Hillsborough: News and notes

By JOE SMITH and KEITH NIEBUHR, 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.

Murray, Callahan earn Dairy Farmers honor

Plant junior quarterback Aaron Murray was named Florida Dairy Farmers Class 4A player of the year and Armwood's Sean Callahan earned 4A coach of the year honors, released Monday.

In his first year as starter, Murray completed 60 percent of his passes for 4,013 yards and 51 touchdowns - a new state record - while rushing for 932 yards and 12 scores. He led the Panthers to an 11-2 record and a spot in the region finals, before losing to Armwood.

"Going into the season, I never expected such a great season," Murray said. "I was blessed with a great bunch of athletes. ... This was icing on the cake."

Callahan's Hawks finished 13-1 on their way to a state semifinal, where the lost to eventual state champ Booker T. Washington. Callahan has never won the Dairy Farmers award.

"This totally blows me away," Callahan said. "That's a pretty significant award - it's very humbling."

Plant City's Popek talks up Illinois

Plant City offensive lineman Mark Popek wasn't sure how he'd handle the cold during last weekend's official visit to Illinois. Turns out, he kind of liked it.

Popek said he enjoyed seeing the campus and spending time with the team's linemen. Popek (6 feet 6, 310 pounds) said Monday that Illinois, Florida and Vanderbilt are his leaders. He has scholarship offers from Illinois, Vanderbilt, South Florida and Troy.

Popek will make an official visit to Florida on Jan. 12, then to Vanderbilt the following weekend.

Addae quiet on WVU situation

With Rich Rodriguez abruptly leaving the West Virginia program for Michigan this weekend, less than a month before the Fiesta Bowl and two months from signing day, what does that mean for Mountaineer commitments such as Riverview senior tailback Jahleel Addae?

Sharks coach Dan O'Regan said the Addae planned to graduate early and enroll at WVU soon.

O'Regan said many schools stopped recruiting Addae after his commitment to WVU; one that didn't was Middle Tennessee State, which told him he could get playing time right away.

When reached Monday, Addae declined to comment.

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.

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.

Three locals make 6A all-state team

Setter Alexa Donini (second team) and outside hitter Chelsea Morris (honorable mention) of Durant and outside hitter Sara Vance (third team) of Sickles were named to the Class 6A all-state volleyball team.

[Last modified December 18, 2007, 00:29:44]