Palm Harbor University's Ben Sweat spun and fired in a left-footed shot to the back of Coconut Creek Monarch's net after a nice pass from P.J. McDonald in Friday's Class 5A semifinals at Pepin Stadium. The goal led to a 2-0 win and tonight the Hurricanes will play for their third state championship. ...more

February 21, 2009

Unless Bryce Brown makes a decision Wednesday, the nation's top-ranked recruit will play college football somewhere other than Miami. The national letter of intent Brown was offered by Miami expires Wednesday, and a person involved in recruiting the running back from Wichita, Kansas told The Associated Press the Hurricanes will not reissue the scholarship offer. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because neither Brown's representatives nor Miami could authorize him to speak publicly. "Miami will not give him another letter," the person said. Brian Butler, Brown's advisor, told The AP that he was unaware those scholarship offers have an expiration date, but reiterated that the U.S. Army All-American — who was wooed by most of the nation's big-time programs, and still is having discussions with several of them — won't be signing until March 16. "Not until then," said Butler, who handles all of Brown's dealings with media and coaches. "If there's no letter here from Miami on March 16, then I'll get on the phone. So that's up to Miami. Bryce has his timeline set. We're not changing it at all." Citing NCAA rules, which specifically ban coaches from discussing recruits until their paperwork is filed, Miami coach Randy Shannon refused comment. Signing day was Feb. 4, and that's the date on the NLI issued to Brown by Miami, which means that paper would be valid until Wednesday. Brown, of Wichita East (Kan.) High, committed to Miami months ago. The brother of Miami linebacker Arthur Brown rushed for 1,873 yards and 29 touchdowns in nine games this past season, averaging 9.2 yards per carry for a team that finished 6-3. Later Tuesday, the saga turned again, when Brown announced that his final two recruiting visits will be at LSU later this month and Miami in early March. "They'll be in spring ball, so I want to see how the coaches interact with the players at practice and look at how the new offense is coming along," Brown said in a statement posted on his advisor's Web site, his preferred way of making recruiting-related announcements. "And, most importantly, spend some time with my brother." Other schools Brown is still believed to be considering include Auburn, Kansas State, Tennessee, Oregon and Southern California. His father, Arthur Brown Sr., said he wants his son at Miami. "Most definitely," Arthur Brown Sr. said. "That would be my ideal preference, for he and his brother to play together. That's always been my preference." Even without Brown, Miami had one of the nation's highest-ranked recruiting classes this year, a group that included Parade All-American running back Lamar Miller. He rushed for 1,719 yards and 22 touchdowns this past fall for Miami Killian High. ...more

February 17, 2009

For the first time, the Lightning this week will hold a father/mentor trip, which has become a staple of many teams around the league. Many of the clubs, such as Washington and the New York Islanders last week, hold the trip during a two-game swing through the Sunshine State. ...more

February 16, 2009

Palm Harbor University poured on its pressure in Saturday's Class 5A state championship after an early second-half goal by Lakeland Jenkins tied the match at one. Palm Harbor from there took back momentum and stifled the Eagles offense en route to a 3-1 win, earning the Hurricanes a fourth state title. ...more

February 15, 2009

Palm Harbor University's Catherine Brinkman had a clear look at the goal to the right of Satellite Beach Satellite goalkeeper Ellie Harrington just after the first half water break, but a moment's hesitation and a diving stop by Harrington kept Friday's 5A state semifinal match scoreless. ...more

February 14, 2009

Tampa Bay Tech struggled from the free-throw line in Thursday's Class 5A-Region 2 girls basketball quarterfinal game against Land O' Lakes. ...more

February 13, 2009

The NCAA's Atlantic Coast Conference has announced its football schedule for the 2009 season. ...more

February 12, 2009

Pasco County Animals Services has long accepted the help of volunteers to assist staff in the mission to care for creatures and protect public health. Until recently, however, the agency kept its efforts pretty low key. ...more

February 11, 2009

Miami will take charter buses to football games at Central Florida and South Florida this fall instead of flying as part of cost-cutting efforts at the university. ...more

February 10, 2009

Regarding "La Nina Could Make Florida's Drought Worse" (Feb. 6): ...more

February 9, 2009