Broward HS Sports

Barry honored

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:01:37 -0500

As the spring starts moving towards summer, it gets a little tough sometimes to get as much space as we'd like in the paper, so some pretty exciting news for Shawn Barry got cut down in today's paper. But the American Heritage defender was on Tuesday named the state's boys' soccer Gatorade Player of the Year. Barry, who signed with Virginia, helped lead the Patriots to a state title. He was also named the South Florida Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year and had 11 goals and six assists this year. Congrats to Barry and the Heritage soccer program!

Pines Charter off to a hot start...

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:29:01 -0500

It's a warm afternoon up here in Plant City but it doesn't look like those black uniforms are bothering Pines Charter at all... Pines Charter--the visitor in this one--opened the first with a pair of hits by Kandyce Redondo and Audrey Broyles and the game now stands at 2-0. Not a bad cushion for Lauren Sewell, who's pitching today. Like her offense, Sewell is off to a good start. She struck out all three Baker County hitters--on nine pitches. Top of two, Pines Charter 2, Baker County 0. As if the Pines Charter offense wasn't strong enough--now they Jaguars are getting some help from the Wildcat defense. A Baker County error in the top of the second allowed Brianna Chierico to reach third and one batter later, she scored on Cassie Sigler sac fly. Sewell is still solid--in the bottom of the inning, she struck out three more...she's got six Ks through two innings. Top of the third, Pines Charter 3, Baker County 0. *****Technical difficulties!!!***** Not sure what happened here...for some reason my updates stopped showing up. But long story short--Pines Charter is moving on to the state championship game. The final score was 12-0, with Sewell finishing with 13 strikeouts. They'll face Naples, which just won the other Class 4A semifinal. (And Jack--Pines Charter is coached by Tom Fadul...)

Live from Plant City: It's American Heritage!

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:20:29 -0500

If there are a few of you home in South Florida that couldn't make the trip to Plant City, I'll try to keep you posted on how American Heritage is doing in the Class 3A state championship. One inning in, and there's no score. Although McKeel has got some big early hits against Heritage pitcher Aimee Chapdelaine. The game's first batter--Emily Sanders--singled to right field and in the second, Brandi Barnett, doubled. But so far--no harm, no foul. Chapdelaine and her defense have worked out of both situations and it's scoreless in the bottom of the second. In the top of the third, Heritage worked out of yet another jam--with two outs, McKeel got a pair of back-to-back hits. But Chapdelaine and and her defense came out of that without giving up a run. Now, in the bottom of the third, Heritage has its first serious scoring threat. Melissa King opened the inning with a single, she advanced to second after an interference call on the McKeel infield and there are no outs. After King's single, Tianna Strassner walked, and Beth Pellar singled, loading the bases with no outs. Here's an opportunity the Patriots need to capitalize on. McKeel pitcher Cheyenne Benson looked like she was going to get out of a bases-loaded, no outs situation. She got Chelsea Howell and Bailey Castro to fly out. But immediately after came a double-by Brittany Propri and a single by Amanda Lonergan. Top of the fourth, Heritage leads 3-0. Bottom of the fifth and the Patriots have increased their lead. After a leadoff single from Howell, Castro hit her second home run of the state tournament. It's now 6-0 Patriots and there's still one on base... The hits continued for Heritage and it's paid off--now they're state champs with a dominating 12-2 win. I'll be down on the field in a few minutes for interviews, but I'll try to update you with some quotes and reaction in a bit...

Broward doing well at state track

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:21:12 -0500

The first of two weekends of state track are underway here in Winter Park and Broward's already got a couple of state champions here at the Class 1A meet. South Florida HEAT senior Craig Thompson missed his personal best by a foot, but his 156-03 was good enough for a state title. For Thompson, who finished eighth at state last year, finishing his high school career as a state champion was sweet. "I went to camps, I was training relentlessly," Thompson said. "Winning it with this being my senior year feels really, really good." Westminster Academy already has one champion on the day--Anthony Sheffield won the state title in the triple jump. Teammate Wayne Sears finished sixth in the event and is currently competing in the high jump. If you're interested in full results, the FHSAA is updating events live. You can find their track page here.

A Chat with Channing Crowder

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:46:27 -0500

It's not every day your average high school football player gets to meet an NFL star. But Wednesday at Hallandale, that's exactly what happened. A week after having to cancel his appointment to meet with the Chargers football team, Dolphins' linebacker Channing Crowder came out to campus and spent some time talking with Hallandale's players. According to Chargers' coach Dameon Jones, the Charger players pulled no punches in the questions they...and Crowder, to his credit, answered all of the players' questions. "People asked him about last season, about the transition to high school and college, how he takes care of his body, things like that," Jones said. "They were the type of things you need to know if you want to be in the NFL and a lot of the kids were excited and shocked to see him there." Hallandale wide receiver, Frankie Hammond Jr., is headed to Crowder's alma mater Florida in the fall. For him, the chance to meet Crowder was something special. "He said I was going to work my butt off up there," Hammond joked. "He really gave us a realistic point of view of what a typical athlete goes through. He talked about the transition from high school to college, about how the game gets faster and you how have the responsibility to keep your grades up and put the extra effort in."

Broward gets two titles...more to come?

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:10:43 -0500

It's going to be a busy couple of weeks coming up in the high school world. Baseball districts are underway, softball regionals are being played, state track is scheduled for this weekend and right now, in Altamonte Springs, teams are vying for tennis championships. Cypress Bay clinched its first Class 4A boys' tennish championship yesterday with Brennan Boyajian leading the way. He won the No. 1 singles match and he teamed with Jeffrey Morris to win a doubles title. Morris won at No. 2 singles to help the Lightning clinch the title. The tennis championships were also good to the girls' team from American Heritage which edged Olympic Heights to win the 2A championship. Ekaterina Kiseleva won at No. 2 singles, Donna Gandelman won at No. 5 and Gandelman and partner Valentina DiStefano were winners at No. 2 doubles. In the next few days, we'll see district winners crowned in baseball and regional finalists in softball. Who do you all think are some of the teams to watch? Teams that can seriously make a run to Tampa and Plant City? Broward's already got two championships this spring...who do you all think will bring home some more?

The St. Thomas method for success?

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:51:38 -0500

When it comes to success on the football field, few Broward County schools have the history St. Thomas Aquinas does. The Raiders--the Class 5A state champions--are a perennial post-season power. They've won four state titles, made four consecutive appearances in the state championship game, and let's not even get into district titles. It's no surprise the Raiders have sent countless players to the college and coaching ranks. Now another Broward school is hoping to capitalize on that success. New Archbishop McCarthy coach John Timmins was both a player and assistant coach at St. Thomas. (He also has coached at Fort Lauderdale and most recently built the program at Palm Beach Central). Timmins replaces Mike Spencer who stepped down after one season. But Spencer--who coached at St. Thomas during George Smith's 2-year hiatus--will stay on as defensive coordinator. Joining them is former St. Thomas special teams coach Tim Conrad. Conrad has coached several top former Raider kickers, including most recently Auburn's Wes Byrum, Michigan State's Brett Swenson, and Duke's Joe Surgan. Will all this St. Thomas influence help bring Archbishop McCarthy some much needed wins? Timmins hopes so. "We've all been friends for a while and I trust and respect those guys," Timmins said of his new assistant coaches. "The team is young, but the progress is headed in the right direction. We want to take what we've learned at St. Thomas and at our other stops along the way and put it in practice." Should be interesting to see how this works for the Mavericks. No one on the staff is saying they're the next St. Thomas, but they believe their experience with that program can benefit a football team hoping to join the county's elite. Time will tell.

Pines Charter softball, South Florida girls make national headlines

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:11:47 -0500

It's been a pretty memorable season for the Pines Charter softball team. Not only did the Jaguars claim Nike Faster to First title in California, today they learned USA Today believes they're the best team in the country. The Jaguars were ranked 12th in the last USA Today/NFCA poll, but their perfect record has helped them shoot to the top. Here's the full poll if you'd like to take a look... And while, yes, I know neither Erlana Larkins nor Sylvia Fowles played basketball in Broward County, it was great to see both of them become the latest South Floridians headed to the WNBA. Larkins, who starred at Palm Beach County's Benjamin School was the 14th overall pick, Fowles, who played at Miami Edison and Gullver Prep, was the second overall pick. Their selections yesterday, I think, will help open eyes to the kind of talented girls' basketball players South Florida can produce. And I think it's a pretty safe bet to assume Broward will be sending some stars to the pros in the near future. Florida State's Alysha Harvin (South Broward) and Jacinta Monroe (Stranahan) are just two former Broward standouts having solid college careers.

Chelsey Lee: Broward's All-American

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:05:53 -0500

Earlier this week, Parkway Academy’s Chelsey Lee had the kind of opportunity most high school basketball players only dream about. Lee, a center, played in the McDonald’s All-American game in Milwaukee. In a little over 15 minutes, she scored five points and had six rebounds. But it wasn’t just the play on the court that made the event a highlight for Lee. Lee is headed to Rutgers and while at the All American game, she got plenty of time to get to know some of her future teammates. Fellow McDonalds All-Americans April Sykes, Jasmine Dixon, Brooklyn Pope and Nikki Speed are all headed to Rutgers this fall. The players all had a chance to speak with Scarlet Knights coach C. Vivian Stringer together via speakerphone during the event. “It was fun getting to hang out with them and get a feel for the next four years,” Lee said. “We were joking around and picking roommates. We all knew each other from before, but we got to know each other better.” Along with spending time with her future teammates, Lee had the opportunity to meet Julius Erving. “He said one of the biggest things is to always carry yourself with respect. That stuck with me,” Lee said. Lee still has one more All American experience to look forward to—she’ll be in St. Petersburg during the Women’s Final Four for the WBCA All-American game. “It’ll be my last high school game as a player and it’ll be kind of sad,” she said. “It’s going to be time to go to college after that and become an adult.”

Recruiting Q & A with Monarch's DeShaun Sands

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:23:41 -0500

Monarch High running back DeShaun Sands had an incredible junior season last fall. Sands, who is 5-foot-9, 175-pounds, was Broward County’s leading Class 6A-5A-4A rusher, gaining 1,486 yards and 13 touchdowns on 223 carries. Earlier this week, Sands announced he would follow in the footsteps of his father Tony Sands, and play college football at Kansas. The decision comes early—Sands still has an entire senior season to play. Here, in his own words, is what he had to say about his choice and why he didn’t want to wait. Q: Why did you want to make your decision—and your announcement—so early? DS: “I grew up around Kansas because my dad went there. He took me and my brother and we grew up on the campus pretty much. We watched Kansas football and that’s a second home for me.” Q: Along with your family ties, why did Kansas stand out to you? What were some of the other schools you considered? DS: “All through the years, they’ve been a little bit of an average team. But you could see they had the spark. Last year the spark came through. Last year was the year. We went up to watch the Border War and that was a great atmosphere. Other schools that were in the mix were Rutgers, Florida, Miami, South Carolina and Louisville.” Q: Your dad—Tony Sands—played at Kansas. What’s it like to know you’re following in his footsteps? DS: “It’s amazing to me. Hopefully I can be better than him and break his records. It’s going to be amazing. He was excited to hear I was going there, he always wanted his little boys to grow up and follow his footsteps, He pushed us to get better.” Q: What are you looking forward to most about playing at Kansas? DS: “I really want to play for [Mark] Mangino. He’s a great coach and the teammates were great too.” Q: How have friends, family and teammates reacted to you announcing so early? DS: "Everyone has been pretty supportive. My coaches, my father, my mother and my friends.” Q: Do you plan on going on any trips later this year or the recruiting process over? DS: “It’s kind of 50-50. It’s locked down for me, but I may take a few more trips.” Q: You finished your junior year as Broward’s leading rusher…what are your thoughts going into your senior year? Any pressure? DS: “I’m working on a 2,000-yard season and to again be the best running back in Broward County. There’s no pressure on me. I work hard and if you work hard success will come to you.”

Heritage, Nova baseball earn national respect

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:36:17 -0500

I remember a few years ago when I took this job, one of the big storylines was the lack of success Broward County large-school teams had at the state tournament. That was before St. Thomas Aquinas won the Class 4A title in 2003. A season later, Nova won the 5A title and Cypress Bay claimed the 6A title. Since then, Flanagan has also been successful, winning back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006. Scouts have long recognized the individual talent in Broward, but until recent seasons, team respect was a little harder to come by. Things have changed. In the latest edition of the Baseball America national high school poll, Broward County is well represented. American Heritage (11-1) continues holding the No. 3 spot and Nova (12-1) made its first appearance in the poll, taking the No. 24 spot. Florida placed just three teams in the national poll--two are from Broward. That's quite a statement for the area's baseball programs, don't you think? Here's the full poll...

Another ride on Broward's coaching carousel?

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:34:22 -0500

A year ago at this time, it was a little tough to keep track of all the coaching changes in the world of Broward County high school football. Coaches were changing schools, resigning and moving away in unheard of numbers. When the carousel finally stopped spinning, 23 of Broward's 49 high schools with football teams had new coaches. While at this point in the spring it doesn't appear we'll have a repeat--there have--again--been a significant number of coaching changes. Yesterday, Coral Springs Charter hired Robb Wilgoren to take over as new coach--but Springs Charter is far from the only school that's gone through the tough process of hiring a new coach. Cooper City, Piper, Chaminade-Madonna, Douglas, Nova, Coral Springs Christian, Western and Monarch are just a few of the schools that have hired new coaches or are in the process of doing so. Coral Glades and Westminster Academy also have found themselves in the process of hiring new coaches. I checked in with Nova Athletic Director Pat McQuaid yesterday and he said it's been a challenge to go through this process. Some of the coaches I've spoken to say they've had to step down because they aren't getting enough time with their families or enough compensation for all the work they do. Last summer, I looked into what's going on with high school football coaches in Broward and many said the low salary was a factor in their decision to move--not just within the county, but out of state. High school football is huge in Florida. Every year, this state--particularly this region of it--sends hundreds of talented athletes into the ranks of college football. Friday night games are usually well-attended and people are passionate about the sport. So is there concern out there in the community about how Broward is struggling with keeping qualified coaches? Do you all think it's affecting the athletes? Any ideas on solutions to the problem? I'm curious to hear what you have to say...or in your minds, does it not really matter who the coaches are?

Heartbreak for Sagemont

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:54:59 -0500

When you spend lots of times around coaches and athletes, you hear a lot of cliches. One of them is "This was the kind of game you hate to see either team lose." If Sagemont coach Jorge de Cespedes or any of his players says that this afternoon, as overused as the phrase is, they'll be right. Sagemont entered the Class 2A state championship knowing it was the underdog. The Lions were facing the basketball machine that is Arlington Country Day. The Apaches entered the tournament as the three-time defending champions. They were, for the most part, bigger. In some ways, more athletic. Making it even tougher for Sagemont--one of their big men, Garvin Hunt, a defensive force all season, was out with a broken ankle. Yet for 32 minutes, Sagemont hung with what fans have termed "The Green Machine." Eventually though, Arlington Country Day hung on for a 54-53 win to claim its fourth consecutive Class 2A championship. In the course of this game, Sagemont never looked intimidated by the Apaches size or championship history. The Lions didn't want a "moral victory" (yet another sports cliche). They wanted--and played for--a championship. Sagemont fell behind by 10. They rallied. They led by as many as 10 points. They fell behind. They played with what de Cespedes likes to call "The Three Ps--poise, patience and passion." But sometimes, you give all you can and you still come up short. That's what happened today. A missed free throw that would have tied it. A long 3-pointer that would have won it. Those are the missed opportunities that Sagemont's players will be replaying in their minds for days. But those same players also need to remember that this game, this showing, was something special. Basketball fans that were in the arena just to watch the game--that weren't cheering for either team--were caught up in the excitement. Even media members sitting along press row noted what an incredible effort Sagemont had put forth. After the game, Arlington Country Day coach Rex Morgan told de Cespedes of the four teams they faced in their championships, this Sagemont team was the best by far. The hope now is that Sagemont takes what it experienced this week and builds on it. De Cespedes believes that even though he is stepping down, the Lions will do just that. "I think the whole state knows where Sagemont is now. Sagemont will be back to Lakeland."

Live from Lakeland: It's Dillard!

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:11:36 -0500

Early in this one but Dillard has to already know it's not the fan favorite in this game. The Panthers opponent in the Class 5A championship--Lakewood--is located in St. Petersburg--just a quick trip on I-4 to Lakeland. But while Lakewood may have more fans in the stands, the Dillard contingent is showing its full support. There are lots of signs and banners and familiar faces in the stands. Even football coaches--from Dillard's rival schools--are here. Again, it's pretty cool to see how Broward County coaches and athletes all support each other once it's state championship time. In case you couldn't make it up to Lakeland, I'll try to keep you posted on some of the action here. So far, midway through the first, it's pretty even. Lakewood is holding an 8-7 lead. Second quarter: As we start the second quarter, things are pretty still even. Dillard has taken the lead--but it's just one point. 13-12. The refs are calling a pretty tough game. We're only halfway through the quarter, and both teams are already in the bonus. Dillard's Nigel Spikes has just gotten his third foul. Several Lakewood players have two ad Dillard is already in the double bonus. With 3:28 left, the Panthers are clinging to a 21-20 lead. Dillard looked like it was going to take a lead into the half, but Lakewood's Shamon Cox hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to send the teams into the locker room tied at 26. A few halftime numbers for you... Bo Reliford is the Panthers' leading scorer with eight points. Spikes has six. Kore White only has two. Probably not the kind of numbers Dillard coach Darryl Burrows wants to see. Fortunately, the Panther big men are leading the rebounding battle--they've got 20 rebounds, Lakewood has 15. Third quarter: I've had a chance to see Dillard play a few times this season, and on those occasions, the Panthers have been pretty solid. Right now, the Panthers look like a team struggling to find its way. Dillard hasn't scored in about four minutes--there's 1:45 left in the third and Lakewood has taken a 38-32 lead on a pair of back-to-back 3-pointers. Fourth quarter: With 4:30 left in the game, Dillard is still playing catch-up. The Panthers have missed a few easy shots and have struggled with the Lakewood defense. Dillard trails 47-43. The refs are still calling a tight game...both teams are again, in the bonus with a long way to go. One more Lakewood foul and Dillard will even be in a double-bonus situation. Well, Robert Burger just found a way to breathe life into the pretty quiet Dillard crowd (and his teammates!)--the junior just hit a 3-pointer that tied it at 47. On Lakewood's next possession, there was an offensive foul that sent White to the line. He hit both free throws and Dillard now leads 49-47. It keeps getting better for Dillard...Burger just got fouled, his basket fell anyway and the Panthers now lead 51-47 with 2:20 left. Dillard's lead just kept growing and now the Panthers can say they're just one of nine schools to win five state championships. The Panthers just claimed the Class 5A title with a 61-55 win. Congrats to the Panthers--from both Pine Crest AND Dillard! Boyd Anderson and Sagemont--you get your chance tomorrow....

Live from Lakeland: It's Pine Crest!

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:35:55 -0500

Just about to tipoff here at The Lakeland Center and it could prove to be a pretty exciting (and historic) 48 hours for Broward County. Pine Crest is the first of the state's four teams that will be playing in a state championship game--the Panthers will face Gainesville PK Yonge in about 2 minutes for the Class 3A title. Later tonight, Dillard will get its shot in Class 5A and tomorrow, Sagemont (2A) and Boyd Anderson (6A) will play for titles. Last night, BA coach Eugene Richardson said all of Broward's coaches that are here have talked about how historic this weekend could be and what it will do for South Florida basketball. It's pretty clear they're all pulling for each other to win. In fact, Richardson and a few of his players are here at The Lakeland Center to watch Pine Crest. Pretty cool, don't you think? First quarter: Obviously, it's early...we're just four minutes in, but it's pretty clear Pine Crest is ready. The Panthers outscored PK Yonge 10-3 in the first four minutes of the quarter. The Panthers' athleticism and speed are proving a little challenging for PK Yonge to handle right now. With 3:36 left, Pine Crest leads 12-5. Jeff Pelage has six of those points... End of the first, Pine Crest now leads 17-8. Second quarter: Pine Crest is still leading, but PK Yonge has found its rhythm--and it's 3-point shooting. The Blue Wave have hit two 3-pointers. One--in the second by Devin Wilson pulled PK Yonge within 20-13. The shot was part of a 9-0 run by PK Yonge that pulled them within 20-17. Trey Henry though has just converted on a pair of free throws though to end the run and give Pine Crest a little more breathing room. With 3:50 left in the second, it's Pine Crest 22, PK Yonge 17. As soon as the Blue Wave came close, Pine Crest went back to an aggressive defense. The Panthers have forced 12 turnovers in the first half. They closed the half on a 12-2 run, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Henry that made it Pine Crst 32, PK Yonge 19. Third quarter: More of the same, more of the same. Pine Crest is too physical inside for the Blue Wave to really challenge. The Panthers have a size advantage with Pelage (6-8), Zack Perlman (6-5) and Ed Waite (6-4). They're using their big bodies to get rebounds, second chances and as a result--with 1:41 left in the third, the Panthers now lead 49-35. Going into the fourth--make it Pine Crest 51, PK Yonge 35 Fourth quarter: With four minutes left, Pine Crest is in a great position to win its first basketball championship. There have only been sevenpoints scored in the first half of the quarter. Brandon Reese has Pine Crests' only basket of the quarter, but that doesn't look like it'll matter. It's 53-38