By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
Tampa Sickles’ Alex Milan is on her way to Class 2A state golf tournament and she is going there on the strength of a career-best performance.
Milan, a sophomore, knocked in eight birdies during the Class 2A, Region 4 tournament at Heritage Isles Golf Club in Tampa to card a medalist round of 8-under-par 64. And Milan’s outstanding round could have been even better.
Milan missed two birdie putts on her last two holes and still managed to improve upon her career-best round by five shots. Milan also topped standout Tampa Wharton golfer Shena Yang, who shot a 5-under-par 67.
Still, it was Yang’s Wharton squad that took second place at the event, behind Plant City Durant, which shot a team-best 314 score. Wharton had a 317 score.
Durant was led by Erika Wardzinski (73) and Amy West (74). In addition to Yang, Wharton was led by Brittany Bradshaw’s 80.
In Class A, Tampa Berkley Prep’s Desiree Meyncke, Kyleen and Kim Carpenter advanced to state, as well as St. Petersburg Northside Christian’s Olivia Chilcutt, Nichelle Butler, A.J. Newell and Anna Newell.
On the boys’ side, Linzy Clark’s even-par 71 led Tarpon Springs East Lake to the team title in Class 2A, Region 4, sending the Eagles to the state title. Dunedin will join them, as will individuals Matt Cote of Palm Harbor University and Ian McConnell of Riverview, a junior headed to his second straight state tournament after shooting a 1-over-72.
In Class A, the Clearwater Calvary Christian and St. Petersburg Catholic boys teams advanced to the state meet, along with individual Jack Maguire of St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep.
Football: Locking Up Playoff Positions
A look around the area at the top prep football programs shows that only five teams have officially clinched playoff berths – at 8-0 Seffner Armwood is not one of them.
Sure, the Hawks will claim the Class 4A, District 11 title soon enough, perhaps even as soon as this week against Tampa Freedom, but only Tampa Chamberlain, Tampa Gaither, Tampa Wharton, Tampa Plant and Tampa Jefferson have already punched a ticket to the postseason.
Chamberlain (8-0, 2-0) overcame a 14-14 halftime tie against 5A, District 6 rival Tampa Alonso (6-2, 1-1). The Chiefs went on to a 35-21 win to sew up a playoff position. Alonso, meanwhile, has the inside track for the other playoff position in that district.
At 4-4, Gaither’s clinching of a postseason berth has to give the Cowboys a sense of satisfaction, especially after beginning the year with 0-2 and 1-3 marks. A healthy Jarvis Giles running the ball and wins in three of its last four games highlight the turnaround.
Jefferson’s early brutal schedule led to a rough start as well.
The Dragons’ meandering play led to a 3-3 record after six games – but taking care of business in Class 4A, District 10 play has Jefferson on its way to the playoffs for the tenth straight season.
Wharton, meanwhile, has rebounded from an 0-2 start to win six straight games and turn its attention to the Class 5A, District 5 championship. That will be decided Nov. 7 when the Wildcats host Gaither.
College Selections
Tampa Plant volleyball player Danielle Erb has verbally committed to James Madison University. Erb, an outside hitter and All-State Class 5A player, has helped Plant win back-to-back state titles in 2006 and 2007.
Tampa Chamberlain track standout Dentarius Locke has verbally committed to run track for the University of Tennessee. Locke won the Class 4A state championship in the 100 meters and was second in the 200 meters.
Tampa Academy of the Holy Names basketball player Katie Davis has committed to the University of Pennsylvania.
Tampa Gaither tight end Justin Lattimore has verbally committed to the University of Iowa. Lattimore, a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder, also had interest from Ball State, Miami of Ohio and Florida Atlantic.
Seffner Armwood linebacker Casey Callahan will play for I-AA Stony Brook. Callahan is the son of longtime Armwood coach Sean Callahan.