SIDELINES

+ Pirates boys basketball remains unbeaten
The Braden River High boys basketball team improved to 5-0 with a 53-47 victory over Port Charlotte Dec. 7.
Senior forward Patrick Tart scored 12 points to lead the way for Braden River. Zechariah Kendall and Terrance Cummings both had 11 points and Trevon Young added 10 points.

+ Thunder boys basketball nabs first win during game
The Out-of-Door Academy boys basketball team defeated St. Stephen’s 44-40, for its first win of the season Dec. 7.

Nick Grano scored a game-high 18 points and Colbie Ward added 13 points to lead the way for the Thunder.

+ Lady Thunder basketball shoots past Lady Falcons
The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team defeated St. Stephen’s 38-13 Dec. 7.
Lisa Hoffman had 12 points, 12 rebounds and eight steals to lead the way for the Lady Thunder.

+ Lady Mustangs basketball picks up district win
Lakewood Ranch freshman Elise Spiller scored a game-high 17 points, as the Lady Mustangs defeated Palmetto 42-30 in a Class 6A-District 12 game Dec. 7.

+ Mustangs tie Hurricanes
The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team tied Manatee 1-1 Dec. 5.
Team captain Ryan Sollazzo scored the lone goal for the Mustangs.

+ ODA boys fall to Shorecrest Prep
The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer team fell to Shorecrest Prep 3-2 Dec. 4.
Tait Lystad and Hunter Clarke each scored one goal for the Thunder. Goalkeeper Bryan Kirshe had 12 saves.

+ ODA boys and girls soccer falls to St. Stephen’s
The Out-of-Door Academy boys and girls soccer teams both fell to rival St. Stephen’s in Class 1A-District 8 action Dec. 6.

The boys lost 9-1 while the girls were blanked 2-0. Hunter Clarke scored the lone goal for ODA. Hannah Howell scored both a goal for the Lady Falcons.

+ Extra Innings to begin holding pitching clinics
Extra Innings will be offering two pitching clinics, headed by former local major league baseball player Troy Mattes, beginning Dec. 18.

Pitching 101 for ages 12 and under will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays. The clinic will be four sessions long and will focus on the basics of pitching. Areas of focus include: grips, footwork, balance, leg drive, release point, control, warm-up, stretching and arm maintenance, among others.

Pitching 102 for ages 13 and up will be held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Dec. 20.

This four-session clinic for more advanced pitchers will focus on the basics of various pitch grips and delivery along with throwing mechanics, bullpen routines, arm maintenance, commanding pitches and the mental aspects of pitching.

Both clinics will be held to a maximum of 10 participants. The cost is $109 for members and $139 for non-members.