Braden River's Ross most likely done for hoops season

The Braden River boys basketball team, which opens region play tonight at home against Port St. Lucie, will again be without two year starting point guard Steven Ross.

The senior is most likely done for the season, the Bradenton Herald has learned. Ross was suspended prior to the district tournament for what school officials described as undisclosed reasons. Apparently he is not coming back.

Braden River managed to win the district title without Ross, who was the quarterback for the Pirates football team last season. But the regions could get a lot tougher particularly if they win tonight to set up a possible meeting with Stuart Martin County next Tuesday.

The Pirates have done a good job adjusting with Tre’ Bryant and Tommy Bernhardt sharing a lot of the point guard duties. Bryant, Braden River’s leading scorer, has shown his multi-talented skills by continuing to provide scoring while helping to run the offense.

Lot more than district title at stake for Braden River

There is a lot at stake for the Braden River boys basketball team this Friday night when it plays Venice for the Class 7A-District 11 championship.

In fact you might say there is more on the line than just a second straight district title for the Pirates, though that means a lot. But this veteran team has higher goals and a win over Venice would certainly help in many ways.

This game is to clear a much easier path to the Region 3 final and eventual trip to the state final four.

The two top teams in this region appear to be Braden River (22-4) and Stuart Martin County (22-3).

If Braden River beats Venice and gets by its first round region opponent it would be home for the region semifinal most likely against Stuart Martin County, which finished 10-0 in its district.

If the Pirates lose to Venice and go into the regions as district tournament runner-up they would likely have to go to Stuart Martin County for their region quarterfinal game and that is something they want to avoid at all costs.

Here is a little bonus. The District 12 championship game is Saturday night so if the Pirates beat Venice, Braden River head coach Matt Nesser and his staff will be able to scout that game.

The other top teams in Class 7A-Region 3 appear to be Wiregrass (17-9), Tampa Chamberlain (13-7), St. Petersburg (16-9) and Clearwater (18-10).

Dixie Hollins head coach cited in early termination of Lakewood Ranch football game

Lakewood Ranch's football game on October 21st against Dixie Hollins was terminated before its conclusion by a game official after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Dixie Hollins head coach (Mike Morey), the Florida High School Athletic Association said in a statement.

The FHSAA said the situation escalated and the official decided to end the game. Policy 41.42 of the FHSAA Handbook outlines that the premature termination of a contest by an official due to unsportsmanlike conduct will result in $250 and Dixie Hollins has been fined that amount.

Lakewood Ranch second in 4A state athletic programs

Olivia Ortiz had a lot to do with Lakewood Ranch's
success this past school year.

The Lakewood Ranch athletic program finished second in the Class 4A Final Sunshine Cup All Sports Awards points standings.

With 610.5 points, the Mustangs finished second to Naples Barron Collier (644) and ahead of third place Tampa Jesuit (544.5)

Points are awarded a school based on its finish in FHSAA State Series competition in each sport in the classification in which it has been assigned to compete.

The top 16 places are scored. In bracket sports, points are awarded as follows: 100 for the state champion, 90 for the state runner-up, 83 for the state semifinalists, 60 for 5-8th places, and 25 for 9-16th places. In non-bracket sports, points are awarded as follows: 100, 90, 85, 80, 70, 63, 56, 49, 38, 34, 30, 26, 22, 18, 14, 10. Schools get a 5-point bonus for winning a district or regional championship, and points are deducted for unsporting conduct.

Lakewood Ranch’s top individual performances were turned in by golfer Danny Walker, who won a state title and sophomore distance runner Olivia Ortiz, who was third in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs at state track meet and sparked the 3200 relay team that placed second.

Lakewood Ranch finished third in the 4A girls ranking with 299 points just getting edged by Lutz Steinbrenner (330.5). The Mustangs were fifth in the boys standings with 311.5 points. Tampa Jesuit won the 4A boys division with 544.5 points.

Bad break denies Lakewood Ranch girls chance to make history at states

WINTER PARK- The Lakewood Ranch High girls 3200 meter relay team was on its way to pulling off what would've been one of the biggest shockers at the Class 3A State Track Meet today at Showalter Field.

The Mustangs led from the outset of the race over top seed and defending 3200 meter state champion Pensacola Pine Forest and were in front when Kristin Zarrella took the baton for the last leg.

The sophomore ran the first lap in a blazing sub 63 seconds and her father Bill Zarrella was worried that was too fast.

Dad's fears were unfortunately warranted when his daughter cramped up about 100 yards from the finish line. The Mustangs were far enough ahead that even with her limping and struggling they were still ahead.

Zarrella's heroics took her to within about five yards of the finish line when she collapsed and was passed by Darroneshia Lott.

Zarrella managed to get up and despite being in excruciating pain limped across the line to give Lakewood Ranch a second place finish.

Trainers diagnosed her problem as dehydration. Her father said she expects to come back tonight and compete in the 800 meter run where she is the top seed and favorite.

Pine Forest was clocked in at 9:13.97 and Lakewood Ranch finished with a time of 9:22.66. Third place Fort Myers came in at 9:30.81

Braden River ready to handle pressure in region title game

Pressure, pressure, pressure. It seems to be affecting the softball playoffs more than anything and maybe it can help Braden River Tuesday night in the region championship game at Naples Barron Collier.

In their region semifinal win over Lakewood Ranch, the Pirates handled the pressure well while the Mustangs committed three costly errors that basically cost them the game.

But Naples High, the state power that figured to be making it sixth straight trip and 10^th in the last 11 years to the region championship game, might have succumbed to the pressure even more.

Naples (25-5) was leading 1-0 over arch rival Barron Collier heading into the final inning when the Cougars erupted for six runs to take a 6-1 victory.

It was reported that Barron Collier had not beaten Naples in more than six years. In the final inning there was one out when seven straight players reached base for the Cougars and six scored.

Braden River (24-3) will go with sophomore ace Courtney Mirabella on the mound. She is expected to face senior Corrine Schaus, the top pitcher for Barron Collier (22-9).