SOFTBALL + ISF president Porter retires Forty-eight years is a long time to stick with any occupation, and Don Porter just decided that 48 years was enough. Porter, president of the Plant City-based International Softball Federation, is calling it a career and phasing into retirement. “I felt having served 48 years (22 as secretary general and […]
Continue ReadingHigh Schools
WEEK 9: Plant City Vs. Strawberry Crest
Plant City and Strawberry Crest renewed their rivalry Oct. 25, at 1 Raider Place, in what was expected to be a close contest. Instead, the Raiders came away with a huge 41-14 win over their crosstown foes. They stifled the potent Charger offense in the first quarter and took at 27-0 lead into the locker […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Class 4A District 7 Cross Country Meet
Although the Durant Cougars and Plant City Lady Raiders didn’t leave Newsome High School with district championships Thursday, they’ll at least be able to run another day. Both teams placed third overall in the boys and girls 5k runs, good enough for a ticket to next week’s regional meet in North Port. They also represented […]
Continue ReadingScorecard error ends PCHS’ quest for state championship
In all her years coaching, Plant City High girls golf coach Meg Jordan has never had a group quite like her 2013 squad. Throughout the season, the Lady Raiders played the way Jordan had taught — with dignity, respect and honesty. They were cruising on the stat sheets, too, and seemed poised to embark on […]
Continue ReadingThey’ve Got Spirit, Yes They Do!
They’re spunky. They’re sassy. And they’ve got spirit. They cheer their hearts out at high school football games, attend rigorous practices and travel to away games. But, these three students aren’t even on their respective teams. Yet. Maddie Hardwick, Bailey Polk and Giselle Gutierrez are the elementary-age prodigies under the direction of the cheerleading squads […]
Continue ReadingHere & Now
The Raiders haven’t forgotten about their 2012 season opener. Just one year removed from putting on an offensive clinic for Strawberry Crest, scoring 69 points in a big win, Plant City found itself in a 21-7 hole against a similar Chargers squad. Other than one touchdown, they simply couldn’t find any answers to Crest’s output. […]
Continue ReadingWEEK 8: Brandon vs. Durant
Finally, fate worked in Durant’s favor. The Cougars won their second game this season, 12-10, over the Brandon Eagles thanks to a furious rally in the 4th quarter. Twelve unanswered points in the final frame put the Cougars ahead late, but the Eagles decided they weren’t about to quit this one. They got close enough […]
Continue ReadingWEEK 8: Strawberry Crest vs. East Bay
Strawberry Crest overcame some early-game turnovers and miscues to trample East Bay 35-14, Oct. 18, at home. Despite two turnovers that gave East Bay 14 points, the Chargers took a 19-14 lead into halftime. In the second half, the Chargers kept the pressure on, scoring 16 unanswered points.
Continue ReadingCrest cheerleader Macy Gay returns from ACL injury
Dawna Gay will never forget that day in May, when her phone rang. On the line was her daughter’s cheerleading coach. Macy Gay had just injured her knee in tumbling class, and it looked much worse than a simple sprain. “I had heard of girls tearing their (anterior cruciate ligament) but never really had experience […]
Continue ReadingDespite record, Durant remains focused
From the outside looking in, it’s easy to speculate about Durant’s 2013 season so far. The Cougars have had a monster schedule, opening their season with Armwood, Sickles and Tampa Bay Tech. There’s a matchup with Hillsborough later in the season, and there’s also the games against district contenders Plant City, Strawberry Crest and East […]
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