Community

Basketball league wraps up; high schools crank up

By DEREK J. LaRIVIERE, Times Staff Writer
Published October 19, 2007

Area teams are concluding their seasons with the Florida Fastbreak League as the new high school basketball season is ready to start.

Programs from Central and Nature Coast have taken part in the AAU league with various results.

The best results came from the Nature Coast boys, a team that lost its coach and leading rebounder from last season. The Sharks went 5-1 led by leading scorer Joe Sylvestri.

Sylvestri was the top Shark shooter as a junior last season.

But midway through the season, he broke his collarbone. He should be 100 percent after averaging 19 points per game in Fastbreak.

The Central boys won only one game last season and didn't fare much better in Fastbreak at 1-6.

But junior shooting guard Darryn Frazier is prepared to lead the Bears this season after averaging 25 points per game in the seven games.

The Nature Coast girls, defending district champs, had to be disappointed with a 3-2 record, but Cymone Peterson was a bright spot. The varsity newcomer averaged 11 points per game.

Other teams included the Central girls varsity 1-4 and the Central boys junior varsity (1-4).

Ronisha Browdy led the Bears in scoring last season and did so again in Fastbreak with about six points per game. Angela Velez also scored six per game for the girls.

Gymnastics: The Top Contenders Gymnasium in Hudson will host the Level 2 and 3 competitions of the Florida State Gymnastics Cup on Nov. 17.

The Florida State Recreational Coach's Clinic also will take place at the gymnasium and will be held Nov. 18.

Motocross: Alex Spade, a local youth who attends Hernando High, excelled on the state stage this year.

While competing in the Super Mini 105 division of the Florida Gold Cup, Spade took part in all four rounds of competition before coming in second overall to Gannon Audette. Spade finished with 85 points overall to Audette's 92.

The class that Spade was in included 12- to 15-year-olds. Round 1 of the Cup was at Gatorback Cycle Park in Alachua.

Rounds 2 and 3 were in Dade City and Waldo. The series ended with the final round in Lakeland.

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[Last modified October 18, 2007, 20:59:21]