Before I get started here, I think a few shout-outs are in order: I’ve gotten a copy of the Western Conference All-County team selections and you’ll all be pleased to know that our three schools are represented. From Plant City, congrats to Federal Division first-team designated hitter and utilityman Connor Slagill, and to pitcher Billy […]
Continue ReadingHigh Schools
BASEBALL: Durant tops Brandon, 3-1, for 7A-7 crown
Facing a 1-0 deficit in the fifth inning, Durant’s Zach Barfield stepped up to the plate with no outs and Steven Witchoskey on base. The very first thing he did was screw up a bunt attempt. He’ll look back on it as the best mistake he ever made in high school baseball. Why? Because Barfield […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Edmilly Molina
Plant City High’s softball team won its first district championship in four years Friday, April 17, thanks to a strong team effort. One of the Lady Raiders’ key players throughout the district tournament was sophomore catcher Edmilly Molina, who went 3-for-4 against defending champion Durant and added two RBI and two runs to help win […]
Continue ReadingPCHS coach Thompson takes Gibbs head position
If Jon Thompson knew he’d eventually be a head coach when he came to Florida, he may not have expected it to be so soon. The Plant City High assistant coach accepted an offer from St. Petersburg-Gibbs High School and will be installed the morning of Monday, May 6. He will become the program’s fifth […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Notes from the softball district tournament
You know what they say about the playoffs in any sport: Throw the regular-season results out the window, because this is a completely different ballgame. This was certainly true of last week’s softball district championship tournament at Durant, and even though the top-seeded Plant City Lady Raiders won it all, there were a few surprises […]
Continue ReadingPlant City softball wins district crown
Ashley Bullion described her Friday as being filled with jitters and heart palpitations, all in anticipation of the district championship game. Although the first inning didn’t do much to help the Plant City High coach there, she was fine by sunset. The Lady Raiders came roaring back in the second inning and captured the district […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Keep chopping, Russell Kemp
One of the last things you want to hear about is someone getting diagnosed with cancer. It’s one heck of a battle to fight. I was told last week that Plant City High senior Russell Kemp was recently diagnosed with it, and that his football coaches and teammates were organizing a fundraiser for him that […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Jarrett Joyner
During a slow start to the 2015 season, Plant City High baseball coach Mike Fryrear insisted that things would get better once his guys found their rhythm. The boys have won seven of their last 10 games, thanks in part to great pitching from junior Jarrett Joyner who got the win in Plant City’s March […]
Continue ReadingSidelines 4.17.15
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com, or Tweet us at @PCTOSports. FOOTBALL + Bennett to be honored at gala The Jeans and Jacket Gala has announced that longtime Plant City Dolphins president Buddy Bennett has posthumously won its Mike Storter Award. “The youth Buddy influenced and touched […]
Continue ReadingBaseball, softball district tournaments underway
Baseball and softball — Florida’s king and queen of spring sports — are going into playoff mode. As it’s time for the district tournaments, this is the chance for fans of all three area teams to catch their favorite high schoolers in postseason action. So, what is there to know about these boys and girls? […]
Continue Reading
