Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Lakewood Ranch junior forward LaDazhia Williams and coach Tina Hadley were both recognized for their roles in guiding the Mustangs to the state championship game. 

Williams was named the Class 7A Player of the Year by the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches while Hadley earned Class 7A Coach of the Year honors. 

Despite nagging injuries, including a sprained ankle that caused her to miss seven games, Williams averaged 15.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. She scored 20 points or more in seven games, including a game-high 26 points in the Class 7A-Region 3 quarterfinal win over Riverdale Feb. 4. She led the Mustangs to their first regional championship and state championship appearance. 

Hadley, who closed out her ninth season, has guided Lakewood Ranch to the regional tournament each of the past four seasons and three-consecutive 20-plus win seasons. Under her guidance, Lakewood Ranch has developed into a state championship contender. 

“I am always honored when all the hard work and hours that I put in as a coach is recognized by the media and my colleagues,” Hadley said. “I can't take credit for all of it. I have great assistants and loyal players.” 

The season may be finished, but the work is far from over. Hadley and Williams have returned to the court in preparation for the competitive travel ball season. 

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With six players who have either signed or committed to Division I programs, Braden River coach Melissa Dowling knew this softball season was going to be special. 

Some of the players have been together most of their lives, so it's not surprising the Pirates have a 13-0 record. They care about each other.

“That is the key,” Dowling said. “They are selfless players who are for the team.” 

With three weeks left in the regular season, Braden River is the team to beat? 

The Pirates are averaging nearly 12 runs per game while holding opponents to less than two runs per game. 

Braden River has allowed just 23 runs this season, nine of which came in a pair of back-to-back victories over Riverview and Manatee March 9 and March 10, respectively, while junior pitchers Lexi Phelps and Ali Yawn have combined for six shutouts. 

The Pirates are strong in all facets of the game, which continually puts pressure on their opponents to be perfect. Braden River has a knack for scoring early, and often; and on those rare occasions when an opponent scores on Phelps or Yawn, the Pirates answer back quickly. 

“They take the pressure off the circle and put it right back on the other team,” Dowling said. 

Such was the case against Riverview when Braden River found itself trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning. The Pirates came out in the top of the second inning and scored two runs of their own to take a 3-2 lead. Braden River eventually went on to win 10-5 against Rams' ace Deanna Stevens. 

So just how far can the Pirates climb? 

“The sky is the limit,” Dowling said. “These athletes, when they work as a team, are unbeatable.” 

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The Lakewood Ranch baseball team clinched a share of first place in the Class 8A-District 8 tournament with a 9-4 victory over Manatee in its regular district season finale March 11. 

The Mustangs are now 9-3 overall and 5-1 in the district after falling to district rival Sarasota 10-2 March 8. Lakewood edged past the Sailors 2-1 in the first meeting between the two teams. 

As one of the top seeds, Lakewood earned home field advantage to open the district tournament, which begins April 18. The Mustangs and Sailors met in the district championship game and the regional semifinals last season with Sarasota winning both contests en route to a berth in the state championship.