By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
The streak is no more.
After 459 consecutive dual match victories, the Brandon wrestling team lost.
When Homestead South Dade topped Brandon 32-28 Jan. 5 at the Jim Graves Challenge the Streak Dual Meet Tournament, it marked the first time the Eagles lost a dual meet since Feb. 20, 1973.
During the streak's 34-year span, Brandon had 18 state team championships and 66 individual state champs, both state records. Jim Graves, who coached the Eagles from 1971-1980, and his successor and current coach Russ Cozart guided the program through the streak. Graves was on hand Saturday night.
Cozart, along with his wrestlers, acknowledged the streak eventually had to end but expressed confidence the program's high level of excellence will continue.
During the historic loss, South Dade took five of the first seven matches, including a crucial 171-pound match won by Shawn King. By the time South Dade's Tico Baez won the 135-pound match against Brandon's Kevin Timothy, the outcome had been settled.
Still, the Eagles went out on a positive note as Joey Cozart pinned his opponent in 44 seconds in the 140-pound matchup.
The Streak ends at 459 straight dual match victories and 468 overall matches. Both are national high school records for all sports. The defending Class 2A state champions, Brandon opens the postseason Jan. 28 at the 2A, District 7 tournament.
Girls Basketball: Pinellas' Best Square Off
The championship game of the Tampa Academy of Holy Names Jaguar Holiday Tournament pitted two of the best girls basketball teams in Tampa Bay against each other. The squads certainly are the best two in Pinellas County.
And it lived up to the billing.
St. Petersburg Catholic center, and Indiana University-signee Sasha Chaplin was her usual dominant self, netting 20 points, but Clearwater was able to overcome a small fourth-period deficit and post a 58-54 victory.
Clearwater's dominant duo of Keona Dixon (22 points) and J'beria Davis (16 points) helped the Tornadoes outscore the Barons 19-14 during the fourth period to post the win and send St. Petersburg Catholic to its first loss of the season.
Jerrica Coley added 16 points for the Barons.
The Barons are 17-1 while Clearwater is 16-2.
Boys Soccer: Tampa Jesuit Avenges Playoff Loss
Midway through the second half of the Ed Radice Elite Bracket soccer tournament, Arthur Beil worked his way inside and headed a crossing pass into the net. The goal eventually gave Jesuit a 1-0 win against Fernandina Beach for the tournament title - the same Fernandina Beach squad that ousted the Tigers from the playoffs last season.
The victory in the prestigious tournament is Jesuit's third in the 14-year event. Jesuit defender Greg Sasser was named the tournament's defensive MVP while forward Ali VanGurp was named offensive MVP.
Tampa Prep finished third in the Elite Bracket while Tampa Sickles was eighth.
In the tournament's Premier Bracket, Tampa Gaither finished in third place while Tampa Alonso placed sixth and Tampa Freedom was seventh.
Football: Patchan, Brinson Announce College Plans
Seffner Armwood offensive lineman Matt Patchan and St. Petersburg Northeast running back Jeff Brinson have announced their college plans.
Patchan, one of the highest rated prep offensive lineman in the state, has committed to the University of Florida. A 6-foot-7, 265-pounder, Patchan chose Florida over the University of Miami, where his father Matt III, played in the early 1980s.
A former wrestler, Patchan's athleticism and versatility helped lead Armwood to a 13-1 record and a regional final appearance.
Brinson, meanwhile, was among the area's top rushers, compiling 1,906 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2007. Brinson, 5-11 and 218 pounds, has made a verbal commitment to the University of Iowa.
