Do you have a sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
Chargers win wrestling district tourney
Strawberry Crest’s wrestling team is a back-to-back district champ for the first time in program history.
The Chargers won the 3A-District 6 championship on Saturday at George Jenkins High School, and also had five individual champions on the day: Steven Stairs (113), Jake Spray (126), Chas Waller (152), Joe Hatfield (182) and Chad Grassel (195).
The Class 3A-Region 2 tournament will be held at Kissimmee-Osceola High School and is set to begin at 6 p.m. tonight. Competition will end Saturday.
PCHS hoops earns home court advantage
The Plant City High School boys basketball team is back in the playoffs and, this time, it went in knowing it had a big advantage.
With a 56-54 win over Tampa Bay Tech on Feb. 16, the Raiders brought the 8A-District 9 title home and also secured home-court advantage for their entire run through regionals. It was a big game for senior Triston Evans, who led the Raiders with 22 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds. Matt Simpson was second on the team with 13 points, and Jadyn Strawder finished with six points and a team-high 16 rebounds and three steals.
The Raiders hosted St. Pete on Thursday night, but results from that game were not available at press time.
Gayner throws perfect game
Plant City High School didn’t get much trouble from Hillsborough in a 17-0 win Tuesday night, thanks in large part to pitcher T.J. Gayner’s perfect game. The senior retired all 18 Terriers batters he faced in the six-inning game, striking out six.
The Raiders’ next opponent is Brandon, who will host Plant City at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27.
PCLL Opening Day this weekend
Plant City Little League will kick off its 2018 season with Opening Day ceremonies at Mike Sansone Park at 9 a.m. Feb. 24.
This year’s guest speaker is Mark Wegner, a Major League Baseball crew chief who most recently was behind home plate in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. There will be vendors, music by the Redhead Express and appearances by the new Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and her court and Plant City native Kristen Wyckoff, a professional softball player.
