VSI Tampa Bay FC will be looking for redemption Saturday, as they host an out-of-league match against the Portland Timbers (MLS) reserves. The match will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Plant City Stadium, 1900 South Park Road. The Timbers beat VSI 2-1 April 7 at JELD-WEN Field in Portland. It was VSI’s third match […]
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TYLER DANISH: PITCHING MACHINE
May has been a busy and eventful month for Tyler Danish. June could be even better. It’s been just two weeks since he took his Durant baseball team to the Class 8A state championship in Fort Myers — and things haven’t quieted down since his high school career ended. His phone has been ringing off […]
Continue ReadingSpring football season showcases area teams
Fans got a glimpse of area football teams May 23, in the annual Spring Jamboree, at Armwood High. Plant City defeated Durant 23-0 in the first half, before Armwood shutout Strawberry Crest 34-0 in the second. Plant City took advantage of four Durant turnovers, including three fumbles. After Hassan Bailey scored on a 15-yard run, […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Emily Hobbs
Emily Hobbs loves the freedom she feels while swimming. The 8-year-old Walden Lake Elementary School third-grader has been swimming for coach Craig Hilgenberg for half her life — first with the Walden Lake swim team and now with the TYS Stingrays at the Plant City Family YMCA. Hobbs recently shaved 15 seconds off her 100 […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Spring season produces memorable moments
It’s been a memorable spring season for Plant City’s high school teams. Of the six local baseball and softball teams, five advanced to regionals. All three softball teams won their respective regional quarterfinal games, and Durant baseball advanced all the way to the state championship. The Plant City High flag football team and boys tennis […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Strawberry Crest vs. Armwood Spring Football
Strawberry Crest fell to Armwood 34-0 Thursday night in the annual Spring Jamboree, hosted by the Hawks. The Chargers had a rough night turning the ball over, including four interceptions thrown by quarterback Tristan Hyde. Two of Hyde’s four interceptions were returned for touchdowns for Armwood. The Strawberry Crest struggled to get anything going against […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: PCHS vs. Durant spring football
Plant City defeated Durant 23-0 Thursday night in the Spring Jamboree at Armwood High school. The Raiders took advantage of four Durant turnovers, including three fumbles. After Hassan Bailey scored on a 15-yard run, Patrick Colleran recovered a blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown to put PCHS up 13-0. After a field goal, […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Paxton Sims
Paxton Sims wasted no time bouncing from one sport to another this week. The Durant junior went 6-for-7 at the plate in Durant’s two games of the state tournament last weekend, in Fort Myers. This week, he began football practice, preparing for his senior season as a tight end/slot receiver for the Cougars. He had […]
Continue ReadingDurant returns from Fort Myers as the Class 8A state runner-up
The Durant baseball team fell short of winning the program’s first state championship May 18, losing to Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) 8-3 in the Class 8A state championship at jetBlue Park, in Fort Myers. Lake Brantley out-hit the Cougars 12-7 in the game and built an early four-run lead that Durant couldn’t overcome. Durant ends […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: No shame for Durant as runner-up
I’ve always hated the term “overachieving” in a sports conversation. It’s often used to refer to teams that exceeded expectations, whether that may be having an above .500 season or winning a championship. But, it discredits teams. If a team does something that some view as “overachieving,” I see it as realizing the team’s true […]
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