Motorsports
Waltrip's reputation is different this time
Perennial midpack runner? No. Call him defending champ.
Crafty Pressley wins in last-lap truck dash
DAYTONA BEACH -- Winston Cup journeyman Robert Pressley had an unfair advantage when the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series opener came down to a two-lap shootout.
Pass with two laps to go gives Stewart IROC victory
DAYTONA BEACH -- Tony Stewart is getting comfortable at Daytona International Speedway.
Verizon Classic
A standout day at the TPC
Calm conditions yield low scores, especially by leaders Dana Quigley and Mike Hill.
Palmer's struggles continue
LUTZ -- It wasn't pretty. Not that it mattered. Nine bogeys and a pair of double bogeys are irrelevant to Arnie's Army. But after a first-round 82 at the Verizon Classic, Arnold Palmer was wondering whether he'd tee off today.
Life is quiet 'inside the ropes'
LUTZ -- Shut up and stand still.
Verizon Classic schedule
Verizon Classic notes
Devil Rays
Sounds of spring soothe criticism
Wilson Alvarez has heard it all after sitting out two seasons. He tries to ignore it.
FanFest weekend for Rays
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays will sell tickets, sign autographs, hold clinics and answer questions at the annual FanFest today and Sunday at Tropicana Field.
Yan arbitration case falls in favor of Rays
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays got their first win of the season Friday.
Colleges
Tonight: South Florida at TCU
WHEN/WHERE: 8; Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, Fort Worth.
Youth running show for resurgent K-State
Kansas State lost the battle of the Big 12 giants Wednesday night, but in a season highlighted by a big-time turnaround, everything still is okay in Manhattan.
Golden Eagles' rise surprises even coach
Marquette coach Tom Crean learned as an assistant that to build a winner, you first must develop and nurture unity.
College basketball schedules
TONIGHT: SOUTH FLORIDA AT TCU
Lightning
Site tracks exploits of Lightning players
February is good for surprises on the calendar every four years, and when Marty Quessenberry saw the Lightning had 15 days between games during the NHL's Olympic hiatus, he thought he'd just enjoy the time off.
Outdoors
Daily fishing report
Gold and silver spoons can be a hit this time of year. Redfish are moving across the grassflats, and a spoon is the easiest way to locate them. Flash is why gamefish strike a shiny piece of metal.
Preps
Seminole succumbs
PLANT CITY -- Jackie Hinton had a tough night, by her standards. The Durant goalie, who entered Friday's region final against Seminole with 20 shutouts, including two in the postseason, actually allowed a goal. Compared to Hinton however, Warhawks' keeper Nikki Paquette was up against a firing squad.
Bulls lose 3-2 on penalty kicks
VALRICO -- The teams could not have been more evenly matched.
Spartans throttle Palmetto 95-58
ST. PETERSBURG -- Palmetto hung with Lakewood through the first quarter Friday night, but the above-the-rim play of Marcus Morrison and Brian Ligon was too much for the Tigers in a 95-58 loss to the Spartans.
Boys basketball district semifinals
Terriers' finish clinches playoffs
One goal advances Spartans
ST. PETERSBURG -- Lakewood coach Darlene Lebo was so certain Friday's final was headed for penalty kicks, she wrote down a list of the five players she intended to use and handed it to her assistant coach.
Bloomingdale's run ends in a 1-0 loss to Sarasota
The Bulls exceeded expectations but could not get past the Sailors.
Marauders roll into final four
FROSTPROOF -- The field was behind an elementary school, tucked into an orange grove. Under the lights, it looked like something out of Field of Dreams.
Limping, CCC still gets the win
LAKELAND -- Clearwater Central Catholic has another trophy to put in its case after a 3-1 win over Lakeland Christian Friday. The Marauders (23-2-2) will make their fifth straight appearance in the state tournament Thursday.
Leopards, 'Canes to meet for title
CRYSTAL RIVER -- With Hernando's game against Dunnellon winding down, Leopards coach Jeff Laing had this advice for his team: Stay calm and make your free throws.
Cougars edge past Seminole
PLANT CITY -- Jackie Hinton had a tough night, by her standards. The Durant goalie, who entered Friday's region final against Seminole with 20 shutouts, including two in the postseason, actually allowed a goal. Compared to Hinton however, Warhawks' keeper Nikki Paquette was up against a firing squad.
Wildcats surge past Pasco in overtime
BARTOW -- Wesley Chapel erased an 11-point halftime deficit and then needed a buzzer-beater to send Pasco into overtime Friday. However, the Wildcats used their stellar free-throw shooting in the extra frame to outlast the Pirates 70-66.
Jesuit's state streak ends
TAMPA -- Everything was in place for Lake Gibson.
OT goal propels 'Canes
PALM HARBOR -- In the mind of Palm Harbor University's Craig Oakley, 200 screaming fans were silent and 21 other players weren't moving. It was just him and the ball.
No rally this time for Gators
LAND O'LAKES -- One more comeback apparently was too much to ask of Land O'Lakes.
Springstead's dream falls short of state final
MERRITT ISLAND -- Maybe he thinks the mermaid show is totally overrated. Maybe a Mariner Boulevard sinkhole ate his Camaro.
OT goal propels 'Canes
PALM HARBOR -- In the mind of Palm Harbor University's Craig Oakley, 200 screaming fans were silent and 21 other players weren't moving. It was just him and the ball.
Around the county
Softball
