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East County | Sports

Junior Jackson Zackery (left) celebrates with senior Peyton Hens (right) after a goal against Sarasota High on April 9 in the FHSAA Class 2A-District 12 quarterfinals. Lakewood Ranch advanced with a 13-4 victory.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 15, 2026
'Unfinished business' for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse

Guided by a strong senior class, the Mustangs have sought redemption for past shortcomings.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dick Vitale, 86, has been with ESPN since the 1979-80 season and has called over 1,000 games for the network. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2026
Vitale reveals a new cancer diagnosis

The 86-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident and sports announcer says treatment begins next week.

  • East County
  • News
Bernhard Langer hits a drive on the third hole during the first round of the 2025 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. He's won an all-time record 12 senior majors in his storied career.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 13, 2026
Who to root for at the Senior PGA Championship

Plenty of major champions will be at The Concession, but which golfers should you get behind?

  • East County
  • Sports
Outside weightlifting and wrestling, Freedom McDaniel also plays defensive end/defensive tackle for Braden River football. His 43 solo tackles in 2025 were second-most on the team.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Freedom McDaniel

The junior pushed Braden River High boys weightlifting to a district championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ernie Els reads the green at The Concession during the 2023 World Champions Cup. He's No. 6 on the PGA Tour Champions money standings, as of April 6, and will be active at the Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 7, 2026
The PGA Tour Champions could use a jolt of charisma

Without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, the senior circuit has been lacking in that ever-important department.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bella Toscano is one of two Mustangs, as of April 3, hitting over .450, but also boasts the lowest ERA among her teammates.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano

The sophomore pitcher/first baseman leads Lakewood Ranch High softball on both sides of the ball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jeremy Gandon kisses the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy. He shot six under par in the final round to win the title at 22 under par overall, defeating Mitchell Meissner and Jay Card III by one stroke.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 5, 2026
Jeremy Gandon wins 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

The Frenchman birdied the 18th hole to clinch the title and avoid a three-person playoff.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Ian Gilligan and Jeremy Gandon are tied at the top, but multiple golfers are right behind them.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mitchell Meissner lines up his putt on the third green of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. He carded six under par in the second round, pulling into a 10-way tie for 10th place.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 3, 2026
Front runner emerges on second day of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Ian Gilligan stormed ahead of the pack with a four-stroke lead for first place.

  • East County
  • Sports
Hunter Eichhorn watches his approach shot fly on the ninth hole. He already has four top-10 finishes this season on the Korn Ferry Tour, and leads the LECOM Suncoast Classic after round one at nine under par.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 3, 2026
First round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic ended early by weather

Hunter Eichhorn led the Korn Ferry Tour event at the time play was suspended.

  • East County
  • Sports
Colin Montgomery, a two-time winner of the Senior PGA Championship, is in the 135-player field committed to play April 16-19.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 3, 2026
All-star field set for Senior PGA Championship

Twenty-one major winners are part of the 135-golfer lineup heading to Lakewood Ranch's The Concession.

  • East County
  • Sports
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research

Dick Vitale, a four-time cancer survivor, hosted the event at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High girls weightlifting coach Jordan Borges (right) shares a hug with senior Payton Mangay-Ayam (left). Borges said he has seen multiple Florida high school coaches leave their positions because of financial strain.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 31, 2026
SB 538 will improve pay for some coaches but leave many behind

The bill, which has already passed the Florida Legislature, is poised to benefit booster-friendly programs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mickey Cohen is the leading scorer for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse this season. He surpassed 100 career goals as a junior in 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 30, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Mickey Cohen

The senior has been on a scoring tear for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse.

  • East County
  • Sports
Hank Lebioda shot 17 under par to finish third at the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 25, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic found an above-par home in Lakewood Ranch

Since the tournament's debut in 2019, it has been a staple of the community calendar.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Sue Ann Miller's story is featured in the Donate Life display at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
  • April 15, 2026
Lakewood Ranch volunteer puts her second heart to good use
2
Manatee County has renegotiated its contracts with Waste Pro and Waste Management to bring back limited bulk trash pickup for one year.
  • April 15, 2026
Manatee County launches $3M pilot program for bulk garbage pickup
3
Junior Jackson Zackery (left) celebrates with senior Peyton Hens (right) after a goal against Sarasota High on April 9 in the FHSAA Class 2A-District 12 quarterfinals. Lakewood Ranch advanced with a 13-4 victory.
  • April 15, 2026
'Unfinished business' for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse
4
Steve Herrig, the owner of the Miakka Golf Club, which is expected to open in November, stands in front of a fairway and one of the many wetland areas formed by his course's construction.
  • April 14, 2026
Miakka Golf Club's commitment to nature isn't enough for some neighbors
5
Dick Vitale, 86, has been with ESPN since the 1979-80 season and has called over 1,000 games for the network. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
  • April 14, 2026
Vitale reveals a new cancer diagnosis

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