Sidelines

+ Mustangs top Pirates in district win
The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team defeated rival Braden River 46-43 in Class 7A-District 10 action Dec. 13. It was the first time Lakewood coach Jeremy Schiller had defeated Braden River in the regular season in six attempts.

Josh Rountree powered Lakewood with 11 points. Justin Otis added nine points, and Sam Hester finished with eight points.

Zechariah Kendall finished with 14 points for Braden River. Michael Braxton added nine points and 10 blocks.

+ SCF homecoming weekend approaches
The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota will hold its homecoming weekend events Jan. 23 through Jan. 25.

The weekend will begin with the second annual SCF Athletics Golf Classic at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 23, at IMG Academy Golf Club. The classic includes a four-person scramble golf tournament with dinner following the event.

Registration for the event, which is open to the public, is $125 per person, or $470 for four people. Proceeds from the event will support SCF’s athletic teams. The deadline to purchase tickets is Jan. 17.
SCF will host its seventh annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 7 p.m. Jan. 24, at IMG Academy Golf Club. Former baseball players Ryan Moore and Tom Cook will be honored. Tickets cost $40.

Homecoming weekend will conclude with a pair of alumni games Jan. 25. Softball will be held at 10 a.m., followed by baseball at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

+ IMG will host NCAA track championships
The NCAA recently awarded IMG Academy as the host venue for the NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the 2016-17 seasons.

IMG Performance will host the championships in conjunction with the University of Tampa. Events will take place May 26 through May 28, 2016, and May 25 to May 27, 2017, on the campus of IMG Academy, in Bradenton.

“When you look at the list of cities and venues that will host our championships, there is no doubt the experiences across divisions and sports will likely be the best in NCAA history,” said Mark Lewis, NCAA executive vice president of championships and alliances. “The process was extremely thorough and allowed the sport committees to have some tremendous options, which will ultimately provide our student-athletes, coaches and fans the best experience possible.”

Kudos
+ Manatee Cal Ripken Scrappers
The Scrappers won the Rookie Division Championship during Manatee Cal Ripken Baseball’s Championship Saturday, Dec. 7.

The Scrappers went 3-0 in postseason play before defeating the Timber Rattlers 8-3 in the championship game.

“I am so proud of these boys,” manager Lee Heintz says. “It has been a joy to coach these kids and be around the families. This coaching staff and ‘ScrapperNation’ were the force behind our success.  Our boys worked hard all season and, today, it paid off.”

Championship players include: Parker Severs, Baden Wallace, Hunter Jackson, Camden Pope, Jonathan Stone, Ben Hedgepeth, Gage Hinds, Aiden Brown, Sam Heintz, Hunter Winneka, Cody Simpson and Ryan Swenson.

GAME TO WATCH
Boys Basketball
Dec. 26
Cardinal Mooney vs. Southeast (6:30 p.m. at Riverview High)

STANDOUT PLAYER
Aleah Robinson
Girls Basketball
Lakewood Ranch High

1 - The number of years Robinson has been involved in the Lady Mustangs’ program.

100 - The percentage Robinson shot from the free-throw line to help secure the victory for Lakewood.

19 - The number of points Robinson scored in Lakewood Ranch’s 46-41 victory over Sarasota in Class 7A-District 10 action Dec. 12.