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Sports

Ian Desmond, a Sarasota High graduate, was selected in the third round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Montreal Expos.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 21, 2025
Lakewood Ranch hires former MLB player Ian Desmond as its baseball coach

Desmond will take over a Mustangs team that went 6-18 in 2025.

  • East County
  • Sports
The view of the first hole from behind the fairway bunkers at The Concession.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 21, 2025
The Concession lands Senior PGA Championship for 3 years, starting in 2026

The Lakewood Ranch course has played host to previous high-profile events.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota softball junior Ashlan Guengerich had five hits and five RBIs across two regional playoff wins last week.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 21, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ashlan Guengerich

The RBI machine has helped power the Sailors to the final four

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Braden River is in a better spot this spring following a year of coach and player turnover.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 21, 2025
Braden River football hopes to become a winning program in 2025

The Pirates are owning a bounce-back mentality coming off a 2-7 season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jewel Kerr (middle) was supported at her signing day by her brother, Amir Kyles, mother Jacqueline Pearson, sister Kasi Pearson, grandmother Wanda Pearson and coach Carlos Woods.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 20, 2025
Booker senior becomes first flag football signee in Sarasota County

Jewel Kerr signed a scholarship to play flag football at Bethel College on May 14.

  • Sarasota
  • 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 20, 2025
Braden River's baseball run one of top stories of year in East County

Record-breaking runs, championships and breakthroughs make this spring special.

  • 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
New Booker head football coach Carlos Woods has united the Tornadoes after former coach Scottie Littles resigned in April.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 15, 2025
Booker football regroups after losing head coach

The Tornadoes' goals remain high despite the loss of Head Coach Scottie Littles.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
The Sarasota-area spring sports players of the year
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 14, 2025
The Sarasota-area spring sports players of the year

These athletes stood out in the box score and off the field.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Riverview junior Anthony Miller threw a personal-best 58.76 meters in the javelin at the 4A state championships on May 10.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 14, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Anthony Miller

The Riverview junior placed second at the 4A state championships in javelin.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Riverview football players said their spirits are higher this season, with no more rumors of players transferring, unlike 2024.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 8, 2025
Sarasota Riverview football embraces a new start

The Rams are feeling renewed after a season filled with turnover.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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