Sidelines

+ Miss Manatee wins Labor Day tourney
The Miss Manatee Softball 8U travel team went undefeated to capture the USSSA Bye Bye Summer Labor Day Tournament Aug. 31 through Sept. 1, in Fort Myers. 

Miss Manatee defeated Rampage 11-4 in the championship game to clinch the title. 

The team is now ranked No. 1 in the nation in the USSSA rankings and has a power ranking of 998. 

Championship players include: Madilyn Gemme, Kennedy Blair, Caitlin Flitcraft, Taylor Shepard, Hannah Ott, Amity Stelzer, Riley Anderson, Amanda Lee, Miriam Traugutt, Hailey Hirter, Kelsey Vogel, Riley O’Neil, Rylee Muhollen, Ella Dodge and Erin McIntyre. 

+ Mustangs remain unbeaten
The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team shot a combined 278 to win the six-team Lakewood Ranch Invitational Sept. 7. 

The Mustangs finished 10-under par to tie their lowest 18-hole total in school history. 

Luke Miller shot 69 to lead the way for Lakewood. Charlie Sun shot 70. Ramsey Touchberry and Danny Walker each shot 71. Kelly Sun and Ben Parisi both added 72s. 

Lakewood will return to action Sept. 13, at the Baker Invitational in Cape Coral. The Mustangs have won the title each of the past three years.

+ Lakewood Ranch falls on the road
The Lakewood Ranch High football team suffered its first loss of the season Sept. 6, falling to Tampa Jesuit 31-7. 

Trailing 3-0, Lakewood quarterback Chad Rex connected with James Jeffcoat for an 85-yard touchdown with nine minutes to play in the first half. It was the lone score of the night for Lakewood. 

+ Injuries hamper ODA Thunder 
The Out-of-Door Academy football team fell to Calvary Christian 43-7 Sept. 6. 

Austin Hoppe (knee) and Max Provost (ribs) both left the game with injuries. 

Trent Radigan scored a 35-yard touchdown, and Jason Fineburg rushed for 101 yards to lead the way for the Thunder. 

+ ODA wins against Sarasota Christian
The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball team defeated Sarasota Christian 3-2 Sept. 6. 

Lauren Maxey powered the Lady Thunder with 21 kills and 19 digs. Natalie Buffett added 16 kills, 17 digs and three aces. Cameron Graham contributed 43 perfect passes and 37 digs. Monica Costa added 40 assists and five blocks. 

Heidi Miller finished with 20 kills and a block to lead the way for Sarasota Christian. Cheyenne Miller added 11 kills and three aces. Cole Miller contributed four aces and 28 assists. 

+ Local racer posts speedy victory
Conner Dutting-Morrell won his first pole of the year after racing to a first-place finish in his Jr. Honda car at the Little T Speedway Aug. 25, in Thompson, Conn. 

After losing the lead on the first lap, Dutting-Morrell made his move eight laps into the race to reclaim first place. 

He also won the B main event in his Jr. Animal car. 

STANDOUT PLAYER 

Luke Miller
Boys Golf
Lakewood Ranch High 

3 The number of shots under par Miller finished to power the Mustangs to a first-place finish at the Lakewood Ranch Invitational Sept. 7. 

1 The number of state championships Miller has won with the Mustangs. 

8 The age Miller was when he began playing golf competitively. 

GAME TO WATCH

Volleyball
Sept. 12
Braden River at Sarasota (7 p.m.)