Hillsborough: News and notes

By JOE SMITH
Published January 22, 2008

On the Web: Dandy dozen

Berkeley Prep takes over the top spot in our ranking of the best bay area boys basketball teams; St. Petersburg Catholic remains No. 1 for the girls. Sound off on the lists at highschool.tampabay.com.

Clarke picks Miami (Ohio)

Alonso senior receiver Joe Clarke orally committed to Miami (Ohio). Clarke, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound wideout, visited Miami last weekend, choosing the Redhawks over USF, Ole Miss, UAB and Western Kentucky.

"When I went there, I learned how much of a family they are and what a great football atmosphere it had," he said.

Steak 'n Shake meet canceled

Wharton girls track coach Dan Mathis has taken a leave of absence from the school to take a job with a U.S. security firm in Jerusalem, Israel, assistant Wes Newton confirmed. Newton will take over with the help of former 100-meter world record-holder Calvin Smith.

Mathis' departure is one reason the Steak 'n Shake Invitational is canceled. The meet, scheduled for March 1, also conflicted with a mandatory county meet, the Nash Higgins Relays at Leto.

Recruiting tidbits

- Plant offensive tackle Rhonne Sanderson will visit Michigan on Feb. 2, one week after he visits Florida State. Michigan State offered him this past weekend.

- Chamberlain defensive back Justin Bell said he'll visit Colorado State this weekend and Cincinnati on Feb. 2.

Hoops showdown

Armwood basketball coach Jeff Pafunda got his Hawks (12-6, 8-3) pumped for Tuesday's matchup at first-place Brandon (13-5, 9-2) with a memorable metaphor.

Pafunda always talks about "burning the barn," an intense style of play. After Armwood lost to Brandon on Dec. 11, Pafunda's friend played a joke and brought in a hand-sized sculpture of a barn with the score "83-53" written on it.

Pafunda brought the barn to practice Monday and told the Hawks, "If we win (Tuesday), we're gonna burn the barn."

A win by Armwood puts it in a tie for the No. 1 seed in 5A-8 but would guarantee nothing, as the Hawks play at Wharton on Wednesday and host King on Friday.

[Last modified January 22, 2008, 01:04:48]