The Prep Zone

Eastside Soccer

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January 26, 2015

Monday (Tonight), 6-7 p.m.
“The Prep Zone” – High school show broadcast ‘live’ from Sonic on 39th Avenue in Gainesville

Join hosts Mike Ridaught and Marty Pallman along with their special guests: Ron Messick, Eastside boys’ soccer coach and members of the Rams district championship team. Eastside, which will host a first-round playoff game this Thursday, is 18-0 on the season. We’ll recap the basketball Prep Zone Power Poll and tell you how the top 20 fared, announce last week’s Sonic Player-of-the-Game recipients, along with the Trophy Shop Athlete-of-the-Week presented by State Farm agent Mark McGriff.

Click Here to Listen: http://www.floridacast.com/play/index.cfm?fuseaction=embstay&id=4815E70CB7

How the top 20 fared (Boys Basketball)

Mike Ridaught

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January 26, 2015

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Top-ranked Providence stays unbeaten against Florida competition. No. 2 Jackson & No. 8 Wolfson fall at the Gateway Conference Tournament in Jacksonville. Plus, some new teams are knocking on the door of the top 20 poll. **Our next poll will be released on Tuesday night**

PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2014-15 BASKETBALL POLL #6
(School, followed by first-place votes, classification, overall record and results through 1/25)

1. Providence (Jacksonville) (7) (3A) (22-1) – Went 2-0; d. Potter’s House Christian (Jacksonville), 46-41 (Fri.); d. #13 Flagler Palm Coast, 70-50, at the MLK Tournament at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Mon.); Stallions have won nine in a row

2. Jackson (Jacksonville) (4A) (21-2) – Went 2-1 in the Gateway Conference Tournament; LOST to #9 Ed White (Jacksonville), 43-42, in the championship game (Fri.); d. Mandarin (Jacksonville), 61-54, in the semifinals (Thur.); d. Ribault (Jacksonville), 59-52, in the quarterfinals (Wed.)

3. Lake Minneola (6A) (18-3) – Went 1-0; d. #19 Vanguard (Ocala), 84-60 (Tue.)

4. Gainesville (6A) (20-2) – Went 3-0; d. P.K. Yonge (Gainesville), 60-41 (Fri.); d. Orange Park, 66-52 (Thur.); d. Oakleaf (Orange Park), 76-44 (Tue.); Purple Hurricanes have won nine in a row

5. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (20-1) – Went 4-0; d. Benedictine (Savannah, GA), 58-41 (Sat.); d. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), 68-47 (Thur.); d. Baldwin, 59-24 (Tue.); d. Ribault (Jacksonville), 60-47, at the MLK Tournament at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Mon.)

6. Deltona (6A) (21-2) – Went 1-0; d. 8A Miami Southridge, 59-49 (Sat.)

7. Suwannee (Live Oak) (5A) (17-5) – Went 3-0; d. 8A St. Petersburg, 88-78, at the Vince Murray Memorial Challenge (Sat.); d. Rickards (Tallahassee), 69-65 (Thur.); d. Wakulla (Crawfordville), 64-34 (Tue.)

8. Wolfson (Jacksonville) (6A) (20-3) – Went 2-1; d. Mandarin (Jacksonville), 56-46, in the Gateway Conference consolation (Fri.); LOST to #9 Ed White (Jacksonville), 66-63, in the Gateway Conference semifinals (Thur.); d. Raines (Jacksonville), 66-65, in the Gateway Conference quarterfinals

9. Ed White (Jacksonville) (6A) (15-5) – Went 3-0; d. #2 Jackson (Jacksonville), 43-42, in the Gateway Conference Championship (Fri.); d. #8 Wolfson (Jacksonville), 66-63, in the Gateway Conference semifinals (Thur.); d. The Rock (Gainesville), 64-54 (Mon.)

10. Eustis (5A) (18-3) – Went 1-1; d. Southlake (Groveland), 49-47 (Thur.); LOST to 8A Winter Park, 55-38 (Tue.)

11. Hawthorne (1A) (21-2) – Went 2-0; d. 5A North Marion (Citra), 81-63 (Thur.); d. Eastside (Gainesville), 44-41 (Tue.)

12. Episcopal (Jacksonville) (4A) (18-4) – Went 1-1; LOST at #14 Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), 51-28 (Fri.); d. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), 57-54 (Tue.)

13. Flagler Palm Coast (8A) (17-5) – Went 2-1; d. Pine Ridge (Deltona), 50-17 (Thur.); d. DeLand, 56-44 (Tue.); LOST to #1 Providence (Jacksonville), 70-50, at the MLK Tournament at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Mon.)

14. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (15-6) – Went 3-0; d. #12 Episcopal (Jacksonville), 51-28 (Fri.); d. 6A Bartram Trail (St. Johns), 45-42 (Thur.); d. 7A Haines City, 67-54, at the MLK Tournament at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Mon.)

15. Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (13-6) – Went 0-1; LOST to Mandarin (Jacksonville), 56-52, in the Gateway Conference quarterfinals (Wed.)

16. Hamilton County (Jasper) (1A) (16-7) – Went 1-1; LOST at RV Columbia (Lake City), 83-74 (Sat.); d. Melody Christian (Live Oak), 76-58 (Tue.)

17T Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (16-6) – Went 2-1; d. Clay (Green Cove Springs), 59-48 (Sat.); LOST at Baldwin, 60-55 (Wed.); d. West Nassau (Callahan), 64-16 (Tue.); Wildcats 3-4 in their last seven games

17T Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (4A) (17-5) – Went 2-1; LOST to #19 Vanguard (Ocala), 76-58, at the Vince Murray Memorial Challenge (Sat.); d. Ridgewood (New Port Richey), 61-43 (Fri.); d. 5A Lecanto, 82-80 (Tue.)

19T Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (13-8) – Went 2-0 pending game vs. Taylor (Pierson) (Mon.); d. Chiles (Tallahassee), XX-XX, at the Bobcat Shootout at Buchholz (Gainesville) (Sat.) & d. New Smyrna Beach, 65-42 (Thur.); Bucs have won 8 of their last 9

19T Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (14-5) – Went 2-1; d. #17 Trinity Catholic (Ocala), 76-58, at the Vince Murray Memorial Challenge (Sat.); d. Forest (Ocala), 59-52 (Fri.); LOST to #3 Lake Minneola, 84-60 (Tue.)

Also receiving votes:

Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) (6A) (15-4) – Went 2-0; d. Matanzas (Palm Coast), 76-40 (Fri.); d. Palatka, 57-46 (Tue.)

Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (15-9) – Went 3-1; d. #16 Hamilton County (Jasper), 83-74 (Sat.); d. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (Fri.), 62-56; LOST at Orange Park, 64-58 (Tue.); d. Morrow (Atlanta, GA), 66-60, at MLK Tournament at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Mon.)

Dunnellon (5A) (18-6) – Went 3-0; d. Lecanto, 74-72, to go 6-0 in 5A-District 6 (Fri.); d. Belleview, 79-60 (Wed.); d. West Port (Ocala), 72-60 (Tue.); Tigers have won nine in a row

On the bubble:

St. Joseph Academy (St. Augustine) (3A) (16-4) – Went 2-0; d. 6A Creekside (St. Johns), 65-47 (Fri.); d. Christ’s Church (Jacksonville), 76-62 (Tue.); Flashes have won seven in a row

Atlantic (Port Orange) (4A) (17-7) – Went 2-0; d. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando), 71-41 (Wed.); d. 8A First Coast (Jacksonville), 62-38 (Mon.)

Ponte Vedra (5A) (16-7) – Went 3-0; d. Nease (Ponte Vedra), 53-37 (Fri.); d. Clay (Green Cove Springs), 56-44 (Thur.); d. Ridgeview (Orange Park), 62-26 (Tue.); best win was over #14 Bishop Kenny by 11 on 12/12

St. Francis Catholic (Gainesville) (3A) (16-6) – Went 2-0; d. Maclay (Tallahassee), 61-54 (Sat.); d. Lafayette (Mayo), 66-65

P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) (3A) (15-8) – Went 2-1; LOST to #4 Gainesville, 60-41, which snapped a five-game winning streak (Fri.); d. Interlachen, 57-49 (Thur.); won at Jones (Orlando), 61-54 (Tue.)

The Prep Zone Insider

Mike Ridaught

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January 23, 2015

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Ridaught_head shot By Mike Ridaught
Twitter – @ridaught

Friday, January 23

It’s a rare Friday night off for us, but that doesn’t mean that there’s not a lot going on in high school sports. There are big boys’ & girls’ basketball games, plus the boys’ district soccer championship matches are here on the next to last Friday of the month.

Tonight, it’s the consolation and championship games of the Gateway Conference boys’ basketball tournament at Jackson (Jacksonville). It will feature three teams in the top 10 of the Prep Zone Power Poll.

At 5:30 p.m., Wolfson (Jacksonville), which edged Raines (Jacksonville), 66-65 on Wednesday, but lost to Ed White (Jacksonville) in the semifinals last night, takes on Mandarin (Jacksonville), which lost to Jackson (Jacksonville), 61-53, last night. In the win against the Vikings, Yusef Banaga and Tommy Collins each had 21 points for Wolfson, which overcame a 10-point halftime deficit.

Armin Radoncic had 23 in a losing effort for the Mustangs, which beat my alma mater, Sandalwood (Jacksonville), 56-52, on Wednesday. That was a non-district game, but one of those teams will not make the postseason because Flagler Palm Coast, ranked 13th in the Prep Zone Power Poll, is the top seed in 8A-District 1, meaning Mandarin & Sandalwood, the other top two seeds, will ultimately have a play-in game for the district championship game and a regional quarterfinal.

In that 61-53 win by Jackson last night, Joshua Hawkins finished with a game-high 25 points to lead the Tigers (21-1) to the Gateway Conference championship game tonight at 7 p.m. against Ed White (Jacksonville). Jackson, which beat Ribault (Jacksonville) on Wednesday, has now won 20 games in row. A lot of pride will be on the line tonight when 4A Jackson & 6A Ed White lace it up to help determine Duval County’s best. The mythical city title could be on the line next Saturday at Ed White when Jackson plays top-ranked Providence (Jacksonville).

Tonight is senior night at Gainesville High for a girls’ hoops city game between the Lady ‘Canes and Class 4A P.K. Yonge. Earlier this week, the Lady Blue Wave defeated 7A Buchholz, 82-63, on senior night. Seniors Kiara Mallory (18 points) & Ashley Johnson (13 points & 13 rebounds) were one of three players in double figures for P.K. Yonge (18-6), along with sophomore guard Kailya Jackson (19 points and 11 rebounds). P.K. Yonge (18-6), who can win the city championship tonight by spoiling GHS’ senior night. Class 6A Gainesville (15-7) is led by Auburn signee Janiah McKay.

In boys’ soccer action tonight, several district championship matches feature the top two teams in the district: Flagler Palm Coast/Spruce Creek (Port Orange), Forest (Ocala)/East Ridge (Clermont), and Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville)/Bolles (Jacksonville), among others. However, due to weather conditions, the Eastside (Gainesville) vs. Keystone Heights match has been moved to Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastside, which defeated Crescent City in the 2A-District 5 semifinals, is 18-0 on the season, while Keystone Heights, which shutout Santa Fe (Alachua), enters at 16-5-1. The top-seeded Rams defeated the No. 2 seed Indians, 4-1, on Dec. 18.

We’re back at it tomorrow with ‘live’ coverage of the Vince Murray Memorial Challenge at Trinity Catholic (Ocala). St. Pete, which is led by the No. 1 sophomore in the state, plays Suwannee (Live Oak) and UF signee Kevarrius Hayes at 4:30 p.m. Potter’s House of Jacksonville, led by Udoka Azubuike (ESPN #9 ranked Junior), faces Elev8 Academy (Delray Beach) at 6 p.m., followed by a Marion County showdown between Ocala schools Vanguard and Trinity Catholic at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are only $5 for all three games. All three boys’ basketball games will be broadcast online. We’ll have ‘live audio available at www.theprepzone.com

Over at Buchholz (Gainesville) on Saturday afternoon, the Bobcats will host a four-team boys’ basketball tournament. The Bobcat Challenge begins at 5:30 p.m. with Chiles (Tallahassee) and Williston, followed by Buchholz and Mainland (Daytona Beach) at 7 p.m.

The overall record isn’t intimidating in the second match-up. Buchholz is 11-8 and Mainland was also 11-8 coming into the week. But the host Bobcats have taken care of business in 7A-District 3, going 5-1 in league play after wins this week against Fletcher (Neptune Beach), which will host the district tournament in February, and Fleming Island (Orange Park). Last year, Buchholz went winless in district play. Meanwhile, the Class 6A Bucs are finally getting their football players into basketball shape and after a slow start have won five of their last six entering the next to last week of the regular season.

We’re winding down the winter sports season over the next 30-plus days. The girls’ soccer state tournament enters the second round on Tuesday night; the girls’ basketball district tournaments & the first round of the boys’ soccer state playoffs begin next week; and, the boys’ basketball district tournament begins the first week of February. With spring sports like softball & baseball overlapping, the month of February will be a busy one.

Vince Murray Memorial Challenge – Boys’ Basketball

Mike Ridaught

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January 23, 2015

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Vince Murray Memorial Challenge – Boys’ Basketball

Presented by Nike Team Florida

Join Mike Ridaught & Marty Pallman for ‘live’ audio coverage of the event. Follow us on twitter for quarterly updates & more. @ridaught #vincemurray Click on each game link below to listen.

Saturday January 24th at Trinity Catholic (Ocala)

Suwanee (Live Oak) 88, St. Petersburg 78
Elev8 Sports Institute (Delray Beach) 65, Potter’s House Christian Academy (Jacksonville) 56
Vanguard (Ocala) 76, Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 58

Top Players
6’10 Udoka Azubuike (PHCA) – ESPN #9 ranked junior
6’9 Kevarrius Hayes (Suwannee) – ESPN #73 ranked senior; signed with Florida
6’9 Yankuba Sima (Elevate Academy) – high major college prospect
6’8 Leroy Butts (Elevate Academy) – signed with University of Rhode Island
6’8 Oliver Joshua (PHCA) – senior D-1 prospect
6’8 Simeon Kirkland (Trinity Catholic) – highly-ranked sophomore
6’8 Jared Jones (PHCA) – ESPN #2 ranked 8th-grader
6’5 Kobie Eubanks (Elevate Academy) – high major college prospect
6’5 Darius Banks (St. Petersburg) – top rated sophomore in FL
6’3 JT Escobar (Elevate Academy) – signed to play at Ole MISS

FHSAA Girls’ Soccer Regionals – Tuesday, Jan. 27

Mike Ridaught

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January 22, 2015

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soccer_2015 finals Area teams in the girls’ soccer state playoffs

Regional Semifinals
Tuesday, January 27

Class 5A
Spruce Creek (Port Orange) 1, Flagler Palm Coast 0

Class 4A
Creekside (St. Johns) 2, Fleming Island (Orange Park) 1

Class 3A
Ponte Vedra 2, Stanton (Jacksonville) 1
Matanzas (Palm Coast) 3, Lake Minneola 0
Land O’ Lakes 4, Springstead (Spring Hill) 2

Class 2A
Bolles (Jacksonville) 1, Episcopal (Jacksonville) 0
Santa Fe (Alachua) 2, Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 1

Class 1A
St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park) 4, St. Joseph (St. Augustine) 0

Regional Quarterfinals
Thursday, January 22

Class 5A
Spruce Creek (Port Orange) 2, Fletcher (Neptune Beach) 1
Flagler Palm Coast 4, Buchholz (Gainesville) 1

Class 4A
Creekside (St. Johns) 2, Forest (Ocala) 0
Fleming Island (Orange Park) 2, Vanguard (Ocala) 0
Viera 8, New Smyrna Beach 0

Class 3A
Stanton (Jacksonville) 1, Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach) 0
Ponte Vedra 8, Terry Parker (Jacksonville) 0
Lake Minneola 1, Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) 0
Matanzas (Palm Coast) 4, Eustis 0
Springstead (Spring Hill) 4, Pasco (Dade City) 0

Class 2A
Episcopal (Jacksonville) 3, Fernandina Beach 0
Bolles (Jacksonville) 8, Yulee 0
Santa Fe (Alachua) 5, Umatilla 1
Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 1, Eastside (Gainesville) 0

Class 1A
St. Joseph (St. Augustine) 6, Rocky Bayou Christian (Niceville) 0
St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park) 9, Maclay (Tallahassee) 1

District tournament results

Prep Zone Power Poll – 2014-15 Boys Basketball Poll #6

Mike Ridaught

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January 21, 2015

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Providence (Jacksonville), which is ranked No. 1, and Jackson (Jacksonville), which is ranked No. 2, will play in the regular season finale on 1/31

Gainesville – Duval County continues to be a hotbed for boys’ basketball this season with half of the teams in the Prep Zone Power Poll top 10 hailing from Jacksonville.

Top-ranked Providence (Jacksonville) remains a unanimous No. 1 following a 3-0 week that included wins over previous #9 Flagler Palm Coast, 69-50, at the MLK Showcase at Ribault (Jacksonville) this past Monday, and a 73-71 win over traditional power Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville) on Saturday. The Stallions (21-1) received all seven first-place votes.

Jackson (Jacksonville) remained second. The Tigers (19-1) rolled to their 18th straight win last week as they knocked off Fernandina Beach and Raines (Jacksonville). They are a unanimous selection as the No. 2 team.

The battle for the top spot could be settled on Saturday, January 31, when top-ranked Providence meets 2nd-ranked Jackson at the Source Hoops Shootout at Ed White (Jacksonville).

Lake Minneola, the top-ranked team in Class 6A, remained third. The Hawks (17-3) went 3-0 with wins against Lincoln (Tallahassee), Forest (Ocala), and South Lake (Groveland).

Gainesville High, which is ranked second in the 6A state poll, remained fourth. The Purple Hurricanes (17-2) have yet to lose in 2015 and went 2-0 last week against ranked teams. GHS defeated previous #20 Eastside (Gainesville), and previous #15 Columbia (Lake City), both of whom fell out of the poll.

Rounding out the top five is Bolles (Jacksonville). The Bulldogs (17-1) defeated Ribault (Jacksonville) on Monday and previous #13 Sandalwood (Jacksonville) on Saturday.

Deltona moved up one spot to sixth following a win against previous #16 Seabreeze (Daytona Beach). The Wolves (20-2), which secured the top seed for the upcoming 6A-District 5 tournament, are the best team in Volusia County according to the Daytona Beach News Journal.

Suwannee (Live Oak) (14-5), which is seventh, Wolfson (Jacksonville) (18-2), Ed White (Jacksonville) (13-5) and Eustis (17-2) round out the top 10.

Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (15-4) & Mainland (Daytona Beach) (11-8), which had successful seasons on the gridiron, enter the poll for the first time this season at 17th and 19th, respectively.

Vanguard (Ocala) (14-5), which plays at Trinity Catholic this Saturday in the Vince Murray Memorial Challenge, returns to the top 20 at No. 19 after a five-game win streak.

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.

PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2014-15 BASKETBALL POLL #6
(School, followed by first-place votes, classification, overall record and results through 1/19)

1. Providence (Jacksonville) (7) (3A) (21-1) – 140
2. Jackson (Jacksonville) (4A) (19-1) – 133
3. Lake Minneola (6A) (17-3) – 124
4. Gainesville (6A) (17-2) – 120
5. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (17-1) – 113
6. Deltona (6A) (20-2) – 104
7. Suwannee (Live Oak) (5A) (14-5) – 92
8. Wolfson (Jacksonville) (6A) (18-2) – 90
9. Ed White (Jacksonville) (6A) (13-5) – 86
10. Eustis (5A) (17-2) – 79
11. Hawthorne (1A) (19-2) – 72
12. Episcopal (Jacksonville) (4A) (16-3) – 62
13. Flagler Palm Coast (8A) (15-5) – 49
14. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (13-6) – 46
15. Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (12-5) – 38
16. Hamilton County (Jasper) (1A) (15-6) – 34
17T Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (14-5) – 18
17T Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (4A) (15-4) – 18
19T Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (11-8) – 16
19T Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (14-5) – 16

Also receiving votes: Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) (6A) (13-4) – 13; Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (12-8) – 5; Dunnellon (5A) (15-6) – 2.

Trophy Shop Athlete-of-the-Week

Mike Ridaught

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January 21, 2015

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Our Trophy Shop Athlete-of-the-Week Presented by State Farm agent Mark McGriff for the week of January 12 is Kim Melton* of the Santa Fe (Alachua) girls’ soccer team.

Santa Fe_Raiders

*Melton had a big week for the Class 2A-District 5 champions. On Monday, the sophomore scored five goals in an 8-0 win over Crescent City in the Lady Raiders’ first match of the district tournament. In the semifinals on Thursday, she had a hat trick in an 8-0 win over Keystone Heights. Then, on Friday night, Melton scored the only goal of the game in the district championship. Her second half goal gave the Raiders a 1-0 win over Eastside and home field advantage for the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs this Thursday, January 22.

Past winners:

January 5 – Mike Nobles (Eastside)

Nobles had back-to-back double-doubles as he led the Eastside boys’ basketball team to a 2-0 week. The senior had 10 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and a steal for Eastside in a 66-42 win over Bradford (Starke) on Friday. Then, on Saturday, he posted 17 points, 10 rebounds and a blocked shot in an 88-57 district win against North Marion (Citra).

December 8 – Ike Smith (Gainesville)

The senior helped lead the GHS boys’ basketball team (7-1) to a 3-0 week with wins against Oakleaf (Orange Park), Columbia (Lake City) and Suwannee (Live Oak). In the win against Columbia, Smith scored 40 points, going 11-of-15 from the free-throw line and adding seven rebounds. Against Suwannee, he finished with 26 points and hit the game-winning shot with four seconds to play.

December 1 – Brook Burns (Hawthorne)

Burns scored 69 points, grabbed 36 rebounds and blocked 12 shots in three games for the Lady Hornets’ basketball team. The senior forward had 16 points and 13 rebounds in a 53-41 loss to 4A Atlantic (Port Orange).

November 24 – Denzel Washington (Live Oak Suwannee)

The senior ran for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Bulldogs (12-1) advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 1999 with a 37-0 win over Lakewood (St. Pete) in the FHSAA Class 5A state playoffs. Washington, who scored on a 61-yard run in the first half, had eight runs of 10 or more yards and four carries for 20 or more.

November 17 – Quade Locke (Dixie County)

Locke made big plays on the defensive side of the football as the Bears advanced to the state semifinals for the second straight season in Class 1A with a 50-37 victory over Union County (Lake Butler) in the regional finals. The senior middle linebacker had 15 tackles with five assists and two interceptions, including a 95-yard pick-six. He was part of a defense that finished with five sacks and four interceptions.

November 10 – Sammy Mueller (P.K. Yonge)

The junior setter had the final point of the season, which ended with a 3-0 sweep of Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale) in the 4A state title game, as P.K. Yonge (30-2) won its first state volleyball title since 2002. Mueller saved her best for last as she finished with seven kills, six digs and 27 assists in the state championship match. She had 33 assists in a 3-0 sweep of Pensacola Catholic in the state semifinals.

November 3 – Alena Kraus (Gainesville)

The freshman helped GHS to a fourth-place finish at the Class 3A state swim meet in Stuart. Kraus won her first state title by winning the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:49.81. She also finished third in the 100 free (51.05). Kraus set a school record in both events.

October 27 – Kirschtine Balbuena (Eastside)

The freshman won both the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke at the Class 2A-District 4 swim meet to help the Lady Rams win their first district title since 2009 (when Eastside won state). Balbuena set the school record with a time of 57.77 in the backstroke, which would have placed her in the top eight at state last year. Both of her times earned her the top seed at the regional meet.

October 20 – Caysaun Wakeley (Santa Fe)

Despite falling in triple overtime at North Marion last Friday night that ended Santa Fe’s postseason hopes, Wakeley was a big reason the Raiders were close in a 35-28 loss. The junior outside linebacker recorded 14 tackles, had one sack and added two tackles for a loss. On offense, Wakeley finished with five carries for 20 yards rushing, plus both touchdowns for the Raiders (5-3) in overtime on two 4-yard scoring runs.

October 13 – Ahmad Ivey (Gainesville)

Ivey had a big night as the Hurricanes defeated Vanguard (Ocala), 36-29, in a key Class 6A-District 5 game. The senior had a pair of TDs, returned a kickoff 82 yards for a score and had the game-winning interception in the end zone on 4th-and-goal with 18.2 seconds left. Ivey, who leads the state with an average of 45.1 yards per kick return, also finished with 77 yards rushing on only 12 carries, including a 20-yard reverse on a 3rd-and-7 to keep the ‘Canes game-winning drive alive in the fourth quarter.

October 6 – Coby Weiss (Buchholz)

Weiss drilled a 40-yard field goal as time expired to lift Buchholz to a 23-20 win over Gainesville, which snapped the Bobcats’ five-year losing streak to their rival. The sophomore, who made three on the night, had made a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to tie the game.

September 29 – Monroe Thornton III (St. Francis Catholic)

Thornton returned a kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown, just after Oak Hall had scored the first touchdown of the game, and it gave the Wolves the spark they needed in a 49-14 win over their rival. The junior finished with 181 all-purpose yards as St. Francis won its third consecutive game for the first time in three years. Thornton had scoring runs of 31 and 10 yards and also had eight tackles on defense.

September 22 – Courtney Chappell (P.K. Yonge)

Chappell had 18 kills, 45 digs, 33 service points, six aces and four blocks in four games for the Blue Wave. The senior helped lead the Blue Wave volleyball team to a 4-0 week with wins against defending 5A state champion Bishop Moore (Orlando), 7A Tallahassee Leon, 7A Lake Nona, a regional finalist in 2013, and 2013 3A state runners-up The First Academy (Orlando).

September 15 – Antwan Durn (Union County)

Durn broke current Buffalo RB C.J. Spiller’s school record with seven touchdowns as the Tigers (4-0) defeated Interlachen, 59-0. The junior ran for 204 yards on 15 carries and also had one reception for 30 yards.

September 8 – Julian Robinson (Dixie County)

In a match-up of the top two teams in the state in Class 1A, Robinson rose to the occasion and ran for 316 yards on 28 carries and four TDs as the Bears snapped the Tigers’ 22-game home winning streak with a 48-25 win. The junior, who has an area leading 727 yards rushing, had scoring runs of 63, 52, 50 and 32 yards.

September 1 – Charles Strong (P.K. Yonge)

In his varsity debut, the freshman ran for a game-high 119 yards and a score. Strong, who averaged 9.9 yards per carry, helped lead the Blue Wave to their first 1-0 start since 2011 with a 35-0 win at Bell.

August 25 – Caelan Christian (Gainesville)

Despite a 44-43 loss in overtime to state-ranked Columbia (Lake City), Christian had a career game for the Hurricanes. The junior completed 28-of-38 for 317 yards and three touchdowns, along with a rushing score, as the ‘Canes amassed 531 yards of total offense. Christian connected with seven different receivers on the night, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dock Luckie in overtime.

The Trophy Shop Athlete-of-the-Week is presented by State Farm Agent Mark McGriff of Gainesville. For more information on auto, life and health insurance, call Mark at 352-372-8406. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

Mark-McGriff-State-Farm-1024x540

8th Annual and Final Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet

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Sports

Mike Ridaught

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January 20, 2015

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This is the last meet on the storied O’Dome track before renovations begin on the O’Dome later this year that include removing the track

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

8th Annual and Final Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet Youth Competition Preview

Gainesville, FL- January 20, 2014 – One thousand one hundred and thirty-nine (1,139) competitors ages 4- 19 years old will descend on the O’Dome for the final indoor edition of Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field meet on Friday night, January 23 and Saturday, January 24. Doors open at 6 a.m. on Saturday with events beginning at 8:30 a.m. and being contested throughout the day and into the evening. Admission is $5 for spectators for each day and available at Gate 1 of the O’Connell Center. Parking is free at the O’Connell Center Parking lot.

As in past years, a bevy of talented athletes including State and National Champions, World Championship medalist, State and National record holders and a World Record holder will be on hand to display their talents on the super-fast Mondo surface.

Arguably, the fastest of these stellar athletes on the girl’s side is Teahna Daniels of First Academy in Orlando, FL. The sprint sensation won last year’s Jimmy Carnes 55m dash in 6.94 and claimed titles in the Pepsi Florida, Texas Relays, FHSAA 1A Track Finals, and Golden South Classic 100m dashes. Her best of 11.31 earned her Track and Field News’ 100m All American honors and a scholarship to the University of Texas. A time of 6.85 or better will eclipse the meet record set by current University of Florida athlete Shayla Sanders (Lauderdale Lakes, Boyd Anderson) in 2012. The national high school indoor leader is Brenessa Thompson’s (Evers, Brooklyn, NY) 6.95.

In the longer sprints, a young up and comer and a University of Florida signee will duke it out for the 200m and 400m titles. Sharrika Barnett of Orlando Oak Ridge signed with the #1 Gators and will start her track campaign against Miami Southridge’s sophomore wunderkind, Symone Mason, winner of last summer’s AAU Junior Olympics 100m, 200m and 400m dashes. Both have personal best better than the US High School Indoor leaders- Danyel White’s(Cedar Hill, TX) 24.17 in the 200m and Amanda Crawford’s(Robeson, Brooklyn, NY) 54.95 in the 400m. The meet records are held by Shayla Sanders (Fort Lauderdale, Boyd Anderson), 23.89(2012), and Erin Ford (Royal Palm Beach), 56.51(2013).

In mid distance events, Emma Rudman of Fort Walton Beach, last year’s #2 1600m Florida performer, 4:53.46, and this year’s top 1600m returnee will showcase her talents in the 800m and 1 mile runs. She’ll be challenged by 2014 FHSAA 2A 1600m runner-up and 3200m champion junior, Mackenzie Wilson (Jacksonville Bolles) in the 1 mile run and teammate Brooke Crane in the 800m run. The 1 mile meet record is held by Stephanie Strasser, Fernandina Beach High and Florida Alum who ran 5:04.16 in 2010.

The fastest 800 entrant of the field though will come from the younger age groups. Sophomore Kayla Johnson (Miami Southridge) boasts a 2:14.23 personal best which is better than the 2:16.84 2011 meet record of 2:16.84 held by Shara Fletcher of Westminster (Atlanta, GA).

Friday night’s 3000 meter run starts off the age group competition. Talbot elementary 5th grader, Ani Veltcheva, the 9 year old 5K World Record Holder, 18:47.1, will take aim at the shorter 3000m run. She won last year’s 1 mile in 5:50. Mackenzie Wilson enters with the top time in the 3000m and has a best of 10:50.90 in the longer 3200m run.

In the field events, Carson Dingler of First Presbyterian (Macon GA) will bring her talents once again to the Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet. Dingler posted a mark of 8 feet 8.25 inches in the 2010 edition, but since has soared to a personal best of 13 feet 0 inches. Along the way she has set the US 14 year old record of 12 feet 8 inches and won AAU Junior Olympics, USATF Junior Olympics, and GISA titles. She is currently ranked #12 in the US Indoor High School list with a mark of 12 feet 6 inches. With a clearance of 12 feet 4 inches or better, she’ll supplant Erica Sergeant’s (Lake Mary) meet record set in 2013.

Brittany McGee (St. Pete, Admiral Farragut) is the top long jumper in the field. Her best of 19 feet 5 inches set in winning the Golden South Classic would easily outdistanced Derrenae Freeman’s (West Orange) 18 feet 10.25 inch meet record set in 2012.

The boys’ field has been a coming out party for the most talented sprinters. This year’s meet should be no different.

2013 IAAF World Youth Championship 400 meter dash silver medalist, Ryan Clark (College Park, GA, Banneker), owns the fastest 60m dash indoor time in the nation, 6.78, and will highly favored to win the 200m and 400m dash titles. His best of 20.82 and 46.33 easily outpace this year’s US High School leading times of 21.36, Andrew Hudson (Cibolo, TX, Steele) and 47.76, Rai Benjamin (Mount Vernon, NY). The meet records are held by current Gator, Arman Hall (Fort Lauderdale, St. Thomas Aquinas) in the 200m, 21.62 in 2012 and Austin Holliman (Decatur, GA, Southwest DeKalb) in the 400m, 48.62, in 2008.

Sophomore Damion Thomas sped to an 8.09 to place 1st at the LSU Indoor Classic which was good for the #9 mark in the US. That knocked off 0.14 seconds off last year’s mark in winning the Jimmy Carnes meet. The meet record of 7.45 by Bruce Barclay (Lauderdale Lakes, Boyd Anderson) set in 2012 and the national leader is 7.23 by Grant Holloway of Chesapeake, VA Grassfield.

In the middle distances, Jack Rogers (Tampa, Robinson), a University of Florida commitment enters with the best marks in the 800m and 1600 runs. Max Robinson, a senior out of Altamonte Springs, Lake Brantley is a step behind Roger’s best in the 800m. In the mile, William Aman (Lake Mary) and Trey Lanasa (Fort Walton Beach) and University of Florida commitment, and Harper Sigler (Bogart, GA, North Oconee) are all within 5 seconds of Rogers best and could contest for the title.

Friday night’s top entrant in the 3000m James Zentmeyer of Tampa Sickles owns the fastest 3200m time of the field, 9:23.85. He also owns the fastest 5k time of 15:18.

The vault competition has always posted some great marks. This year’s field may be the most competitive and talented ever.

Drew McMichael of Fort Myers Evangelical Christian soared to 16 feet 0 inches at this summer’s FPVA Beach Vault and enters with the best mark. He posted 15 feet 0 inch clearance in last year’s Jimmy Carnes to take second. Close behind him is David Bell of Jacksonville Bishop Kenny. Bell was only third in last year’s Jimmy Carnes with a 13-06, but at the NCRunners Holiday Classic, he scaled to a personal best of 15 feet 6 inches which was good enough for #22 best mark in the nation. Cayman Ellis’s (St. Petersburg) meet record is 16 feet 0 inches set in 2013 which could fall in this hotly contested event.

A full list of top entrants for both boys and girls entrants and a full list of entrants is attached.

More detailed information can be found on the Gainesville Sports Commission site at http://www.gainesvillesportscommission.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/GSCJimmyCarnes2015Indoor.pdf

Live meet results will be posted at halfmiletiming.com. Meet updates will be posted twitter account @RickyQuintana, #JimmyCarnes and the Gainesville Sports Commission Facebook page.

A full schedule follows

Open / University/Master (Friday, January 23)

9:00am Women’s Pentathlon, Weight Throw (W followed by M)

10:00am High Jump (Men Only)

11:00am Long Jump (W followed by M)
Pole Vault (W followed by M)
High Jump (Women Only)

11:00am 55m Hurdles (W-M) – PRELIM

11:30am 55m Dash (W, M) – PRELIM

12:30pm 55m Hurdles (M-W)-FINAL

12:50pm 55m Dash (W, M)-FINAL

1:20pm 1 Mile (W, M)

2:00pm 400m Dash (W, M)

2:00pm Shot Put (W followed by M), Triple Jump (W followed by M)

2:45pm 800m Run (W, M)

3:30pm 200m Dash (W, M)

4:15pm 3000m Run (W, M)

5:15pm 4x400m Relay (W, M)

5:30pm DMR Relay (W, M)

6:00pm 3000m Run (G, B) [11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18]

Saturday Order for ages 14 and under of Events (Rolling Schedule):

8:30am Start: Pole Vault (G-B) [13, 14, 15-16, 17-18]

8:30am Start 14 and under:

Long Jump (G-B) [4-6, 7-8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13-14]

Shot Put (B-G) [4-6, 7-8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13-14]

Afternoon Session (Rolling Schedule) Tentative Start Time 12:00pm

55m Hurdles G-B) [11, 12, 13, 14]

55m Dash (G-B) [4-6, 7-8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]

1 Mile Run (G-B) [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]

400m Dash (G-B) [7-8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]

800m Run (G-B) [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]

200m Dash (G-B) [4-6, 7-8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]

Saturday Order for ages 15 and up of Events (Rolling Schedule):

8:30am Start: Pole Vault (G-B) [13, 14, 15-16, 17-18]

8:30am Start 15 and up:

1 Mile Run (G-B) [15-16, 17-18]

200m Dash (G-B) [15-16, 17-18]

800m Run (G-B) [15-16, 17-18]

400m Dash (G-B) [15-16, 17-18]

55m Dash (G-B) [15-16, 17-18]

55m Hurdles (G-B) [15-16, 17-18]

Afternoon Session (Rolling Schedule) Tentative Start Time 12:00pm

Long Jump (G-B) [15-16, 17-18]

Shot Put (B-G) [15-16, 17-18]

Media Contact:

Ricky Quintana
ricky.quintana7@gmail.com
Ph: 352-219-8213

How the top 20 fared (Boys’ Basketball)

Mike Ridaught

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January 20, 2015

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Top-ranked Providence passes a couple of more tests; top five combine to go 12-0; Here’s a look at how all of the ranked boys’ basketball teams fared last week **Our next poll will be released on Wednesday night**

PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2014-15 BASKETBALL POLL #5
(School, followed by first-place votes, classification, overall record and results through 1/19)

1. Providence (Jacksonville) (7) (3A) (21-1) – Went 3-0; d. #9 Flagler Palm Coast, 69-50, at the MLK Showcase at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Mon. 1/19); d. Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville), 73-71 (Sat.); d. University Christian (Jacksonville), 92-44 (Fri.)

2. Jackson (Jacksonville) (4A) (19-1) – Went 2-0; d. Fernandina Beach, 62-57 (Wed.); d. Raines (Jacksonville), 70-38 (Tue.)

3. Lake Minneola (6A) (17-3) – Went 3-0; d. Lincoln (Tallahassee), 60-54, at MLK Classic (Sat.); d. Forest (Ocala), 77-61 (Tue.); d. South Lake (Groveland), 79-58 (Mon.)

4. Gainesville (6A) (17-2) – Went 2-0; d. #20 Eastside (Gainesville), 60-38 (Fri.); d. #15 Columbia (Lake City), 58-50 (Wed.)

5. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (17-1) – Went 2-0; d. Ribault (Jacksonville), 60-47 (Mon. 1/19); d. #13 Sandalwood (Jacksonville), 57-46 (Sat.)

6. Wolfson (Jacksonville) (6A) (18-2) – Went 2-1; d. #18 Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), 55-53 (Sat.); d. Westside (Jacksonville), 73-64 (Thur.); LOST at #17 Ed White (Jacksonville), 78-74, in the North Florida Coaches Classic (Tue.)

7. Deltona (6A) (20-2) – Went 2-0; d. #16 Seabreeze (Daytona Beach), 64-50 (Tue.); d. Matanzas (Palm Coast), 58-20 (Mon.)

8. Eustis (5A) (17-2) – Went 2-1; LOST to 8A #4 Ocoee, 92-73 (Fri.); d. Mount Dora, 62-31 (Thur.); d. South Sumter (Bushnell), 84-74 (Mon.)

9. Flagler Palm Coast (8A) (15-5) – Went 1-2; LOST to #1 Providence (Jacksonville), 69-50, at the MLK Showcase at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Mon. 1/19); d. West Port (Ocala), 47-24 (Fri.); LOST to #13 Sandalwood (Jacksonville), 42-36 (Tue.)

10. Suwannee (Live Oak) (5A) (14-5) – Went 2-0; d. #15 Columbia (Lake City), 88-63 (Fri.); won at Rickards (Tallahassee), 54-53 (Tue.)

11. Episcopal (Jacksonville) (4A) (16-3) – Went 1-1; won at 7A Fletcher (Neptune Beach), 46-33 (Sat.); LOST to 6A St. Augustine, 51-46 (Tue.)

12. Hawthorne (1A) (19-2) – Went 3-0; d. Interlachen, 83-49 (Fri.); d. Hilliard, 43-28 (Thur.); d. Bronson, 72-32 (Tue.)

13. Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (12-5) – Went 1-2; LOST to #5 Bolles (Jacksonville), 57-46 (Sat.); LOST to First Coast (Jacksonville), 67-61 (Thur.); d. #9 Flagler Palm Coast, 42-36 (Tue.)

14. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (14-5) – Went 1-2; LOST to 7A Martin County (Stuart), 54-51, at MLK Showcase at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Sat.); LOST at #18 Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), 54-49 (Fri.); d. Paxon (Jacksonville), 75-56 (Tue.)

15. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (12-8) – Went 0-3; LOST to Rockledge, 60-54, at MLK Classic at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Sat.); LOST at #10 Suwannee (Live Oak), 88-63 (Fri.); LOST at #4 Gainesville, 58-50 (Wed.)

16. Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) (6A) (13-4) – Went 1-2; LOST to Mainland (Daytona Beach), 71-66 (Sat.); d. New Smyrna Beach, 75-32 (Wed.); LOST to #7 Deltona, 64-50 (Tue.); formerly the top team in Daytona, the Sandcrabs are 2-4 in their last six games

17. Ed White (Jacksonville) (6A) (13-5) – Went 2-0; d. The Rock (Gainesville), 64-54, at the MLK Showcase at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Mon. 1/19); d. #6 Wolfson (Jacksonville), 78-74 (Tue.) – 2nd win against the Wolfpack this year; four of their losses to ranked teams – Potter’s House, Dillard, Bolles & Providence; Commanders were inaccurately given an 0-2 record instead of 1-1 which will be considered in this week’s rankings

18. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (13-6) – Went 3-1; d. Haines City, 67-54, at MLK Showcase at Ribault (Jacksonville) (Mon. 1/19); LOST to #6 Wolfson (Jacksonville), 55-53 (Sat.); d. #14 Baker County (Glen St. Mary), 54-49 (Fri.); d. Terry Parker (Jacksonville), 59-34 (Tue.)

19. Hamilton County (Jasper) (1A) (15-6) – Went 3-0; d. Madison County, 65-58 (Sat.); d. Lafayette (Mayo), 78-62 (Fri.); d. Jefferson County (Monticello), 67-25 (Tue.)

20. Eastside (Gainesville) (5A) (12-9) – Went 0-2; LOST to 4A #7 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood), 60-44 (Sat.); LOST to #4 Gainesville, 60-38 (Fri.)

Also receiving votes:

Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (14-5) – Went 2-0; d. North Marion (Citra), 84-39 (Fri.); d. RV Leesburg, 60-54 (Tue.)

Leesburg (6A) (13-7) – Went 0-1; LOST to RV Vanguard (Ocala), 60-54 (Tue.)

On the bubble:

Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (4A) (15-4) – Went 3-0; d. St. John Lutheran (Ocala), 65-34 (Sat.); d. Hudson, 72-47 (Fri.); d. The Villages, 73-34

Dunnellon (5A) (15-6) – Went 3-0; d. Williston, 78-50 (Sat.); d. Citrus (Inverness), 56-50 (Fri.); d. North Marion (Citra), 73-35

Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (11-8) – d. #16 Seabreeze (Daytona Beach), 71-66 (Sat.); d. Palatka, 59-51 (Wed.); Since Jan. 8, the Bucs have won five of six (only loss at #7 Deltona). According to the Daytona Beach News Journal, as soon as the football players returned to the lineup, the defending 6A-District 5 champs have been a completely different team

Atlantic (Port Orange) (4A) (15-7) – Went 0-1; LOST to Trinity Prep (Winter Park), 64-62 (Wed.)

PK Yonge Girls’ Basketball

Mike Stanton

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January 19, 2015

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Monday (Tonight), 6-7 p.m. – “The Prep Zone”

Join hosts Mike Ridaught and Marty Pallman along with their special guests: Willie Powers, P.K. Yonge girls’ basketball coach, and members of the Lady Blue Wave basketball team, which is currently on top of the Class 4A-District 5 standings and face Buchholz & Gainesville this week in the final week of the regular season. We’ll recap the basketball Prep Zone Power Poll and tell you how the top 20 fared, announce last week’s Sonic Player-of-the-Game recipients, and release the new Trophy Shop Athlete-of-the-Week presented by State Farm agent Mark McGriff.

Click Here To Listen: http://www.floridacast.com/play/index.cfm?fuseaction=embstay&id=471F8AF095