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East County | Sports

The Sarasota Paradise waited out a nearly two-hour weather delay before commencing their first season in USL League One. Over 2,500 fans packed the stands at Premier Sports Campus.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 11, 2026
Sarasota Paradise drop professional debut to AC Boise, 1-0

The Lakewood Ranch-based soccer club played its first match in USL League One.

  • East County
  • Sports
Senior Jaden Morales (top) controls Middleburg junior Nathan Harvey (bottom). The Pirate won their match by decision, 6-4, and ultimately placed sixth at 126 pounds.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 10, 2026
Braden River High wrestlers earn five medals at state meet

Jacob Fuentes tops the Pirates with a second-place finish at 144 pounds in 2A action.

  • East County
  • Sports
Leighton Paul holds team-high marks for batting average, runs and hits through the first six games of the Pirates' 2026 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 9, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Leighton Paul

With red-hot hitting, the junior has been an offensive force for Braden River High softball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Junior Freedom McDaniel of the 215-pound weight class is one of eight Braden River wrestlers headed to the FHSAA individual state championships. He's also one of three who have won both regional and district crowns this postseason.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 4, 2026
Braden River High wrestling qualifies eight for state championships

The Pirates matched their all-time program record, which was set last season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Forward Chase Koski (86) and defenseman Jackson Ellis (4) celebrate a goal Feb. 6 for Lakewood Ranch boys hockey in the Lightning High School Hockey League's title game. The Mustangs have become the premier high school-level team for skaters in the region.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 3, 2026
Olympic success for USA Hockey will translate to Sarasota and Manatee counties

Even more enthusiasm for hockey is coming to an area where the sport is already on the rise.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cooper Pote has already been a shortstop, center fielder, third baseman and pitcher this season for the Thunder. At the plate, his contributions have been second-to-none among his teammates.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 2, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Cooper Pote

The sophomore has been busy in the batter's box for The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
Junior guard Anthony Bailey (center) was one of several players who couldn't find their offensive groove in Braden River's season-ending loss Feb. 20 to St. Petersburg.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 25, 2026
Season ends for Braden River boys basketball in regional semifinals

With 23 victories, the Pirates had their winningest season since 2011-12.

  • East County
  • Sports
Logan Pike was crowned the FHSAA Class 2A-District 9 champion Feb. 19 in the 190-pound weight class, marking a major milestone in his injury-riddled career.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 24, 2026
Braden River High junior embodies the will to wrestle

The Braden River High junior has endured multiple major injuries, but he just keeps going.

  • East County
  • Sports
Senior forward/defender Rheanne Fleming looks for a pass during the FHSAA Class 6A-Region 3 championship Feb. 17 between Lakewood Ranch and East Lake. It proved to be the Mustangs' final win of 2025-26.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 23, 2026
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer falls short of state final

Facing the nation's No. 5-ranked team, the Mustangs were shut out for the first time all season.

  • East County
  • Sports
After allowing four goals in regulation, Avary Shirley held her own in penalty kicks, helping the Mustangs become back-to-back regional champions.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Avary Shirley

The junior goalkeeper made the save that sent Lakewood Ranch girls soccer to the state semifinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer defeated East Lake in sudden-death penalty kicks Feb. 17 to win the FHSAA Class 6A-Region 3 title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer advances to state semifinals

The Mustangs survived two overtime periods and two series of penalty kicks to claim the regional crown.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River girls weightlifting brought home the FHSAA Class 2A state championship in Olympic style Feb. 12 at Lakeland's RP Funding Center. It marks the first in program history.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 18, 2026
Braden River High raises the bar at girls weightlifting state championships

The Pirates captured their first team title behind Payton Mangay-Ayam's twin individual titles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Leading a wave of new additions to the Mustangs' program, Tristan Sheffield has dominated in his weight class as a freshman.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 17, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Tristan Sheffield

The freshman has piled up wins since joining Lakewood Ranch High boys wrestling.

  • East County
  • Sports
Allen Clark set records at The Out-of-Door Academy. Now, his focus has shifted to his future, and what college he'll compete for.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 16, 2026
Out-of-Door Academy football star navigates recruiting chaos

Allen Clark, the Thunder's record-setting running back/linebacker has 20-plus offers to play at the next level.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch Mustangs changed their name from the Manatee Admirals after 12 seasons and promptly won the Lightning High School Hockey League championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 11, 2026
LRHS claims third Lightning Cup ice hockey title in program history

However, this was the first Lightning Cup title since the team changed its name to Lakewood Ranch Mustangs.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Hysen Muhametaj, Jamison Eige, Ron Major and Sydney Bartlett of Direct Window & Door celebrate Eige's win at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off.
  • March 14, 2026
Spicy showdown at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off
2
"Paradise Runway" fashion show models Judie Jacobson, Patti Wrobel, Cheryl Gross, Janet Nash and Regina Napoli wait to show off their second outfits for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club fundraiser.
  • March 13, 2026
Paradise Runway fundraiser hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club
3
A bird box for purple martins sits on the golf course at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club of Lakewood Ranch.
  • March 13, 2026
Wildlife checks into the Ritz in Lakewood Ranch
4
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center COO Philip Reber, who has overseen the $120 million tower expansion, has been named the hospital's interim CEO.
  • March 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO resigns
5
Art in the Park will take place on March 14-15 at the University Park Country Club. It will feature different mediums of art from 50 artists including Michael Parkinson, a co-chair for Art in the Park.
  • March 12, 2026
University Park's Art in the Park to showcase 50 local artists

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