Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

There’s a new set of fins in town, but these Blackfins aren’t your average school of tuna. 

Blackfin is the new moniker for the Lakewood Ranch YMCA swim team. Formerly the Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners, the team changed its name as part of its rebranding process. 

Rather than continuing its association with a jet ski, Lakewood Ranch YMCA swim coach Jeff Logsdon felt a Blackfin, a small but aggressive type of tuna, was more the team’s speed. 

“Our team is small, but we’re pretty aggressive and we’re pretty fast,” Logsdon said. “It just kind of fell together that way. It’s kind of cool the way it all worked out.” 

The Blackfins hold open tryouts every Tuesday at 6 p.m., for children ages 6 and up, and also have a Wahoo program designed for future up and coming Blackfin swimmers. The team already has been seen sporting T-shirts and caps with its new logo, so there should be no confusion when the team dives into the pool for the winter short course season.

“It’s kind of in your face,” Logsdon said. “We’d been the Wave Runners for a long time, and it was time to move on. It’s been good though.” 

***

I pride myself on being on time, the earlier the better. 

So you can imagine my dismay when I pulled up to the Out-of-Door Academy 15 minutes late for the boys basketball team’s season opener versus Sarasota Military Academy Nov. 16. 

As I rushed through the blue double doors, my Nikon D300 bouncing against my side, I was hit with the salty aroma of freshly buttered popcorn wafting out from the concession stand. 

For a moment, I was back in elementary school sitting on the bleachers in the Stow High School gymnasium watching the boys basketball team run up and down the floor. Some of my favorite sports memories are centered around those Friday nights during the winter. 

With a box of popcorn or a salted pretzel in hand, I would sit in the warm confides of the gymnasium with my family and watch the magic unfold. I saw everything from blowouts to buzzer beaters to state Final Four appearances. 

There’s a certain type of energy that radiates from the court this time of year, and after missing the last two months of last year’s basketball season, I’m anxious to see what this season has to offer. 

All three East County boys basketball teams tipped off their seasons last week, and Lakewood Ranch, Braden River and ODA all are off to an impressive start. 

After a pair of blowout wins during the preseason, Lakewood opened its season with a 80-46 victory at Bayshore. The Mustangs set a school record for wins in a season with 21 last year and are capable of surpassing that this season. 

“We are excited to get this season underway,” Lakewood coach Jeremy Schiller said. “Our kids have been working hard since last March, on the court and in the weight room, to prepare for this season. We are looking to build on last year’s success and are enjoying the process of getting better every day.” 

ODA is 2-0 after posting wins against Keswick Christian and Imagine High. 

After a loss in its season opener, Braden River bounced back with a 76-67 victory over Southeast in its home opener Nov. 18. 

“It’s great being able to go out there and finally compete against other teams and face new players,” Braden River senior Tyler Dyson said. 

If this last week is any indication, all three East County squads are capable of posting their best seasons in recent years, which should make for an exciting season down the stretch. 

So join me in the gymnasium one Friday night this winter. You won’t be disappointed. Just make sure to have a couple dollars on hand for a bag of popcorn or two. I know I won’t make the mistake of leaving my wallet in the car next time.