Sports

Warhawks lose coach

By BOB PUTNAM
Published May 25, 2006

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Seminole girls basketball coach Dave Swanson resigned, citing his desire to spend more time with his family.

"It was just time," Swanson said. "My children are active, and I want to be involved in some of their sports."

Swanson has a 5-year-old son, Blake, and 2-year-old daughter, Brooke. Blake is starting flag football and baseball this fall.

"Basketball is time-consuming," Swanson said. "It's become a year-round sport with camps and AAU and things like that. It was just becoming too much. My children will keep me busy."

Swanson, 40, started his career as junior varsity coach at Osceola for two seasons before guiding Largo to a 19-8 record and district runnerup finish in 1999-2000.

He came to Seminole the next season and went 133-34 in six seasons, including the school's first region final appearances in 2003-04 and 2004-05. Swanson had other milestones.

His teams were recognized for having the county's highest grade point average of any sport the past two seasons. He also coached the school's top three career scorers: Jen Hanson (2000-03), Ali Fogle (2002-05) and Chelsea Patterson (2003-06).

Hanson is at Army and Fogle at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Patterson recently signed with West Florida.

Swanson will remain a deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff's office. The school still is searching for his replacement.

"It's been a nice run," Swanson said. "Whoever takes over will have a pretty good group to work with. The cupboard is not bare."

THE SEARCH CONTINUES:

Countryside is looking for a coach to replace Mike Frasia, who resigned. Anyone interested should contact the school at 725-7956.

SIGNINGS:

Palm Harbor University's Tiara Richardson and Jackie Doezie set their futures in motion by signing with schools.

Richardson, an honorable mention all-county selection, is headed to West Florida. She'll join Patterson, the Times All-County Player of the Year who signed a few weeks ago.

Doezie is headed to Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.

SWITCHING SCHOOLS:

Guard Samantha Stine transferred from Dixie Hollins to Boca Ciega.

Stine, an honorable mention all-county selection, was the floor leader for the Rebels the past two seasons. Her arrival is a welcome addition for the Pirates, who lost guard Tiffany Williams to graduation.

[Last modified May 25, 2006, 00:55:15]

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