Hillsborough: News and notes

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA and KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writers
Published March 4, 2008

On the Web: Softball rankings

Gaither makes a big leap from No. 6 to the top spot in Batting Order, our ranking of the top teams in the bay area. Check out the revamped rankings and sound off at highschool.tampabay.com.

Smith out as Middleton coach

Middleton boys basketball coach Derek Smith will not return next season, athletic director Derrick Gaines said Monday.

Gaines said he spoke to Smith on Feb. 26 and told Smith he wouldn't be returning. Smith, who was arrested Jan. 18 on child abuse charges, was popular with his players and was the only boys basketball coach the school has had in its six years since reopening.

"We want to thank him for his six years of service," Gaines said. "We just decided we wanted to go in a different direction."

Gaines said Smith's legal problems "had no bearing on what we did."

Reached by cell phone, Smith said the decision was mutual.

"I think I took the program as far as I could take it," he said. "I'm just spent."

Smith said his team had a chance to grow in his absence - his legal issues made him miss the last two games - and hoped his assistant Marlin Steward, the interim head coach, would get the job.

"The kids has a chance to grow in those last two games in more ways than one," Smith said. "There's no better time than now to leave."

Gaines said Middleton will start its search for a new coach within a week.

50 and counting

Plant junior quarterback Aaron Murray has received his 50th scholarship offer. The latest comes from Oklahoma, Plant coach Robert Weiner said.

Murray continues to gather offers by the day, and Oklahoma's was expected. Murray is being recruited by Sooners quarterbacks coach and former Heisman runnerup Josh Heupel.

"That's a big offer," Weiner said. "Obviously, that's a school that can pick and choose."

An offer from Ohio State could be coming in the next few days for the 6-foot-1, 198-pound junior.

Cambridge linebacker Erik Shears committed to Quincy (Ill.) University, Lancers coach Rick Shears said via e-mail. Shears visited the campus last weekend, where he pledged to the NAIA Hawks. The 5-foot-11, 230-pound Shears was a Times' 2007 all-county honorable mention.

[Last modified March 4, 2008, 00:59:01]