Pasco: News and notes

By Izzy Gould
Published September 11, 2007

Set your DVR

Zephyrhills at Hudson, volleyball, 7 p.m.

Thanks to some tireless legwork, Zephyrhills coach Tiffany Bibby has a detailed scouting report on nearly every team in the county. We'll give you a preview of the one on Hudson: They're good.

Outside hitter Lara Metz is probably the best player in the county, and the Cobras have plenty of talent around her. Zephyrhills is off to a 5-0 start, thanks in large part to the efforts of the diminutive yet dynamic Jessica McCall, who will be a game-time decision after Monday night's 3-0 win over Sunlake. The Bulldogs also have sophomore surprises Lindsay Arnold and Taylor Willis. Hudson is the favorite, but don't count the Bulldogs out.

Photo galleries

Check out photos from Friday's football games around the bay area at highschool.tampabay.com. And if you'd like to see one hanging on your wall or gracing your locker, they're available to buy.

Today on Tampabay.com

Ridgewood holds strong at No.9 in the Times' Top 50 with Zephyrhills the next-best county team at No. 26. See how the rest of the bay area's teams rank at blogs.tampabay.com/preps.

Central Invitational

Here's more appetizer before the cross country season really kicks off.

Seven North Suncoast schools will converge for the Central Invitational this afternoon at 5. Land O'Lakes enters this afternoon's race as the favorite with a stable of strong runners led by junior Felix Soto, above.

Other schools competing include Hernando, Central, Nature Coast, Springstead, Citrus, Lecanto and host Central. Can Central establish itself as Hernando County's top dog this season? Will Hernando rebound after heavy losses to graduation? Are the Gators really the team to beat? The answers to these questions and more, beginning this afternoon.

Gulf alumni basketball game

Is your name Joe Phillips? Craig Pridemore, perhaps?

Gulf coach Steve Feldman wants any and all boys basketball alumni for a reunion of sorts. Okay, it's a fundraiser for the basketball team with a portion of the proceeds going to the yearbook committee.

But a ticket will buy you a glimpse into Gulf's basketball past. Think of two-time Sunshine Athletic Conference player of the year Nate Goad taking it to the hole against former Bucs star Anthony Jackson.

The game is scheduled for Oct.15 at 7 p.m. Oh, and Feldman won't be coaching, so no need to worry about windsprints for poor effort.

Oh! Henry

Keep an eye on the development of Zephyrhills running back Chris Henry, above.

He's a senior, but his 180-yard rushing performance against Mitchell on Friday night was his first start at tailback. Henry's probably a little smaller than the 5-11, 170 pounds he's listed at, but he has both sprinter's speed he runs the 100 meters and that extra gear coaches are constantly talking about.

Oh, and he really doesn't care where he plays.

Said Henry after his 242 all-purpose yards performance in the 35-32 victory over Mitchell: "I just want to win."

Compiled by Times staff writers Izzy Gould and David Murphy.

[Last modified September 11, 2007, 00:18:11]