Preps

'Tis the season for tournaments

Most county soccer programs are taking the holidays off, but the Land O'Lakes girls and Hudson boys are heading back to familiar events.

Land O'Lakes will make its fourth appearance in the Sarasota Classic, and, following a one-year absence, Hudson returns to the Leesburg Invitational. Both tournaments are Jan. 2-4.

The Gators aim to improve on their 5-5-1 mark in the Sarasota tourney and best finish of fourth in 1999. Coming off back-to-back region final appearances, coach Vicky King feels they can.

"When we first went (to Sarasota), people didn't know who we were," King said. "We're a little more recognized now."

Land O'Lakes is off to a 6-0 start that includes a 35-1 scoring advantage and five shutouts. Stacy Bishop, who orally committed to Louisiana State University, leads the Gators in scoring with 13 goals and seven assists. Casie Poyssick has six goals and Grace Weatherford two goals and seven assists. Goalkeeper Shannon Aitken has five shutouts and 20 saves.

Hudson coach Ron Ladimir considered entering tourneys hosted by Gulf and Ridgewood, but both were canceled. Instead, the Cobras return to Leesburg, where they finished third in 2001.

The Cobras had won their first six games before losing to Gulf on Monday. Junior forward David Cannons is the team's leading scorer with seven goals and three assists. Sophomore forward Jeremy Enix is next with four goals and two assists.

The Zephyrhills girls would have made it three county soccer teams in holiday tournaments, but coach Janet Heyman cited a conflict with the school's fall sports banquet for not returning to a tournament at Lakeland Christian.

Ridgewood coach Ed McComiskey was forced to cancel the Ridgewood Winter Classic because of a reduction of games allowed this season -- from 28 last season to 25 -- by the Florida High School Activities Association.

With no tournaments, several county players are playing with club teams in the Sun Bowl.

BASKETBALL: There's plenty to watch, starting with the boys' Wesley Chapel Invitational this weekend. Friday's action starts off at 6 p.m. with Wharton taking on Lakewood Ranch, followed by Wesley Chapel and Bloomingdale. Saturday's round also begins at 6 p.m.

Hudson and River Ridge will play in the Springstead Tournament this weekend, Ridgewood in the Dr. Alpern Tournament in Charlotte and Zephyrhills in Lakeland Christian's tourney.

The Gulf boys head to the Bradenton Christian Christmas Tournament from Dec. 26-28, while the Ridgewood girls will be at the Academy of the Holy Names Tournament and the Zephyrhills girls at the Armwood Holiday Classic.

The Mitchell girls join the Royal Knights in the River Ridge Holiday Tournament on Dec. 27-28. Dec. 27 is also when the Rotary Ram Classic begins, running through Dec. 30 with The Pasco and Ridgewood boys are entered.

WRESTLING: Six county teams are among a field of 19 this weekend at the Regional Medical Center for the Bayonet Point Holiday Wrestling Tournament hosted by Gulf. The Buccaneers are joined by Hudson, Ridgewood, River Ridge, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills. Land O'Lakes will be in Orlando for the Bill Scott Memorial Christmas Tournament.

-- GREG AUMAN, STEVE LEE, JAMAL THALJI

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