By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
Prep basketball in Florida will change next season with the introduction of a "Super Six" tournament on both the boys and girls side. Starting with the 2007-08 school year, the Florida High School Activities Association will stage an additional basketball tournament after the six state classification champions are crowned.
The new tournament will pit the boys and girls champs in Class A through 6A against each other. The new format, which will crown overall state champs, is expected to be approved at FHSAA meetings this summer.
Scholarship Signings
Tampa Sickles' infielder Matt McLaughlin has signed a baseball scholarship with Jacksonville State University (Ala.). A third baseman, McLaughlin is hitting .325 this season and has 10 RBI.
Also, Tampa Leto football standouts Rudontae Ashley and Luther St. Louis have signed with Independence Community College in Kansas. Ashley (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) rushed for 1,000-plus yards last season despite being limited to eight games with injuries.
St. Louis (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) made 49 tackles, forced two fumbles and had five sacks as a defensive end.
State Polls
Tampa area schools are well represented in the recent state polls in baseball and softball. At 17-0, Chamberlain's softball squad is ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 5A, Tampa Plant remains in fifth, while St. Petersburg Northeast is just outside the top ten at No. 11.
In Class 6A, Clearwater Countryside is tenth while Durant is among those receiving votes (14th). Tampa's The Academy of Holy Names remains fifth in Class 3A, while St. Petersburg Catholic is a few slots behind at 8th and Tampa Catholic is 11th.
On the baseball side, Tampa teams Hillsborough and Plant are 9th and 11th, respectively on the Class 5A state poll. In Class 4A, Dade City Pasco is 14-0 and second in the state. Tampa Jesuit checks in at no.7 in 4A.
Tampa Berkeley Prep is 3rd on the Class 3A poll and Spring Hill Bishop McLaughlin is 7th in Class A.
High School Bobbleheads
New Port Richey Ridgewood found a unique way to celebrate baseball coach Larry Beets' 500 career victories. The school's administration ordered six bobblehead dolls of Beets, five of which were raffled off to raise funds for the school.
The last doll was given to Beets to celebrate his 24 years at the Pasco County school. Beets has been coaching a total of 29 years.