The Plant City area was a hotbed for high school sports excitement in 2017. Though we’re just getting started with 2018, it looks as though this year could be as good or better to local sports fans.
Though there will certainly be more developments later in the calendar year, especially with effects from the “Choice in Sports” student transfer bill considered, several emerging storylines stand out at this time. Whether it’s teams or individual athletes, these things could be making headlines soon in 2018.
PLANT CITY HOOPS
DREAM TEAM?
Who’s got it better than Plant City’s boys basketball team? Right now, there’s nobody.
In Billy Teeden’s third season as head coach, the Raiders appear to have completed a total turnaround of the program with a 10-1 (5-0 district) record, losing only to state powerhouse Lakewood Ranch back in early December.
Matt Simpson, leading the team with 22.6 points and 2.3 steals per game, is the engine that makes the teal and orange machine go. Players like top big man Justyn King, newcomer Jadyn Strawder and freshman Jordyn Manning have it firing on all cylinders, as the team is scoring 71 points per game on 46% shooting and pulling down an average of 32 boards per game. This Raiders team is deep, athletic and visibly confident.
Could this be the year Plant City removes Tampa Bay Tech from the district throne? There’s certainly reason to believe so, as the Raiders were able to go to Tampa and grind out a 79-74 win there on Dec. 15. The Raiders and Titans will meet again at 1 Raider Place on Jan. 24 for a contest that will likely determine who gets the top seed in the upcoming 8A-9 tournament. Last year, Plant City took a 64-45 loss to the Titans in the finale.
GIRLS SOCCER
SHAKEUP SEASON?
As usual, the Newsome Wolves are at the top of the 5A-6 girls soccer standings. But could a pair of Plant City-area teams give the vaunted program a run for its lunch money?
Durant and Plant City aren’t undefeated like Newsome, but both programs are enjoying successful seasons. The Cougars have a 7-2-1 (2-1-1 district) record and have not lost at home, though they did battle Plant City to a scoreless draw there on Dec. 15. The Raiders, meanwhile, have a 6-1-2 (2-0-2 district) record, have not lost on the road and sport a 4-1-1 record at home.
The Raiders have been efficient on both sides of the ball in district play, outscoring opponents 12-3 en route to two wins, two draws and no losses. Newsome has outscored opponents 19-1 in 5A-6 play. Durant has both scored and allowed eight goals in 5A-6 play, though the Cougars have a 2-1-1 district record and have spent much of the season finding ways to win without such a prolific scoring touch.
But Durant, in its Nov. 30 7-1 loss to the Wolves, is the only district team to have put a shot past Newsome’s defense and find the back of the net. And the team has already almost matched its win total from last season, when the Cougars made it to the district semifinal and hung in there with Newsome in an eventual 3-2 loss. Plant City has not yet played Newsome, though that will change Jan. 9 when the Raiders go to Lithia for their regular-season district finale.
Could either of these teams be the one to upset the Wolves come district tournament time? With both Durant and Plant City showing improvements over the 2016-17 season, there’s a chance.
CREST SOFTBALL
FIGURING IT OUT?
Plant City’s softball team, a state semifinalist in 2017, is deservedly going to get a lot of attention in 2018. But over in Class 8A-District 4, Strawberry Crest is looking to do big things as well.
Last season, the Chargers (14-13; 3-4 district) battled their way to the championship game of the district tournament and eventually made it to the second round of regionals, picking up a 9-5 win over Lake Minneola before getting knocked out by those pesky Wharton Wildcats in the May 9 semifinal.
The 2018 team is young enough that it lost just three seniors from last year’s team to graduation and lists only two — Celia Higgins and Taylor Finney — this time around. But it’s returning eight from 2017, including team batting leader Higgins (.417, 84 at-bats, 35 hits, 27 runs, 18 RBI, nine doubles, seven triples) and the entire pitching staff, including staff ace Kacey Fultz (11 wins, 114 innings pitched, 59 strikeouts).
Wharton may still be a team to watch out for in the district, but this Crest team has the experience and coaching needed to make improvements this year. Perhaps they could even shake things up in 8A-4 play.