North Suncoast: News and Notes

By IZZY GOULD
Published February 6, 2008

Just in time for signing day, a number of North Suncoast athletes decided to orally commit to colleges.

Mitchell star Tate Humphrey will visit Wayne State Neb. and is expected to sign a letter of intent, Mustangs coach Scott Schmitz said. He sent a highlight tape of his quarterback to the school, which it received Tuesday. The school made an offer at roughly 3 p.m. Humphrey won't have the paperwork to sign today for national signing day, so he's planning to wait until his visit.

Also from Mitchell, receiver Tyrone Hendrix orally committed to New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. Hendrix was Mitchell's leading receiver with 625 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had an interception return for 80 yards.

Two more headed to Wayne State are the Land O'Lakes duo of Raleigh Bamberg and Joe Robinson. The pair visited over the weekend and both decided to commit this week. They'll join Ridgewood linebacker Ben Perry, who also visited over the weekend and made an oral commitment.

Other Pasco County players playing at Wayne State include Dontarrius Thomas (Land O'Lakes) and Mario Melvin (Wesley Chapel).

Set your DVR

Boys district tournament basketball heats up tonight in Class 4A, District 8 at Pasco. The 5:30 p.m. game features promising No. 4 seed Zephyrhills taking on No. 5 Hudson. These teams split the season series. The Cobras come in having lost their last two, but with leading scorer Jarrod Branco's (21.3 ppg) ability to take over a game anything is possible. The Bulldogs have been a surprise to many, and defeated Hudson by 10 in their second meeting.

The second game tips off at 7:30, featuring No. 3 seed Nature Coast against No. 6 Wiregrass Ranch. The Sharks (19-7) have had a solid season thanks to the strong play of Joe Silvestri, who averages 16.8 points, nine rebounds, 4.95 assists and 2.9 steals. The Bulls (7-19) counter with a young group led by Sean Cooper (14.8 ppg) and Eric Williams (10.2 ppg).

[Last modified February 5, 2008, 21:10:13]