• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | Sports

In Denver, Colorado, Florida Premier FC SWFL played five matches in five days and came up one win short of a national title. It previously won the U.S. Club Soccer Florida Cup in May to qualify.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 5, 2026
Florida Premier finishes as the runner-up in a national soccer tournament

Florida Premier FC SWFL's U13 girls soccer team ultimately lost to FC Tampa Rangers in the U.S. Club Soccer National Cup.

  • East County
  • Sports
Molly Lynch, a rising sophomore outside/middle hitter, is one of a few talents returning for Braden River girls volleyball this fall. Last year's team was senior-heavy en route to the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 4, 2026
Braden River girls volleyball has to pick up the pieces

The road ahead will be rocky for the Pirates with so much lost production from last season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Avarie Tholl and the Mustangs were 6-0 in FHSAA Class 6A-District 11 play last season en route to the district title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 3, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Avarie Tholl

The rising senior middle blocker is returning after a 51-block season in 2025 for Lakewood Ranch High girls volleyball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Henry Wainscott eyes first base with his throw during an around-the-horn drill at July 21 practice. He was one of 12 players who made up the 11U All-Stars — a team which finished 7-1 this summer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League 11U All-Stars finish third at state tournament

The 11U team was the league's first to play at the state level since 2023.

  • East County
  • Sports
Nick Myers of Lakewood Ranch orchestrates the Sarasota Paradise supporters' group's symphony of support. He conducts not with a baton, but a megaphone.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 28, 2026
'The Helm' is heard in Paradise

The Sarasota Paradise's supporters' group is present at every home match, bringing the noise from first to final minute.

  • East County
  • Sports
Trevion Dixon has an NFL connection through his uncle, Mike Jenkins, who was drafted 25th overall in 2008 by the Dallas Cowboys.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 27, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Trevion Dixon

The rising senior will play wide receiver for Braden River this fall in his second and final season of high school football.

  • East County
  • Sports
Defender Declan Watters (left) is one of several Sarasota Paradise players learning from lead assistant Trevor Sinclair (right). The Paradise are 5-10-3 in USL League One and 6-13-3 overall, as of July 16.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 22, 2026
Assistant coach brings wealth of experience to Sarasota Paradise

Trevor Sinclair, a pro for 19 years, hopes to help the first year professional team move up in USL League One.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bob Bowling (left) chews out his son, Matt Bowling (right), while coaching football at Palmetto High. Before Braden River, he worked at Palmetto from 1993-2004.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 21, 2026
Family, friends remember longtime coach, athletic director Bob Bowling

Bowling, who died at the age of 78 on July 4, was the first athletic director at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • Sports
Swimming is a sport Izzy DiPasquale got into because of her older sister, Ava DiPasquale. She's now assembling a career of her own.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 20, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Izzy DiPasquale

The rising seventh grader and Mill Creek resident made multiple trips to the podium at the Florida Summer Age Group Championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
This past season was Jordan Guerrero's first as the Out-of-Door Academy baseball coach. Guerrero, who pitched in the San Diego Padres organization from 2015-23, guided the Thunder to an 8-12 record.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 16, 2026
Retired pros bring unique experience to high school coaching

The path from playing professionally to high school coaching is well-trodden, but how does that experience translate?

  • East County
  • Sports
When she isn't overseas, Sky Commissar spends most of her time with Southwest Florida Premier FC at the club level. With them, she competes in the girls' regional league of the Elite Clubs National League.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 14, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High soccer player gets international exposure

Sky Commissar made the Mustangs' varsity as a freshman and also has competed in international competitions twice.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brooklyn Cullen's golf career began at Hawaii's Princeville Makai Golf Club when she was 6 years old. It continues now in Florida, where she moved before beginning sixth grade at The Out-of-Door Academy.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooklyn Cullen

The rising golfer secured a national title before her junior season with The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
Avery Banfill (left) and Phoenix Scanlan (right) grew up on the same junior golf circuit. Their respective journeys converged at Parrish Community High and will converge once again at Memphis next fall.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 8, 2026
Stars align for local golfers who are headed for the University of Memphis

Avery Banfill and Phoenix Scanlan of Lakewood Ranch will play for Memphis women's golf after their senior years with Parrish Community High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Crew's U16 Women's Eight races to a title at the 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships hosted by Nathan Benderson Park. The Crew had 16 entries at this year's championships, but did not bring home a title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 7, 2026
Sarasota rowing programs have rough waters to navigate before being considered elite

The region's rowing programs have performed well at the regional level, but they have yet to catch the traditional powerhouses.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Wyatt Wittman, ranked a four-star punter by Kohl's Professional Camps, will contribute both kicking and punting for Braden River football this fall under first-year coach Rick Farmer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Wyatt Wittman

The rising junior kicker/punter for Braden River High has embraced his switch from soccer to football.

  • East County
  • Sports
1 2 3 4 5 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
Country Club's Lilly Chaddha and her daughter, Simi Ranajee, find Shanti Yoga to be a place of peace, relaxation and growth.
  • August 7, 2026
Shanti Yoga sharpens the mind, body and soul
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
James T. Golden, who previously represented District 5 on the school board from 2018-2022, is now running once again to represent District 2.
  • August 5, 2026
Past school board chair wants to serve Manatee County School District again
5
In Denver, Colorado, Florida Premier FC SWFL played five matches in five days and came up one win short of a national title. It previously won the U.S. Club Soccer Florida Cup in May to qualify.
  • August 5, 2026
Florida Premier finishes as the runner-up in a national soccer tournament

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free