Alice Mary Herden

Article and Photography by Alice Mary Herden

Brooksville--Last season for Central was rough with twelve wins and fifteen losses which included losing against Lecanto twice. However, on the night of February 12, 2019, Central took the Districts Quarterfinals title win defeating Lecanto 60-57.

When Central faced Lecanto during the Thanksgiving Tournament on November 29 at Weeki Wachee High school, Coach Matt Zandecki observed Lecanto’s game strategies and their players’ performances.

Hernando Audubon offers a beginner program for those interested in the adventures of birding.  

As birding becomes more popular for those of all ages, the excitement of spotting birds is also a way to learn more about Florida’s wildlife. 

“We never know what we are going to see,” Linda Vanderveen said. “Of course, the winter months are the best, especially nice during the migration time because we get some unusual birds, like the Indigo Bunting.”

Connor Morgan has been playing baseball for Hernando High since he was a freshman. He also explored other sports. As a sophomore, Connor played soccer and at the beginning of his senior year, he played tight end and defensive linemen on the Leopards football team. 

“Soccer definitely helps out with footwork, being a little more coordinated with my feet and football makes me stronger. It all correlates together as far as athleticism goes and moves on to baseball,” Connor said.

Weeki Wachee and Central join-in hosting their first preseason basketball classic

Hernando County, FL ---The week before Thanksgiving, three Hernando County high schools took an opportunity to invite nine teams outside the county to host their preseason basketball classic.

Central Breakfast Station Preseason Classic

Article and Photography by ALICE MARY HERDEN

Hudson, Fla. --Cheerleaders from Winding Waters, Weeki Wachee, and Springstead competed in the Division Competitive Cheer Competition at Hudson High School on Nov. 22, 2019.

Weeki Wachee varsity cheerleaders were added to this year’s line up, along with Winding Waters K-8 team who were the 2019 UCA Game Day - Junior High Non-Tumbling Cheerleading Champions.

“We are working on defending our title this year,” said Carrisa Edwards.

Hernando Christian Academy falls to Riverside Christian in a 38-31 championship battle.

Article and Photography by ALICE MARY HERDEN

Trenton, FL -- “It was a quiet bus ride going up. It’s kind of hard to take it all in,” Jeff Knott said. 

Hernando Christian Academy’s football team set a goal to be the 2019 6-man Florida State Champions. As every game they played brought them closer and closer, the road to the final championship game ended on Riverside’s home field. 

Article and Photography by ALICE MARY HERDEN

BROOKSVILLE, FL -- Hernando High School hosted the girls weightlifting tri-meet on Nov. 13, 2019. Nature Coast dominated the Leopards den with 53 points. Hernando High came in at 34 points and Weeki Wachee at 22.

The girls' next big meet is on December 22 at Weeki Wachee High School. This is a county meet and all five schools in the county will be competing.: Weeki Wachee, Central, Hernando, Nature Coast Tech and Springstead. The meet begins at 1 pm.

Article and Photography by ALICE MARY HERDEN

Connor Morgan has been playing baseball for Hernando High since he was a freshman. He also explored other sports. As a sophomore, Connor played soccer and at the beginning of his senior year, he played tight end and defensive linemen on the Leopards football team. 

“Soccer definitely helps out with footwork, being a little more coordinated with my feet and football makes me stronger. It all correlates together as far as athleticism goes and moves on to baseball,” Connor said.

Article and Photography by ALICE MARY HERDEN

Hernando County, FL ---Middle school football coaches are building fundamentals for their players while junior varsity (JV) coaches are preparing their players for the higher expectations of varsity football.

Throughout the football season, I covered a few games. Interviewing coaches both in middle school and junior varsity.  Coaches all said that their goals are to mentally prepare these student athletes as well as build the right character.

St. Leo, FL - The 2019 Fall Ball Classic Tournament Championship round at St. Leo University consisted of ten teams playing over three consecutive days.

Four teams played Friday night at St. Leo University for the chance to proceed to Saturday's line up. Among those four teams was Nature Coast Tech. 

The Sharks defeated Brandon 5-2 on Friday night and advanced to Saturday’s lineup to play Wiregrass. After dealing with Florida's weather, including a wet field, Nature Coast Tech won 2-0.