Hernando County: News and notes

By Times Staff
Published December 19, 2007

Set your DVR

Nature Coast heads to Hernando tonight for a 7:30 tipoff in boys basketball. The Sharks have won three straight and enter with a record of 6-4. The Leopards are searching for their first win after an 0-11 start. They'll have to stop Sharks star Joe Silvestri, who is averaging 17.7 points and 8.2 rebounds. The Leopards will lean on Andrew McNeal's 13.2 points per game and Lamon Neal's 11.7 points.

Coming soon

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.

Central makes it a sweep

Last year, Springstead swept Central in boys soccer. This year, the Bears returned the favor, beating the Eagles 3-1 Monday night to remain undefeated in county play. Central (9-4-1, 4-1-1 Class 5A, District 7) has won four straight, outscoring opponents 12-4 in the process.

Central is guaranteed the No. 2 or 3 seed in the 5A-7 district tournament, which begins Jan. 22. The Bears likely will have to beat host River Ridge in the semifinals to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Senior Will Anderson leads the team with 12 goals, while senior Cody Grey has 10.

JV girls hoops ...It's fannnntastic

Springstead coach Todd Toomer has seen the future and her name is Janeva Jiminez. In a season where the Eagles are 1-11, looking ahead helps ease the pain. Toomer took time to watch his JV girls Monday in a 39-36 loss to The Villages and found hope. Jiminez, a 6-foot-1 forward, logged a triple double. The freshman sensation had 12 points, 13 rebounds, 13 blocks and no fouls.

"It was unreal," Toomer said. "It was kind of a breakout game for her last night."

Jiminez was a varsity player to start the season but was moved to JV for more playing time. Now Toomer is considering promoting her back to varsity.

"I thought she'd get some taste of success," Toomer said. "We'll possibly bring her up after the break."

[Last modified December 18, 2007, 22:23:46]