Hillsborough: News and notes

By JOE SMITH and KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writers
Published January 8, 2008

On the Web: Dandy dozen

Berkeley Prep's impressive showing in a prestigious holiday tournament puts the Bucs at No. 1 in our ranking of the best boys and girls basketball teams in the bay area. Check it all out at highschool.tampabay.com.

FHSAA suspends Brandon star

Brandon senior forward Evan Ravenel, a Boston College signee, has been suspended three weeks by the Florida High School Athletic Association for his behavior toward an official during the winter break.

Eagles coach Mark Hermann said he received the news Monday. Ravenel, who averages 19.3 points, will be eligible to playJan. 25 against Freedom, just before the Eagles (8-3) enter the district tournament. Brandon's next game is Wednesday, when it hosts Freedom.

"Anytime you use a profanity toward an official, it can be as long as six weeks," Hermann said. "That'll definitely hurt us a bit."

Former Hawk wants the ball

Former Armwood star Kalvin Bailey has two decisions to make: what position to play in the future, and what college to attend.

For Bailey, a sophomore running back at College of the Siskiyous in California, the answer to No. 1 will help determine the answer to No. 2.

At Armwood, Bailey was an all-state fullback who led the Hawks to consecutive state titles and claimed the Guy Toph award. Now he's giving serious thought to playing tailback.

"He wants to carry the football," College of the Siskiyous coach Eric Young said.

Bailey originally signed with Iowa but struggled academically and resurfaced at College of the Siskiyous. He has scholarship offers from several Division I-AA schools, and interest from I-A programs such as Auburn, Cal and Ole Miss, Young said.

Jahleel Addae will be a Mountaineer after all. The standout Riverview running back pledged to West Virginia several months ago, but when coach Rich Rodriguez left for Michigan in December, Addae's future became uncertain. After the school named former assistant Bill Stewart coach last week, that clinched it for Addae.

Addae, who rushed for more than 1,400 yards last fall and was a Times' all-county selection, graduated in December.

[Last modified January 8, 2008, 01:37:10]