Hillsborough: News and notes

By TIMES STAFF
Published March 12, 2008

On the Web: rankings

Despite ups and downs, Gaither retains its spot at No. 1 in Batting Order, our ranking of the top softball teams in the bay area, while Plant gets comfortable at the top in our Baseball Starting Lineup. Check out the rankings for both and sound off at highschool.tampabay.com.

Former Brandon wrestler has eye on NCAA title

Former Brandon wrestler Franklin Gomez, wrestling at Michigan State, won the Big Ten championship at 133 pounds last weekend and figures to be the top seed in the NCAA tournament two weekends from now.

Gomez beat conference No. 1 seed James Kennedy of Illinois, improving his season record to 28-1. Gomez, a sophomore, entered the tournament fifth nationally and knocked off the third- and fourth-ranked wrestlers en route to the title.

Michigan State coach Tom Minkel found Gomez when recruiting former Brandon standout David Craig.

"He's lived up to all of our expectations," Minkel said. "He should be the top seed going into the NCAA tournament."

Alonso lefty rides 16-game winning streak

When was the last time Alonso pitcher Alex Panteliodis lost a high school game?

When asked that question Monday, he wasn't sure. "Honestly, I don't know," Panteliodis said. "I don't think I've lost yet."

Actually, he has. But only once. And it happened during his freshman season.

Now a senior and Florida Gator recruit, the left-handed ace has won 16 straight high school decisions. Entering today's 4 p.m. start at Sickles, Panteliodis is 4-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA in 16 innings pitched. This comes after going 11-0 with a 0.54 ERA last spring.

"He works hard," Ravens coach Landy Faedo said. "He has good command of his pitches and we play good defense behind him."

It doesn't hurt that Panteliodis can throw in the low 90s.

Tuesday's schedule altered

Because of FCAT testing at Hillsborough County schools, many of Tuesday's evening sporting events were moved to Thursday or Saturday. For a list of postponements, see blogs.tampabay.com/preps.

[Last modified March 12, 2008, 00:15:32]