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East County | Sports

Brooks Bartram improved his fastball velocity from 84 miles per hour in September 2025 to 94 mph by February. Now, he'll play NCAA Division II baseball in the fall.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 11, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooks Bartram

After one season with Braden River, the senior right-hander has signed with Eckerd College.

  • East County
  • Sports
This fall will be Scott Paravicini's fourth season as the Lakewood Ranch football coach. He's posted a 14-17 record since taking over the program.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 6, 2026
Despite cancer, Lakewood Ranch High coach remains committed to his players

Scott Paravicini wouldn't agree, but his devotion to his team deserves our admiration.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarai Castro gave up on softball in 2023. Now, she's the Pirates' leading hitter in her first season at the high school level.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 5, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Sarai Castro

The freshman center fielder/left fielder led Braden River High softball to a district championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
A beaming Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous Kids at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala held on May 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 4, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala raises $21 million for pediatric cancer research

In its 21st year, the gala nearly doubled last year's $12 million total, with Vitale currently battling cancer for the fifth time.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tom Izzo has helmed the Spartans since 1995. His tutelage has taken the team to the 2000 national championship, eight Final Fours, six Big Ten tournament titles and 11 Big Ten regular-season titles.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 29, 2026
Legendary Michigan State coach tops lineup at Dick Vitale Gala

Tom Izzo will receive the Dick Vitale Spirit Award at the annual pediatric cancer fundraiser at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Sports
Forward Jonathan Bolanos (right) dribbles with a defender on his tail during the Sarasota Paradise's match vs. Corpus Christi FC on April 22. It was the team's first win this month, and second in seven games played.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 28, 2026
Sarasota Paradise learn some professional lessons

The Lakewood Ranch-based soccer club has struggled early with its move to USL League One.

  • East County
  • Sports
Paxton Hermann, who specializes in the pole vault, has been a standout sophomore for the Thunder.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 27, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Paxon Hermann

The Out-of-Door Academy track and field sophomore placed top-three in four events at the FHSAA Class 1A-District 11 meet.

  • East County
  • Sports
Stewart Cink (left) embraces his caddie after winning the Senior PGA Championship on April 19 at The Concession Golf Club. It marked his first major title on the PGA Tour Champions.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 22, 2026
PGA of America, The Concession reflect on Senior PGA Championship

It was the first senior major golf tournament in Lakewood Ranch, and is scheduled to return for 2027 and 2028.

  • East County
  • Sports
John Daly, an icon in professional golf, was one of many fascinating subjects for my camera at The Concession Golf Club.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 21, 2026
Letting pictures do the talking at the Senior PGA Championship

A behind-the-lens look at Lakewood Ranch's first senior major golf tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gabbie Hotaling is 11 goals shy of 200 in her career with Lakewood Ranch girls lacrosse, as of April 19, and 17 points away from 300.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 20, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Gabbie Hotaling

The senior midfielder powered Lakewood Ranch girls lacrosse to a maiden district title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Stewart Cink kneels by the Alfred S. Bourne Trophy. His name will be the 86th engraved into the silver prize of the Senior PGA Championship — the oldest major on the PGA Tour Champions.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 19, 2026
Stewart Cink wins 2026 Senior PGA Championship

The 52-year-old set the competitive course record at The Concession to claim his first senior major title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Vijay Singh watches his drive on the fifth hole at The Concession Golf Club. The World Golf Hall of Famer and 34-time PGA Tour winner shot 5-under par in the third round of the Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 18, 2026
Championship Sunday approaches at the Senior PGA Championship

Keith Horne leads the field, but Vijay Singh had a third round to remember.

  • East County
  • Sports
Stewart Cink watches his drive off the 10th-hole tee. He sits two strokes behind the leaders entering the third round of the Senior PGA Championship, in pursuit of his first senior major title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 17, 2026
Sun sets on first half of Senior PGA Championship

Scott Hend and Brian Gay are tied at the top, but Stewart Cink isn't far behind.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bernhard Langer reads the 10th green before attempting a putt. The 47-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions and two-time Masters Tournament champion shot six under par in his opening round.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 16, 2026
Senior PGA Championship tees off at The Concession Golf Club

Bernhard Langer is one of four golfers tied for the lead after the first round.

  • 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
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Latest in East County

1
EverCreek at Lakewood Ranch will be built by Pulte Homes off Bourneside Boulevard.
  • June 10, 2026
1,000 homes planned for new Lakewood Ranch community
2
Sam Michael Sciturro
  • June 10, 2026
Sam Michael Sciturro
3
Vittoria Ferrisi Alvarez, Gracie Nichols and Sawyer Nowicki, all seventh graders at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, created the book called "Snowball's Iceberg Incident" to compete in the Children's Stories event for Technology Student Association.
  • June 10, 2026
Local students prepare for national TSA competition
4
Madison McKay is in her second and final season with Sarasota Crew. With the club's Youth Women's Eight boat, she'll have a chance at ending her high school rowing career as a junior national champion.
  • June 10, 2026
Team change lifts local rower into the junior national championships
5
Jim Emanuelson is the president of Lakewood Ranch CERT, and John McInally is the responder liaison.
  • June 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit quick to respond in an emergency

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