Preps

Hillsborough: News and notes

By JOE SMITH and KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
Published October 11, 2007

Copeland to replace Tonelli

Veteran Hillsborough County boys basketball assistant Comer Copeland, Wharton’s junior varsity coach the last five seasons, has been hired to replace Tommy Tonelli as Wildcats coach.

Athletic director Mike Rowan didn’t respond to  phone messages, but Tonelli confirmed Copeland’s hiring Wednesday.

“He’s an excellent choice, especially with the timing of my departure,” said Tonelli, who resigned  last month after 10 seasons to become director of basketball operations at  South Florida.

“I think it will be the best possible situation for everybody involved, especially the players because he’s coached those guys,” he said.

In five seasons as Wildcats JV coach, Copeland compiled a 79-10 record, including a 17-1 mark last season. 

Daring divers

Middleton senior Claire Page delivered a great diving performance Saturday at the prestigious FSPA Invitational in Orlando. Page finished fourth with a score of 410.60. Sickles' Alex Valder also made the finals, taking 14th 333.85. Page's dives, coming in a meet featuring some of the top talent in all classes (A-3A), bodes well for her state chances.

Missing piece

Durant senior kicker Evan Kelly, who made five field goals this season, including the winner against East Bay, will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn ACL in his kicking (left) knee. Kelly was 5 of 6 on field goals and had seven touchbacks on kickoffs. He was hurt two weeks ago while attempting to tackle Brandon's Samir Baker.

The effects of his injury were felt Monday night. As Durant drove into scoring position late in the final quarter against Sarasota, the Cougars were forced to go for the win instead of the tie despite being down only three. They lost 22-19 when a pass was intercepted with 40 seconds left.

Mike Rossiter was brought up from JV to replace Kelly, who will have reconstructive surgery in two weeks.

Terrier girls get soccer coach

John Matin, a former international soccer player, has been hired as Hillsborough's girls coach, athletic director Bertha Baker confirmed. Matin previously served as girls coach at Lakeland Lake Gibson, Fort Meade and Bradenton Braden River, leading Lake Gibson to the Class 4A state tournament in 1999.

Matin, who replaces Ronald Fedeles, inherits a team that finished 13-4 last season, reaching the 5A region quarterfinals. Matin said he'll employ a Brazilian style of play that emphasizes short passes and constant movement.

McCray to visit LSU

Hillsborough senior defensive end Moses McCray, who committed to FSU this summer, will make an official visit to LSU the weekend of Oct. 20, when the top-ranked Tigers host Auburn. Coach Earl Garcia said McCray will also likely visit Florida. On the same weekend, Chamberlain senior receiver Fred Sykes will visit Illinois.

Pink pays off

The Academy of the Holy Names volleyball team, wearing pink warmup T-shirts, helped raise $1,400 in ticket sales and donations for the Florida Suncoast Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation during its Tuesday match against Cardinal Mooney.

Contact us

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or (813) 310-9024. Keith Niebuhr can be reached at kniebuhr@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3458.

[Last modified October 10, 2007, 23:50:33]