The Prep Zone

The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Strive Fitness – 2018 Softball Poll #4

Mike Ridaught

-

April 4, 2018

0

Strive Fitness - George Koziara352-339-1230 — Strive Fitness – George Koziara
352-339-1230

Two number 1’s highlights this week’s regional all-classification softball rankings

GAINESVILLE – Last week’s top-ranked team in The Prep Zone Power Poll is still the same.

But now they have some company.

Oakleaf (Orange Park), which is ranked second in the state in Class 8A by Miracle Sports, went 2-0 last week to remain No. 1. However, the defending state champion Knights (13-2) received just three of the six first-place votes.

Two of the first-place votes went to co-No. 1 Bartram Trail (St. Johns), which moves up one spot in both the regional rankings and the state rankings. They are now fourth in the Class 7A state rankings.

The Bears (13-1) beat the Knights head-to-head earlier this season, handing Oakleaf one of its two losses this season. Oakleaf Knights

Columbia (Lake City) also moved up one spot from fourth to third. The Tigers (14-3), who are ranked 7th in Class 7A, has wins against #4 Gainesville, #5 Trenton, & #15 West Nassau (Callahan) this season.

GHS (13-3) was off for spring break in Alachua County, but the Hurricanes dropped one spot from third to fourth. They’re also one spot behind the Tigers at No. 8 in 7A.

The two Class 7A-District 3 rivals split their two-game series, with each team winning on the other team’s field.

The Class 1A #1 Tigers remained fifth following a 2-0 week. Trenton (14-2) has wins against #4 Gainesville & #17 Dunnellon this season.

Defending 5A state runner-up Eustis leads off the second five at No. 6. The Panthers (11-2), who went 2-0 to remain sixth, are ranked 4th in 5A

The other first-place vote went to Providence (Jacksonville), which moves up four spots from 11th to 7th this week. The Stallions (11-1) are the No. 1 team in Class 4A.

Defending 1A state champion Union County (Lake Butler) is ranked eighth, while 5A Keystone Heights and 6A Springstead (Spring Hill) complete the top 10.

The top 20 remained intact, as no teams dropped out of this week’s rankings.

The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball, baseball & softball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters and it is powered by Strive Fitness.

The Prep Zone Power Poll – 2018 Softball Poll #4
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, record through 3/31, and total voting points)
1T. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A) (3) (13-2) – 116
1T. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (2) (12-1) – 116
3. Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (14-3) – 104
4. Gainesville (7A) (13-3) – 101
5. Trenton (1A) (14-2) – 94
6. Eustis (5A) (11-2) – 84
7. Providence (Jacksonville) (4A) (1) (11-1) – 80
8. Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (10-2) – 76
9. Keystone Heights (5A) (13-4) – 66
10. Springstead (Spring Hill) (6A) (15-2) – 63
11. University (Orange City) (9A) (14-3) – 61
12. East Ridge (Clermont) (8A) (16-1) – 53
13. Aucilla Christian (Monticello) (2A) (6-2) – 46
14. Deltona (7A) (13-2) – 44
15. West Nassau (Callahan) (5A) (12-4) – 41
16. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (9A) (15-3) – 30
17. Dunnellon (6A) (13-3) – 28
18. Hernando (Brooksville) (5A) (13-2) – 19
19. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (4A) (12-6) – 13
20. Taylor (Pierson) (5A) (11-1) – 8
Also receiving votes: St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park) (3A) (10-1) – 5; Ridgeview (Orange Park) (6A) (11-4) – 5; Taylor County (Perry) (4A) (8-5) – 3; Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (10-5) – 2; Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (11-5) – 1; Eagle’s View (Jacksonville) (2A) (11-1) – 1.

2018 Miracle Sports state softball rankings – Poll #8

Mike Ridaught

-

April 3, 2018

1

This is the eighth Miracle Sports high school softball state poll conducted by Miracle Sports for the 2018 season. The Miracle Sports state softball poll is produced weekly utilizing former and current high school and college coaches from across the state. Area teams are in bold.

ALL-CLASSIFICATION
1. Pembroke Pines Charter (8A) 16-1
2. Wellington (8A) 16-1
3. Lithia Newsome 7-0 (9A) 14-1
4. Coral Springs Charter (5A) 17-2
5. Apopka (9A) 17-1
6. Orange Park Oakleaf (8A) 13-2
7. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (8A) 8-1
8. Land O’Lakes Sunlake (7A) 15-1
9. Clermont East Ridge (8A) 16-1
10. Land O’Lakes (6A) 15-1

CLASS 9A
1. Lithia Newsome 14-1
2. Apopka 17-1
3. Miami Palmetto 12-2
4. Jupiter 11-2
5. Tampa Alonso 11-3
6. Palm Harbor University 13-4
7. Orange City University 14-3
8. Kissimmee Osceola 11-3
9. Jacksonville Mandarin 15-3
10. Orlando Dr. Phillips 16-2
Honorable mention: Vero Beach 11-1; Orlando Timber Creek 12-2; Davie Western 11-4; Parkland Stoneman Douglas 7-3; Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley 9-3; Davenport Ridge Community 8-4; Coconut Creek Monarch 8-4; West Broward 11-3; Winter Garden West Orange 11-6; Miami Coral Reef 9-5.

CLASS 8A
1. Wellington 16-1
2. Orange Park Oakleaf 13-2
3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 10-1
4. Clermont East Ridge 16-1
5. Tallahassee Chiles 16-1
6. Bartow 13-2
7. Bradenton Lakewood Ranch 13-3
8. Cooper City 13-2
9. Winter Springs 14-3
10. Lakeland George Jenkins 13-3
Honorable mention: Plant City 13-4; Tarpon Springs East Lake 13-3; Oviedo Hagerty 12-4; Valrico Bloomingdale 15-4; Lutz Steinbrenner 11-4; Tallahassee Lincoln 9-2; Tampa Wharton 10-3; Tampa Freedom 11-4; Boca Raton Spanish River 9-4.

CLASS 7A
1. Pembroke Pines Charter 16-1
2. Land O’Lakes Sunlake 15-1
3. Viera 17-1
4. St. Johns Bartram Trail 12-1
5. Fort Myers 16-2
6. Tampa Chamberlain 15-3
7. Lake City Columbia 14-3
8. Gainesville 13-3
9. Bradenton Braden River 14-3
10. Deltona 13-2
Honorable mention: West Boca Raton 14-3; Eagle Lake Lake Region 12-5; Seminole Osceola 14-4; Estero 13-3; Niceville 10-4; Melbourne 12-5; Navarre 12-4; Miami Terra Environmental 11-3.

CLASS 6A
1. New Port Richey River Ridge 15-1
2. Land O’Lakes 15-1
3. Spring Hill Springstead 15-2
4. Rockledge 15-2
5. Immokalee 13-3
6. North Fort Myers 15-3
7. Dunnellon 13-4
8. Plantation American Heritage 10-6
9. Sebring 13-2
10. Crystal River 7-2
Honorable mention: Orange Park Ridgeview 11-4; Tarpon Springs 11-4; Melbourne Eau Gallie 11-4; Cape Coral Mariner 11-5; Panama City Beach Arnold 12-5; Tampa Robinson 11-4.

CLASS 5A
1. Coral Springs Charter 17-2
2. Marianna 16-2
3. Pierson Taylor 11-1
4. Eustis 11-2
5. Miami Gulliver Prep 8-2-1
6. Keystone Heights 12-3
7. Brooksville Hernando 13-2
8. Key West 13-4
9. Callahan West Nassau 12-4
Honorable mention: The Villages 11-2; Port Orange Atlantic 8-3; Glen St. Mary Baker County 11-5; Titusville Astronaut 11-5; Lake Placid 11-5; Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek 10-5.

CLASS 4A
1. Jacksonville Providence 11-1
2. West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 13-4
3. Miami Westminster Christian 15-6
4. Tampa Academy of the Holy Names 10-4
5. Jacksonville Trinity Christian 12-6
6. Chaminade Madonna 5-1
7. Tampa Catholic 12-5
8. Jacksonville Episcopal 6-4
9. Panama City North Bay Haven 12-6
10. Clearwater Calvary Christian 6-3
Honorable mention: Delray Beach American Heritage 6-4; West Palm Beach King’s Academy 11-4; Fort Myers Bishop Verot 9-7; Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 9-3; Perry Taylor County 8-5.

CLASS 3A
1. Niceville Rocky Bayou Christian 8-1
2. Orange Park St. Johns Country Day 12-1
3. St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut 10-2
4. Jacksonville University Christian 5-1
5. Belle Isle Cornerstone Charter 11-7
6. Lakeland Christian 10-4
7. Oviedo Master’s Academy 8-1
8. Tallahassee North Florida Christian 5-4
9. Bradenton Saint Stephen’s Episcopal 9-3
10. St. Petersburg Northside Christian 11-5
Honorable mention: Orlando Faith Christian 10-4; Tampa Carrollwood Day 10-5; Marathon 11-8; Spring Hill Bishop McLaughlin 8-6; Moore Haven 4-2.

CLASS 2A
1. Land O’Lakes Academy at the Lakes 15-2
2. Monticello Aucilla Christian 6-2
3. Jacksonville Eagle’s View 11-1
4. Homestead Colonial Christian 10-1
5. Mount Dora Christian 13-3
6. Deltona Trinity Christian Academy 8-1
7. Lecanto Seven Rivers Christian 9-2
8. Palatka Peniel Baptist 14-2
9. Jacksonville Christ’s Church Academy 7-1
10. St. Petersburg Canterbury 6-8
Honorable mention: Sarasota Christian 7-3; Palm Bay Covenant Christian 7-4; Naples Seacrest Country Day 7-5; Belle Glade Glades Day 4-5; Lake Worth Christian 3-2.

CLASS 1A
1. Trenton 15-2
2. Wewahitchka 12-4
3. Lake Butler Union County 11-2
4. Bonifay Holmes County 13-3
5. Panama City Bozeman 13-2
6. Bratt Northview 11-2
7. Chiefland 12-3
8. Sneads 14-3
9. Frostproof 12-2
10. Jay 12-5
Honorable mention: Madison County 12-4; Mayo Lafayette 10-7; Altha 13-2; Franklin County 8-6; Paxton 7-6.

GHS Water Polo to host first-ever home match

Mike Ridaught

-

April 2, 2018

0

ghs water polo1 By Olivia Granaiola
Twitter – @oliviagranaiola

In a state like Florida where the football-basketball-baseball trifecta reigns supreme, high schools pour most of their time, efforts, and money into gaining a spot in the state’s athletic upper crust.

In Alachua County, one of these elite athletic programs resides at Gainesville High School.

With a strong athletic presence in “the big sports,” the GHS Hurricanes would not necessarily need to branch out. But, coach David Huelsman and his water polo team are the newest thing to hit the high school scene… and the tides are high.

“I couldn’t be happier,” are the words Coach Huelsman used to describe his feelings about the team’s inaugural year.

And based on the circumstances, it looks like Huelsman has the right attitude.

Without enough teams in their own district, the Gainesville High water polo team mostly competes in Orlando – an established hub for high school water polo.

Many teams in that area have at least a decade of experience under their belts.

“We didn’t fare well against Olympia and Dr. Phillips,” Huelsman admitted, “But, we have been very competitive against the rest of the district and in tournament play.”

But, Huelsman and the team wouldn’t mind some familiar company.

“We are hoping for Buchholz and P.K. Yonge [soon],” he noted. “Three teams would allow us to create in-Gainesville competition and a local district.”

Not too shabby for a group of kids being introduced to a more obscure sport. However, the competitive streak starts at the top.

Coach Huelsman works his students out three days during the school week. On Monday, the team runs stadiums at the University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. On Tuesday and Thursday nights, the team practices for two hours. Games are on Friday. This conditioning encourages a young team to thrive. inaugural ghs water polo18

“We only have one senior (Ellery Burgess) on the team, but we hope to come back stronger next year,” said Huelsman.

On the 15-student roster, there are four juniors (including captain Eliot Golde), six sophomores, and four freshmen. Fourteen returners and a determined coach hope to up the ante for their goals next year.

“We’re hoping to be third in the district next year,” Huelsman relayed.

Most likely, the team is hoping to sit behind those pesky Olympia and Dr. Phillips teams. It will be difficult. But, for a team that is so used to being behind the curve and shooting for the stars, count on the Gainesville Hurricanes water polo team to make it happen.

The GHS Water Polo Team will host its first-ever home match this Wednesday, April 4th, at the NE Pool at 5:45 PM. Come out and support the Canes as they host Apopka.

There are two more home meets to round out the season:

GHS vs Windermere Friday, April 13th, NE Pool (TIME TBD)
GHS vs Ocoee Saturday, April 14th, NE Pool (TIME TBD)

For more information, visit https://www.ghswaterpolo.com/

ThePrepZone.com state baseball poll – 2018 Poll #1

Mike Ridaught

-

April 2, 2018

1

Gainesville – Here is ThePrepZone.com state baseball poll for the 2018 season. This is the first poll of the year. The next rankings will be available on Monday, April 9. Teams in The Prep Zone’s coverage area in bold.

ALL-CLASSIFICATION
1. Clearwater Calvary Christian (4A) 15-0
2. Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy (4A) 16-2
3. Plantation American Heritage (6A) 13-3
4. Jacksonville Providence (4A) 15-2
5. Niceville (7A) 13-0
6. Jacksonville Bolles (5A) 14-2
7. Pembroke Pines Flanagan (9A) 11-2
8. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (8A) 13-2
9. Lynn Haven Mosley (6A) 13-3
10 Fort Myers Canterbury (3A) 11-1

CLASS 9A
1. Pembroke Pines Flanagan 11-2
2. Miami Palmetto 12-2
3. Orlando Cypress Creek 12-2
4. Lake Worth Park Vista 11-3
5. West Broward 11-3
6. Lantana Santaluces 15-2
7. Parkland Stoneman Douglas 7-4
8. Vero Beach 13-2
9. Lake Mary 10-2
10. Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast 10-4
Honorable mention: Miami Columbus 10-4, Kissimmee Gateway 10-2, Tampa Alonso 9-7, Orlando Timber Creek 10-5, Orlando Olympia 11-5, Jacksonville Mandarin 11-4, Lithia Newsome 9-4, Jupiter 8-7, Palm Beach Gardens 12-5, Kissimmee Osceola 9-3.

CLASS 8A
1. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 13-2
2. Oviedo Hagerty 14-2
3. Davie Nova 12-1
4. Ocala Forest 13-1
~~5. Pace 11-3~~
6. Lakeland George Jenkins 12-2
7. Tampa Plant 13-2
8. Wellington 13-3
9. Palmetto 12-4
10. Tampa Sickles 13-3
Honorable mention: Tallahassee Lincoln 9-6, Tampa Wharton 11-3, Tarpon Springs East Lake 12-4, Tallahassee Chiles 8-7, Gainesville Buchholz 11-5, Bradenton Lakewood Ranch 11-5-1, Plant City 11-3, Tallahassee Leon 11-4-1, Valrico Bloomingdale 9-5, Lakeland 11-4.

CLASS 7A
1. Niceville 13-0
2. Venice 13-3
3. Pace 11-3
4. St. Johns Creekside 11-2
5. Naples Gulf Coast 13-3
6. Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 12-5
7. Cantonment Tate 10-5
8. Tampa King 13-3
9. Doral Academy 10-5-1
10. Punta Gorda Charlotte 11-4
Honorable mention: Ponte Vedra Nease 7-6, Winter Haven 10-5, Tampa Leto 11-4, New Smyrna Beach 12-5, Daytona Beach Father Lopez 13-2, Miami Belen Jesuit 9-4, Miami Sunset 10-2.

CLASS 6A
1. Plantation American Heritage 13-3
2. Lynn Haven Mosley 13-3
3. Tampa Jesuit 10-3
4. Merritt Island 13-3
5. Miami Springs 13-1
6. Rockledge 14-2
7. Cape Coral Island Coast 11-2
8. Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 9-6-1
9. Orange Park Ridgeview 11-3
10. Land O’ Lakes 12-3
Honorable mention: Miami Jackson 10-3, Melbourne Eau Gallie 8-5, Naples Lely 10-3, Dunedin 11-6, Ponte Vedra 11-4, Port St. Lucie 8-4, Tampa Jefferson 8-5, Miami Goleman 11-7, Spring Hill Springstead 11-4, Green Cove Springs Clay 10-5, Lake Wales 12-4, Dunnellon 9-4.

CLASS 5A
1. Jacksonville Bolles 14-2
2. Pompano Beach 11-4
3. Orlando Bishop Moore 14-3
4. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 11-2
5. Satellite Beach Satellite 15-1
6. Melbourne Central Catholic 11-3
7. Glen St. Mary Baker County 10-4
8. Miami Monsignor Pace 7-5
9. Brooksville Nature Coast 12-2
10. Jacksonville Bishop Kenny 11-4
Honorable mention: North Broward Prep 10-6, Bushnell South Sumter 9-4, Marianna 11-5, LaBelle 11-2, Fernandina Beach 10-4, Panama City Bay 9-4, Titusville 9-3, Key West 12-7.

CLASS 4A
1. Clearwater Calvary Christian 15-0
2. Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy 16-2
3. Jacksonville Providence 15-2
4. Palm Beach Gardens Benjamin 15-3
5. Ocala Trinity Catholic 7-3
6. Pensacola Catholic 12-4
7. Jacksonville Trinity Christian 9-3
8. Orlando The First Academy 10-4
9. Miami Florida Christian 10-3
10. Miami Westminster Christian 12-5
Honorable mention: Delray Beach American Heritage 9-4, Tampa Berkeley Prep 10-5, Clearwater Central Catholic 8-5, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 9-7.

CLASS 3A
1. Fort Myers Canterbury 11-1
2. Tampa Carrollwood Day 13-1
3. Tallahassee North Florida Christian 12-2
4. Spring Hill Bishop McLaughlin 10-4
5. Tampa Cambridge Christian 12-1
6. Bradenton Saint Stephens Academy 8-2
7. Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy 8-4
8. Jacksonville University Christian 12-7
9. St. Petersburg Northside Christian 9-3
10. Fort Pierce John Carroll Catholic 10-3
Honorable mention: Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian 10-3, Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic 10-5, Maitland Orangewood Christian 10-5, Lake Mary Prep 11-6, Oviedo Master’s Academy 8-4-1, Lakeland Christian 10-6, Orange Park St. Johns Country Day 9-6.

CLASS 2A
1. Miami Christian 10-3
2. Lake Worth Trinity Christian 10-7
3. Lecanto Seven Rivers Christian 8-3
4. St. Petersburg Keswick Christian 9-4
5. Jacksonville Christ’s Church 7-4
6. Fort Pierce St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy 8-3
7. Naples Seacrest Country Day 8-6
8. Brito Miami Private 7-3
9. Kissimmee City of Life Christian 9-3
10. Sarasota Gulf Coast HEAT 10-4
Honorable mention: Brevard HEAT 8-4, Land O’Lakes Academy at the Lakes 7-5, Monticello Aucilla Christian 6-4-1.

CLASS 1A
1. Sneads 12-2
2. Panama City Bozeman 13-2
3. Williston 9-3
4. Paxton 8-1
5. Trenton 8-4
6. Branford 9-2
~~7. Santa Rosa South Walton 10-6~~
~~8. Newberry 7-4~~
9. Bratt Northview 9-5
~~10. Pierson Taylor 9-4~~
Honorable mention: Malone 10-3, Lake Butler Union County 9-5, Crescent City 8-5, Freeport 7-4, Mayo Lafayette 7-4.

North Marion at Eastside – Baseball 2018

Mike Stanton

-

April 2, 2018

0

North Marion at Eastside – Baseball 2018

Date: Thur 04/05/2018 at 6 p.m. (Pregame) – First pitch at 6:30 p.m.
Title: HS Baseball – North Marion (Citra) at Eastside (Gainesville)

Event Details: Join Marty Pallman (Play-by-play) & Mike Ridaught (Color) for this Class 6A-District 5 game. You can also listen to the game on 100.1 FM & 900 AM in Ocala, as well as 92.1 FM & 1230 AM in Gainesville. Follow us on Twitter & Facebook @ThePrepZone for updates.

Click Here to Listen

CHROME BROWSER NOTE: Recent versions of the Chrome Browser have discontinued support for several plugins including the Silverlight media player used on this site. The best option to access this ‘live’ broadcast is to switch to a different browser, i.e. Internet Explorer or Firefox.

The other option for windows users is to click the “WMP Player” once you access the broadcast on Chrome. This will play the broadcast in your standalone windows media player if that is available on your computer.

PK Yonge Softball – 2018

"The Prep Zone" Sports Show Presented by Sonic Drive-In

Mike Stanton

-

April 2, 2018

0

Date: Mon 04/02/2018 at 7:00pm
Title: The Prep Zone
Guests: PK Yonge Softball

Event Details: Join Mike Ridaught and Marty Pallman as they talk high school sports from Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville. Guests for this episode include P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) softball coach Jacques Harris and members of the Blue Wave softball team. The show will also air on 92.1 FM & 1230 AM in Gainesville, as well as 100.1 FM & 900 AM in Ocala. #ThePrepZone.com

Click Here to Listen

CHROME BROWSER NOTE: Recent versions of the Chrome Browser have discontinued support for several plugins including the Silverlight media player used on this site. The best option to access this ‘live’ broadcast is to switch to a different browser, i.e. Internet Explorer or Firefox.

The other option for windows users is to click the “WMP Player” once you access the broadcast on Chrome. This will play the broadcast in your standalone windows media player if that is available on your computer.

Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for March 30 – Jake Blair (North Marion)

Mike Ridaught

-

March 31, 2018

0

The Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Tuesday, March 30, is Jake Blair of the North Marion (Citra) baseball team.

The junior helped lead the Colts to a 9-5 win against the Class 6A-District 5 leaders (link to archived audio broadcast).

Blair pitched five-plus innings allowing just three runs on four hits. He also struck out nine as North Marion improved to 9-7 overall and 3-1 in league play.

He also delivered at the plate, finishing 1-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in. His extra-base hit to straight away center field in the 3rd inning gave the Colts a 5-1 lead. Jake Blair North Marion POG

Of the four hits he gave up, one was a bloop single in the second and two were infield hits.

Blair was his strongest during the middle innings as he struck out five in a row over the third and fourth innings.

University of Florida commit Kishon Frett helped put the game away with a 2-run home run to left field in the fourth for a 9-1 lead.

Belleview (7-9, 4-2) will travel to league-leader Lake Weir (Ocala), which is 4-1 in the district, on Tuesday, while North Marion will host Eastside (Gainesville) on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. for a district game.

We’ll have coverage of the Eastside at North Marion game on local radio in Gainesville (92.1 FM & 1230 AM) and Ocala (100.1 FM & 900 AM), plus audio online at ThePrepZone.com.

Every game The Prep Zone will recognize a Player-of-the-Game. The recipient receives a $10 gift certificate courtesy of Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville & Ocala.

Belleview at North Marion – Baseball 2018

Mike Stanton

-

March 30, 2018

1

Belleview at North Marion – Baseball 2018

Friday, 6:15 p.m. – High School Baseball
Belleview at North Marion (Citra)

Join Marty Pallman (Play-by-play) and Mike Ridaught (Color) for this Class 6A-District 5 showdown between last year’s district champion (North Marion) and runner-up (Belleview).

Click Here to Listen

CHROME BROWSER NOTE: Recent versions of the Chrome Browser have discontinued support for several plugins including the Silverlight media player used on this site. The best option to access this ‘live’ broadcast is to switch to a different browser, i.e. Internet Explorer or Firefox.

The other option for windows users is to click the “WMP Player” once you access the broadcast on Chrome. This will play the broadcast in your standalone windows media player if that is available on your computer.

The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Strive Fitness – 2018 Baseball Poll #2

Mike Ridaught

-

March 30, 2018

0

Nationally-ranked Providence (Jacksonville) remains on top of the all-classification regional rankings

GAINESVILLE – The top-ranked team in The Prep Zone Power Poll remained the same.

Providence (Jacksonville), which has moved up to 10th nationally in the latest Max Preps XCellent Top 25, went 2-0 at the PTOWN Classic at Providence. They defeated King’s Academy (West Palm Beach), 8-2, and IMG Academy Blue (Bradenton), 15-5.

The Stallions (11-1) received all six first-place votes. Providence

Bolles (Jacksonville) moved up one spot to second in the all-classification regional rankings after winning a 4-0 week. The defending 5A state champion Bulldogs (13-2) defeated IMG Academy (Bradenton), 4-3, Georgetown Prep (MD), 7-3, and Palmetto, 3-2, at the IMG National Classic.

The ‘Dogs, who moved up to No. 30 in the MaxPreps national rankings, also defeated previous No. 6 Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), 7-1.

Forest (Ocala) dropped one spot from second to third. The Wildcats (12-1) are ranked sixth in MaxPreps’ Class 8A state rankings.

Class 7A Creekside (St. Johns) and 4A Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) round out the top five.

The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball, baseball & softball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters.

THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2018 BASEBALL POLL #2
(School, followed by classification, first place votes, record through 3/28, and total voting points)
1. Providence (Jacksonville) (4A) (6) (11-1) – 120
2. Bolles (Jacksonville) (5A) (13-2) – 114
3. Forest (Ocala) (8A) (12-1) – 108
4. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (11-2) – 101
5. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (4A) (8-3) – 96
6. Buchholz (Gainesville) (8A) (10-4) – 83
7T. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (9A) (10-4) – 79
7T. University Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (12-6) – 79
9. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (9-4) – 74
10. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (4A) (7-3) – 53
11. Dunnellon (6A) (10-2) – 40
12T. New Smyrna Beach (7A) (11-5) – 39
12T. Ponte Vedra (6A) (10-4) – 39
14. Fernandina Beach (5A) (10-4) – 33
15. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (9A) (8-4) – 30
16. Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) (7A) (12-2) – 26
17. Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville) (5A) (11-2) – 25
18. Nease (Ponte Vedra) (7A) (6-5) – 22
19. Terry Parker (Jacksonville) (6A) (10-2) – 14
20. Ridgeview (Orange Park) (6A) (11-3) – 12
Also receiving votes: Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (10-4) – 11; Springstead (Spring Hill) (6A) (10-4) – 11; Trenton (1A) (8-3) – 9; Gainesville (7A) (8-5) – 8, P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) (5A) (11-5) – 6; Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (9A) (9-5) – 5; St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park) (3A) (8-4) – 3; The Villages (5A) (11-2) – 2; Williston (1A) (9-3) -2; Clay (Green Cove Springs) (6A) (9-5) – 1.

The Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week – Cade Monk (Buchholz)

Mike Ridaught

-

March 29, 2018

0

The Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week for the week of March 19 is CADE MONK* of the Buchholz (Gainesville) boys’ track & field team.

Cade Monk_Buchholz track *Monk helped lead the Bobcats to their third Alachua County boys’ title in four years. The junior won three events at the Alachua County Track and Field Championships. He won the 3200 by three minutes (9:57.37), the 1600 with a time of 4:35.52, and the 800 with a time of 2:00.09.

Nominate an Athlete of the Week each week no later than Sunday at 6 p.m. Email your nominations to mike@ThePrepZone.com

Previous 2017-18 winners:

March 12 – Jaxson Lamb (Oak Hall boys’ lacrosse)
The High Point commit helped lead the Eagles to a 3-0 week, including a 17-0 win against Gainesville to start the week and the inaugural Sunshine State Athletic Conference title on Saturday. The senior midfielder saved the best for last. Lamb had eight goals in a 14-2 win against host All Saints Academy (Winter Haven) in the second game of a doubleheader at the inaugural Sunshine State Athletic Conference lacrosse tournament. The eight goals tied a school record for goals in a single-game.

March 5 – Ethan Brunson (P.K. Yonge baseball)
The senior helped lead the Blue Wave to a 3-0 week. In a 6-4 win against Fort White to start the week, Brunson had a single, double, and two runs batted in, plus he collected his second save by tossing two innings. His best performance came next when he went 4-for-5 at the plate with a double, triple and two singles with three RBIs in a 13-4 District 5-5A win against Santa Fe. He finished off the week with a 2-for-3 performance, including his 5th RBI of the week, in a 5-2 win against Oak Hall as the Blue Wave (9-0) stayed unbeaten.

Feb. 26 – Trey McCray (The Rock boys’ basketball)
McCray, who transferred in from Santa Fe High School this season, led The Rock (28-10) to the SIAA state title by scoring 21 points in the championship game as the Lions defeated Victory Rock, 73-59. The junior scored 14 in the semifinals, a 76-61 win against West Oaks, and 13 in the quarterfinals, an 86-46 win against Calusa Prep. He was named the tournament’s MVP.

Feb. 19 – Adebola Adeyeye (The Rock girls’ basketball)
The senior forward helped lead the Lady Lions to their second consecutive NACA National Championship for Division II. The University of Buffalo signee scored 32 points and grabbed 20 rebounds as The Rock defeated Comenius (Fort Mill, SC), 61-50, in the title game. Adeyeye scored 73 points and grabbed 72 rebounds during the tournament. She also had five blocks in the four games.

Feb. 12 – Nick Baskin Jr. (St. Francis Catholic Academy boys’ basketball)
Baskin had 20 points and went 4-for-4 at the free-throw line down the stretch to lead Saint Francis Catholic Academy to its first district title in basketball since 2013 in a 61-57 home win over Trinity Christian Academy (Deltona) in the Class 3A-District 2 title game. The senior tied for game-high honors with 15 points in the district semifinals as the Wolves defeated Christ Church Academy (Jacksonville), 87-43, to clinch an FHSAA state playoff berth.

Feb. 5 – Lele Young (Gainesville girls’ basketball)
The senior guard helped lead GHS (21-7) to its eighth consecutive district title. Young scored a game-high 22 points, grabbed five rebounds and added four steals in a 72-58 win against Columbia (Lake City) in the Class 7A-District 4 semifinals. She was also 7-of-8 from the free throw line. It marked the 15th game this season that Young had scored 21 or more points in a game. In the championship game, she scored 18 points, pulled down seven rebounds and added three steals in a 55-40 win against Forest (Ocala).

Jan. 29 – Kursten Bakken (Union County girls’ weightlifting)
Bakken set a new Florida record as the Tigers won their first-ever FHSAA championship in girls weightlifting. The senior was one of four individual state champions for Union County. She bettered her fifth-place showing at state last year as a junior by setting a new state record in the bench press in the unlimited class at 300 pounds. She lifted a combined 525 pounds in the bench press and clean-and-jerk, breaking a Florida high school record that had stood since 2009.

Jan. 22 – Devin King-Porter (Buchholz girls’ soccer)
The sophomore midfielder helped lead the Lady Bobcats to the Class 5A-District 1 title. King-Porter led all scorers with three goals in an 8-0 win against Sandalwood (Jacksonville) in the district semifinals. She followed that up with a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win against Forest (Ocala) in the district championship.

Jan. 15 – Zack Martin (Santa Fe boys’ soccer)
Martin had eight goals during the week to help lead Santa Fe to a 3-0 record, with all three wins coming in Class 2A-District 5 competition. He began the week with a hat trick in an 8-0 win at Interlachen. Two days later, the senior forward scored two goals for Santa Fe in a 3-0 win against second-place Crescent City, which gave the Raiders the No. 1 seed in the upcoming district tournament. Martin finished the week with a hat trick in an 8-0 win at P.K. Yonge (Gainesville).

Jan. 8 – Ayanna Rollins (Oak Hall girls’ basketball)
The senior forward helped lead Oak Hall to a couple of wins during the week. Rollins led the Eagles with 30 points, 10 rebounds and two assists in a 65-33 win against Florida School for the Deaf (St. Augustine). She followed that up with a monster effort two nights later in a 39-31 win at Eastside (Gainesville). Rollins scored 24 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and had six steals.

Jan. 1 – No award due to holiday and cancelled school

Dec. 25 – Jimmy Johnson (Eastside boys’ basketball)
Johnson helped lead the Rams to a third-place finish at the Hitchcock’s Challenge in Alachua. The senior guard scored in double figures in every game as Eastside went 3-1 in the tournament. He scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-3 behind the arc, in a 70-36 win against Columbia (Lake City) in the 3rd-place game.

Dec. 18 – Christian Miller-Cardwell (Gainesville boys’ basketball)
Miller-Cardwell led Gainesville to the Kiwanis Christmas Tournament title at Bradford High School (Starke), Dec. 21-23, by scoring 70 points in three games. The tournament MVP led the Hurricanes (8-2) with 22 points in a 75-55 win against host Bradford in the championship game. He scored a game-high 26 points in a 69-58 win against 8A No. 2 Creekside (St. Johns). The senior also scored a game-high 22 points in a 62-44 win against Madison County.

Dec. 11 – Sierra Millinor (Eastside girls’ soccer)
Millinor helped lead the Lady Rams to a pair of Class 3A-District 5 wins. The junior forward scored five goals in a 7-3 win against Crystal River. Two days later against Vanguard (Ocala), she scored three goals and assisted on another in a 5-1 win.

Dec. 4 – Lee Ducharme (P.K. Yonge girls’ soccer)
The senior forward scored seven goals, giving her 300 on her career, as the Blue Wave remained undefeated with a dominating 8-1 win at Santa Fe (Alachua). The win snapped a 5-game losing streak to the Lady Raiders. Two days later, the West Florida commit scored five goals in an 8-0 win against Interlachen. The 12 goals gave Ducharme 32 goals in eight games.

Nov. 27 – Anthony Allen (Newberry boys’ soccer)
Allen helped the Panthers bounce back from its first defeat of the season, a 6-0 loss at Crescent City on Monday, by scoring five goals in their next two games to lead Newberry to a 2-1 week. The senior scored both of his team’s goals in a 2-0 win at Interlachen on Thursday, followed by the first hat trick of his career in a 5-0 win at Oak Hall on Friday. He also added an assist in the win against the Eagles.

Nov. 20 – No award due to Thanksgiving holiday

Nov. 13 – Zion Barber (Bradford football)
The senior helped lead the Tornadoes to their first state semifinal appearance since 2004 with a 24-14 win against Dunnellon in the Class 4A Region 2 Final. Barber had a rushing touchdown on a 4th-and-goal, threw two TD passes, kicked three extra points and made a 20-yard field goal as Bradford (10-1) won its 10th straight game.

Nov. 6 – Isabel Ivey (Buchholz girls’ swimming)
Ivey helped lead Buchholz to its third straight state title. She set a state record in the 100 breast stroke (1:00.99), and she beat Stanford commit Morgan Tankersley of Plant (Tampa) to win the 200 freestyle (1:44.68), in winning two individual state titles. The junior was also a part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team which set a school record, and a state record, with a time of 1:31.66, less than a second from the national mark, and she helped lead the Lady Bobcats to a state record in the 400-freestyle relay.

Oct. 30 – Austin Montini (Oak Hall boys’ cross country)
The freshman helped lead the Eagles to a third-place finish at the high school cross country regional championships. Montini finished third with a time of 16:48.86 to lead the Eagles to a third-place finish. The Oak Hall boys were ranked sixth but finished third.

Oct. 23 – Brandis Smith (St. Francis Catholic Academy volleyball)
Smith helped lead the Wolves (8-9) to an upset of previously unbeaten North Florida Christian (Tallahassee) in the FHSAA Class 3A Regional Semifinals. The senior had 50 kills, 7 blocks, and 12 digs for the defending state champions. St. Francis Catholic Academy d. North Florida Christian 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-14.

Oct. 16 – Heather Pedrick (Santa Fe volleyball)
The junior setter helped lead the top-seeded Lady Raiders to the Class 6A-District 6 title. Pedrick had 14 kills, eight digs, 14 assists and six service points to lead the Raiders to a sweep of North Marion (Citra) in the district semifinals. In the championship against No. 2 seed Belleview, she led the way with 17 kills, 20 digs and five blocks as Santa Fe swept the Rattlers.

Oct. 9 – Amelia Williams (Buchholz girls’ golf)
Williams helped the Lady Bobcats capture their fifth straight Jill Darr Invitational title. The sophomore was the low medalist with a 3-under 69. She had a bogey-free round. The Jill Darr Invitational, named after the late Jill Darr Rowell, represents the Alachua County championship.

Oct. 2 – Charles Strong (Union County football)
The FSU commit rushed for 262 yards and scored three touchdowns as Union County (6-1) defeated previously unbeaten Hawthorne, 31-25, in overtime. Strong, who has 1,139 yards and 13 TDs on the season, scored the game-winner from 10 yards out in OT. He also had a 23-yard scoring run and a 12-yard TD run.

Sept. 25 – Demari Turner (St. Francis Catholic Academy football)
Turner came up with the big plays, catching four passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns, to help lead the Wolves to a 36-0 win against rival Oak Hall and snap the Eagles’ two-game win streak in the series. The senior wide receiver had scoring catches of 63 and 89 yards as St. Francis Catholic knocked off the previously-unbeaten Eagles and snapped their overall winning streak at 13 games. He also had a 2-point conversion and helped the defense pitch its first shutout of the season.

Sept. 18 – Anthony Richardson (Eastside football)
The sophomore quarterback led the Rams to a 2-0 week, which is twice as many wins as Eastside had (1) all season in 2016. Richardson had 646 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing and passing. In the Rams’ 33-28 home win over Newberry on Monday, he accounted for all five of their touchdowns, finishing with 348 yards and two scores through the air and 65 yards and three scores on the ground. On Friday, at Lake Weir (Ocala), Richardson ran for 102 yards on 11 carries with two TDs, and 131 yards passing with three scores.

Sept. 11 – No award due to Hurricane Irma

Sept. 4 – Gerard Williams III (Williston football)
Williams set a school record with 307 yards on 27 carries, with three touchdowns, in the Red Devils’ 28-14 win at Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto). During Williston’s first five possessions, the senior had 13 carries for 115 yards. However, on Williston’s final three drives, he had 192 yards on 14 carries, with 2 TDs.