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East County | Sports

Out-of-Door Academy freshman Michael Garzia (No. 0) ran for over 100 yards, scored a touchdown and made an interception in the a 19-14 win over The Master's Academy on May 15.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 19, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Michael Garzia

Out-of-Door Academy freshman had a breakout performance in spring game win.

  • East County
  • Sports
Back: Victor Van Den Broek, Sarasota Paradise CEO Marcus Walfridson, Enzo Panozzo; Front: Mathis Leveque and Angel Velasquez of the Sarasota Paradise.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 15, 2025
Sarasota Paradise brings a whole new level of soccer to Lakewood Ranch

A dogged Swedish soccer player-turned-coach-turned-team owner is determined to push through on an ambitious goal: to sustain professional soccer in the region.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch graduate Parker Severs won a six-man playoff at Waterlefe Golf & River Club on May 8 to advance to the final round of qualifying for the 125th U.S. Open.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch graduate advances to US Open final qualifier

Parker Severs won a six-man playoff at Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Out-of-Door Academy junior Kevin Gyurka placed fourth in the 1,600-meter run and eighth in the 3,200-meter run at the 1A state championships on May 10.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 13, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kevin Gyurka

The ODA junior placed fourth in the 1,600-meter run at the 1A state championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch football has several returning players who are champing at the bit for their first playoff win.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High football hopes to turn the corner

A senior-laden Mustangs team is hungry for its first playoff win in 23 years.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pirates senior Nick Curbelo celebrates scoring the first run of a 9-3 win over Manatee on a triple by senior Camden Pope in a regional semifinal game on May 1 at Braden River High School.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 7, 2025
Braden River baseball's playoff run is no accident

A senior-laden Pirates team is playing as if every game is its last.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch sophomore Liam St. John set the school record for the longest javelin throw (53.36 meters) at the 4A Region-3 meet on May 3.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 6, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Liam St. John

Lakewood Ranch sophomore sets the school record for longest javelin throw at regional meet.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy football team has made a habit out of setting high expectations just four years removed from not having enough players to finish a season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 6, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy football readies for 'best season'

The Thunder are armed with seasoned seniors and promising underclassmen.

  • East County
  • Sports
Camden Tippett, 12, lays out to tackle a tackling wheel during a drill at a Nextlevelz clinic in Lakewood Ranch on April 26.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 30, 2025
Nextlevelz tackles football concerns with local clinic

The developmental program teaches 100 youth football players how to tackle.

  • East County
  • Sports
Emily Storm won in her first American Junior Golf Association event on April 13 at Shalimar Pointe Golf Club.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 29, 2025
LRHS golfer wins in American Junior Golf Association debut

Emily Storm is breaking through in her golf game at the right time.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River freshman Maddie Kasch has proved to be a team leader in the box score and the dugout in her debut season with the varsity softball team.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 28, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Maddie Kasch

Kasch, a freshman, is a captain and top hitter for Braden River softball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ariana Perez finished her freshman season with a 10-5 record in singles play out of the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 spots for the Mustangs girls tennis team.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 23, 2025
Lakewood Ranch freshman tennis player faces a fork in the road

Ariana Perez must decide if high school tennis is the best path for her future.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River senior Rhys Klein pitched six shutout innings in a 1-0 district semifinal win over St. Petersburg Hollins on April 15.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 23, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Rhys Klein

The Braden River senior threw six shutout innings in a pivotal district win.

  • East County
  • Sports
Neal Shipley was all smiles after winning the LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 19, 2025
Shipley wins 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic in five-hole playoff

The 2024 Masters and U.S. Open Low Amateur notched his first pro win in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Johnny Keefer lines up a putt on No. 18 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic on Friday. Keefer shot a 2-under 69 to put him in a tie for 19th place.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 19, 2025
Leaderboard tightens headed into final round of LECOM Suncoast Classic

Twenty-six players are within five strokes of the lead with one round to play at Lakewood National.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
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
2
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
3
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
4
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
5
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland

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