Hernando: News and notes

By IZZY GOULD and DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writers
Published December 18, 2007

On the Web: Dandy Dozen

Check out our weekly ranking of the top 12 boys and girls basketball teams from the Tampa Bay area. Then tell us which teams we overlooked or overrated, all at highschool.tampabay.com.

Eagles soaring

Pat Kelly wants more consistency on the basketball court from his Springstead boys in all facets of the game.

But the most consistent thing about the Eagles so far has been winning.

They are 9-1 with two more games this week - at Gulf on Wednesday and against Pasco on Thursday - before taking a 14-day break. Kelly said for a number of reasons, playing over the holidays just wasn't going to work out.

Springstead's only loss was to Armwood, 81-66, on Nov. 23.

The Eagles have gotten the bulk of their scoring from Dante Valentine, Nehemiah Mason and Dominique Roberson. Valentine averages a county-high 22.7 points per game. Mason's 16.9 points per game is third in the county behind Central star Darryn Frazier 22.1 ppg.

Browdy closing in on milestone

Central senior Ronisha Browdy should become the first 1,000-point scorer in at least 10 years at the school.

The senior guard entered last night's game against Hernando with 942 points, putting her 58 shy of 1,000. Browdy, who has started since her sophomore season, is averaging 12.5 points per game, putting her on pace to reach the milestone sometime during the Bears' appearance at the Ida S. Baker Christmas Tournament in Cape Coral on Dec. 27-29.

Lori Lessley, who coached the Bears from 1997-2004, said no player has reached 1,000 points during her tenure. It is unclear whether any player reached the milestone prior. Central opened in 1989.

Browdy has hit 26 3-pointers this season, pushing her career total to 176. Central is 2-6 this season.

Pasco senior sets sights on record

Pasco senior Jose Montelongo is within striking distance of Pasco County's career scoring record set by Novica Maric in 2005. The former Gulf star scored 127 times in his four seasons.

Before that, the record was held by 2000 Land O'Lakes grad Justin Geisler, who had 120 goals in four years.

Monetlongo entered Monday's match against Ridgewood with 123 goals after scoring 28 through 13 games.

The wait is over: Look for the Times' all-North Suncoast football team in Sunday's sports section. Our all-Suncoast team (Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas) will run Christmas day.

Wildcats to host winter camp

Wesley Chapel coach Warren Jones will put on a basketball camp Jan. 2-4 in the school's gym for boys and girls in grades 6-8. The cost is $50. For more information, contact Jones at (813) 794-8700 or wjones@pasco.k12.fl.us

Check it out

Can't make it out to the Bright House Shootout at Clearwater High on Friday? Catch 47 has you covered, broadcasting two games live: Newsome vs. St. Petersburg, 6 p.m., and Ridgewood vs. Clearwater, 8 p.m.

[Last modified December 18, 2007, 00:26:19]