Do you have a sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
Crest cheer wins fourth state title
When it comes to Strawberry Crest’s cheerleading team, the graduating class of 2018 knows just one thing: winning.
The Chargers won their fourth consecutive FHSAA 2A Small Co-Ed division state championship in Gainesville on Sunday, taking home the crown with a score of 78.50. Runner-up Winter Park kept things close, finishing with 77.80 points, and third-place Tate finished with 74.60 points. St. Cloud and George Jenkins rounded out the top five, respectively.
This season’s win was a particularly big deal for Crest, given that the cheer team battled against a down year in participation. But the team managed to get back to Western Conference and win in January, then followed it up later in the month by placing first at the FHSAA regional championships.
“I am very proud of the hard work and dedication this team has put into the season,” head coach Loveny Rivas said. “Despite all the odds, they have come to practice with ambition and with the will to succeed.”
PCHS soccer advances to regionals
Plant City High School’s boys and girls soccer teams couldn’t get past Newsome in their district championship games, but they still made the cut for the FHSAA regional tournaments.
The girls’ 8-0 loss to the Wolves district championship game was only their third of the season, and they went into Tuesday night’s game at Lake Nona with 14 total goals scored in three of their previous four games. Lake Nona ended up winning, 1-0.
The boys entered Wednesday night’s game at Winter Park with a 14-1 overall record — the 2-1 loss to Newsome being the only blemish — and had scored 14 goals in their last three games. They cruised past Winter Park with a 3-1 final score, setting up a Saturday rematch with the Wolves at Newsome.
PCHS baseball to host Little League clinic
Plant City High School’s baseball team is preparing to help Plant City Little League coaches and players step their games up.
The coaches’ and players’ camp will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feb. 10 at Mike Sansone Park, 1702 N. Park Road. The Raiders will cover fundamentals, skills and drills.
Last year, coach Mike Fryrear and the Raiders teamed up with Butch Valdes, Donnie Scolaro, Gary Graham and the Durant Cougars for a similar coaches’ clinic at Mike Sansone Park.
PCLL Opening Day coming soon
Plant City Little League will kick off its 2018 season with Opening Day ceremonies at Mike Sansone Park the morning of Feb. 24.
This year’s guest speaker had not been named by press time.
