Amidst the crazy 2020 year we’ve just had, some great opportunities have opened up for a few players on Hernando High’s girls basketball team. Covid-19 has caused complications for sports of all kinds, but to push through and prosper is what Hernando County knows best and continues to do.
On a night when it seemed that everyone else in the country was watching the results from yet another election that has captivated the nation, it was actually very nice to be watching basketball. A vote for basketball is always a winning proposition and, on this night, there were storylines galore.
On September 2, 2020, a photo of a presentation slide containing a quote regarding “Black Lives Matter” surfaced from a Hernando High School U.S. Government classroom, sparking a School Board investigation based on the concern that Dr. Christina Torres-Velazquez was sharing her personal political views and beliefs to students. Torres-Velazquez has been cleared of the allegations by the school district.
ROOKSVILLE-- On Friday, May 1st, Hernando High girls softball coach Kevin Bittinger and others held a senior softball parade for five of the 2020 graduating players at Tom Varn Park, the Lady Leopards home field.
“It was just sad that these girls didn’t get to finish off what they started,” Hernando High girls softball coach Kevin Bittinger said.
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) issued the following statement on April 20, 2020 in regards to the Spring High School sports season:
BROOKSVILLE, Fla.-- It has been over a month since any lights shined on the baseball fields. Hernando High first baseman Steven Taylor said... “It’s a mix between sadness and anger. Baseball has been my life, and for me to work as hard as I have to get to where I am and for it to basically be stripped away from me at the end, it just sucks. It broke my heart when my mom told me the news.”
With all the winter sports now officially concluded in Hernando County, we move into the spring season of athletics and it brings on baseball and softball. Along with baseball and softball is track and field and spring football. We take a brief look at all the prep baseball teams across Hernando County and what to look forward to this upcoming 2020 campaign.
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.
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. --- Hernando High School’s gym had its party face on, Thursday Sept. 19, as the place looked so different, it really does clean up nice.
There was just enough light in the gym to create the atmosphere, the dinner was prepared and served by the students of the Hernando High School Culinary Arts Department and some of the musical entertainment was provided by the Hernando High School Chorus.
This year, the Hall of Fame Committee inducted nine former Hernando High School athletes and one team to be enshrined inside the Hernando High School Hall of Fame.
By LISA MACNEIL
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At a press conference held on Sept. 6, 2019, HCSO Sheriff Al Nienhuis, together with School Superintendent John Stratton and Major Crimes Detectives had additional information on the series of events that led to the lockdown of several schools on Sept. 5, 2019.
No students were threatened, and no shots were fired during the incident.
All 5 male suspects are juveniles, and students at Hernando High School.
