SIDELINES

+ Rams win third straight title
The Riverview High boys basketball team captured its third-consecutive district title with a 71-50 victory over North Port in the Class 8A-District 8 championship Feb. 8.

Austin Walker scored 28 points and hauled in 12 rebounds to lead the way for the Rams.

With the win, Riverview will host Tampa Alonso in the regional quarterfinals Feb. 14.

+ Cougars cruise to district title
The Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball team cruised to a 76-34 victory over Bradenton Christian in the Class 3A-District 10 championship Feb. 8.

Antonio Blakeney scored 30 points to pace the Cougars. Ryan McMahon added 13 points.

+ Lady Rams fall in double OT
The Riverview High girls basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 46-44 loss to North Port in double overtime of the Class 8A-Region 2 semifinals Feb. 12.

It was the fourth meeting between the two schools.

Kehtura Merrick scored 15 points, and Gianna Vastola added 11 points for the Lady Rams.

+ Lady Sailors get stopped
The Sarasota High girls basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 43-29 loss to Stuart Martin County in the Class 7A-Region 3 quarterfinals Feb. 7.

The Lady Sailors committed an uncharacteristic 30 turnovers in the loss.

Natasha Wilcox finished with nine points, and Brooke Blackwell and Natalie Vesely added six points each for Sarasota.

+ Tornado is state runner-up
Booker High sophomore Alexandria Bartley finished second in the 183-pound weight class of the FHSAA Finals Feb. 9, at the Kissimmee Civic Center.

Bartley benched 200 pounds and lifted 175 pounds in the clean and jerk, finishing five pounds shy of first place.

+ Blazers blank Kings
The Sarasota Christian baseball team defeated Southwest Florida Christian 15-0 in its season-opener Feb. 12.

Joey Shamp went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and four runs scored to lead the way for the Blazers. Ryan Wenger allowed no hits and two walks while striking out one in the win.

+ Lady Blazers advance
The Sarasota Christian girls basketball team cruised to a 60-38 victory over Southwest Florida Christian in the Class 2A-Region 3 quarterfinals Feb. 7.
Janie Weaver scored 19 points to lead the way for the Lady Blazers. Heidi Miller finished with 15 points, and McKenzie Lantz added eight points.

+ Riverview defeats Plant
The Riverview High girls basketball team defeated Tampa Plant 57-42 in the Class 8A-Region 2 quarterfinals Feb. 7.

Gianna Vastola scored 22 points and hauled in 14 rebounds to lead the way for the Lady Rams. Juhnae Richardson had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Taylor Greenan and Kehtra Merrick each added eight points.