Lightning
Slow starts hurt as Lightning nears end
'CANES 4, LIGHTNING 2: Tampa Bay can't mount a rally after giving up two first-period goals.

Hurricanes' Weekes still on bench
RALEIGH, N.C. -- New team, same role.

[Times file photo] Benson Callier played a few games with Gibbs High before moving on to George Junior Republic.

College basketball
A sweet turnaround jumper
The high flying Benson Callier, once a St. Petersburg playground legend with no future, straightens out his life and signs with Florida State.

Peck's Florida staff is full of familiarity
GAINESVILLE -- Surrounding herself with people she feels most comfortable with, Florida women's basketball coach Carolyn Peck on Wednesday introduced her new staff, which includes two former Orlando Miracle assistants and one Florida coach.

Gary Shelton
Mickelson is a perpetual fan favorite
AUGUSTA, Ga -- If he were a quarterback, those accustomed to seeing his shortcomings would have given up on Phil Mickelson long ago.

Golf
A new course of action
Tired of sand-wedge shots into par 4s, Augusta National lengthens, and toughens, its course, especially No. 18.

Augusta National bows to the masses
The folks at Augusta National changed their course, so why not change their rules of television coverage? For the first time in the 47 years CBS has covered the Masters, Augusta National has given in to the network's prodding and will allow it to televise all 18 holes on Sunday.

One ball for all? Don't laugh
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Billy Andrade said he'd play the Masters with a whiffle ball, if that was required. And while Augusta National will not go that far, there have been rumblings the club might consider instituting a policy in the future requiring participants to play with a certain ball.

Past years might give Duval edge
His experience and success at the Masters has David Duval liking his chances this week, despite having a down year.

Horse racing
No favorites popping up for Run for Roses
This Kentucky Derby prep season has been defined by attrition.

Football
Playing for the love of the game
The St. Petersburg Sharks swim up-current in pursuit of their dreams, but that doesn't keep the aging athletes from strapping on the pads in an overlooked semipro league.

Preps
Rebels coach resigns
First, Frank Burke called in sick. Then he didn't call at all.

Softball Extra
Games to watch

Standouts kick off late period
TAMPA -- Tampa Catholic's Denard Span and Tony Moscato led a quartet of Hillsborough County athletes to sign letters of intent with colleges when the late signing period began Wednesday.

Middleton names its new coaches
TAMPA -- Principal Henry Washington said he went through 52 interviews before deciding on the 17 head coaches at the new Middleton High School, which opens in the fall. "Shoot, one day I had 13 interviews back-to-back-to-back-to-back," Washington said at Wednesday's press conference where he announced all the new coaches. "And that was just one day."

Titans take care of Lions early
TAMPA -- Tampa Bay Tech was at ease Wednesday night.

Harrington helps Bulldogs defend crown
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Zephyrhills defended its conference weightlifting championship Wednesday. The Bulldogs continued their winning ways by taking home five individual titles and scoring in eight of 10 classes. Most important, Zephyrhills distanced itself from River Ridge and Pasco by avoiding miscues before or during the meet.

'Canes pick up where they left off
INVERNESS -- Citrus coach Jonny Bishop always hoped for the best.

Balk gives Jesuit the win
TAMPA -- Everybody knew what Sarasota pitcher Casey Hudspeth was doing when he intentionally walked back-to-back Jesuit batters following Shane Robinson's one-out, game-tying triple in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Jefferson's Kinsey named county's best
Coaches association honors Dragon and many others at annual awards banquet.

PHU wraps up North title
SEMINOLE -- For the first time, Palm Harbor University will represent the North Division in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference title game.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
With water temperatures climbing, tarpon have started to appear.