Prep

Pinellas: News and Notes

By BOB PUTNAM
Published January 9, 2008

St. Petersburg Catholic hired Phil Secord and Garlynn Boyd to coach the boys and girls track programs.

Secord, an assistant with the Barons the past five seasons, will be the head coach. Boyd, founder and coach of the Lightning Bolt track club, will be an assistant.

SPC cross country coach Ben Taylor also will help out with the distance runners.

"In spending time with Phil Secord and Garlynn Boyd, it was inspiring to note their deep commitment to young people," Barons athletic director John Gerdes said.

Several coaches attend national convention

East Lake's Bob Hudson, St. Petersburg's Joe Fabrizio, Shorecrest's Phil Hayford and Gibbs' Yusuf Shakir are at the American Football Coaches Association national convention in Anaheim, Calif., this week. The convention, which ends today, features exhibitions, committee meetings and an awards luncheon.

Fisher's bigger role

Former St. Petersburg Catholic offensive lineman Elvis Fisher spent most of Missouri's record-setting season on the scout team. That should change next year with the graduation of linemen Adam Spieker and Tyler Luellen. Fisher is listed next on the depth chart and could wind up as a starter.

Johnson set to visit Buckeyes

Boca Ciega's Orhian Johnson is scheduled to make an official visit to Ohio State this weekend. The Pirates quarterback/defensive back has visited Indiana and has offers from Tennessee and USF among others.

Tornadoes close to the top

Clearwater's boys basketball team is ranked No. 2 in the Class 5A state poll, the highest ranking of any county team. Pinellas Park was ranked in the top 10 in Class 5A.

Soccer stats

The Times will resume running boys and girls soccer stats this week Sunday. Coaches can fax stats to 893-8782 or e-mail them to bburns@sptimes.com by 5 p.m. on Thursday.

[Last modified January 8, 2008, 21:02:14]