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East County | Sports

Entering this season, Braden River softball hadn't won a district title in seven years. The squad is now two wins away from a state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 14, 2026
Braden River High softball advances to state semifinals

With a wire-to-wire effort from Kaydence Evans, the Pirates are FHSAA Class 5A-3 regional champions.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophie Bell had never rowed until middle school. From May 16-17, she'll return to the place where her career started, now a sophomore competing at the NCAA Division I level.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 13, 2026
Local rower-turned-Division I athlete returns to area for Big 12 Championships

Old Dominion's Sophie Bell, a Lakewood Ranch High graduate, will be competing at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rick Farmer carries plenty of experience calling plays on defense, but his new role leading the Pirates represents his first head-coaching appointment in high school football.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 12, 2026
No time to waste for new Braden River High football coach

Rick Farmer, the team's former defensive coordinator, was hired on the first day of spring practice.

  • 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
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Latest in East County

1
About 50 local, state and federal candidates attended "Meet the Candidates" at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing July 16.
  • July 20, 2026
Meet the candidates event draws hundreds to Lakewood Ranch
2
Swimming is a sport Izzy DiPasquale got into because of her older sister, Ava DiPasquale. She's now assembling a career of her own.
  • July 20, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Izzy DiPasquale
3
Mike Mullen, the new principal of Lakewood Ranch High School, is ready to take on the role he applied for in 2019.
  • July 19, 2026
Educator returns to area as principal of Lakewood Ranch High
4
Manatee EMS deputy chief charged with lewd conduct, released from employment
  • July 17, 2026
Manatee EMS deputy chief charged with lewd conduct, released from employment
5
Addison Gutowitz, 13, and Harriet Shore, 11, learn skills on electric guitar from 17-year-old Max Froemel in the guitar breakout session.
  • July 17, 2026
Campers come together at School of Rock Lakewood Ranch

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