WAUCHULA — Sam Robinson poured in 38 points — including 17 in the third quarter alone — and Joe Young added 18 more on Friday night as the Sebring boys basketball team rallied from a five-point halftime deficit to knock off Hardee 74-67 in Class 4A-District 10 action. The Blue Streaks outscored the Wildcats 29-15 in the third quarter and had 20 steals, returning the favor against a Hardee squad that beat Sebring at home earlier this season. ...more

January 13, 2008

AVON PARK — The first time the Sebring and Avon Park boys soccer teams met this season, the Blue Streaks rattled off four goals before anyone on the field broke a sweat. This time around, however, it was the Red Devils who had their arch-rivals sweating, holding Sebring without a goal for the first half before running out of steam in a 4-0 Blue Streak victory. "The first time we played them, I didn't hear their coach say a word," said Avon Park coach Jocelyn Simplice, whose team has struggled through a winless season. "But this time, he was on the sideline yelling at his guys — I think we were some kind of threat to them tonight." Sebring junior Pedro Gori scored two second-half goals to pace the Streaks, who had their chances in the first half but couldn't finish against AP keeper Arnaud Louis. Gori said his team came out "non-chalant." ...more

January 12, 2008

SEBRING — It may be the season to give, but the Avon Park boys basketball team is taking that to the extreme. The Red Devils, who have had trouble hanging on to the ball, committed 30 turnovers in losing to Lakeland 57-38 in Thursday's first round of the Taveniere Holiday Tournament. "It's the same story every game, " said first-year Avon Park coach Luther Clemons. "We make too many turnovers and fall behind and spend the rest of the game trying to catch up. "Our defense was solid, but we didn't shoot well and we weren't patient enough on offense." Both teams came out sluggish to start the contest and the Dreadnaughts, led by James Campbell's four points, took an 11-6 lead heading into the second period. ...more

December 29, 2007

AUBURNDALE — Rickey Taylor had 14 points and four other Red Devils scored more than eight points each Friday night as the Avon Park boys basketball team jumped ahead early and cruised to a 73-58 win over Victory Christian of Lakeland at the T-Mac Tournament. Avon Park led 33-22 at the half and used a 23-16 fourth quarter to pull away for the victory over the Saints. Xavier Caldwell had nine points, while Teddy Allen, Marvin Williams and Tim Dennis each added eight to pace the Devils, who took on Lake Region on Saturday. For results, see Monday's Highlands Today. ...more

December 23, 2007

AVON PARK – The Avon Park boys wrestling team has had enough of the travel meets and tournaments in far away places. The Red Devils finally enjoyed the comfortable surroundings of home in Tuesday's 57-21 victory over the Frostproof Bulldogs in a Class 1A-District 8 match. ...more

December 20, 2007

AVON PARK — The Avon Park boys basketball team is looking for a few last-minute Christmas gifts. But the only thing on the Red Devils' list is wins, as the team is looking forward to sporting their home colors at the 2007 T-Mac Christmas Shootout in Auburndale. Red Devil head coach Luther Clemons invites the opportunity for his squad to face quality competition. "This gives us a chance to face teams that we wouldn't normally get to play," Clemons said. "Playing high-caliber talent can only help us as we move forward toward the district tournament." ...more

December 19, 2007

AVON PARK — The "never give up and never give in" credo was working for the Avon Park boys basketball team on Friday against Class 4A-District 10 rival DeSoto, but the shots still have to fall to turn that philosophy into a win. Those shots — which were 13 missed free throws by AP — were the difference in the Red Devils 50-43 loss to the Bulldogs. ...more

December 9, 2007

AVON PARK — Improvement has been steady for the Avon Park boys soccer team, but the youthful Red Devils felt another of its growing pains on Thursday night, as the Hardee Wildcats pounced on the host team early in a 5-0 win at Joe Franza Stadium. ...more

December 1, 2007

AVON PARK –– The sound eminating from an Avon Park boys basketball practice was by no means deafening, but the message was loud and clear. ...more

November 12, 2007

AVON PARK –– When you go winless the previous season, there is no place to go but up. The Avon Park Red Devils boys soccer team are hard at work to try and put the past behind them, as they welcome their fourth head coach in four years –– Jocelyn Simplice. Simplice, who hails from the island of Haiti, was the AP girls soccer assistant coach last season and takes over a Red Devil squad that scored just five goals all of last season. "I know these kids have gone through many coaches," the first-year head coach said. "I've assured them that I plan on staying quite a while." ...more

November 6, 2007