General
Softball: Thursday’s Class 4A state semifinal preview
Softball state semifinals
All games at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont. Admission is $9 in advance, $12 on the day of the event. Parking is $10 for cars, $25 for buses.
Hernando (25-4) vs. Plantation American Heritage (15-8), 12
How they got here: Hernando d. Tarpon Springs 17-1, d. Wesley Chapel 14-2, d. Lake Region 4-3. Plantation American Heritage d. Miami St. Brendan 10-0, d. Key West 5-0, d. Pompano Beach 2-1.
Outlook: The Leopards, ranked No. 3 in the 4A by MaxPreps, are making their second straight state semifinal appearance. Only three players from this year’s team — Solaris Genberg, Hannah Lynch and Olivia Townsend — were in the lineup during Hernando’s last trip to the semifinals in 2019 (the 2020 season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic). This year’s Hernando team has won seven straight, outscoring foes by a combined 69-8 during that stretch. But the Leopards can win the close ones, too, as evidenced by its 4-3 victory over Lake Region in the region final. The Patriots, ranked No. 4 in 4A, are making their first state semifinal appearance since 2018 when they went on to beat Land O’ Lakes for their third title in a four-year span. After a 1-7 start this season, American Heritage has gone on to win 14 of its last 15 games, including six straight.
Team leaders
| Category | Hernando | American Heritage |
| Batting average | Solaris Genberg .500 | Emily Legette .576 |
| RBIs | Olivia Townsend 39 | Halle Roach 27 |
| Home runs | Olivia Townsend 6 | Emily Legette 11 |
| ERA | Ava Braswell 1.69 | Marissa Thompson 2.21 |
| Strikeouts | Ava Braswell 70 | Marissa Thompson 80 |
Final Tampa Bay Tech 21, Wharton 12
Final St. Petersburg Catholic 47, Bishop McLaughlin 15
Final Gibbs 50, Gulf 21
Final Countryside 28, Sunlake 7\
Final Berkeley Prep 49, New Orleans Newman 24
Final Zephyrhills Christian 30, Bradenton Christian 7
Final Boca Ciega 28, Seminole 21
Final Lakeland Christian 38, Calvary Christian 13
Final Clearwater 48, Tarpon Springs 7
Final Clearwater Central Catholic 56, Kissimmee Gateway 0
Final Northeast 21, Hollins 20
Final Sumner 14, Braden River 10
Final Legacy Charter 21, Indian Rocks Christian 14
Final Mount Dora Christian 48, Keswick Christian 0
Final Seffner Christian 62, St. Joseph Academy 16
Final Zephyrhills 35, Nature Coast 0
Final Largo 25, Sickles 7
Final Osceola 48, St. Petersburg 9
Final Steinbrenner 35, Chamberlain 21
Final Carrollwood Day 42, Cambridge Christian 7
Final Tampa Catholic 38, Winter Haven 0
Final Land O’ Lakes 36, Pasco 0
Final Jesuit 44, Blake 0
Final Armwood 41, Wiregrass Ranch 11
Final Palmetto 23, Bloomingdale 3
4th Q Alonso 52, Robinson 17
Final Plant City 31, Plant 24
Final Wesley Chapel 44, Hudson 6
Final Newsome 55, Riverview 7
Final Pinellas Park 46, Palm Harbor University 0
Final Fivay 27, Freedom 25
Final Bradenton Manatee 29, East Bay 13
Final Dunedin 48, Anclote 22
Final Spoto 46, Brandon 0
Final Durant 49, Middleton 6
Final Cypress Creek 43, Weeki Wachee 0
Final Lennard 33, Jefferson 31
Final Gaither 48, Leto 7
Final McCallie (Tenn.) 47, Clearwater Academy 14
LB/S Cole Highsmith, Jr., Plant City
After becoming a starter as a sophomore last season, Cole Highsmith took on a more prominent role as one of the leaders of Plant City’s defense.
He took on that task by making play after play.
This season, Highsmith has recorded 73 tackles and six sacks. Those totals already surpassed what he ended up with last year.
Against Bloomingdale two weeks ago, Highsmith had 13 tackles, two sacks and an interception to lead the Raiders to victory.
Fans paid attention. Highsmith received 50 percent of the votes (746) in the Hillsborough County football player of the week poll to beat out Wharton’s Daveon Crouch, who had 25 percent (376 votes).
Seffner Christian (2-3) at St. Petersburg Catholic (3-3), 7
After starting 2-0, the visiting Crusaders have lost three straight. The host Barons, meanwhile, have rebounded from a 1-2 start to win two of their last three games.
Putnam’s prediction: St. Petersburg Catholic 30-28
Gibbs (3-3) at Tarpon Springs (3-3), 7
An important Class 5A, District 10 game for both teams not only to stay in the mix for a title but also to get above .500 for the season.
Putnam’s prediction: Gibbs 34-21
Clearwater (5-1) at Anclote (1-5), 7:30
The Tornadoes have won five straight and are the clear favorite to the Class 5A, District 10 title. The host Sharks are on a two-game losing streak.
Putnam’s prediction: Clearwater 42-7
Football: Friday night scoreboard
The Pinellas County Volleyball Player of the Week
The Pasco County Volleyball Player of the Week
Football: FACA District 14 team announced
Volleyball: FACA District 14 team announced
Pasco County Volleyball Player of the Week
Football Player of the Week
Pinellas County Volleyball Player of the Week
Hernando County Football Player of the Week
Hillsborough County Volleyball Player of the Week
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General7 months agoTime to vote: Softball player of the week
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General6 months ago
Time to vote: Boys lacrosse player of the week
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Football2 months ago
Football: Player of the Week Poll (Week 1)
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General6 months ago
Time to vote: Softball player of the week
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Volleyball2 weeks ago
Pasco County Volleyball Player of the Week
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Flag Football6 months ago
Time to vote: Girls flag football player of the week
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Flag Football6 months ago
Time to vote: Girls flag football player of the week
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General6 months ago
Time to vote: Softball player of the week
