North Suncoast: News and notes

Mitchell's Stager returns tonight

By TIMES STAFF
Published March 11, 2008

Mitchell's Stager returns tonight

Mitchell's Courtney Stager practiced for the first time Monday since breaking a knuckle on her right hand Feb. 14. Coach Scott Bisbe said Stager will be the starting catcher tonight at River Ridge after getting the green light from her doctor and father. The FSU signee played four games before the injury, batting .429 with two doubles and three RBIs. 

On the Web: Softball rankings

Undefeated Land O'Lakes edges into the ninth spot on Batting Order, our weekly ranking of the bay area's best softball teams. To see the complete list and sound off, head to highschool.tampabay.com.

Payne commits to West Georgia

Ely Payne was a quarterback, receiver and defensive back for Land O'Lakes. He was praised for his athletic versatility and leadership.

Now he'll get a chance to take it to college fields after orally committing to West Georgia last week, along with teammate John Weatherford, who also orally committed there last week.

Payne was among the state leaders with seven interceptions in 2007. He also logged 43 tackles in the Gators' secondary. On offense, he threw for a team-high 884 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had 136 receiving yards.

Payne said he'll likely focus on offense and would prefer to play quarterback.

Wildcat brothers setting records

In addition to carrying a lot of weight with college recruiters these days, Wesley Chapel siblings Hunter and Kamran Joyer are carrying a lot of weight, period.

Competing at 238 pounds, Hunter, a freshman, broke his own school weight-class record with a total lift of 645 pounds (415 bench press, 230 clean-and-jerk) at a meet last week at Zephyrhills. Also, Kamran, a junior, set a Wildcats record in the unlimited division with a 675 total (400 bench, 275 clean-and-jerk).

Wesley Chapel won the three-team meet with 42 points, edging the Bulldogs (32) and Land O'Lakes (23). Wildcats coach Abel Robinson said it's the program's first tri-meet victory, to his knowledge.

Other Wesley Chapel weight-class winners: Julian Fernandez (139), Keenan Reynolds (154), Jeremy Henderson (183) and Chris Pierre-Charles (219).

[Last modified March 10, 2008, 23:54:48]