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Sports

Braden River High then-junior quarterback Lucas Despot threw a touchdown pass to Yahshua Edwards against Lakewood Ranch High in 2023. New Pirates Head Coach Eric Sanders wants Despot to lead more in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 7, 2024
East Bradenton football programs spring forward

As the spring practice season begins, here is what fans of Braden River High, Lakewood Ranch High and ODA should watch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High pitcher Lexi Meneely, pictured last season, held Parrish Community to two runs in the district championship on May 1.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 7, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Lexi Meneely

The Lakewood Ranch High softball junior helped her team to a district championship May 2 with her pitching and hitting..

  • East County
  • Sports
ESPN host Kevin Negandhi, Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, Former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Dick Vitale, NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon, University of Tennessee men's basketball coach Rick Barnes and V Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson pose before the Dick Vitale Gala.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 6, 2024
Dick Vitale Gala remains a night of hope

The annual event, held May 3 at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, was a reminder of what is important.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mooney senior Hunter Sheffield rips a shot for a goal against Barron Collier. Sheffield had two goals in the game.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 2, 2024
Cardinal Mooney boys lacrosse handles the pressure

The Cougars secured the No. 1 seed in the regional tournament for the first time.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney junior Chris McCorkle (8) sprints downfield against Riverview.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 1, 2024
What to watch as spring football begins in Sarasota

Each of the area's teams has intriguing storylines to follow before summer arrives.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota High girls track and field sophomore Aubri Antczak.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 30, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Aubri Antczak

The Sarasota High girls track and field sophomore holds the school record in the 3,200-meter run (11:04.22)

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Braden River High sophomore Benecio Claudino and junior Grant Hicks are undefeated as a doubles pair in 2024. This is their first season together as a full-time pair.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 30, 2024
Braden River High boys tennis duo is a pair of aces

Sophomore Benecio Claudino and junior Grant Hicks complement each other's strengths.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High sophomore flag football player Natalie Davis.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 30, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Natalie Davis

The Braden River High flag football sophomore had two TDs and two INTs April 23 against Keswick Christian

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch senior Lucas Anthony lets out a scream after scoring a goal against Venice High on April 27. Anthony had eight goals in the regional quarterfinal win against the Indians.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 29, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse uses internal fortitude to stay alive

The Mustangs have reached the FHSAA Class 2A regional semifinals for the first time.

  • East County
  • Sports
Former Booker High and Central Michigan University defensive lineman Jacques Bristol had 44 total tackles (18 solo), eight tackles for loss, four sacks and five quarterback hits in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 25, 2024
Booker High alum hopes to hear his name called in NFL Draft

Defensive lineman Jacques Bristol believes he can bring run-stopping and leadership to a franchise.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Former Booker High and University of South Florida running back Marlon Mack (25) was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 24, 2024
A look back on some Sarasota-area NFL stars

Combined, Sarasota's high schools have had 25 players record stats in the NFL.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riverview High baseball sophomore Caiden Cabral.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 24, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caiden Cabral

The Riverview High baseball sophomore had two big games April 18-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Braden River High senior Corin Mohammadbhoy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 23, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Corin Mohammadbhoy

The Braden River High girls track and field senior won the triple jump at the Palmetto Invitational.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Prep finished its first baseball season 4-10, but Head Coach Alex McDuffie said the Eagles learned a lot about what it takes to be a team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 23, 2024
New Lakewood Ranch Prep baseball program starts with the small details

For the meantime, the pitch is for the players to learn responsibility to their teammates.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tim Widing gives the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy a kiss. Widing won the tournament in a two-hole playoff against Patrick Cover and Steven Fisk.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 21, 2024
Tim Widing wins 2024 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Widing outlasted Patrick Cover and Steven Fisk to get the win at Lakewood National Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
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