Hernando: News and notes

By IZZY GOULD and DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writers
Published December 4, 2007

On the Web: Dandy dozen, Video report

Check out the first installment of our weekly ranking of the top 12 boys basketball teams from the Tampa Bay area. Then tell us which teams we overlooked or overrated, all at highschool.tampabay.com. Also, check out the Times' football video report, Friday Night Rewind, which includes highlights, scores and expert analysis.

Gulf forfeits four boys soccer games

The boys soccer teams at Nature Coast and Hernando just picked up an additional win, thanks to a decision by Gulf to forfeit four soccer games in which it used an ineligible player.

Gulf athletic director Paul Girardi said Monday the Bucs have already notified the FHSAA and the four schools - Zephyrhills, Nature Coast, Hernando and Wiregrass Ranch - that a player with a lower-than-miniumum grade point average had played in those games. Per FHSAA rules, Gulf must forfeit those contests.

Girardi said the error was a mistake, and that no one faces any additional disciplinary action because of it.

"Nothing will happen," he said. "It's a slip up."

All four games were district games, which will likely affect the Bucs' seed heading into January's district tournament.

Set your DVR

Boys basketball, Wesley Chapel at Land O'Lakes. Girls basketball, Land O'Lakes at Wesley Chapel

If you like basketball, you'll love tonight's action. Two powerhouses' boys and girls teams will go head to head at 7:30. Wesley Chapel's boys will travel to Land O'Lakes, while the Gators girls will play at Wesley Chapel. If you're not sure which one to pick, flip a coin. You're bound to see a great game either way. Can Kayli Keough finally take down the Wildcats? Can Greg Jenkins lead Wesley Chapel against Land O'Lakes?

Soto matches course record

Land O'Lakes junior Felix Soto continues his blistering pace on the athletic fields of Pasco County.

After playing for the Gators' boys soccer team in a 7-1 victory Friday against Ridgewood, Soto ran in Sunday's Flapjack Festival at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Center.

Told Friday at the soccer game that the course record was 15 minutes, 38 seconds, Soto matched the time Sunday then proceeded to run another 5 kilometers to "cool down." His time was a personal record.

Top five school age finishers at the Flapjack Festival:

Boys

1. Soto, 15:38

3. Matt Schwartz, 17:47

5. Tommy Cook, 17:54

7. Ryan Pulsifer, 18:06

8. Jake Morker, 18:36

Girls

24. Ariel Grey, 20:27

29. Jaci Pustelnik, 20:48

32. Leandra Mikos, 21:25

33. Kayla Bratcher, 21:26

42. Jessica Furst, 22:04

Maier finishes 13th at FACA meet

Hernando senior Tyler Maier capped an impressive 2007 season by taking 13th at Saturday's FACA All-Star meet in Tallahassee.

Runners are selected corresponding to their high school state classifications, with the top eight seniors in order of state meet finish invited to run. Maier was the lone North Suncoast participant, and the 10th Hernando runner selected since the race's inception in 1997.

Maier ran 16:20, just two seconds off his personal record.

[Last modified December 4, 2007, 00:48:04]