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Volume 2 • Issue 49
June 10 - June 21 2017
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DR PHILLIPS & LAKE HIGHLAND Dominate Spring Football
Featuring: West Orange, Foundation, Winderemere Prep, Dr Phillips, and MUCH MORE... Photos by Bob Gall
Page 2 Florida Sporting News • 6/10/17 - 6/21/17
West Orange Football Season Recap
WINTER GARDEN – As the school year came to a close, many of the teams in the area began spring and summer training, lending a great opportunity to reflect upon the last season of many of the area schools. West Orange, who are typically one of the best, if not best teams in the area had a poor showing and hope to get back on track for the 2017 season. The Warriors started their 2016 campaign with a game against their Winter Garden counterparts Foundation Academy on September 26th, winning by a score of 36-3. With no touchdowns conceded, the Warriors were looking good both offensively and defensively. However, as the
season would play out, it would become one of just two wins the whole season for West Orange. In a run of three games, the Warriors lost all three by sizeable margins to Winter Park, Dr. Phillips and Oxbridge Academy. The scores to the three games ended 50-14, 40-3, and 49-7 respectively. After two more losses to Jones and bitter rivals Apopka, the Warriors were sitting on a 1-5 record having lost five games in a row. Their next and only other win of the season came against Evans, played at Evans. The Warriors left with a 48-0 shutout, something desperately needed to try and regain some momentum for the team as they headed into the last part of
by Greyson Everidge
the regular season. Despite their record to that point, the Warriors still had a chance to make the post-season playoffs – however they later failed to capitalize. After that shutout, West Orange lost three more in a row to bring their total loss count to eight games, ending the season with a (2-8) record. The final three games that ended in losses were played against Edgewater, Wekiva and Ocoee. With next season just one summer’s length away, the Warriors are sure to be working hard to make up for lost ground to be ready to fight some of their toughest opposition and bitter rivals at the start of the 2017/2018 school year.
6/10/17 - 6/21/17 • Florida Sporting News
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Bishop Moore comes up short against defending champs in baseball final The Hornets (21-11) spotted Jacksonville Bolles (21-10) five runs in the top of the first inning and never recovered in a 7-2 loss in the Class 5A state baseball championship at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. The start of the game was delayed two hours due to inclement weather and was later put on hold for more than an hour because of lightning. “It’s tough, when you get to this spot you obviously want to win, but I’m proud of my guys. We’ve been fighting for this opportunity the entire year,” Bishop Moore coach Tony Mehlich said. “Overall this team has a lot to be proud for, and that’s kind of the motto we’ve been going with the entire year.” Fabian Escalante tripled to centerfield and Conner Scheitzach doubled to left field to drive in runs in the bottom of the fourth to get the Hornets to within 6-2. Escalante and Kyle Mock each finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. They were two of five sophomores at Bishop Moore to earn a starting nod in
was out of it despite the early deficit. “We were going full speed the whole game and we all tried to keep a positive mindset,” he said. “We all knew we would come back, but at the end of the day we just did our best.” Bishop Moore sophomore Jack McRae was unable to make it out of the first inning as Bolles loaded the bases on a throwing error and closed the frame by batting through the lineup. Bolles connected on three hits for five runs before freshman Alex Bryant was called upon to pop out the ninth batter to centerfield. the title game. Escalante singled in the second inning for Bishop Moore’s first hit of the game, but was then picked off at first base by Bolles pitcher Nate Skinner. The junior right-hander held the Hornets in check for much of the way. Skinner struck out seven while holding Bishop Moore to five hits. The Hornets left three runners on base and committed three errors. Mock said he never felt the team
“He’s a really good pitcher, he’s been our closer the entire year and I don’t think it will affect him long term,” Mehlich said of McRae. “I expect him to come back hungriernext year.”Bolles later loaded the bases in the third, plating a run on the Hornets’ second error of the game. Bryant allowed just three hits and one unearned run through 4.1 innings of work before giving way to senor lefty Quinton Martinez in the sixth.
Ryan Popp Logan Beardslee Kaden Baur
Page 4 Florida Sporting News • 6/10/17 - 6/21/17
Dr. Phillips Football Recap
by Kaden Bauer
DR. PHILLIPS: The Phillip Panthers had a standout season during the 2016/2017 school year. They went undefeated in the 8A District 5 standings with a record of 4-0 and finished off their entire season with an impressive record of 12-3. Not to mention the Panthers did end up finishing off the season as state runner ups in the 2016 FHSAA Class 8A Football State Tournament. The Panthers started off the season with three straight wins and outscored their opponents 109 to 17. There isn’t much of a better way to start off a season than that. However the Panthers couldn’t keep the momentum going for long as they went on to lose their next two games to the Apopka Blue Darters in a thrilling 15-14 game and to the Mainland Buccaneers in a tough 42-21 loss that turned out to be their biggest of the season. Head Coach Rodney Wells brought the Panthers back to their feet after these losses and went on to go undefeated for the rest of their regular season to finish it out 8-2 in what many would see as a successful season. The post season is where the Dr. Phillip Panthers really shined. They defeated four tough teams such as the Vero Beach Indians and Seminole Seminoles to make it to the state finals against the Southridge Spartans in what turned out to be an exciting math up. The Panthers struck first in the second quarter and made the game 10-0 and held that score line all the way up to the fourth quarter. Unfortunately the Spartans rallied and came back to win the game 14-10 in the final minutes of the game and is sure to leave a bad taste in Wells’ and the rest of the Panthers staff and players mouths. Overall the 2016 season for the Dr. Phillips Panthers was very successful and something positive to look back but the disappointing fact of being so close to winning it all is sure to be a big motivation for the Panthers next season.
6/10/17 - 6/21/17 • Florida Sporting News
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APOPKA FOOTBALL: Davis-Hamilton is Awesome against Orange City University. Jecoryan DavisHamilton made a grand introduction to the Apopka football faithful Thursday night. The rising sophomore rushed for 383 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries as the host Blue Darters won its spring game 38-22 over Orange City University. It was an exhibition outing packed with big plays on both sides. The teams combined for nine turnovers and nearly 800 yards of offense. DavisHamilton, who got the bulk of the work out of a new-look backfield due to injuries, made the most of running behind a massive offensive line as he broke loose for a trio of long touchdowns.
Apopka’s Jecoryan Davis-Hamilton made the most of his varsity debut by rushing for 383 yards and three touchdowns Thursday in a spring football game
“I had a feeling he was going to have a big night,” Apopka coach Rick Darlington said. “We have some guys out, who are also some good players who can do some things with the ball, but he really stepped up when he had to.” Davis-
Hamilton, who also went 3-for-3 passing for 54 yards, opened the second quarter by bouncing off two defenders and going 68 yards down the home sideline. He later charged through the heart of University’s defense to go 75 yards for a score to start the second half. Davis-Hamilton took off again for a 75-yard score just one play after University tied the game 2222 on a short run and two-point conversion pass by Lorenzo Lingard, “I couldn’t do it by myself, not without my offensive line,” Davis-Hamilton said. “It felt pretty good, but I feel like it’s just the beginning.” Lingard also impressed for the Titans as he displayed a solid combination of strength, agility and field vision while compiling 119 yards and two touchdown on 23 carries. Apopka struggled with its snap exchange throughout the first half, turning the ball over twice on fumbles and finishing with five turnovers in all. The Blue Darters recovered to outgain University 580-213 in total yards as Jackson Darlington and Steven Billings-Larson also reached the end zone for touchdowns. Darlington rushed 14 times for 65 yards. Cody Braden was sharp under center for much of the way for University. Braden hooked up with Jacob Moss on completions six times, including a 14-yard touchdown late in the second quarter on a pass that slipped through the hands of Apopka’s Jerome Jackson.
Apopka High School Football Recap APOPKA – The Apopka Blue Darters have been one of the top teams in the district for what seems like forever now, and it is with good reason. The Darters have amassed nearly perfect records in many of their recent seasons, winning district championships, regional championships and even making a few appearances in State Championship games over the years. This past season, the Blue Darters added to that growing list of accomplished seasons, going (10-1) overall – beating some really impressive teams along the way. Apopka won their first 9 games of the season, giving them a hard earned reputation and winning streak of 9 games going into the playoffs. These wins included some shutouts against teams like Edgewater and DeLand twice. The Blue Darters also beat some other teams in the area who went on to advance deep into Regional and State Championships, such as Dr. Phillips. After Apopka’s win against the Panthers, they went on a winning streak to advance all the way to the State Championship before losing to South Ridge in the State Championship. The Blue Darters also had some games in which they scored very high, including wins against Ocoee by a score of 62-7 and University by a score of 54-3. Apopka’s season came to sudden end only because of a tight defeat against Timber Creek in the playoffs. Apopka were barely edged out, losing one point by a score of 40-39. Despite the heartbreaking loss and end to an otherwise great season, the Blue Darters had much to look back on proudly and much to look ahead to in the future. Under Head Coach Rick Darlington, Apopka are sure to have another great season to add to the books in the 2017/2018 year.
by Greyson Everidge
Page 6 Florida Sporting News • 6/10/17 - 6/21/17
Foundation looked strong despite the end score
In one of Orange County’s more highly touted spring high school football games, host Lake Highland Prep helped kick off the Ben Bullock coaching era with a 34-7 victory over Foundation Academy on May 18. The Highlanders scored 17 points in each half, fueled by a solid defensive effort as well as the consistent play of quarterbacks Hayden Brouillette and Elijah Lucas. Lake Highland Prep also benefited from the strong right leg of Brandon Nguyen, who converted field goals from 32 and 38 yards and made all his extra-point attempts. Bullock started at Lake Highland Prep in early May and the spring game provided him with a key opportunity to assess the roster. The former Ocoee High head football coach was hired by Lake Highland Prep in March and he replaced Cameron Duke, who accepted the head coaching position at Edgewater last December. Lake Highland Prep posted a 13-7 record over the previous two seasons, and the Highlanders had their speed and athleticism on display against Foundation Academy. The Highlanders scored on three second-quarter possessions with a strong wind at their back en route to a 17-0 halftime lead, while Lucas threw for an 11-yard touchdown and scored on a 1-yard run in the second half. Lance Axson (who was Foundation Academy’s second-leading rusher last season with 166 yards on 24 carries) took a jet sweep handoff early in the fourth quarter, breaking a couple tackles near the line of scrimmage en route to a 70-yard touchdown. The Lions had a pair of earlier scoring opportunities, but they missed a 36-yard field goal midway through the opening quarter and had a red-zone possession end in an interception (for a Lake Highland Prep touchback) with 7 seconds left before halftime. Lake Highland Prep drove to the Foundation 13-yard line before Nguyen boomed a 32-yard field goal, giving the Highlanders a 3-0 lead with 10:22 remaining in the second quarter. The Highlanders then made it 9-0 at the 6:22 mark when Brouillette connected with Bryton Belvin on a 15-yard scoring pass. Malik Dixon added a 14-yard touchdown catch from Brouillette with 2:03 to go in the first half. Nick Deese recovered a Foundation fumble at the Lions’ 11-yard line with 2:40 left in the third quarter and that led to Devyn Castor’s 11-yard TD reception. The Highlanders opened the fourth quarter with the ball at the Foundation 18-yard line following an interception and Nguyen kicked his second field goal of the game for a 27-0 lead. The Highlanders later capitalized on another short field – this time after recovering a Foundation fumble at the 6-yard line – as Lucas went in from 1 yard with 6:05 remaining.
Lions head coach Brad Lord acknowledged early in the spring season that May would not only be a time for teaching his younger players on the field, but it also provided a chance to see how some of them performed in new roles. Foundation entered the spring having said goodbye to a prolific senior class that featured last season’s starting quarterback (Huntingdon College signee Jacob Titus), the leading rusher and scorer in 2016 (University of Charleston signee Jaquane Patterson) and last year’s leading tackler (Florida Tech signee Evan Thompson). The long list of graduation losses
by Chris Mayer
also included standouts Lester Axson (Campbell), Cory Rahman (Southeastern University), All-State punter Chaz Cannon (Maryville College) and offensive lineman Jordan Boast. Henry Austad and Chai Colon, who will be sophomores in the fall, both saw time at quarterback against Lake Highland Prep. Following the game’s conclusion, Lord stressed to his players the importance of upcoming summer workouts as the Lions strive to reach the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 2A state playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
6/10/17 - 6/21/17 • Florida Sporting News
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Longtime Youth Sports volunteer passes Karen Egged was born on January 25, 1936, in Big Timber, during one of the coldest winters on record. She spent her early years on a ranch near Melville, where she lived with her parents W. Ora and Hazel Olson, where Ora helped run the ranch and Hazel was a school teacher. Ora was too old for the service during World War II, but worked on the Aleutian Islands and Hazel and Karen lived at Manhattan and Twin Bridges with other family members. After the War the family bought a small ranch North of Gallatin Gateway. Karen attended a one room Rochambeau Country School for her first 8 years with her mother as her teacher. She graduated from Gallatin County High School in 1954. She attended Montana State College and earned a degree in home economics in 1958. While in college she met, and fell in love with Walter Egged and they were married on June 3, 1958, and then moved to East Peoria, Illinois, where Walt was working for Caterpillar Tractor Company. 4-H was a was a big part of her life, she was a member for 11 years, and while in East Peoria they started the Springfield Road Clover Heads 4-H Club. Shortly after arriving in East Peoria, Karen was asked to teach home economics at Richwoods High School in Peoria. Walt and Karen moved back to Montana in the summer of 1962 where Walt took a job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Crow Agency. They took over as leaders of the Sunshine Aggies 4-H Club, which they ended up doing for over 40 years. Karen also worked at the Big Horn County Extension Office as 4-H Assistant for 12 years and she was an election judge and Registration Chairman for the Montana AAU for 23 years. She was the team leader for the Montana AAU Wrestling Team to Poland in 1979 and was a volunteer worker for the Hardin Wrestling Club and Hardin Sports Club for 40 years
doing everything that needed to be done. After the children grew up and left home she became Walt’s rodman for his survey work and did this until she could no longer work. She is survived by her husband, Walt, son Doug (Debbie), of Ohio, daughters, Denise (Brian Wolford) of Arizona, and Tanya (Bobby Tyra) of Arizona. Five grandchildren, Jasen and Garrett McDuffie, Madison Crye, Leah and Colten Tyra. One brother Larry (Sharon) Olson, nephew Scott Olson and Niece Leah Olson. As of Karen’s wishes she will be cremated and her ashes are to be spread in a field of Shooting Stars.
Celebration of her life will be on Sunday, July 2, at the Big Horn County Fair Grounds from 2-6 p.m. Memorials can be made to the Montana 4-H Foundation at P.O. Box 173580, Bozeman, MT 59717, Big Horn County Historical Society, P.O. Box 1206A, Hardin, MT 59034, Hardin Wrestling Club at 1112 Cactus Court, Hardin, MT 59034 or the organization of your choice. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted of funeral arrangements.
Page 8 Florida Sporting News • 6/10/17 - 6/21/17
Olympia Titans Football Recap WINDERMERE: The Olympia Titans football staff and players pulled off a winning season in the 2016/2017 school year The Titans ended the year with an impressive 3-1 record and second place in the 8A District 5 standings. Their overall record was 6-5. Looking at their districts, the Olympia Titans survived and prospered among a lot of tough competition. A 3-1 record alone and second place is impressive for any team, but to do this in the same district as 8A runner ups Dr. Phillips is even more impressive. When the Titans played the Doctor Phillips Panthers (12-3) at home on October 21st, the two bitter rivals put on a show. The Titans had a stand out crowd that flooded the night sky in black and silver and urged on their team. The Titans were eventually outscored by the Panthers 24-14 but the Titans really did give it their all in order to try and top the cross town rivals and eventual state runner ups. The Titans started off the season with a tough loss (42-14) to the Seminole
by Kaden Bauer Seminoles (12-1) but head coach Kyle Hayes got his team back on track and led his team to five straight wins. The loss that followed was the one against Dr. Phillips as mentioned above but that was as hard as a fought game as any. After that hard fought battle against the Panthers, the Titans finished their regular season with a record of 1-1. They topped the Oakridge Pioneers 27-13 before falling to Winter Park Wildcats 26-12.
Due to their impressive record the Olympia Titans qualified for the 2016 FHSAA Class 8A Football State Tournament. Unfortunately the Titans had to cut their state run short as they took a beating in their first game against the Riverview Rams. They lost by a depressing 41 points in a game that ended 56-15. Head Coach Kyle Hayes will be looking to build upon this promising season and try to come out next season with the goal of making it farther into the state championship.
Lake Highland Prep is losing Lacrosse coach who has Four FHSAA State Championships Chris Spaulding, who compiled a 176-46 record over 10 years at Lake Highland, is moving his family back to upstate New York and taking a job with an insurance firm in Elmira, which is next door to his hometown of Horseheads. “Our third child is on the way,” Spaulding said on Saturday. “This is a good opportunity to go back to the area where we’re from and be close to my parents and to my wife’s parents.”
dynasty. He led the Highlanders to the final four in each of the past nine seasons, with four titles and three runner-up finishes.
Jeff Vander Meulen, a former Colgate University standout who was the top assistant for Lake Highland’s past 11 seasons of lacrosse, has been named new head coach. Spaulding took over a one-year-old LHP program and constructed a
Lake Highland president David Rowe praised Spaulding as a teacher, saying, “Chris Spaulding is not only an outstanding coach who inspires and instructs his players to work hard and achieve their best, but he is also an exemplary
Lake Highland won championships in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and placed second in three times (2010, 2012 and 2017). The Highlanders lost this year’s state final to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 12-9.
teacher of AP US History — with an AP exam pass rate approaching 100-percent. We will miss him in the classroom and on the field.” Vander Meulen steps up after serving as Lake Highland’s assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. “Our lacrosse families know Jeff very well,” said Highlanders athletic director Frank Prendergast. “We are thrilled to have such a talented, committed coach immediately step in as head coach.”Matt Casey, another experienced member of the coaching squad, was appointed assistant head coach.
6/10/17 - 6/21/17 • Florida Sporting News
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Timber Creek Wins First Baseball State Championship Timber Creek wrapped up its journey through the baseball state tournament with a stellar shutout performance. The Wolves’ first trip to the championship game ended in a convincing 5-0 win over Orange City University late Saturday night to claim the Class 9A title at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. Timber Creek junior Preston Schumacher impressed over 6.2 innings of work. He struck out 12 while allowing five hits and three walks against a University (25-7) team that had won 16 of its previous 17 games and was ranked No. 2 in the Sentinel Super Six. No. 6 Timber Creek (25-7), which won 15 of its final 16 games, brings a state baseball championship back to Orange County for the first time since Bishop Moore accomplished the feat in 2007. The Wolves are the first Orange County public school to bring home a title since Dr. Phillips in 1996. “I’m so happy for the kids, the looks on their faces is priceless,” Timber Creek coach Tim Beaman said. “I came in four years ago and had a plan, and they bought into it, and we’ve built together and it’s culminated into this.” The start of the game, originally scheduled for 7:35 p.m., was delayed by three hours due to inclement weather earlier in the afternoon. It did not end until 12:50 a.m. Timber Creek plated two runs each in the second and third innings then relied on the arm of Schumacher the remainder of the way. “He came out and did what Preston can do,” Beaman said. “I knew he had the stuff. He’s shown it at times this year and I had faith that he would get us really deep and give us a quality start.”
The Titans stranded 10 runners, including players on second and third in the top of the fifth in what proved to be their best chance to score until getting two more on base in the seventh. “Their guy [Schumacher] was tremendous on the mound,” University coach Frank Martello said. “He had our guys off-balance. Had them guessing a little bit, which we don’t like to do with two strikes, and he was all over the plate, so tip your hat to him.” The Wolves got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second to claim a 2-0 lead when Parker Smith and Zak Sousa made it home on a pair of passed balls. Smith then tripled to centerfield in the third to drive in Marco Roque, who reached base on an error. Smith, who finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored, strolled home from there when the throw to third rolled into the Timber Creek dugout. “I was sitting fastball and I got it, and just tucked my elbow in and hit it right back up the middle,” Smith said. “It felt good.” Paxson Chambers singled to drive in the final run in the fifth. Six players combined for seven hits for the Wolves.
The game marked the third time that two area teams played for a baseball state title since the FHSAA finals began in 1922. Dr. Phillips defeated Lyman 4-3 to win the 6A title in 1996, in what was then the large-school classification. Lake Brantley matched that effort a year later in a 14-6 win over Apopka. The state championship for Timber Creek is the ninth FHSAA team title in the history of the school, which opened in 2001. The Wolves won boys and girls bowling championships in 2006; a girls volleyball title in 2008; a boys volleyball crown in 2009; and competitive cheer championships in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.
University starting pitcher Cameron Robinson struck out five in three innings. But he also walked four and gave up four hits before being replaced by Nathan Peden. Timber Creek, which lost to University in a state semifinal two years ago, becomes the first large-classification champion in the Sentinel coverage area since Port Orange Spruce Creek and Lake Brantley each won 8A titles in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
Basketball Hall of Fame announces the Human Spirt Award SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that 12-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Hall of Fame Coach Pat Summitt and youth basketball ambassador Boo Williams, have all been named winners of the 2013 Mannie Jackson - Basketball’s Human Spirit Award. The winners will be recognized on September 7th during events leading up to the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies. “This year’s winners of the Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award have all contributed greatly to the game of basketball and are active members in their community,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “It is an honor to recognize and celebrate these three distinguished humanitarians, all of whom have dedicated their lives to helping others through the game they love.” The criteria for award winners includes embracing the core values of the game, hard work, striving to improve the community and making a commitment to others. Beyond the game, award winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jackson’s life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for his or her actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence. Johnson, Summitt and Williams were chosen from a group of nine finalists after nominations were screened by a distinguished selection committee, appointed by the Hall of Fame and Mr. Jackson. Beginning in 2009, the finalists were grouped in three categories, representing the professional, amateur and grassroots levels of basketball. Previous winners of the award include current NBA players Grant Hill, Chauncey Billups and Samuel Dalembert; former NBA AllStar and Georgetown standout Alonzo Mourning; former Harlem Globetrotter and college basketball All-American Dr. John “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kline; former Georgetown University center and NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo; Philadelphia legend Sonny Hill; former NBA official Ken Hudson; Hall of Famers Bob Lanier, David Robinson, Jim Boeheim and Jim Calhoun; President and CEO of the National Consortium for Academics and Sport, Dr. Richard Lapchick and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Representing the Professional Game: Earvin “Magic” Johnson - Hall of Famer and 12-time NBA All-Star who created the Magic Johnson Foundation in 1991 in hopes of developing programs and support community based organizations. His community Empowerment Centers have impacted more than 200,000 kids, awarding over $3 million in hardware and software grants and awarded over $250,000 in online scholarships. Johnson has supported several charity groups including: Celebrity Fight Night Foundation, Charity Folks, Keep A Child Alive, The Miami Project and Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. Over the years he has been an advocate of AIDS/HIV research and has helped several causes including: at risk/disadvantaged youths, education and family/parent support. Johnson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. Representing the Amateur ranks: Pat Summitt – For nearly four decades, Summitt led the Tennessee Lady Vols program to 16 SEC Championships, eight NCAA titles and seven NCAA Coach of the Year awards. In August 2011, Summitt announced that she was battling with early onset dementia, “Alzheimer’s type.” She finished the 2011-12 season and in November, she revealed the formation of her foundation, the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund with the proceeds going toward cuttingedge research. The Huntington Post named Summitt a 2011 Game Changer – an innovator, leader and role model who is changing the way we look at the world and the way we live. President Barack Obama presented her on April 19, 2012 in the White House with the 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom award. She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Representing the Grassroots ranks: Boo Williams – Founded the Boo Williams Summer league in 1982, which is a Youth Basketball Organization in Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Williams has coached and mentored over 2,500 student athletes both male and female. He also helped fund and build the Boo Williams Sportsplex, which is a multi-purpose, eight court, sport facility that hosts several basketball games throughout the year. In 2001 he was named Walt Disney Wide World of Sports Volunteer of the year and he serves on the USA/ABA Cadet Committee for Development of Future Olympians.
Page 10 Florida Sporting News • 6/10/17 - 6/21/17
AAU Memorial Day Classic: The Competition Heats up in the Sunshine State Teams look forward to this event all year to begin AAU’s summer basketball season as well as the competition that comes along with it. Eric Starks, Head Coach of the 10th grade boys champion EYSF Panthers, said after the tournament, “To play in a Disney Tournament, to us, is one of the biggest things of the year. We really love coming out here. The atmosphere is great, our kids really enjoy it. To win a Disney Tournament to us is a really big deal.” One of Starks’ players, Jariel Pagan also added, “I love AAU because every weekend it brings the best of the best tournaments and the best of the best players. You never know what you’re going to get. You have to come into every game thinking it’s going to be a battle. My team loves to battle and that’s why we love AAU. Because we know it’s going to be a battle.” Being minutes from Disney and many of Central Florida’s other attractions also adds more excitement around the tournament. Eric Watson, coach of the champion girls Georgia Pistols said, “We wanted to take a vacation. They (the players) have been playing a real tough schedule the whole first half of it and we just wanted to end it with a bang. Orlando was a great place to pick. We absolutely love this tournament, we got treated well the whole time. AAU has been great for us!” ORLANDO, Fla (May 30, 2017) - As the holiday weekend comes to a close, so does another unforgettable AAU Memorial Day Classic. Over the past weekend, 378 basketball teams from across the country came to Central Florida to compete in this annual tournament.
At AAU, we couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our summer basketball season than with the Memorial Day Classic. The energy and passion that it brings so close to our headquarters in Lake Buena Vista is unmatched.
6/10/17 - 6/21/17 • Florida Sporting News
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AAU Member Breaks Record Brandon Miller had set over a handful of records at the AAU level entering his first year of high school at St. Louis John Burroughs (MO) High in 2017. So it was only a matter of time before the freshman mid-distance wonder was at it for his high school track and field team. Over the weekend, the 14-year-old not only claimed his first state title at the Missouri Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City, but he also secured a freshmen class record in the 800m with his time of 1:50.84 in the Class 3A race. Miller broke the previous national freshmen record of 1:51.03 held by Michael Granville of Bell Gardens, California, back in 1993. Granville eventually went on to set the national record of 1:46.45 in 1996. It followed an age group world record for 14-year-olds last July at the AAU Junior Olympics in Houston, where Miller ran a winning time of 1:51.23. Miller’s Class 3A time stood as the state championship’s best 800m performance across all classifications and stands as a US No. 15 mark and US No. 1 for all freshmen. Miller also contributed to wins in the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 as John Burroughs earned a Class 3A team title over Reeds Springs by two points.
Athlete Spotlight: Andrew Brickweg- Kicking into Gear
by Greyson Everidge
anges go to kicker for enough time now, with some of his friends around campus even calling him “The Kicker”. As far as college play goes, Brickweg hopes to play at the next level. “Playing in college is definitely the goal for me so I am working hard to make that happen.” Said Brickweg. Brickweg has attracted a number of colleges, and as he heads into his senior year it is more than likely he will continue to pick up some serious interest from big programs. WINTER GARDEN – Andrew Brickweg is an incoming senior and current kicker for West Orange High School. Brickweg has played with West Orange since his freshman year, and has lettered with varsity twice after he made the cut his sophomore year. Since then, Brickweg has played in a number of high pressure games, stepping on the field to make an impact whether it be a field goal or an extra point. Brickweg stands at 5 foot 9 inches, and weighs just over 165 pounds. This gives him the weight he needs to allow the ball to travel distance on punts, field goals and extra points. He played in every game this past season, and made the squad his 10th grade year when the team made it to the State Semi-Finals. “I make sure I concentrate on what I am doing all the time because you don’t want to make mistakes,” said Brickweg. “One small mess up and the ball could be completely off target so I would say that focus is one of the most important things.” And focus Brickweg has. He has been West Or-
Page 12 Florida Sporting News • 6/10/17 - 6/21/17