Play ball! On Saturday, Feb. 21, Plant City Little League celebrated its Opening Day at Mike Sansone Park. After a series of speeches, a plaque presentation and the Strawberry Queen’s traditional first pitch ceremony, local youngsters couldn’t get back on the fields they love fast enough.
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P.C. football player wins Bill Minahan Award
Bill Minahan’s influence did not end when his life did. The spirit of the legendary Hillsborough County football coach, who died a little more than a year ago, was palpable at the Columbia Restaurant last month. Five county football players, all with inspiring qualifications, were honored as finalists for the inaugural Bill Minahan Award. Plant […]
Continue ReadingLacrosse: Durant boys start season strong
Durant lacrosse may be the only high school program of its kind in the area, but these boys and girls know how to put on a show that all fans can enjoy. In the Friday, Feb. 13 home opener, the boys gave a huge, all-around scoring effort to pick up a 20-0 win over Tampa […]
Continue ReadingCrest swimmers float the grade
Being a high school athlete isn’t easy — even for the elite. With the responsibility to keep good grades in addition to performing well for the team, these kids face a lot of pressure throughout the school year. So when a group of kids can balance it all, they get rewarded. Just ask the Strawberry […]
Continue ReadingSidelines 2.20.15
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com. SOFTBALL + Slow start for area teams Many of the Plant City-area prep softball teams have had to deal with losing several key players to graduation, and it appears those losses are being felt early in the season. From the Feb. […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Let’s do youth sports the right way
There’s no doubt that Plant City lost a great man last week, when Buddy Bennett died. Many who spoke of Bennett, whether on the phone, in email or on the Internet, found dozens of ways to say the same thing about the longtime Plant City Dolphins president’s commitment to the program: He was in it […]
Continue ReadingBuddy Bennett: For the love of the game
In youth football and cheerleading, as in many sports, parents, coaches and volunteers often get into the game for their children. And once the kids age out of the program, the parents follow suit. Buddy Bennett was not one of those people. No one can accuse the longtime Plant City Dolphins president of sticking with […]
Continue ReadingWard resigns from PCHS football
At the Plant City High School National Signing Day ceremony, football head coach Wayne Ward was there to speak highly of his senior class. When he was done, he walked off the stage to a round of applause and left the Raider fans in good spirits. So when he announced his resignation just a few […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Baylee Cauwels
In the first home game of the 2015 season, the Durant Lady Cougars picked up a solid win, 17-2, over Tampa Bay Tech. One of the team’s driving forces is senior Baylee Cauwels, who has helped keep the entire Durant machine working. “She’s an all-around athlete,” head coach Kiara Klingler says. “She has the skill […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: KASEY LOCKE
Strawberry Crest’s softball team is getting over the loss of several important seniors, and junior shortstop Kasey Locke has been tabbed to play one of the key roles in the team’s youth movement. “Kasey had a really good preseason, and a really good game against Bloomingdale,” head coach Mindy Miltner says. “She’s a powerful, strong, […]
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