Pinellas: News and notes

By BOB PUTNAM and BRYAN BURNS, Times Staff Writers
Published December 11, 2007

On the Web: Dandy dozen

Check out our weekly ranking of the top 12 boys basketball teams from the Tampa Bay area. Sneak peak: Pinellas teams have the top spots in both. Then tell us which teams we overlooked or overrated, all at highschool.tampabay.com.

Rodrigues selected for Brazilian team

St. Petersburg midfielder Adriana Rodrigues was selected to participate in the Brazilian national team U-17 camp.

A sophomore in the International Baccalaureate program, Rodrigues left for Brazil last week to join a group of 26 players vying for 20 spots.

The final roster will be announced after Dec. 25.

Though she was born in the United States, under FIFA rules, Rodrigues qualifies for the team because her mother is Brazilian.

"A Green Devil playing on the Brazilian national team - we couldn't any more proud of Adriana," St. Petersburg coach Rui Farias said in a statement. "She has earned this incredible opportunity - her work ethic and dedication to the game of soccer is unbelievable.

"Adriana is a special player and we hate to lose her for most of the season, but this is every soccer player's dream."

Robison picks Warner Southern

Dixie Hollins standout Tori Robison signed to play basketball at Warner Southern in Lake Wales. The senior is averaging 14 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 block shots and 2.0 assists per game.

A transfer from North Carolina, Robison has started since her sophomore season. She also considered Northwood University.

Coaches earn state honor

A statewide panel selected 12 current and former head coaches as the best in the first 100 years of Florida prep football. The list was sponsored by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

The coaches: Bill Castle (Lakeland), Gene Cox (Live Oak Suwanee, Monticello Jefferson County and Tallahassee Leon), Walt Frazier (Carol City), Joe Kinnan (Bradenton Manatee), Nick Kotys (Coral Gables), Carl Madison (Cantonment Tate, Pensacola Pine Forest), Gerald Odom (Merritt Island), Nathaniel "Traz" Powell (Miami Carver, Miami Mays), Robby Pruitt (Jacksonville University Christian, Lake Butler Union County), Corky Rogers (Jacksonville Robert E. Lee, Jacksonville Bolles), George Smith (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Al Werneke (Belle Glades Glades Central, Titusville).

By the numbers

2 Points Clearwater's girls basketball team lost by to Sarasota Riverview. It is the Tornadoes' only loss of the season.

6 Players from Countryside in the Pinellas All-Star Football Classic, the most of any school in the county.

Soccer statistics

Coaches, please submit boys and girls statistics (scoring and keeper) by 5 p.m. Tuesdays. Stats can be e-mailed to Bryan Burns at bburns@sptimes.com or faxed to 893-8782. Stats will run Thursdays in the Times.

The second annual Northeast-St. Petersburg alumni men's basketball game will be held Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Northeast High gym.

Any alumni who want to play for St. Petersburg should call coach Chris Blackwell at 893-1842. Those wanting to play for Northeast should call Chirrod Williams at 570-3138 ext. 1067, or at home at 674-8835.

Northeast won last year's game in overtime on a last-second basket by Phillip Webster.

Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the door or from Blackwell or Northeast coach David Redding.

[Last modified December 11, 2007, 00:51:39]