Sidelines

+ Manatee Admirals improve to 9-1
The Manatee Admirals hockey team improved to 9-1 with a 5-3 victory over Jesuit Catholic Nov. 22.
Dylan Longo, Christopher Boehm, Rhett Rampinelli, David Tmej and Ian Deckard all scored goals for the Admirals.

Dominick Tmej stopped 39 of 42 shots.

+ ODA girls basketball sinks St. Stephen’s
The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team defeated St. Stephen’s 53-8 Nov. 25.
Jenna Bloch scored 23 points to lead the way for the Lady Thunder. Lisa Hoffman added 16 points for ODA.

With the win, ODA improves to 4-2 (2-0).

+ Inspiration Academy names tennis director
Inspiration Academy recently announced the addition of Denis Pelegrin as its new director of tennis.
Pelegrin has developed players who have combined to win seven Orange Bowl titles, eight Eddie Herr trophies and one U.S. Open Junior crown.

More than 50 of his players also have been ranked in the top 100 ITF Junior World rankings.

As director of tennis, Pelegrin will oversee Inspiration Academy’s tennis camps, as well as its junior high and high school tennis programs.

Joining Pelegrin will be Assistant Director of Tennis Rodrigo Vallejo, a former Davis Cup player, and Jose de Matta, who spent five years coaching alongside Nick Bollettieri.

Prior to coming to Inspiration Academy, Pelegrin spent five years coaching at IMG Academy. He also owns Pro Tennis Academy.

+ IMG taps new director of baseball
IMG Academy recently announced the addition of Dan Simonds as its new director of baseball.
Simonds is a former collegiate and professional player and coach, who spent eight years serving as the head coach at Miami University.

As the director of baseball, Simonds will be responsible for overseeing IMG Academy’s baseball program for its youth and high school student-athletes, as well as its training programs for postgraduates and professional players.

“After 15 years of coaching Division I baseball, I am looking forward to shifting my focus to what I believe to be the most unique and comprehensive college-preparatory program in the nation,” Simonds says. “It’s exciting to be presented with an opportunity to share my collegiate and professional playing and coaching experience with young dedicated student-athletes, while also assisting IMG Academy in continuing to attract and develop top talent from around the globe.”

+ Mooney cruises past Imagine School
Freshman Jacqueline Kulle scored 23 points to lead Cardinal Mooney to a 47-23 victory over Imagine School of North Port in its district opener Nov. 26.

Emily Walser added 14 points.

KUDOS
+ Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball
The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team breezed to an 85-41 victory over Sarasota Military Academy Nov. 25.

Cameron Darby scored 13 points to lead the way for the Mustangs. Quinn Thomas, Branden Barber and Sam Hester all added 12 points. Devin Twenty finished with 10 points.

GAME TO WATCH
Girls Basketball
Dec. 5
Braden River vs. Lakewood Ranch
(7 p.m.)

STANDOUT PLAYER
Emily Bulfin
Point Guard, Girls Basketball
Lakewood Ranch High

2 - The number of quarters it took for Bulfin to score all 33 of her points.

7 - The number of three-pointers Bulfin made in the non-district game.

33 - The number of points Bulfin scored in Lakewood’s 70-35 victory over Sarasota Christian Nov. 25.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]