Southeast girls; Cardinal Mooney boys earn top 10 rankings

The Southeast High girls and Cardinal Mooney boys were the only area teams to earn a spot in the top 10 of their respective classes in the latest FABC-Source Hoops poll released on Tuesday.

Southeast (13-3) is ranked eighth in the Class 5A poll, but getting out of the district is going to be a tough task even for a team as talented as the Seminoles.

Three teams from 5A-12 are ranked in the top 10 in the 5A poll. Along with Southeast, St. Petersburg Lakewood (13-3) is fifth  and Gulfport Boca Ciega (13-5) is ninth.

Southeast defeated Boca Ciegao 55-40 earlier in the year. The Seminoles losses are to state ranked teams: 52-47 to Lakewood; 76-60 to Ft. Myers Dunbar, ranked third in 3A and 58-52 to Leesburg, (#8 in 6A).

Cardinal Mooney (14-1) is ranked 8th in Class 3A. The Cougars have some impressive notches on their belt with victories over Fort Myers (#8 in 6A), Tampa Sickles (#10 in 6A) and Miami Carol City, which is 10th in 8A.

Cardinal Mooney looks to have a good chance of making it out of its region. The Cougars are the highet ranked team in Class 3A-Region 3, two spots head of #10 Community School of Naples (14-3).

Newcomers help Southeast finish runner-up in prestigous girls hoop tourney

Southeast POY DeAngela Mathis

It’s always been John Harder’s dream to take his Southeast High girls basketball team to Tobacco Road to his players could personally see one of the country’s basketball hotbeds.

The Hall of Fame coach was able to do that this week and his players rewarded him with a 7-1 record that gave the Seminoles the runner-up spot in the prestigious girls’ high school tournament on the North Carolina University of campus. Harder said the program raised $5,000 to make the trip possible.

“I was able to take them to Duke for a tour on Sunday and then play in the North Carolina tournament Monday through Wednesday,” Harder said. “Seeing the Dean Dome and all of the history at UNC was a great experience. I went to a Dean Smith workshop when I was a young coach and to go there and see of its basketball tradition and its tributes to Michael Jordan was special.”

The MVP of the North Carolina tournament for Southeast was Desante Jordan. She joined fellow senior (class of 2013) Bre Nice. Both enrolled at Southeast last year from Manatee, but were unable to play because of transfer rules.

 “I haven’t had a team in the last couple of years who I thought could play in tournament like this until now,” Harder said. “Those two seniors should fit in nice with three junior starters I have coming back from last year (including Bradenton Herald Player of the Year DeAngela Mathis).”

The Southeast girls won four games by two points and one in overtime, they lost in the championship game to a state champion from Ohio, Harder said.

Harder says Pinellas County schools ganged up against his 'Noles

If the Southeast High girls’ basketball team is going to capture its 13^th straight district champion, the Seminoles will have to do it on the road and long head coach John Harder says that is wrong.

Harder sees the scenario as a product of home cooking and an example of poor sportsmanship and selfishness.

By virtue of being seeded number one, Southeast should be home for the Class 5A-District 12 title game assuming it wins its semifinal match, he says.

The problem Harder says is that four of the six teams in the district are from Pinellas County and they took care of their own, not considering Southeast and Bayshore.

The one good thing about getting the first seed if Southeast reaches the final it will likely have to beat the winner of the St. Petersburg Lakewood-Gulfport Boca Ciega game rather than have to face each other.

Realistically these are the only three teams with a chance to win the district championship. Southeast beat Lakewood at home and lost in overtime on the road at Boca Ciega on a controversial call at the end. They all finished 4-1 in the district and Southeast got the top seed because it had the best overall record (21-4).

Southeast has exceeded expectations because its core group of three sophomores is playing like seniors. It is sparked by forward Deangela Mathis, who leads the Seminoles in scoring (19.1 ppg), is second in rebounding (5.2 RPG) and shooting 59 percent from the field.

Keshawna Robinson continues to be a force on the boards. The 5-10 sophomore tops the Noles on the boards (10.4 rpg) and is third in scoring (11 ppg).

A big plus and somewhat of a surprise with her scoring has been 5-6 guard Bevin Mays, a defensive ace who is averaging 13.3 points and leads Southeast with 79 assists.

Lakewood, the defending 4A state champion, is expected to be without its top player, six-foot junior Tianah Alvarado, who is out with a knee injury. She averaged 30 points per game last year and was selected 4A state tournament MVP.

Take a look at Tommy Bernhardt's impossible shot that stunned Southeast

Braden River senior Tommy Bernhardt has carved out a reputation this season for making big shots . But none might have been more dramatic than the three-quarter court shot he nailed against Southeast this season as the halftime buzzer sounded. You be the judge, but this is the longest shot made this season around these parts.

Southeast girls ranked 8th, but injuries mounting up

Southeast is the only Manatee County school to be ranked in the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FACA) girls basketball state poll that was released on Tuesday.

Coming off a week where they defeated two defending state champions in St. Petersburg Lakewood and Tampa Catholic, the Seminoles (16-3) are eighth in the Class 5A Poll.

The voters still have Lakewood (11-5) ranked ahead of Southeast in the fifth spot. Gulfport Boca Ciega (13-7), which defeated Southeast earlier in the season, is ranked seventh.

It wasn’t all that good for Southeast last week. The already thin Lady Seminoles lost sophomore guard and sixth man Daisha Kelly to an ACL injury she suffered during the team’s victory over Palmetto. She is out for the season.

Deangela Mathis continues to look like an emerging star for Southeast. The sophomore is averaging 19.5 points per game to leads the team in scoring and is shooting 60 percent from the field. Bevin Mays had a career high 25 points in win over Tampa Catholic.

"Harpoon" event returns to Manatee County with cherished memories

BRADENTON- The Youth Foundation Basketball Showcase has had several names and now has a new venue, but the memories it created will live forever.

It was the event where host Southeast in 2004 ended Jacksonville Ribault’s 120 game win streak against Florida schools before what is believed to be the biggest crowd ever to watch a high school basketball game in Manatee County for either boys or girls.

And then there was 2002 when little Casey Baker stole the ball with a few seconds left and lofted a shot that enabled Southeast to knock off undefeated Clearwater the state’s top ranked team and national power.

It was the shot heard round the world for girls’ basketball in these parts and to top it off Baker went on to set a school record for steals at Marshall University.

It’s now called the Manasota High School Basketball Showcase and will be held at Bayshore on Saturday. It’s still under the direction of Howard "Harpoon" Karasick, who is putting on his 24^th edition of this event, which was held in Manatee County on two previous occasions.

Regardless of the name and site, this could be another day of big upsets, particularly in the two last games, where the Southeast girls take on two time defending Tampa Catholic and in the nightcap when Braden River faces Sarasota Riverview in a matchup of the area’s two best teams.

For Southeast (13-3) it will mean taking on defending state champions on two straight nights. The Seminoles play host to defending Class 4A State champion St. Petersburg Lakewood on Friday in a district game and then face Tampa Catholic, the two time 3A defending state champs.

Southeast lost to Tampa Catholic in the region final the last two years. The Noles are now in 5A with St. Pete Lakewood, but would like nothing better than to extract some revenge over a team that broke their hearts twice in a row.

But this event seems to bring out the best in the Southeast girls and turn their head coach John Harder into a miracle worker.

“This is the first time we are playing state champs on back to back nights and I never heard of anyone doing that in less than 24 hours,” Harder said. “I am not some genius who wants to upset the world, but they said it would be better for the community if we did it so we are going to do it. It will certainly get us ready for the post season.

“We were up by two points at the end last year and lost to Tampa Catholic and our kids haven’t forgotten that. I want our girls to feel like they are preparing for the end of the season run and this will do it.”

Braden River (10-1) is unbeaten against area teams from Manatee down through Charlotte County. Its only loss is to Miami Carol City, a team host Riverview (11-2) beat in the same Christmas Tournament.

“We thought we could get to play them in their tournament but lost. Now we get that chance and are looking forward to it,” Braden River head coach Matt Nesser said. “We want to play the best and consider them maybe the best in the area. They are athletic and have good size and don’t make a lot of mistakes.”

To get his team ready for the post season, Nesser put together a road heavy schedule and has played only three home games so far this season. In their last game, the Pirates earned a come from 42-41 victory on the road at Punta Gorda Charlotte, which is a tough place to play.

“We haven’t played our best basketball yet. In order to be a championship team you need to play hard for an entire 32 minutes and we did that maybe in one or two games,” Nesser said.

The coach says his three starters from the football team still haven’t gotten their basketball legs yet and it has affected the shooting of point guard Steven Ross.

The Pirates are led by shooting guard Tre’ Bryant, who is averaging 17 points per game. Travon Young, the 6-5 junior, continues to be the Pirates big presence inside averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds. Tommy Bernhardt, a senior guard, is averaging a shade over 10 points per outing.

Riverview is led by 6-3 versatile guard Eric Traver, who is averaging 16.6 points per game and is surrounded by a lot of talent.

What: Manasota High School Basketball Showcase:

Where: Bayshore High

When: Saturday

Admission: $3.00 gets you in for all the games. Kids under 10 are free.

Schedule:

10:30 am (girls) Bayshore vs Clearwater

12 Noon (girls) Lakewood Ranch vs North Port

1:30 pm (boys) Palmetto vs Bayshore

3 pm (girls) Riverview vs St. Petersburg

4:30 pm (boys) Southeast vs Lakewood Ranch

6 pm (girls) Southeast vs Tampa Catholic

7:30 pm (boys) Braden River vs Riverview

Southeast Kieron James and Ranch's Matt Farhat earn honors

Former Southeast defensive back Kieron James and Lakewood Ranch offensive lineman Matt Farhat won honorable mention honors in their just completed collegiate seasons.

James, who played defensive back and some quarterback at Southeast, finished his junior year at FCS (formerly I-AA) Western Illinois University where he ranked 49th nationally in passes defended (0.91 per game and was one of the top defensive backs in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The six-foot, 190 pound James led WIU with three interceptions and had an impressive 45 total tackles, including 29 solos. He was credited with seven pass breakups to go along with his three picks.

Charles Chestnut, another Southeast product, also completed his junior year at WIU. The receiver was second on his team with 23 catches and 296 reception yards.

Enock Presidendieu, a 6-4, 280 pound offensive lineman also from Southeast, finished his career for the Fighting Leathernecks.

Farhat earned honorable mention honors in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) in completing his junior year at the University of Charleston. He helped pave the way for the team's higher powered run game and for Adrien Jenkins, a Southeast High graduate.

A junior, Jenkins finished third for Charleston in total offense with 254 yards amassed on 256 yards rushing, 142 receiving and 28 yards on kick returns.

Boe Brand helps Willie Taggart make some history at WKU

What Willie Taggart has done in his second year running the Western Kentucky football program might be classified as something close to a miracle.

Inheriting a program that had lost 20 straight before his arrival, the former Manatee High great has the Hilltoppers on a four game win streak, 4-4 overall and 4-1 in the Sun Belt Conference

Last Saturday's 31-28 overtime victory over Louisiana-Monroe was a game for the ages with 22 points being scored in the final 59 seconds of regulation play.

Taggart got some help from some local guys he recruited. Freshman Boe Brand (see left) from Southeast caught a two-point conversion with 38 seconds left in regulation that enabled WKU to withstand a ULM touchdown with six seconds left that sent the game into overtime.

WKU's final touchdown was set up by a 79 yard kickoff return by another freshman andSarasota Riverview High product John Evans.

Florida commit Brian Poole has Oscar winning night for Seminoles

Southeast super star and Florida commit Brian Poole "only played" six positions in his team's double overtime victory over Sarasota Riverview Friday night.

But Poole showed why Florida head coach Will Muschamp can't wait to get him to Gainesville next season and has been telling him to get ready to play immediately.

Poole scored four touchdowns and accounted for both of the Seminoles touchdowns in overtime throwing a 10 yard scoring strike in the first overtime and running for an eight yard touchdown, which accounted for the winning points in the second overtime.

Besides those heroics, Poole returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown and scored on a 50 yard run on his team's second offensive play of the game.

The senior capped off his big night, but knocking away a pass in the endzone in the second overtime to end the game.

Brian Poole could be anywhere, but at Florida he will be in the secondary

Brian Poole is like a good mystery novel. The Southeast High standout can pop up anywhere, anytime, anyplace on the football.

But the one thing we know about Poole is that he will excel where-ever he plays. The defensive back, who has verbally committed to Florida, played quarterback two weeks for the first time since his little league days and was impressive against nationally touted Manatee.

Tonight against Sarasota Riverview, Poole will start at cornerback, but is expected to be used at quarterback, receiver and running back. He will also be a return man on some punts and kickoffs.

Southeast head coach Paul Maechtle who has had some great versatile players during his 30 plus years at the school, including Peter Warrick, says Poole is up there with the best.
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Adrian McPherson continues to shine in backup role

Patience must be a virtue for Adrian McPherson.

The Southeast High legend continues to hang tough with the Montreal Alouettes though he doesn't get the respect he deserves.

McPherson is backing up Canadian Football League legend Anthony Calvillo and can’t get any respect. In he CFL Calvillo is looked upon as a combination of Tom Brady, John Elway and Johnny Unitas.

Calvillo suffered a concussion last week against Edmonton. McPherson came off the bench completed 6 of 6 passes for 92 yards and ran 45 yards on five carries show more athleticism than his aging counterpart.

But all the talk this week is about Calvillo coming back Friday. Apparently the CFL policy on concussions is like the old NFL: If you can stand and walk a straight line you are okay to play.

In a relief role this season, McPherson has completed 25 of 37 passes for 282 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He has rushed 40 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

Cothron named Southeast head vollyball coach

Nancy Cothron, long time volleyball guru in Manatee County, has been named head volleyball coach at Southeast High. She replaces Vince Strefling, who resigned after last season.

Cothron was the Saint Stephens head coach for 16 years, ending her there after last season when the school did not renew her contract to coach or teach. She won her first district championship last season and amassed 189 victories during her time there.

Cothron brings a wealth of experience to Southeast. Volleyball has been her life and she is currently Director of the Manatee Area Volleyball association. She will be a full-time physical education teacher at Charlotte Academy in Port Charlotte.

“I am excited. I have always respected Paul Meachtle (Southeast Athletic Director) and welcome the opportunity to coach for him,” Cothron said. “This is my first time coaching at a public school. Southeast has a great tradition with girls basketball and I hope we can get some of those girls to come out for the team. It should be challenging and fun.”

Manatee County football prospects visit Western Kentucky

Western Kentucky University continues to be a popular place for Manatee County football players.

Three players from the county recently visited the WKU summer weekend football camp.

The trio making its way out there was comprised of Manatee High’s 6-5, 215 pound receiver Robert Gordon , 6-2 receiver Tre’ Laws from Southeast and Palmetto High’s new quarterback Trenton Miller.

Laws and Gordon are two big receivers with athletic skills, who have the potential to be among the top pass catchers in the state this season. They are both transfers.

Miller is a transfer from Williamsville East High in New York State. The 6-0 190 pounder won the All-Madden Offensive Breakout Athlete Award at the IMG Football Academy last year and this year moved to Palmetto.

“Trenton is a developing pocket passer. He can move his feet well within in the pocket. He has the opportunity to develop into a big time prospect,” said IMG Maddon Football Academy director Chris Weinke.