Boxing legend Muhammad Ali once said, “A true champion can adapt to anything.” That’s what Strawberry Crest head coach Loveny Rivas told her cheerleaders this season, and it looks like the words of wisdom paid off better than expected. In a 2014-15 season riddled with injuries and a few other bumps in the road, Strawberry […]
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Sidelines 2.13.15
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com. FOOTBALL + Beloved PCD president Bennett dies Buddy Bennett, president of the Plant City Dolphins football and cheerleading organization, died Tuesday morning, team sources confirmed. Bennett, who worked tirelessly with the Dolphins for 21 years, was diagnosed with colon cancer in […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND – Picking up the ‘sticks’ - Try these sports titles
One of my favorite questions to ask for our Athlete of the Week feature is, “What video games are you playing?” Why? Well, more often than not, this is the non-sports question that kids normally open up to first, and I’ve gotten some very good answers from some of the more competitive ones. This even […]
Continue ReadingPCHS senior turns outdoor sports passion into project
Most fishermen have at least a few tall tales up their sleeves. But Plant City High School junior Chase Lott catches all of his outdoor adventures on video. He found his calling last summer at Captiva Island just north of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico. But he didn’t get the idea to start […]
Continue ReadingBeloved P.C. Dolphins president Bennett dies
Buddy Bennett, president of the Plant City Dolphins football and cheerleading organization, died Tuesday morning, team sources confirmed. Bennett, who worked tirelessly as the Dolphins’ president for 20 years, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2013. Even in the face of the diagnosis, Bennett was known for toughing it out in order to be with […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: PCHS Preseason Classic
Plant City High School hosted its second annual Preseason Classic baseball tournament over the weekend, but it was another Plant City-area team that stole the show. Strawberry Crest was the only team to win both of its games, although the Chargers and Raiders did not meet up. Visiting teams Wiregrass Ranch and Trinity Christian Academy […]
Continue ReadingPlant City High wrestling honors seniors, beats Hawks
Plant City had only one home meet in the 2015 season, and the Raiders made it count. The wrestling team sent off its seniors with a 42-22 win in seven matches over the Armwood Hawks Wednesday, Jan. 28. The team’s five seniors, Kaleb Daugherty, Roberto Jaramillo, Jesse Jaramillo, Chris Ratcliff and Brett Estrada, were honored […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Eric Ugarte
Plant City’s boys soccer team is coming off of an appearance in the FHSAA regional tournament, ending with a 5-3 loss at Palmetto Thursday, Jan. 29. Head coach Chris Black has been pleased with the team’s effort this season, especially praising the efforts of freshman Eric “Peanut” Ugarte. So, everyone calls you “Peanut.” How did […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Endurance racing is serious business
I have to admit it: Automotive racing isn’t really one of my strong suits. I have nothing against the sport. It’s just not something I’ve really kept tabs on, outside of NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup, in the same way most America gets curious about soccer once every four years. I’ve just never been able […]
Continue ReadingDurant senior en route to racing career
At the moment, Chris DeShong’s 1995 Honda Prelude doesn’t look like a winner. Damage to the front fender and a minor issue with the suspension means that the car’s going to be staying in the garage until it gets repaired. Looks aren’t everything, though. If this car could talk, it would have some bragging rights […]
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