Brandi Dilts, Strawberry Crest; Laura Smith, Armwood; Jordan Lansford, Chamberlain; Libero—Khambria Hudgins, Tampa Bay Tech
2nd Team
Sabrina Beckles, Armwood; J. J. Rodriquez, Tampa Bay Tech; Kayla Sanchez, Chamberlain; Lindsay Taggart, Freedom; Jamee Townsend, Strawberry Crest; Jasmine Dody, Tampa Bay Tech; Libero—Alyssa Reidy, Armwood
Coach of the Year: Michael Wyatt, Armwood
Plant City pitcher Mackenzie Audas still has another year before she leaves high school, but has already decided which college she wants to attend.
The junior pitcher verbally committed to Central Florida on Saturday, Plant City coach Heidi Kouveras said.
As a sophomore, Audas went 7-2 on the mound with a .80 ERA, 118 Ks and 16 walks. She also batted .347 with 25 hits, 20 runs, 17 RBIs and a team-best 10 extra base hits, including a team-high two home runs.
Tampa Tribune columnist Joe Henderson wrote in this morning’s newspaper about how USF coach Jim Leavitt handles all the criticism from fans following a dismal loss like Thursday’s 31-0 setback at Rutgers.
Leavitt says he doesn’t “live in that world’’ of online message boards and radio call-in shows. Nor should he. That would be a scary place for a head coach.
Still, Leavitt might not say it, but he knows fans couldn’t be happy after Thursday’s game and that the Bulls’ 1-3 performance over the last four games has raised questions about his future once again.
Regardless of whether you think Leavitt is the guy to lead USF to the next level or not, his job seems pretty secure. Click here to read Henderson’s column.
I wrote a story for this morning’s Trib on the offense’s disappearing act at Rutgers and how the unit is determined to help out the defense in Saturday’s game against Louisville. Click here for that story.
I’ll be doing more blogging throughout the day, so please check back in.
In case you missed the story in Wednesday’s Tampa Tribune, Wharton basketball player Drake Williams is recovering at University Community Hospital after collapsing during a Saturday morning practice.
You can read the entire story here
One of the highlights of Alonso’s turbulent season was a 35-10 victory over Newsome. The two teams meet against in the first round of the playoffs Friday night, but this time, the Ravens are a different football team. At least their roster is.
Gone is Jesse Anaya, the senior running back/receiver who quit the team a couple of weeks ago. But the Ravens have gained defensive end Anthony Chickillo and receiver Franklin Mosley.
Chickillo and Mosley missed the regular season meeting against Newsome with injuries. Since his return on Oct. 23 from a broken collarbone, Chickillo’s added seven sacks to his season total of 11. Mosley also returned on Oct. 23 after recovering from a broken hand. In four games, he has 13 receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
“Both of them are great players,” Alonso coach Mike Heldt said. “They’ve been playing great football once they came back. It’s going to help.”
So will having receiver Dylan Fisher back in the lineup. Fisher missed last week’s regular-season finale against Armwood with a concussion, an injury he sustained in Alonso’s 42-6 victory against Gaither on Nov. 6.
The University of South Florida has had some very good linebackers come through its program: Guys like Ben Moffitt and current NFL players Kawika Mitchell and Stephen Nicholas.
Freshman Sam Barrington (6-3, 220) is on his way to joining that elite group.
“He’s big. He runs. He’s tough. He’s focused. He hits,” Coach Jim Leavitt said. “He’s one of the best freshman linebackers we’ve ever had here, and we’ve had some pretty good linebackers here. … He’s one of the best we’ve ever had as a true freshman.”
With starting LB Chris Robinson slowed by an undisclosed injury, there is a chance Barrington, who is eighth on the team with 25 tackles, could get his first start Saturday against Louisville.
“We’ll have to see how Chris is,” Leavitt said. “Chris is kind of day by day.”
MORE PRESSURE: After QB B.J. Daniels struggled with Rutgers’ blitz pressure, he should expect a lot of the same in the final three games of the regular season.
“It’s a process that we’ll go through. I’m sure we’re going to see a lot of the same type of odd blitzes that we saw (against Rutgers),” offensive coordinator Mike Canales said. “I’m sure teams will use something similar to that.”
Against Rutgers, Daniels was 7-for-17 for 129 yards and two interceptions, and rushed 16 times for just 11 yards.
ODDS AND ENDS: When asked if they would play against Louisville, WR Carlton Mitchell (ankle) and DT Aaron Harris (ankle) both answered, “Yes,” as they came off the practice field Tuesday. … Injured QB Matt Grothe will wear Keeley Dorsey’s No. 10 jersey this week. … Active and veteran military members can purchase lower bowl tickets for Saturday’s game for $10 with a military ID.
For baseball fans who long for spring training to begin, and who love to chew on statistics, “The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2010” (ACTA Sports, $21.95 paperback) is the perfect offseason companion.
Once again, this book provides solid information and thought-provoking history pieces. It’s a marvelous blend.
Some of the statistics about the Rays are eye-opening. For example, first baseman Carlos Peña walked or struck out in 45 percent of his plate appearances during the 2009 season. And 86 percent of his ground balls were outs, the highest rate of any major-league regular. Twenty-six percent of Jason Bartlett’s batted balls were line drives, a figure that led the majors.
David Price threw 128 innings, but only induced two double plays. And Jeff Niemann allowed six earned runs in his first start of 2009, but had an ERA of 3.75 the rest of the season.
The articles are top-notch, too. Chris Jaffe advances the theory that the 1972 World Series was the best ever played — not the most memorable, but the best. He breaks it down game-by-game, noting that six of the seven were decided by one run (a Series record), and that there were only two innings in the entire series where one team led the other by more than two runs.
It’s good stuff.
Craig R. Wright adds a piece about the effect Honus Wagner had on the pitching performance of fellow Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander.
Sean Smith contributes a story about great relievers, past and present. He compares the brief shining moments of closers like Dick Radatz and Eric Gagne, and shows how Goose Gossage’s relief performance in 1975 ranks as the greatest in baseball since 1953.
Dave Studenmund chronicles the story of Jack “Lucky” Lohrke, a fascinating piece about the middle infielder’s near-brushes with death during the 1940s.
Because the book was released earlier than normal, there is no recap of the 2009 World Series. However, those who purchase the book can download that information.
Another solid effort by the guys at The Hardball Times. It’s definitely worth the read, and will make that wait for spring training seem that much shorter.
Plant City’s boys basketball team will host the first Joe Williams Raider Classic on Wednesday and Thursday, Coach Dale Chambers said.
Games will be at 6 and 8 p.m.
Wednesday’s matchups will be Lakeland McKeel Academy vs. Strawberry Crest, and Sickles vs. Plant City. On Thursday, McKeel Academy will play Sickles, while Strawberry Crest will face Plant City.
Newsome’s football team hasn’t had much luck when it’s come to injuries this season. With the Wolves set to play their most important game of the season Friday, it seems that could be on the verge of changing.
Wolves coach Kenneth Hiscock said Tuesday that junior linebacker Joe Worth, one of Newsome’s top defensive players and the team’s leader in tackles before a knee injury sidelined him a month ago, could return for Friday’s Class 5A regional quarterfinal against Alonso.
Hiscock said Worth was able to practice Monday and was at a rehab session Tuesday afternoon. The coach added Worth, who had 45 tackles and an interception and also contributed on offense, will be a game-time decision Friday.
“Getting him back would be huge,” Hiscock said.
Worth originally was feared lost for the season when he was injured early in an Oct. 16 win over Leto. He hasn’t played in a game since, but Hiscock said he has responded well during his rehab.
Worth’s return would be a welcomed one for the Wolves, who have had several injuries in the linebacker corps and currently employ two freshman starters in their 4-4 alignment.
Worth’s presence also may help in slowing down an Alonso offense that scored 35 points during a Week 3 win over the Wolves.
Alonso is the last team to defeat Newsome.
Gaither senior baseball player Dylan Hathcock has committed to the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Cowboys coach Frank Permuy said.
Hathcock also had offers from Army, Georgetown and Bradley, among others, according to his father, Rob. Hathcock has some family in the Greensboro area, which played a factor in his decision, his father said.
Hathcock, a left-handed reliever, posted a 1.21 ERA in 40.1 innings pitched with 10 saves for the Cowboys last season.
Hathcock will sign with UNC-Greensboro, a Division I program that competes in the Southern Conference, on Wednesday, the final day of the early signing period.
By RAY MARKHAM
During the warm months, fish seem to eat during the early hours, but it is not uncommon for different species to turn on as the sun warms up the water throughout the day. That was apparent this week.
Sharp rising tides in the early morning hours this week have fish stirring and actively feeding in the 69-degree water in Terra Ceia Bay. By day’s end, the water temperature climbs to a comfortable 74 degrees on the flats.
Snook have been aggressive. DOA Shrimp, CAL Jigs with shad tails, MirrOlure MirrOdines and MirrOlure She Dogs have been among the top producers for slot-sized snook this week. Fish have been in residential canals on the outgoing tide in the morning. Later, as the tide bottoms out and begins to return, these linesiders could be found in potholes on the flats.
The morning snook bite has been good on topwater lures. As the sun gets up, we’re dredging the bottom with CAL Jigs and allowing our DOA Shrimp or MirrOdine lures to sink to the bottom before beginning the retrieve.
Michelle Richmond and Chris Trout of Palmetto caught a variety of fish Sunday. Michelle landed a 91/2-pound redfish in Terra Ceia bay while fishing a CAL Jig with a shad tail. A big snook broke her off on the same lure. In all, they caught and released dozens of trout, redfish, flounder, snook, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and an assortment of lizards, catfish and puffers to round out their day.
Reds were found on shallow flats at mid-day over dark bottom, and they were in the upper slot or over.
Ray Markham runs the Flat Back II out of Terra Ceia and can be reached for charter at (941) 723-2655.
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