BASKETBALL
+ Lady Chargers fall in regional
It had been almost a month since the Strawberry Crest girls lost a basketball game, so Steinbrenner wanted to change that on the big stage.
The Lady Warriors got what they came for in a 50-38 win Tuesday night.
A slow start in the first quarter, in which the Lady Chargers were outscored 14-6, set the tone for much of the game. Aside from the third quarter, when the Lady Warriors were outscored 11-6, Steinbrenner’s attack was just too much for Strawberry Crest — especially with the play of Rachel Briere, who scored 16 points with 10 boards and three blocks.
It’s now up to the boys to pick up where the girls left off. They’ll be back in action tonight at 7 p.m. to face Sickles in a regional quarterfinal matchup.
SOFTBALL/BASEBALL
+ Back in action
America’s pastime is officially back in Plant City.
Softball season began last week, and the Strawberry Crest girls have been on a roll. They opened their season with a 16-3 win over Freedom and outscored Riverview and Spoto 26-0 in their next two games. They’ll take on Bloomingdale at home at 7 p.m. tomorrow.
Plant City and Durant are both 1-2 to start the season, but both of their wins have been slobber-knockers. The Lady Raiders picked up a 12-1 win over Leto Feb. 4, followed by a 2-0 loss to Bloomingdale. Meanwhile, the Lady Cougars thrashed Armwood Feb. 6 to the tune of a 19-1 win on the road. After that, they took a close 3-2 loss at Riverview.
All three teams are playing at 7 p.m. on Valentine’s Day: Crest will host Bloomingdale; Plant City will travel to Plant; and Durant will host Spoto.
Baseball also started back up this week, and Crest is riding high. The boys picked up an 11-1 win over Spoto in their home opener, while Plant City took a 4-3 loss to Bloomingdale.
All three baseball teams will also take the diamond next to the softball teams at 7 p.m. on Valentine’s Day.
FLAG FOOTBALL
+ Spring sign-ups this weekend
The 2014 Spring NFL Flag Football League, which welcomes boys and girls ages 5-17, will have on-site sign-ups from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Turkey Creek Trojans’ complex, 5937 Connell Road, Plant City.
Registration for the eight-game season, including an NFL Team Jersey and awards, is $85 per player. According to Larry Langston, there will also be an opportunity to register at the league’s meet-and-greet date – 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Turkey Creek’s complex.
A “Skills & Drills” clinic, teaching flag football basics, will be held at the complex Thursday, Feb. 20.
For more information, call (813) 731-9106 or email tampabayflag@msn.com.