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East County | Sports

Behind-the-scenes coach connects ODA football players with college opportunities
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 23, 2025
Behind-the-scenes coach connects ODA football players with college opportunities

Josh Medeiros is dedicated to helping the Thunder players find a place to play at the next level.

  • East County
  • Sports
Paradise players Owen Barnett, Andres Freire and Jeffrey White helped lead the team to a division championship this season, but might not return in 2026.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 22, 2025
Sarasota Paradise ends amateur era with playoff loss

The soon-to-be professional soccer club will have a new look in 2026.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota softball dog-piled in the pitcher's circle after securing the final out against Riverview Sumner on May 15.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 18, 2025
Female athletes at the prep level have more opportunities than ever

Sarasota and Manatee county schools continue to work on evening the playing field.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy rising senior Dylan Walker plays wide receiver, kicker, punter and defensive back for the Thunder.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 17, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Dylan Walker

The ODA football player has ramped up his recruitment this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Paradise striker Andres Freire leads the Paradise with 10 goals this season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 15, 2025
Local striker makes his case to remain with the Sarasota Paradise

Andres Freire hopes to re-sign with the Paradise next season.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County native Conner Morrell is in his rookie year on the World of Outlaws sprint car tour this year.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 14, 2025
Braden River High grad has turned racing hobby into a lifestyle

Conner Morrell was signed to the World of Outlaws sprint car tour this year.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County resident Sean Laureano will play for Puerto Rico's U20 Men's Lacrosse team in the World Lacrosse Championship in South Korea from Aug. 15-24.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 9, 2025
East County lacrosse player hopes for spot on Puerto Rican Olympic team

Cardinal Mooney alum Sean Laureano hopes to bolster his chances at playing in the Olympics with a good performance at the 2025 World Lacrosse Men's U20 Championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch resident Regina Morris has kept medals and running bibs from each of the marathons she's run in all 50 states.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch resident shows resolve in 50-state marathon quest

Regina Morris hasn't let injury, travel or age stop her from reaching the finish line.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch rising senior Caua Magno de Almeida is spending his summer days balancing football, basketball, soccer and working out.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 7, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Caua Magno de Almeida

The rising senior is a three-sport athlete in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Paradise players Owen Barnett, Felipe Rojas, Jeffrey White and Andres Freire celebrate a goal by White against Weston FC on June 28 at Premier Sports Campus.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 2, 2025
The future is bright for Sarasota Paradise

Moving to Lakewood Ranch has been the right move for area soccer club.

  • East County
  • Sports
First-year Lakewood Ranch boys basketball coach Kaden Knott draws up a play during a time out at a scrimmage.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 1, 2025
Lakewood Ranch tries to recapture past glory with new boys basketball coach

Kaden Knott, 26, sees bounce-back potential in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Former Lakewood Ranch student Jack Burbee rebounded from open-heart surgery to place T6 at the FSGA 108th Amateur Championship in June.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 30, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Jack Burbee

The former Lakewood Ranch High golfer placed tied for sixth at an amateur state championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mark Prisco Jr. plans to attend Omnia Sports Academy, where he can further develop his baseball skills, rather than attend Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 25, 2025
Lakewood Ranch baseball player tries a different path to college ball

Mark Prisco Jr. will attend Omnia Sports Academy in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Sports
Former Sarasota High running back Brian Battie played one season at Auburn University before he was shot in the head on May 18.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 24, 2025
Former Sarasota High football player faces long recovery after shooting

Auburn University running back Brian Battie was awarded the 2025 Wilma Rudolph Award for his resilience.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Ryan Neuzil signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with $6.5 million in guaranteed money on May 28.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 18, 2025
Former Braden River player inks 2-year deal with Falcons

Falcons center Ryan Neuzil has earned job security with his excellent play.

  • East County
  • Sports
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 »
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Latest in East County

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
3
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
4
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
5
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

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