Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com, or Tweet us at @PCTOSports.
FOOTBALL
+ Chase makes mark this summer
Plant City native T.J. Chase is still getting after his dream of playing professional football, and things are looking brighter than ever for the incoming senior.
After tearing it up in the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge earlier this month by catching three touchdown passes in exhibition play, Chase now finds himself ranked No. 84 among all high school football players in the nation. He’s amassed a total of 28 offers but is still firm in his verbal commitment to play for Clemson next fall.
Things will be different for Chase in the upcoming football season, as former IMG Academy head coach Chris Weinke left to join the St. Louis Rams’ coaching staff and former Carmel (Indiana) coach Kevin Wright took his place. Chase’s receivers coach, former Florida State standout E.G. Green, has been promoted to assistant head coach. Wright will shift the Ascenders from Weinke’s pro-style offense to his quick spread attack, a system that’s more common in high school football and compatible with Chase’s skillset.
MARTIAL ARTS
+ Sign up for Senshi Do Kai camp
While Senshi Do Kai’s summer camp is inspired by the “Street Fighter” video games, the focus of the summer-long event is to make kids “bully-proof.”
From now until August 21, parents can sign their children up for $55 per session, with each session lasting one week. The bulk of the camp’s activities will consist of self-defense education and exercises, as well as bullying prevention education, but the kids will also get to leave the school and have fun at LEGOLAND, Dinosaur World, SeaWorld and more.
The school is located at 2909 James L. Redman Parkway.
For more information, call (813) 754-4128 or visit SenshiDoKaiMMA.com.
GOLF
+ PCHS’ Johnson commits to college
Plant City High girls golf captain Kendall Johnson announced her commitment to Daytona State University this week, kicking off what should be a busy summer.
Johnson, who will be a senior in the fall, led the Lady Raiders to the FHSAA state championship tournament in 2014 and, like many of her teammates, has loaded her summer schedule with tournaments. At the top of her list is the qualifier for the Oklahoma-based U.S. Junior Girls Tournament, which will be held Tuesday, June 23, in Sarasota. In a field of 30-50 golfers, Johnson aims to be one of the three girls selected to play out west.
“I’m looking forward to showing everyone how well I can do, and showing myself,” Johnson says.
BASEBALL
+ Blue Claws make GSA World Series
Just over a month after the team was formed, the Plant City Blue Claws were invited last week to the GSA World Series.
The tournament will be held from June 25-28 in Clearwater, and will feature many of the top Little League All-Star teams in the state. The 8U machine pitch team will be the only squad representing Plant City in the tournament.