The Prep Zone

The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness – 2019-20 Girls Basketball Poll #7 (FINAL)

Mike Ridaught

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March 6, 2020

The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness – 2019-20 Girls Basketball Poll #7 (FINAL)

Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) moves to top of final regional poll after second consecutive state runner-up finish

GAINESVILLE — Three teams from The Prep Zone Power Poll area advanced to the FHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland last week.

And the team on top of the final poll is becoming a regular at those same state championships.

Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), which finished as the 6A state runner-up to American Heritage (Plantation) in 2019, advanced back to Lakeland this season after winning Region 1-4A with a 53-47 win at then-#1 Raines (Jacksonville).

The Crusaders then knocked off Cocoa 52-40 in a 4A state semifinal to advance to the state title game against nationally-ranked Lake Highland Prep (Orlando).

Bishop Kenny was within four points at halftime of the 4A championship game against Lake Highland Prep, but the Highlanders pulled away for a 61-45 win, leaving the Lady Crusaders (22-10) as the state runner-up for the second straight year.

That was enough for Bishop Kenny, which was ranked 7th in the previous poll, to gain six of the eight first-place votes to finish as the #1 team in the final all-classification regional rankings.

Raines ends up 2nd as the Vikings (28-2) defeated West Florida (Pensacola) and #5 Ribault (Jacksonville) before being eliminated in the Region 1-4A final by Bishop Kenny.

Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) finishes third.

The Green Wave (26-3) knocked off then-RV Interlachen and #12 P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) but were eliminated in the Region 1-3A final by eventual state runner-up Master’s Academy (Oviedo).

Right behind them in fourth is another regional finalist, Spruce Creek (Port Orange).

The Hawks (24-6), who also received a first place vote, were knocked out by Timber Creek (Orlando) in the Region 1-7A final 62-47.

Ribault (23-9) rounds out the top five as their season ended with the 51-45 loss at #2 Raines.

Leading off the second five is the 1A state champion, the Hawthorne Hornets.

Hawthorne advanced to the state semifinal for the first time in school history in 2019 but were knocked out by Holmes County (Bonifay).

The Hornets (29-2) knocked off then-#6 Wildwood 47-41 in the Region 3-1A final to advance back to Lakeland, and rallied past Holmes County 50-48 to advance to their first state championship game.

Hawthorne then slipped by Port St. Joe 33-32 in the 1A state title game for the first girls basketball state championship in school history. They received the other first-place vote.

Middleburg winds up 7th, followed by Wildwood.

University Christian (Jacksonville) and Flagler Palm Coast round out the top 10 as both are tied for 9th.

New to the final poll is Mainland (Daytona Beach), which advanced to the Region 1-6A final and finished in a tie for 16th with Columbia (Lake City), as well as 1A state semifinalist Madison County, which finishes 18th, and Vanguard (Ocala), which ends up at #20.

Falling out from the previous rankings were Trenton, Atlantic (Port Orange), and Bartram Trail (St. Johns).

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 Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.

THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2019-20 GIRLS BASKETBALL POLL #7 (FINAL)
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, final record, and total voting points)
1. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (4A) (6) (22-10) – 158
2. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (28-2) – 144
3. Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) (3A) (26-3) – 142
4. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (7A) (1) (24-6) – 140
5. Ribault (Jacksonville) (4A) (23-9) – 124
6. Hawthorne (1A) (1) (29-2) – 123
7. Middleburg (5A) (19-7) – 105
8. Wildwood (1A) (25-3) – 93
9T. Flagler Palm Coast (7A) (18-7) – 78
9T. University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (21-5) – 78
11. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (18-10) – 77
12. P.K Yonge (Gainesville) (3A) (18-9) – 71
13. St. Augustine (5A) (19-6) – 54
14. Creekside (St. Johns) (6A) (16-9) – 52
15. Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (7A) (16-12) – 47
16T. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (21-8) – 36
16T. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (13-12) – 36
18. Madison County (1A) (22-7) – 26
19. Orange Park (5A) (20-8) – 17
20. Vanguard (Ocala) (5A) (16-9) – 15
Also receiving votes: Atlantic (Port Orange) (4A) (17-9) – 10; Lafayette (Mayo) (1A) (17-10) – 8; Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (13-12) – 6; Eustis (4A) (19-8) – 6; Hernando Christian Academy (2A) (25-2) – 4; Trenton (1A) (21-6) – 3; North Marion (Citra) (4A) (19-9) – 1; Providence (Jacksonville) (3A) (19-8) – 1.

ThePrepZone.com Sports Report with Marty Pallman on “The Tailgate” (WRUF Gainesville)

Mike Ridaught

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March 6, 2020

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ThePrepZone.com Sports Report with Marty Pallman on “The Tailgate” (WRUF Gainesville)

Marty Pallman joined Jeff Cardozo & Pat Dooley on The Tailgate (WRUF-98.1 FM & 850 AM) on Thursday, January 23, for ThePrepZone.com Sports Report presented by SunState Federal Credit Union. Here is a recap of the interview:

Basketball

The Hawthorne boys basketball team will play for its first boys state basketball title since 1987 tomorrow night at 7 in Lakeland against Hilliard in the 1A state championship game. The Hornets got past Paxton 70-58 on Wednesday in a 1A state semifinal game led by Torey Buie’s season-high 32 points and five rebounds, while Donovan Wright added seven points and 14 boards for Hawthorne.

The Hornets are 24-3 and next face 23-3 Hilliard for the 1A state championship. Hilliard beat Vernon 80-59 in the other 1A semifinal. Hawthorne jumped out to a six point first quarter lead and never trailed in leading 24-12 at the half as Buie led the way with 13 points.

Coach Greg Bowie’s team is back in the state championship game for the first time since 2015 and will look to win against a team in Hilliard that was once a district rival but moved out of the Hornets district this season. The Hawthorne boys look to repeat what the girls just did in Lakeland a week ago.

Speaking of Hawthorne girls…the Lady Hornets girls basketball team are the 1A state champions for 2019-20 after nipping Port St. Joe 33-32 last Friday in Lakeland. Senior Antania Mason led Hawthorne with 12 points and got a key tie-up with five seconds left as Hawthorne held on for the first girls basketball state title in school history. Hawthorne led by one point at the half and by two going into the fourth quarter in finishing the season at 29-2.

Coach Cornelius Ingram’s team had advanced by rallying past the top-ranked team in the state, Holmes County, 50-48 in the state semifinal game two days earlier. Holmes County had knocked Hawthorne out in the semifinal round in Lakeland last year. So Hawthorne is one game away from a historic double for girls and boys basketball. They would be the ninth school to win both boys and girls basketball titles in the same year, the last being Wildwood in 2018.

The Columbia boys basketball team is in the final four for the first time in 52 years. The Tigers play Dillard (Ft. Lauderdale) tonight at 6 p.m. in Lakeland in their first state semifinal game since 1968.

Columbia advanced to Lakeland by holding off Mainland (Daytona Beach), 70-65, in the Region 1-6A final in Lake City last Friday night. The Tigers saw a 13 point third quarter lead dwindle down to 1 with 1:40 left but were able to hold on from there before a sold-out crowd at home to advance to the Final Four. Senior Kenny Gaines scored 30 points for Columbia, with 24 of those coming in the second half.

Columbia won their three regional games against Chiles (Tallahassee), Lincoln (Tallahassee), and Mainland by a combined eight points, but they will take it. Seven players score at least seven points a game for Columbia, led by Gaines at 11 points a game.

Coach Steve Faulkner is leading his second team to Lakeland, as he previously led Williston to the Final Four. Columbia faces a powerhouse in Dillard, which has seven state titles, including back-to-back championships in 2015-16. Dillard defeated the top-ranked team in 6A, Mater Academy, to advance back to the state semifinals in Lakeland.

Baseball

Just two weeks into the high school baseball season and Buchholz (Gainesville) is 3-2 after routing Bradford (Starke) 16-3 last night. The Bobcats travel to unbeaten North Marion (Citra) tomorrow night for a rematch of their opening game on February 22. The Colts beat Buchholz 15-7 that night and are 4-0 to start the season a 6-0 win at Belleview on Tuesday. North Marion hosts West Port (Ocala) tonight.

Gainesville is struggling a bit at 2-4, dropping two one-run games this week, 6-5 to Vanguard (Ocala) on Tuesday and 4-3 to Forest (Ocala) on Monday. The Hurricanes are back in action at Belleview tomorrow night.

Finally we have to mention the Blue Wave, who won at West Port 5-1 on Tuesday for their fourth win in a row after an opening nine inning loss to Interlachen and weather permitting P.K. Yonge is at Oak Hall (Gainesville) this afternoon.

**Tune in to our weekly radio interviews talking high school sports on ThePrepZone.com Sports Report presented by SunState Federal Credit Union on WRUF-98.1 FM & 850 AM in Gainesville every Thursday at 4 p.m. on “The Tailgate” with Jeff Cardozo & Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley.**

Find out what’s going on daily in high school sports with ThePrepZone.com Sports Report Presented by SunState Federal Credit Union. The 1-minute high school sports vignette is produced by Mike Ridaught and airs ‘live’ every weekday morning between 7:50-7:55 a.m. on “106.9 (FM) I am Country” in Gainesville. The reports are archived for 30 days here.

If you live in the Tri-County area (Gilchrist, Levy & Dixie County), tune in to ThePrepZone.com Nature Coast Sports Report presented by SunState Federal Credit Union on Country Legends Radio. The 2-minute high school sports vignette is produced by Ridaught and airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:28 a.m. and repeating at 5:28 p.m. on 93.1 FM & 940 AM in Chiefland/Trenton & 96.3 FM & 1240 AM in Cross City. Listen Live Here.

2020 Miracle Sports state softball rankings – Poll #2

Mike Ridaught

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March 4, 2020

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2020 Miracle Sports state softball rankings – Poll #2

Area teams in bold

CLASS 7A
1. Bradenton Lakewood Ranch 5-0
2. Orange Park Oakleaf 4-0
3. Lake Worth Park Vista 6-0
4. Lithia Newsome 3-0
5. Jupiter 4-0
6. Windermere 4-0
7. Miami Palmetto 3-0
8. Tampa Alonso 5-0
9. Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley 7-0
10. Apopka 4-1
Honorable mention: St. Johns Bartram Trail 3-1; Palm Beach Gardens 3-1; Wellington 3-1; Clermont East Ridge 4-0; Orlando Lake Nona 4-0; Winter Park 4-0; Oviedo Hagerty 5-2; Jacksonville Mandarin 4-1; Tampa Steinbrenner 6-2.

CLASS 6A
1. Winter Springs 5-0
2. Land O’Lakes Sunlake 6-0
3. Cooper City 3-0
4. Bartow 3-1
5. Tallahassee Lincoln 6-1
6. Melbourne 5-1
7. Jacksonville Atlantic Coast 3-0
8. Venice 4-1
9. St. Johns Creekside 3-1
10. Viera 3-1
Honorable mention: Royal Palm Beach 5-0; Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 4-1; Miami Goleman 7-0; Boca Raton Olympic Heights 5-0; Plant City Durant 3-0; Doral Academy 4-2.

CLASS 5A
1. New Port Richey River Ridge 4-0
2. Gainesville 2-0
3. Fort Myers 3-0
4. Pembroke Pines Charter 3-1
5. Naples 5-0
5. Estero 2-1
6. Punta Gorda Charlotte 2-1
7. Auburndale 4-1
8. Lake City Columbia 3-1
9. Hillsborough 4-0
10. Lecanto 3-0
Honorable mention: Miami Southridge 4-0; Stuart South Fork 3-1; Tampa Jefferson 4-1; Palm Bay Bayside 4-1; Eau Gallie 4-2; Pace 4-2.

CLASS 4A
1. Lake Wales 4-0
2. Belleview 6-0
3. Orange Park Ridgeview 4-1
4. Rockledge 3-1
5. Key West 5-0
6. Sebring 4-1
7. Pensacola West Florida 4-1
8. Eagle Lake Lake Region 3-3
9. Dunedin 6-0
10. Brooksville Nature Coast 3-0
Honorable mention: Crawfordville Wakulla 5-1; Pompano Beach 5-1; Crystal River 3-1; Ocala Lake Weir 4-1; Jacksonville Bishop Kenny 3-1.

CLASS 3A
1. Coral Springs Charter 2-0
2. West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 5-1
3. Callahan West Nassau 3-0
4. Tampa Academy of Holy Names 5-0
5. Alachua Santa Fe 3-0
6. Belle Isle Cornerstone Charter 4-1
7. Tallahassee Florida High 2-0
8. Keystone Heights 4-1
9. Marianna 4-2
10. Miami Westminster 1-2
Honorable mention: Lakeland McKeel Academy 4-2; Montverde Academy 3-1; Jacksonville Providence 2-1; Baldwin 2-2; Palatka 2-1.

CLASS 2A
1. Homestead Colonial Christian 5-0
2. Tallahassee North Florida Christian 5-0
3. St. Petersburg Canterbury 8-2
4. Jacksonville Trinity Christian 1-1
5. Orange Park St. Johns Country Day 4-0
6. St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut 4-3
7. Mount Dora Christian 4-3
8. Vero Beach Master’s Academy 4-0
9. Indian Rocks Christian 5-1
10. Melbourne Holy Trinity 5-0
Honorable mention: Miami Florida Christian 4-1; Orlando Faith Christian 5-0; Winter Garden Foundation Academy 3-0; Marathon 3-2; Naples Seacrest Country Day 3-3; Belle Glade Glades Day 3-2.

CLASS 1A
1. Trenton 6-0
2. Wewahitchka 4-0
3. Cross City Dixie County 3-0
4. Hilliard 2-0
5. Milton Central 3-0
6. Mayo Lafayette 4-2
7. Bell 3-1
8. Baker 3-1
9. Madison County 2-2
10. Bonifay Holmes County 5-3
Honorable mention: Branford 2-0; Williston 2-2; Liberty County 3-2; Fort Meade 4-3.

The Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week – Mahailya Reeves (Union County)

Mike Ridaught

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February 28, 2020

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The Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week – Mahailya Reeves (Union County)

The Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week for the week of Feb. 10 is MAHAILYA REEVES* of the Union County (Lake Butler) girls’ weightlifting team.

*Reeves helped lead the Class 1A Lady Tigers to a 6th-place finish at the FHSAA Girls Weightlifting State Championships at Arnold High School (Panama City Beach). The 16-year-old benched a state record 375 pounds, breaking her own state mark of 360 set last season, and that coupled with her 225 in the clean-and-jerk gave her a state record total of 600 pounds in the unlimited division.

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

Previous 2019-20 winners:

February 3 – Claire Talham (Eastside girls soccer team)
The senior helped lead the Lady Rams to the Class 4A-District 9 title by scoring six goals in two matches. Talham scored four goals in the district semifinals as Eastside cruised to a 6-0 win against Tavares. She added two goals in the district championship game in a 6-1 win against Leesburg. It was the second straight district title and fourth league championship in five years for the Eastside girls.

January 27 – Jaleen Council (Vanguard girls soccer team)
The senior helped lead the Knights to the Class 5A-District 4 title. Council scored four goals in the district semifinals as Vanguard defeated Mainland (Daytona Beach), 5-1. She added the first two goals in the district championship match as the Knights (17-1) topped Seabreeze (Daytona Beach), 4-2, for the title.

January 20 – Katie Tagliaferro (St. John Lutheran girls basketball)
Tagliaferro had two triple-doubles and one double-double in leading the Saints to a 3-0 week. The sophomore posted her first triple-double of the season (30 points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals) to lead the Saints to a 56-39 victory at Ocala Christian. The following night, she scored 31 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and had 11 steals in a 51-32 win against Dunnellon. Tagliaferro finished the week with by shooting 48-of-59 (81.4%) from the free throw line.

January 13 – Nasia Powell (Vanguard girls basketball)
The junior helped lead the Knights to a 2-0 week. Powell single-handily outscored city rival Forest (Ocala) in a 69-16 win on the road. She finished with 19 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out seven assists and had five steals, with only one turnover. Three nights later, Powell scored a game-high 22 points, with nine rebounds and five steals, in a 53-33 win against county rival North Marion (Citra).

January 6 – Jake Charske (Forest boys basketball)
The senior led the Wildcats to a 2-0 week and became the school’s all-time leader in career 3-pointers with 140 in a 67-46 win against rival Vanguard, 67-46. Charske entered the game against the Knights tied for first on FHS’s record list and then sank 6-of-8 from behind the arc en route to a career-high 29 points. Earlier in the week, he scored a game-high 22 points as Forest upset The Villages, 72-62.

December 23 & 30 – No award (Winter break)

December 16 – Kelli Cunningham (Countryside Christian School girls basketball)
In four games, Cunningham had a combined 87 points as the Minutemen went 3-1 during the week. She scored a game-high 18 points as CCS knocked off previously undefeated Oak Hall (Gainesville) by a score of 48-36. Cunningham started the week off with a game-high 27 points in a 53-17 win at Dixie County (Cross City). The junior had just joined the 1,000-point scoring club by scoring 29 points vs. Branford High school on Friday, December 13th.

December 9 – K’mari Williams (Dunnellon girls basketball)
Williams helped lead the Lady Tigers to a 2-1 week, including their first win of the season. The freshman led Dunnellon (1-5) to a 51-22 win at Cedar Key by scoring a game-high 30 points. She shot 46% from the floor and added six steals. She also scored a game-high 17 points and five steals in a loss to unbeaten Lake Weir (Ocala) and finished the week with a game-high 27 points in a 51-45 win at Santa Fe (Alachua).

December 2 – Dean Hogg (Keystone Heights boys soccer)
The junior forward helped lead the Indians to a 3-0 week by scoring 10 goals. Hogg started the week by single handedly outscoring St. Francis Catholic (Gainesville). He had a first-half hat trick and finished with five goals and two assists as the Indians broke open a 3-3 tie to win 8-3. The following night, he had the game-winning goal, finishing with two goals scored, in a 3-0 win against Crescent City. He ended the week with a hat trick and dishing out two assists in a 9-1 win against Interlachen.

November 25 – No award (Thanksgiving holiday)

November 18 – Sydney James (West Port girls basketball)
James helped lead the Wolf Pack to a 2-0 week. The senior scored 37 points in a season opening 65-48 win over The Rock (Gainesville). She added 12 rebounds to finish with a double-double, as well as six steals and two blocks. The Furman signee followed that up with 22 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and four assists in a 67-15 rout of Dunnellon.

November 11 – Wesley Hyde (West Port boys swimming)
Hyde ended his high school career with a gold medal. The senior swam an All-American time of 4:28.90, almost six seconds faster than his time in the prelims, to bring home the Class 4A state title in the 500 freestyle at the FHSAA Swimming & Diving Finals at Sailfish Waterpark and Aquatics Center in Stuart. He also swam a 1:54.54 to finish seventh in the 200 IM.

November 4 – Lain Shahboz (P.K. Yonge girls swimming)
The University of Florida signee won a second consecutive state title in the 100-backstroke and helped lead the Lady Blue Wave to a third-place finish, their highest finish in school history. She was the lead off for the Medley Relay team which finished fourth and the anchor for the 400 Free Relay, which finished third. She also placed 3rd in the 500 Free for the 2nd year.

October 28 – Austin Montini (Oak Hall boys cross country)
The junior won his second regional title with a time of 16:24.77. He helped lead the No. 3 Oak Hall boys to the team title, beating No. 5 ranked and defending state champion Mount Dora Christian Academy.

October 21 – Alexa Schmidt (Vanguard volleyball)
After missing 20 matches with a left ankle sprain and bone bruise, the Star-Banner’s 2018 co-player-of-the-year helped lead the defending Class 7A state champion Knights to a sweep of visiting Gateway (Kissimmee) in the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 quarterfinals. The senior outside hitter made her presence known with 15 kills and seven aces as Vanguard advanced to the regional semifinals.

October 14 – Cole Gonzales (Oak Hall football)
Gonzales helped lead the Eagles to a 49-14 win on Homecoming against visiting Niceville Rocky Bayou Christian (Niceville). The sophomore quarterback threw for 218 yards, rushed for 103, and accounted for five touchdowns – including a pick-6.

October 7 – Elise Bauer (Forest girls swimming)
Bauer won two events to help Forest win the Mid-Florida Conference meet out of 17 teams. The University of Florida commit won the 200 free (1:57.24) and the 500 free (5:01.73).

September 30 – Taria Liles (Bell volleyball)
The junior helped lead the Class 1A No. 1-ranked Bulldogs to a 3-0 week with wins against Taylor (Pierson), Branford, and Union County. Liles finished the week with 55 kills, 59 digs, and five aces, as Bell improved to 21-1 overall.

September 23 – Trevor McGovern (P.K. Yonge boys swimming)
McGovern won two events at the Rob Ramirez City Championships in Gainesville to help lead the boys’ team to its first city title since 2007. The senior won the 50 free with a time of 21.79. He also won the 100 back with a time of 50.83.

September 16 – Jamarian Samuel (Trinity Catholic football)
Samuel had a monster game as the Celtics crushed defending 2A state champion North Florida Christian (Tallahassee), 42-13. The junior tailback started slow, with just 12 yards on his first five carries. However, by halftime, Samuel would finish with 17 carries for 262 yards and four touchdowns. It was his fourth straight game over 100 yards, which also put him over 1,000 yards at the halfway point of the season (1,078 yards) for the Celtics (5-0).

September 9 – Deiontae Simpkins (Lake Weir football)
Simpkins completed 10-of-14 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns as the Hurricanes blew past Belleview, 48-0, in the annual War for the Oar to win their first game of the season. The senior quarterback led his team to a TD on its opening drive thanks to three straight quarterback runs, finishing the night with 127 yards rushing and a score on only 12 carries.

September 2 – No award (Hurricane Dorian)

August 26 – Trevor Holtzendorf (Union County football)
The sophomore played a big role in Union County’s come-from-behind 15-12 win at Williston. Holtzendorf recorded 14 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble. Union County (2-0) didn’t allow a score in the second half.

August 19 – Quan Smith (Buchholz football)
Smith helped lead the Bobcats to a 21-20 win against Eastside by rushing for 190 yards. The junior had 108 yards in the first half. However, it was his late fourth quarter 46-yard run, right after Eastside’s TD but blocked extra point, that helped seal the win. Smith had a 44-yard TD run in the first half and had Buchholz’s only score of the second half on a 40-yard pass from quarterback Jack Hevesy.

Gainesville Girls Water Polo – 2020

Mike Stanton

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February 27, 2020

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Thursday, Feb. 27 – “The Prep Zone” Sports Show presented by Sonic Drive-In (broadcast from Sonic Drive-In on 39th Avenue in Gainesville)

Join Mike Ridaught as he talks high school sports from Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville. His guests include Gainesville High Girls Water Polo coach David Huelsman and members of the first-ever girls water polo team at GHS.

Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Feb. 25 – Dre Lawrence (Hawthorne)

Mike Ridaught

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February 26, 2020

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Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Feb. 25 – Dre Lawrence (Hawthorne)

The Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Tuesday, February 25, was Dre Lawrence of the Hawthorne boys’ basketball team.

The junior scored a team-high 18 points as Hawthorne advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals with a 69-59 win against top-ranked Wildwood in the Region Final.

“Coach said we needed to come out and play aggressive,” said Lawrence, who scored 10 points in the first quarter as Hawthorne built a 17-6 lead. “This could have been our last game.”

Lawrence hit three 3s in the opening half and he had 15 points to lead all scorers at intermission.

“I’ve been challenging him all season,” said head coach Greg Bowie. “I gave him the green light.”

The Hornets used a 23-9 run in the second quarter to take a 40-15 lead at the half.

“We got off to a great start,” said Hawthorne head coach Greg Bowie, who will take his fifth Hawthorne team to the final four. “That was the best half we played all year.”

Lawrence was one of four players in double figures for Hawthorne, which also got 13 points from senior Jeremiah James and 11 points from senior Key’shaun Williams, including six free throws in the fourth quarter after Wildwood’s furious rally got them within single digits in the fourth quarter.

“It was a team effort,” said Bowie. “I challenged the guys because Torey has been the only one scoring. That’s a pretty good scoring night.”

However, it may have been the defense, particularly in the first half, that helped the Hornets advance to their first state semifinal in three years.

Hawthorne held Ole Miss commit Marcus Niblack to just two points in the first half.

“Our key was to keep them under 60 and if we did we would have a chance to win,” said Bowie.

Niblack helped lead a furious rally in the second half for the Wildcats (21-8), as he made it a 7-point game on a shot from beyond half court at the buzzer to end the third quarter.

He would finish with a game-high 27 points.

A 25-point Hawthorne halftime lead is now just 7 entering the fourth quarter.

Marcus Niblack (@marcus_niblack) nailed a halfcourt shot to send Wildwood to the fourth quarter with all the momentum, trailing just 48-41.@ESPNGainesville @ThePrepZone pic.twitter.com/qTY3ziiQ7e

— Mike Kennedy (@mbken84) February 26, 2020

However, James and Williams combined to score 13 points in the final quarter to help put the game away.

“Watching the girls (who play in Lakeland on Wednesday), and seeing them punch their ticket, it gave the boys a little extra motivation,” said Bowie. “The way we play defense, we always give ourselves a chance.”

Despite losing nine seniors, including all five starters, Hawthorne will play Paxton, which eliminated Graceville, 65-45, in the Class 1A state semifinals on Wednesday, March 4.

“It’s a dream,” said Lawrence. “Going to Lakeland is a dream come true.”

Congratulations to our varsity boys‼️ Final Four Bound #HornetNation ? pic.twitter.com/nRJjcqz1OB

— Hawthorne Hornets (@HawthorneHoops) February 26, 2020

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.

Oldsmar Christian at The Rock – Boys Basketball 2020

Mike Stanton

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February 25, 2020

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Oldsmar Christian at The Rock – Boys Basketball 2020

Tuesday, 6:55 p.m. (PREGAME) – Boys High School Basketball, 7 p.m. (TIP)

Oldsmar Christian at The Rock (Gainesville)

Join Timothy Williams (Play-by-play) & Griffin Foll (Color) for this SIAA state quarterfinal. Visiting Oldsmar Christian is the No. 6 seed. The Rock is the No. 3 seed.

‘Live’ and ‘archived’ VIDEO available online at https://livestream.com/therocklions & www.ThePrepZone.com

Wildwood at Hawthorne – Class 1A-Region 1 Final

Mike Stanton

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February 25, 2020

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Tuesday, 6:45 p.m. (PREGAME) – Boys High School Basketball, 7 p.m. (TIP)

Wildwood at Hawthorne Class 1A-Region 1 Final

Join Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) for this #1 vs. #2 showdown. The visiting Wildcats are ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 1A by MaxPreps. Hawthorne is ranked 2nd. The winner advances to next Wednesday’s Class 1A state semifinals in Lakeland.

Radio: 92.1 FM & 1230 AM Gainesville & 900 AM Ocala

Audio online:http://us7.maindigitalstream.com/3354/

The Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week – Claire Talham (Eastside)

Mike Ridaught

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February 23, 2020

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The Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week – Claire Talham (Eastside)

The Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week for the week of Feb. 3 is CLAIRE TALHAM* of the Eastside (Gainesville) girls’ soccer team.

*The senior helped lead the Lady Rams to the Class 4A-District 9 title by scoring six goals in two matches. Talham scored four goals in the district semifinals as Eastside cruised to a 6-0 win against Tavares. She added two goals in the district championship game in a 6-1 win against Leesburg. It was the second straight district title and fourth league championship in five years for the Eastside girls.