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East County | Sports

Jordan Guerrero, a 29-year-old former MiLB pitcher, is the new ODA baseball coach. He takes over for Mike Matthews, who served as coach in 2021-25 and guided the Thunder to the 2021 FHSAA Class 2A state title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 14, 2026
Former minor league player will lead The Out-of-Door Academy baseball program

Jordan Guerrero, a right-handed pitcher in the San Diego Padres' organization, brings a "contagious" energy to the Thunder.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ryan Neuzil started all 17 games at center for the Atlanta Falcons this season. The 2016 Braden River High graduate was ranked No. 7 out of 40 graded centers by Pro Football Focus.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 13, 2026
Ryan Neuzil's success is a case study in hard work

The Atlanta Falcons center and Braden River High graduate earned the right to be a full-time NFL starter — and proved he belongs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Danielle Dube of Lakewood Ranch girls basketball, as of Jan. 5, stood less than 50 points away from 1,000 in her high school career.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 12, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Danielle Dube

Lakewood Ranch's junior guard/forward has been one of the state's most prolific scorers this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch junior goaltender James Devriendt (33) gets some postgame kudos from senior defenseman Jackson Ellis (4). Devriendt's .878 save percentage and 2.05 goals against average through 13 games are both career-best marks on a Mustangs team that has done nothing but win in 2025-26.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High boys hockey team turns heads with unbeaten streak

The Mustangs have won all their games in the Lightning High School Hockey League.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gaby Bichanich, as a freshman, entered winter break as ODA girls basketball's leading scorer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Gaby Bichanich

The freshman guard powers The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team on offense.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Concession Golf Club Majority Owner Bruce Cassidy and General Manager Brian Weimann will be the key players in the club hosting the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 5, 2026
Impactful moments loom for East County's sports landscape in 2026

There's plenty of reasons for local sports enthusiasts to be excited about the year ahead.

  • East County
  • Sports
Livia Zamperlini-Ramos (left), Anna Chop (center) and Bailey Loring (right) share some joy while singing "Last Christmas."
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 24, 2025
Lakewood Ranch wrestlers give back to their community through caroling

The Mustangs traded singlets for singing at Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living.

  • East County
  • Sports
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025

The Observer sports columnist reflects on the area's champions, record-breakers and competitors who stood above all others.

  • East County
  • Sports
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo

The senior midfielder/forward is the leading scorer for The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer through nine games.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Gabriel Lara (11) chases after the ball during a Dec. 15 game against Braden River.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 17, 2025
LRHS's boys soccer team races to an unbeaten start through 10 games

The Mustangs reached the regional finals in 2024-25 but want to go further this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High football coach Scott Paravicini looks on during an Oct. 30 game against Bayshore. Per the FHSAA's tentative classifications, the Mustangs are bound for Class 6A-District 12 after finishing the 2025 season at 4-6 in 6A-11.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 16, 2025
More reclassification won't help area football teams

Lakewood Ranch High and Braden River High might be facing an even tougher lineup of opponents in reworked districts.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kelis McGrady poses for a photo on Dec. 11 before Braden River girls basketball's home game against Manatee. The forward/guard has been the engine behind the Pirates' early-season success.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 15, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kelis McGrady

The junior averaged a double-double through Braden River's first eight games of 2025-26.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gabriella Rawles holds a Fighting Irish tennis ball and poses for a photo at Notre Dame Stadium. The senior at ICL Academy online is headed to South Bend, Indiana, in January as an early enrollee.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 10, 2025
Notre Dame commit rekindles love for tennis after recovery from a shoulder injury

Gabriella Rawles was once unsure if she'd ever return to the sport after the injury caused her passion to fade.

  • East County
  • Sports
Four boys compete for Sarasota Scullers in the Plant High Winter Sprints on Dec. 6 at Nathan Benderson Park. The Scullers, founded in 1991, are hosting a fundraiser on Dec. 13 to build back from damages suffered during past hurricane seasons.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 9, 2025
Sarasota Scullers pursue 1 million meters

The youth rowing organization's presence exceeds its humble numbers and is hoping its upcoming fundraiser can fuel an even better future.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Francesca Bisordi poses for a photo on Dec. 4 during a Lakewood Ranch wrestling practice. Currently competing in the 155-pound weight class, she formerly wrestled at 170 in both 2024 and 2023.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi

The junior wrestler for Lakewood Ranch High is the program's first female to reach the state tourney.

  • East County
  • Sports
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in East County

1
Manatee County has announced available cold weather shelters.
  • January 15, 2026
Cold weather shelters open in Manatee County for frigid spell
2
The Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club members Mike Mulwani and Greg Pogue lost their first scrimmage 11 to nothing in 2023, but that didn't stop them from pursuing the sport to better their skills.
  • January 14, 2026
At 2,300 members, Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club continues to grow
3
Tal Siddique is this year's chair of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.
  • January 14, 2026
Manatee County explores idea of adopting a charter
4
Jordan Guerrero, a 29-year-old former MiLB pitcher, is the new ODA baseball coach. He takes over for Mike Matthews, who served as coach in 2021-25 and guided the Thunder to the 2021 FHSAA Class 2A state title.
  • January 14, 2026
Former minor league player will lead The Out-of-Door Academy baseball program
5
Clayton McCurry is a senior ranger at Duette Preserve.
  • January 14, 2026
Prescribed burns are a hot topic in Manatee County

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