Hillsborough: News and notes

By Eduardo A. Encina and Keith Niebuhr, Times Staff Writers
Published March 6, 2008

Is Givens done with hoops?

Major college baseball programs aren't the only ones who likely will be recruiting Plant junior shortstop Mychal Givens during the next several months. Sheldon Cooley plans to as well.

Cooley, a standout guard at Plant, said Wednesday that Givens told him he probably won't play hoops next season because he wants to concentrate on baseball. A 6-foot guard, Givens averaged 4.7 points for the Panthers. As a baseball player, he is ranked among the country's top prospects for the Class of 2009.

"Right now he says he's not playing," said Cooley, who averaged 22 points.

Cooley said he is hopeful Givens won't quit basketball, and plans to do his best to convince him not to - no matter what he's saying.

"I'll be begging him to come play," Cooley said.

Sollazzo, Walker in all-star game

Armwood senior guard Adam Sollazzo and Tampa Prep senior forward David Waller will compete in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South all-star game March 15 in Daytona Beach. Sollazzo recently committed to East Tennessee State; Waller has yet to pick a school, and his participation in the game might lead to more potential opportunities.

"It's great exposure," Tampa Prep coach Joe Fenlon said. "There will be a lot of coaches there. It's a good opportunity for the kids to see how they stack up against some of the best competition in the state."

Sollazzo earned a spot on the team after being picked as the top player in his district. Waller was added to the roster by a state committee. Waller currently is considering Amherst and Princeton. Amherst is the defending Division III national champion.

Coming Sunday

Look for the Hillsborough all-county teams for winter sports in Sunday's Times. Our all-Suncoast girls and boys basketball teams will run March 16.

Plant TE's offer list grows

Plant's Orson Charles, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound tight end who recently transferred from Riverview, received his fifth D-I offer Tuesday, this one from Florida State. He also received offers from Iowa, Auburn, UCF and Arkansas.

Plant coach Robert Weiner said he was surprised at how quickly Charles has jumped on the recruiting radar. He made 12 receptions for 325 yards and two TDs last year as a junior. "He's just such a great kid that you really take notice of him," Weiner said.

Contact us

Eduardo Encina can be reached at eencina@sptimes.com or 813 226-3353. Keith Niebuhr can be reached at kniebuhr@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3458.

[Last modified March 5, 2008, 23:11:36]