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East County | Sports

Lakewood Ranch rising senior Jake O'Neal won the most valuable player award of a Perfect Game tournament earlier this summer.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 24, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Jake O'Neal

The Lakewood Ranch rising senior has had a standout summer on the diamond.

  • 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
« 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 »
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Latest in East County

1
Rev. Phil Woods stands in the newly renovated 10,000-square-foot sanctuary.
  • March 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch church wraps up $7.7 million expansion
2
Cooper Pote has already been a shortstop, center fielder, third baseman and pitcher this season for the Thunder. At the plate, his contributions have been second-to-none among his teammates.
  • March 2, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Cooper Pote
3
Suncoast Stars Community's Jenny Audet, Julie Audet and Laurel Audet are grateful for the program that provides a wide array of activities including dance, music, fitness and nutrition, knitting, Bible study, crafts, and more.
  • March 1, 2026
Suncoast Stars Community shines bright during fundraising event
4
University Park's Marilyn Kern reacts after making the winning bid during the live auction for a Hawaiian vacation at Sisterhood for Good's Tropical Escape Feb. 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 28, 2026
Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch hosts Tropical Escape fundraiser
5
Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation
  • February 27, 2026
Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation

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