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East County | Sports

Gavin Henderson ranks No. 5 in the state for scoring, as of Jan. 23, while playing for a charter school basketball program that's only in its second season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 28, 2026
College hoops hopeful sticks it out at Lakewood Ranch Prep

Gavin Henderson, a junior guard, has powered the boys basketball program through its second season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Senior Taylor Ford competes at the FHSAA Class 2A-District 12 Championship Jan. 24 at Braden River High School. She won silver in Olympic style for the 139-pound weight class as the Pirates claimed their fourth straight district title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 27, 2026
Braden River High girls weightlifting team builds with belief

By undergoing a culture reset, the Pirates have become a powerhouse.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gavin Moore has allowed just nine goals, as of Jan. 22, for Lakewood Ranch boys soccer in 2025-26 en route to the Mustangs' first undefeated regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 26, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Gavin Moore

The senior has been a standout in net for Lakewood Ranch boys soccer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch junior Ricardo Rengifo wrestles Javier Puchi in the 138-pound weight class.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 21, 2026
First 'in-school' wrestling matches hosted by Lakewood Ranch High

The school's administration allowed students to miss late-in-the day classes to attend Lakewood Ranch's boys and girls matches against Riverview.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dillon Rosenthal, a fourth-year entrepreneurship major at FGCU, proudly sits beside one of BounceBack Pickle's bins. His business takes old, broken pickleballs and recycles them into new ones.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 20, 2026
BounceBack Pickle succeeds at intersection of sport and sustainability

Dillon Rosenthal, a graduate from The Out-of-Door Academy, has found a niche by recycling pickleballs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Evan Rowe has distinguished himself in the 165-pound weight class this season and carries aspirations of a top-three finish in March's FHSAA individual championships.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 19, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Evan Rowe

The Braden River senior wrestler ranks No. 2 in the state for the 165-pound weight class.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jordan Guerrero, a 29-year-old former MiLB pitcher, is the new ODA baseball coach. He takes over for Mike Matthews, who served as coach in 2021-25 and guided the Thunder to the 2021 FHSAA Class 2A state title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 14, 2026
Former minor league player will lead The Out-of-Door Academy baseball program

Jordan Guerrero, a right-handed pitcher in the San Diego Padres' organization, brings a "contagious" energy to the Thunder.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ryan Neuzil started all 17 games at center for the Atlanta Falcons this season. The 2016 Braden River High graduate was ranked No. 7 out of 40 graded centers by Pro Football Focus.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 13, 2026
Ryan Neuzil's success is a case study in hard work

The Atlanta Falcons center and Braden River High graduate earned the right to be a full-time NFL starter — and proved he belongs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Danielle Dube of Lakewood Ranch girls basketball, as of Jan. 5, stood less than 50 points away from 1,000 in her high school career.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 12, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Danielle Dube

Lakewood Ranch's junior guard/forward has been one of the state's most prolific scorers this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch junior goaltender James Devriendt (33) gets some postgame kudos from senior defenseman Jackson Ellis (4). Devriendt's .878 save percentage and 2.05 goals against average through 13 games are both career-best marks on a Mustangs team that has done nothing but win in 2025-26.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High boys hockey team turns heads with unbeaten streak

The Mustangs have won all their games in the Lightning High School Hockey League.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gaby Bichanich, as a freshman, entered winter break as ODA girls basketball's leading scorer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Gaby Bichanich

The freshman guard powers The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team on offense.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Concession Golf Club Majority Owner Bruce Cassidy and General Manager Brian Weimann will be the key players in the club hosting the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 5, 2026
Impactful moments loom for East County's sports landscape in 2026

There's plenty of reasons for local sports enthusiasts to be excited about the year ahead.

  • East County
  • Sports
Livia Zamperlini-Ramos (left), Anna Chop (center) and Bailey Loring (right) share some joy while singing "Last Christmas."
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 24, 2025
Lakewood Ranch wrestlers give back to their community through caroling

The Mustangs traded singlets for singing at Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living.

  • East County
  • Sports
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025

The Observer sports columnist reflects on the area's champions, record-breakers and competitors who stood above all others.

  • East County
  • Sports
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo

The senior midfielder/forward is the leading scorer for The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer through nine games.

  • East County
  • Sports
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1
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  • June 19, 2026
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2
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3
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Will Sarasota, Manatee counties lose their luxury living with reduced property taxes?
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Couple hatches plan to protect doves that nested in front door wreath
5
Ashley Avellan-Knutson (left) will lead Braden River girls weightlifting into a new era following the departure of former coach Jordan Borges (right).
  • June 17, 2026
New head coach takes over the Braden River High girls weightlifting program

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