PROJECTED REGIONAL SEEDS Staff writer Katherine Smith takes an early look at how the NCAA Tournament field might develop and which teams could wind up in Tampa: ...more

January 21, 2008

LSU coach Les Miles, poker-faced and humble, said all the right things after smashing Ohio State 38-24 to win Monday night's BCS Championship Game. ...more

January 9, 2008

Just about anywhere you look concerning this weekend's Dick's Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions at Wesley Chapel District Park, the message is the same: The defending champs are once again the team to beat. ...more

January 5, 2008

I had barely formed the word "play..." - didn't even get a chance to add "...off" - before Jim McVay was on the attack. ...more

January 2, 2008

Durant senior 125-pounder Christian Reed never has shied away from the physical sports, and he got into wrestling after some productive time in martial arts, where he was twice a KickUSA national champion. ...more

December 18, 2007

College football fans are among the most passionate and ardent supporters the sports world has to offer. Stadiums the size of small cities are routinely filled every Saturday, and yearly clashes between rivals can make or break careers, turning 18-year old men into legends and providing fans memories that last a lifetime. Feasting upon every snap is the college football fan, who, through their alliances, rarely agree on anything. ...more

December 5, 2007

Class 5A REGION 2 FINAL Kissimmee Osceola at Chamberlain WHERE: John Adcock Stadium, 9401 North Blvd., Tampa RECORDS: Osceola 12-0, Chamberlain 9-3 OUTLOOK: Unranked Chamberlain hosts top-ranked and undefeated Osceola for a trip to the Class 5A state semifinals. Osceola eliminated defending state champ Lakeland in the region semifinals and also snapped the former national champion Dreadnaughts' win streak of 53 games earlier this season. The Kowboys are led by running back Bubba Brown, who has rushed for 1,936 yards and 34 touchdowns this season, including 109 yards and three touchdowns in last week's playoff win against Lakeland. Chamberlain has lost only two games at home this season, that being to Hillsborough and Plant. Junior quarterback Dontae Aycock leads the Chiefs' offense with 1,065 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns and 853 passing yards with five touchdowns. ... Chamberlain's secondary has a total of 14 interceptions, three of which have been returned for touchdowns. Senior defensive back Justin Bell has been the defensive catalyst, recording 99 tackles, three interceptions and has also been a standout on special teams with six blocked punts and two blocked kicks. Nick Williams REGION 3 FINAL Cape Coral at Largo WHERE: Packers Stadium, 410 Missouri Ave. N., Largo RECORDS: Cape Coral 10-2, Largo 12-0 OUTLOOK: The first real test to see how legitimate of a state playoff contender Largo is comes tonight when the Packers play a team from outside Pinellas County. Largo coach Rick Rodriguez stated emphatically Cape Coral is "the toughest team we have faced so far." Rodriguez noted Cape Coral has a balanced offense with a strong offensive line. Like Largo, its best players play on both sides of the ball. Spencer Boyd is Cape Coral's leading rusher with 1,027 yards. Quarterback David Pasquale has thrown for 1,707 yards. Fortunately for Largo, the Packers have faced a quality quarterback before in Clearwater's Luke Loucks and solid running backs like Dunedin's Adaris Bellamy, and effectively handled them. But Largo has yet this season faced an opponent with as many weapons. Despite having Pinellas County regular-season rushing record holder Brynn Harvey (2,237 yards and 26 touchdowns through 12 games), don't be surprised if Rodriguez opens up the offense utilizing quarterback Leonard Johnson's arm as well as his legs (862 yards rushing, nine rushing touchdowns) which excites Johnson. "I have to admit, handing the ball off to the same guy 20 or 25 times can get a little boring," Johnson said. If Johnson can hit some key passes to open up the field for Harvey, the Packers just might advance. Lee Diekemper ...more

November 30, 2007

AVON PARK –– The countless hours of extra batting practice and the thousands of ground balls that helped to hone his fielding have paid off in a big way for Steven Levine. The South Florida Community College baseball player will continue to chase his dream of making it to the major leagues by playing for Florida Southern College in Lakeland in the fall of 2008. The 19-year-old Levine, who played third base and batted .330 with a team-high 42 RBI for the Panthers last year, is excited to be able to play for the Moccasins, after signing a baseball scholarship with the Division II powerhouse last week. "I'm really looking forward to playing for Florida Southern because I felt comfortable when I visited the campus and they have some nice facilities," Levine said. "The coaches were great and it's definitely a baseball school and that's what I wanted. ...more

November 27, 2007

GAINESVILLE The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors approved a recommendation to discontinue the state fall soccer series immediately if 48 schools do not commit to participate in the event. The organization will continue recognition status as long as at least 32 schools sponsor a fall soccer program. ...more

November 20, 2007

SEBRING — Penny Phillippi, housing director for Highlands County, said the chorus to the Mel Tillis tune helped foster a collection of hundreds of products stamped with the familiar red and white Coca-Cola logo. Phillippi enjoys the lyrics used in the advertisement for the restaurant "Whataburger" and a glass from the eatery has become her most prized Coca-Cola collectible. Her collection includes 38 different sets of glasses, or 220 glasses total, all sporting the trademarked logo. Much of Phillippi's Coke memorabilia will be displayed at the fledgling Sebring Ridge Museum, at 146 W. Center Ave., just off the Circle, on Saturday. The museum will open its doors during the 41st annual Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. The Sebring Ridge Museum's future hours of operation will vary. ...more

November 9, 2007