A week long volleyball camp concluded today at Plant City High School. The camp featured 20 participants, ranging from middle school students new to the game to junior varsity and varsity players at PCHS. The camp was led by PCHS head coach Jessica Thorton, who took the Lady Raiders to regionals last year in her […]
Continue ReadingSports
Local tennis player headed to nationals
Maggie Pate may not belong to a fancy tennis academy or spend every second of her free time on the court, but she has loads of potential playing the sport she loves. The 12-year-old Keysville resident practices four to five days per week at the public tennis courts at Ellis Methvin Park, in Plant City. […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: McBride puts PCHS in national spotlight
Last week, Montel McBride was playing the “NCAA 14” video game on Playstation 3, in Oregon. It was a full week before the game was released to the public (Tuesday). “It was a ball,” he says. But playing a new video game wasn’t the only thing McBride was doing in Beaverton, Ore., the home of […]
Continue ReadingKNUCKLEBALL PRINCESS: Chelsea Baker
At just 16 years old, Chelsea Baker’s baseball career has allowed her to travel the country to play the game she loves. This August, the Plant City resident will have the opportunity to play overseas in a part of the world in which women’s baseball is a common and popular commodity. Baker’s 16U all-girl All-Star […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Nick Gorman
Plant City High rising senior Nick Gorman, 17, qualified for the World Karate Championships in 2014, after winning the national championship for the 17 Advanced Kumite (fighting) division in Cincinnati. He will head to Detroit in early August for the Junior Olympics team trial, along with three other students from the Plant City-based Chris Welbon […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Emily Longoria
Emily Longoria isn’t much of a talker, but she lets her game speak for itself. Longoria, 11, helped lead her 9-10 Plant City All-Star softball team to a district championship by beating North Lakeland 21-8 and then 6-0. She threw complete games for both, striking out 15 in 12 innings pitched. How long have you […]
Continue ReadingBEST OF THE BEST: A look back at the last 12 months
For the past 12 months, the Plant City Observer has devoted its sports section to our community’s athletes, teams and coaches. We’ve stood on the sidelines and watched amazing plays develop. We’ve met athletes who have overcome astounding odds. We’ve seen Plant City’s best use their skills to achieve amazing accomplishments. For this special anniversary […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Time flies when you’re having fun
It’s hard to believe that it has already been a full year for the Plant City Observer. It seems like just yesterday that I was meeting all the coaches at local schools and scoping out the sports scene here. The great thing about this job is it allows me to go out and meet some […]
Continue ReadingPlant City’s Montel McBride commits to Alabama
Less than a month ago, Plant City offensive/defensive lineman Montel McBride received an offer from the University of Alabama. Today, McBride announced that he plans to play football for the Crimson Tide next year. The 6-4, 330-pound class of 2014 prospect made the verbal commitment today at The Opening, a prestigious prospect camp and combine […]
Continue ReadingMontel McBride takes national stage this week in Oregon
Plant City High 2014 offensive lineman Montel McBride has quickly built a strong reputation through the recruiting circuit in the Southeast, and has a slew of big name schools requesting his services next year. This week, the standout will have an opportunity to put his skills on display at the national level, as one of […]
Continue Reading
