Pinellas: News and notes

By BOB PUTNAM and BRYAN BURNS, Times Staff Writers
Published February 5, 2008

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On yhe Web: Batter up & Dandy Dozen

Softball starts up this week, so get the full scoop on the best of the bay area teams in our video preview and check out our live scoreboards each night. Also, the last installment of the boys basketball Dandy Dozen is up. Check it all out at highschool.tampabay.com.

Wallace finishes soccer tryout

Former Lakewood and USF standout Anthony Wallace finished a weeklong training camp for the under-23 national soccer team.

The camp gave under-23 coach Peter Nowak a chance to evaluate players before selecting the final roster that will compete in the Olympic qualifying tournament March 11-23 in Los Angeles, Tampa and Nashville.

"I feel that I played well and have a chance to make the team," Wallace said.

Wallace, 19, played one season at USF before turning pro last year when he was the ninth overall pick of Major League Soccer's FC Dallas.

Three Cougars commit

Countryside coach John Davis said three players orally committed to colleges: Chris Ramsey (Navy), Christian Molina (Eastern Kentucky) and Alex Miller (Virginia Military Institute).

Murray chooses Lafayette

East Lake fullback/defensive lineman Erin Murray orally committed to Lafayette, Eagles coach Bob Hudson said.

Murray was a Times' first-team, all-county selection last season when he helped East Lake finish as the runnerup in Class 5A, District 9.

Delguidice picks Jacksonville

Largo defensive end Daniel Delguidice has decided to go to Jacksonville, Packers coach Rick Rodriguez said.

Delguidice, a Class 5A first-team, all-state selection, set a school record with 19 sacks last season.

Famous face

Last week, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel showed up at a Boca Ciega-Dixie Hollins boys basketball game to watch the Pirates' Orhian Johnson. The Buckeyes are recruiting Johnson as a defensive back.

 "Tressel even wore his sweater vest," Johnson said. "I don't think he leaves home without it."

Johnson said USF and Indiana also are on his short list of schools. He'll make his decision Wednesday.

 

Correction

Desiree Baker plays softball for Countryside. Another team was listed in Monday's Times.