By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
Palm Harbor University girls soccer coach John Planamenta enjoyed his 200th career win last week.
And while 200 was a milestone, 201 was even better.
Behind an aggressive and talented lineup, Palm Harbor University defeated Lakeland George Jenkins 3-1 in the Class 5A state championship Saturday at Pepin Rood Stadium at the University of Tampa.
With a goal in both halves from Catherine Brinkman and one in between from Anja Decker, the Hurricanes (22-2) held off previously unbeaten Jenkins for the title.
The championship is the second under Planamenta (also won in 2006) and the crown is the fourth overall for the Hurricane program (1999, 2000).
After Brinkman’s first half score, Jenkins responded with a goal of its own to equal the score and seemingly regain momentum.
But a quick start to the second half all but sealed the Hurricanes' crowning. After Decker’s score returned the lead to PHU, Brinkman sealed the deal. Her goal late in the contest cemented the contest and was Brinkman’s 34th of the season.
In other girls state soccer matchups, Class 2A defending champ Tampa Prep was eliminated in the state semifinals. The Terrapins fell 2-1 in penalty kicks to Delray Beach American Heritage.
On the boys’ side, Tampa Berkeley Prep, Tampa Freedom and Palm Harbor University all have advanced to the state final four.
Berkeley Prep will face Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest Friday, Feb. 20 in the Class 3A semifinals. Meanwhile in Class 5A semifinals, Freedom will play Niceville and PHU will square off against Coconut Creek Monarch, also on Feb. 20.
Wrestling: Bay area grapplers perform well at regionals
Brandon’s dominant program cruised to its 20th consecutive region title last week.
The Eagles prepped for the upcoming state championship with eight individual wrestlers earning region champions. The individual title earners were Ryan Renkey (112 pounds), Rossi Bruno (119), Tyler Liberatore (125), Clark Glass (130), Eric Grajales (135), Joey Cozart (145), Kevin Timothy (140), Wally Figaro (152). The other Bay area individual champ in Class 2A was Dunedin’s Antonio Talley at 171 pounds.
In Class 3A, Valrico Bloomingdale had two individual region champs: Carlos Montero (140) and Chris Figari (160). Other Bay area individual region champs in Class A include New Port Richey Gulf’s Richard O’Connor (112) and Ladarious Jackson (152), Tampa Robinson’s Chris Rollins (119), Zach Boyer (135) and heavyweight Mike Benitez, Tampa Bay Christian’s Kevin Norstrem (112), Tampa Jesuit’s David Gonzalez (125) and St. Petersburg Catholic’s Brian Travis (103).
Boys Basketball: Plant’s Cooley a hot shot
After topping 2,000 career points and becoming Tampa Plant’s all-time leading career scorer during the regular season, what could senior guard Sheldon Cooley do for an encore?
How about sign with East Tennessee State and put on an outstanding performance at the district tournament.
At 6-foot-2, Cooley has the size to move inside as well as the outstanding ability to shoot from the outside. He averaged 19 points per game this season.
Cooley opened the Class 5A, District 10 tournament last week by scoring 43 points to lead Plant to a 81-71 triple overtime victory against Tampa Jesuit. A night later, Cooley scored 32 points against Tampa Blake in an 82-74 overtime loss.
More Boys Basketball: Henson headed to MSG
Tampa Sickles senior center John Henson has been invited to play in the Jordan Brand Classic, one of the nation’s top prep basketball showcase.
Henson, the No. 3-ranked college prospect according to ESPN, is one of 20 high school seniors invited to the showcase. Henson is averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks per game.
The Jordan Brand Classic is scheduled for Madison Square Garden in New York on April 18. The game will be televised on ESPN2 at 8 p.m.
Scholarship News
Valrico Bloomingdale senior forward Callum Townsend has verbally committed to the University of Tampa. The 6-foot-6 Townsend was leading Hillsborough County in scoring with 24 points per game before a season-ending knee injury in January.
Also, Tampa Plant tight end/wide receiver Orson Charles will visit Southern California Feb. 20-22. Charles had to push back his visit to USC due to a scheduled ACT test and the Panthers’ district basketball tournament.
Charles has narrowed his college choices to USC, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. He is expected to make a decision before the end of the month.
