Welcome to The Daily Feed, your one-stop shop for everything high school sports in the Tampa Bay area. Whether you’re looking for the latest scores, highlights, interviews, or memes, we’ve got you covered. Every day, we’ll bring you a mix of social media posts, short stories, fun facts and links on what’s happening in the local scene. You’ll get to know the players, the coaches, the fans and the rivals. So, sit back, relax and enjoy The Daily Feed.
Baseball
Durant’s April-Gath commits to Virginia Commonwealth
Nick April-Gath, one of Durant’s most productive hitters, announced his commitment to Virginia Commonwealth on Monday.
Last season, April-Gath hit .258 with eight RBIs and scored 20 runs.
Basketball
North Tampa Christian’s Bryant picks up Florida Gulf Coast offer
Toni Bryant, a 6-foot-9 forward who became a hot recruiting commodity after an impressive freshman season last year, got an offer from Florida Gulf Coast this past weekend.
Taking advantage of his size, Bryant dominated inside, averaging 19.3 points and 13 rebounds per game while leading the Titans to a 24-3 record during the 2022-23 season.
Check it out
Plant’s Joe Willis and Plant City’s Billy Teeden have put together a podcast called How Are You Wired? that focuses on coaching at all levels. The latest edition features an interview with Bartow coach Terrence McGriff.
Classifieds
FHSAA seeks Student-Athlete Advisory Committee nominees
The Florida High School Athletic Association is looking for nominees for its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The nominations are due Aug. 24.
TBBCA Showcase set for Sept. 9
The Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association will hold its annual showcase on Sept. 9 at the All People’s Life Center and Gymnasium in Tampa. Registration information has already been sent to all high school coaches. The girls check in at 9 a.m. the day of the showcase and are on the court from 10 a.m.-noon. The boys check in at 1 p.m. and are on the court from 2-4. Last year, 13 girls and 26 boys who attended went on to play in college.
Pinellas Park to host alumni baseball game in November
Pinellas Park is planning its first-ever alumni game on Nov. 4. Those interested must have played and graduated from the school. For more information contact coach Ryan Griffith via the team’s Twitter account (PPark_BB).
Clearwater Academy looking to fill football schedule
Clearwater Academy needs opponents for varsity football games on Sept. 15 or Oct. 6. The Knights can host or play on the road. If interested, send a direct message on Twitter to Matthew Fleming (@CoachFleming612).
Wiregrass Ranch still looking for boys basketball games
Wiregrass Ranch’s boys basketball team need a few games to fill out its schedule. They available dates are on Dec. 12, Dec. 19 or Jan. 23. To inquire, send a direct message via Twitter to head coach Jeremy Calzone (@calzone32) or assistant Ross Van De Griek (@CoachRossWRHS).
Cross Country
Osceola girls finish second at Dunbar Tiger Jamboree
With five runners in the top 26, including three in the top nine, Osceola’s girls had the numbers to take the runnerup spot at the Dunbar Tiger Jamboree.
Avery Latto led the Warriors by finishing second in 19:17.20, followed by Elle Mehltretter, who was third in 19:48.70.
Top returning sophomores
As part of its preseason coverage, flrunners put together the top 1,000 sophomore boys and girls returnees based on their best 5K time from last season. Here are the top 10 boys and girls returners in the Tampa Bay area.
Boys
| Runner, school | Time |
| Christian Hindman, Sunlake | 16:05.28 |
| Oscar Brown, Sunlake | 16:34.60 |
| Trey Fisher, Plant | 16:43.72 |
| Aaron Barnes, Cypress Creek | 16:51.60 |
| Max Purvis, Jesuit | 16.59.00 |
| Aiden Davis, Seffner Christian | 17:01.30 |
| Mark Meister, Cambridge Christian | 17:14.40 |
| Casey Claaussen, Seffner Christian | 17:18.30 |
| Mason LaBlanca, King | 17:25.20 |
| Hunter Friedman, Cambridge Christian | 17:30.40 |
Girls
| Runner, school | Time |
| Eliana Black, Cambridge Christian | 17:15.50 |
| Kailyn Ford, Sunlake | 19:35.00 |
| Carlee Kromolicki, Mitchell | 19:39.30 |
| Ainsley Aeschlman, Steinbrenner | 20:06.80 |
| Meaghan Ballard, Sunlake | 20:24.50 |
| Fiyori Russom, Plant | 20:26.30 |
| Luciana Valentino, Dunedin | 20:33.30 |
| Sarah Tate, Robinson | 20:33.50 |
| Alex Estremera, Shorecrest | 20.33.90 |
| Brooke Snee, Steinbrenner | 20:38.80 |
Football
Commanders’ Dotson gives back to Tampa Catholic
Washington Commanders receiver Johan Dotson decided to support Tampa Catholic by giving the football program more than 100 shirts.
The idea for the shirts, which had the initials JD along with the jumpman logo, came from a family connection. Dotson’s aunt has a family friend on the team, offensive guard Andrew Surin, Crusaders coach Jeris McIntyre said.
Former Tarpon Springs standout Mitchell Wilcox activated by Bengals
On Monday, Mitchell Wilcox was able to practice with the Bengals after being removed from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
The former Tarpon Springs and USF standout re-signed with the Bengals on July 24. He has 20 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown in 31 starts as a tight end for the Bengals.
Wilcox now is in position to battle for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
Friday’s schedule (week 1)
Hernando County
Hernando Christian at Calvary Christian Academy, 7
Hudson at Hernando, 7:30
Poinciana at Nature Coast, 7:30
Melbourne Eau Gallie at Springstead, 7:30
Crystal River at Weeki Wachee, 7:30
Hillsborough County
Oasis Christian at Foundation Christian, 4:30
Eagles View at Bell Creek Academy, 7
Young Kids in Motion at Tampa Catholic, 7
Clearwater Central Catholic at Berkeley Prep, 7
Seffner Christian at Windermere Prep, 7
Tampa SLAM at Sarasota Christian, 7
Armwood at Venice, 7:30
Bloomingdale at Sumner, 7:30
Brandon at Riverview, 7:30
Blake at Leto, 7:30
Carrollwood Day at Madison County, 7:30
Chamberlain at Durant, 7:30
Middleton at East Bay, 7:30
Steinbrenner at Gaither, 7:30
Lennard at Hillsborough, 7:30
Alonso at Freedom, 7:30
Newsome at Plant City, 7:30
Robinson at Spoto, 7:30
Plant at Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30
King at Strawberry Crest, 7:30
Sickles at Jefferson, 7:30
Wharton at Jesuit, 7:30
Pasco County
Legacy Charter at Bishop McLaughlin, 7
Bronson at Anclote, 7
Four Corners at Academy at the Lakes, 7
Tradition Prep at Zephyrhills Christian, 7
Bronson at Anclote, 7:30
Cypress Creek at Fivay, 7:30
Mitchell at Gulf, 7:30
Hudson at Hernando, 7:30
Lake Wales at Zephyrhills, 7:30
Land O’ Lakes at River Ridge, 7:30
East Ridge at Pasco, 7:30
Sunlake at Wesley Chapel, 7:30
Pinellas County
Miami Columbus at Clearwater Academy, 7
Keswick Christian at Bradenton Christian, 7
Shorecrest at Ocala Christian, 7
Northside Christian at Akelynn’s Angels Christian, 7
Clearwater Central Catholic at Berkeley Prep, 7
St. Petersburg Catholic at Bradenton Bayshore, 7
Boca Ciega at Seminole, 7:30
Countryside at Dunedin, 7:30
Palmetto at Gibbs, 7:30
Hollins at Indian Rocks Christian, 7:30
Tarpon Springs at St. Petersburg, 7:30
Largo at Pinellas Park, 7:30
Palm Harbor University at Osceola, 7:30
Lake Gibson at East Lake, 7:30
Lakewood at Northeast, 7:30
Soccer
Matchups set for Champions League openers
The opening round matchups for this year’s boys and girls Champions League were finalized on Monday.
The bay area version of the Champions League is based on the popular tournament for professional club teams in Europe. The local event features the top high school teams from the Tampa Bay area in a tournament at the start of the season.
Both the boys and the girls opening matchups are on Nov. l4. Below are the first round schedules.
Boys
Group 1
Newsome at Tampa Prep
Largo at Palm Harbor University
Group 2
Robinson at Sunlake
East Lake at Mitchell
Group 3
Plant at Osceola
Tampa Catholic at Wesley Chapel
Group 4
Bloomingdale at Jesuit
Carrollwood Day at Wiregrass Ranch
Girls
Group 1
Shorecrest at Palm Harbor University
Plant vs. Newsome @Wiregrass Ranch
Group 2
Sickles at Berkeley Prep
Durant at Seminole
Group 3
Bloomingdale at Tampa Catholic
Cypress Creek at Land O’ Lakes
Group 4
Steinbrenner at Sunlake
Academy of the Holy Names at East Lake
Volleyball
Bishop McLaughlin’s Spicer commits to Jacksonville State
D’yanna Spicer made her college plans official by committing to Jacksonville State.
The 6-foot-1 middle blocker had 91 kills and 66 blocks for Bishop McLaughlin last season.
Tonight’s county schedules
Hernando County
Nature Coast at Weeki Wachee, 1
Central at Springstead, 6:30
Hernando Christian at Real Life Christian, 6:30
Hernando at Citrus, 7:30
Hillsborough County
Lakeside Christian at Brandon Academy, 5
Universal Academy at Academy at the Lakes, 6
Tampa SLAM at Brooks DeBartolo, 6
Bayshore Christian at Winthrop College Prep, 6
Sickles at Tampa Prep, 6
Seffner Christian at North Tampa Christian, 6:30
Academy of the Holy Names at Keswick Christian, 6:30
St. Petersburg Catholic at Cambridge Christian, 7
Plant at Lake Brantley, 7
Plant City at Blake, 7
Lennard at East Bay, 7
King at Tampa Bay Tech, 7
Leto at Robinson, 7
Freedom at Bloomingdale, 7
Strawberry Crest at Armwood, 7
Wharton at Alonso, 7
Jefferson at Riverview, 7
Sumner at Gaither, 7:30
Newsome at Hillsborough, 7:30
Pasco County
Universal Academy at Academy at the Lakes, 6
River Ridge at Gulf, 7
Mitchell at Zephyrhills, 7
Wiregrass Ranch at Bishop McLaughlin, 7:30
Calvary Christian at Sunlake, 7:30
Pinellas County
Lakeside Christian at Brandon Academy, 5
Northside Christian at Admiral Farragut, 6
Academy of the Holy Names at Keswick Christian, 6:30
American Youth Academy at Delphi Academy, 7
St. Petersburg Catholic at Cambridge Christian, 7
Palm Harbor University at Lakewood, 7
Osceola at Clearwater Central Catholic, 7:30
Dunedin at Pinellas Park, 7:30
Seminole at East Lake, 7:30
Lakeland George Jenkins at Canterbury, 7:30
Calvary Christian at Sunlake, 7:30
