Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Practice makes perfect. 

As children, the expression is drilled into our heads for just about every activity from riding a bike to organized team sports. 

It’s a simple idea, but what happens when no one is watching? What happens when there’s no one there to hold you accountable? 

It’s in those moments that athletes transform from players to all-around students of the game. 

Riverview point guard D.J. Bryant is one of those players. 

This past Sunday afternoon, I walked into the Rams gymnasium for a club volleyball interview — and who should I run into but the senior captain?

Bryant had set up an automatic ball return at the opposite end of the gymnasium and was firing shot after shot. 

After a quick hello, I moved to the other side of the gym, and Bryant got back to work. 

Did I mention Rams didn’t have practice that day? That’s dedication, and according to Riverview coach B.J. Ivey, it's commonplace for Bryant.

"He is constantly finding time to get into the gym and work to improve his skills," Ivey said. 

I don’t know how long Bryant was there before I got there. All I know is that the basketball return was still there as I was heading out the door some 45 minutes later — waiting for Bryant to return from a much needed break, I presume. 

With with every shot, Bryant, who signed with the University of Texas at Arlington in November, had a smile on his face. He may not lead the team in scoring this season, but Bryant's work ethic speaks for itself. 

"D.J. embodies one of our program’s core values of relentlessness," Ivey said. "He is relentless in his pursuit to improve, not only as a player, but as a person and as a student. This mindset has rubbed off onto other players in our program due to the great example that he has set for his teammates." 

I think it’s safe to say, growing up, Bryant heard the old saying a time or two himself. 

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Did you know there was a drought in Sarasota? 

Well fear not, Cardinal Mooney fans, the drought is officially over. The Cougars boys soccer team captured its first district championship since 2003 with a 4-2 victory against district rival DeSoto County in the Class 2A-District 11 championship Jan. 21. 

The two teams tied in their first regular season meeting and DeSoto beat the Cougars 3-2 at home, but Cardinal Mooney was on the winning end of the decision that mattered most. 

So what does this mean? 

“It would mean everything to finally win a high school title,” said Cardinal Mooney junior striker Alex Turner, who recorded his 10th hat trick of the season, before the game. “It would be insane.” 

As the district champion, Cardinal Mooney will open the regional tournament at home for the first time in 13 years. The last time that happened, the Cougars finished as the state runner-up. 

Will history repeat itself? You’ll have to tune in next week to see if the Cougars are still in the mix. 

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