Basketball

Last Friday night, Nature Coast defeated in-county rival Central to clinch their seventh district championship under head coach Dave Pisarcik. Entering yet another FHSAA regional tournament, the Sharks had the benefit of being able to host the first round on their court per FHSAA bracketing procedures. Their opponent in the first round was the Zephyrhills Bulldogs, a team that has history with NCT due to previously being in the same district for a several years and famously defeating the Sharks a few years ago on said court en route to a state semifinal appearance.

Going into the Hernando Leopards Christmas tournament, which had a bracket for women’s and boys’ varsity basketball, unlike the Nature Coast tournament from last week had sixteen teams consisting of only boys’ varsity basketball. There were two teams that had undefeated streaks going into the tournament: The Nature Coast Sharks boys’ team and the Weeki Wachee Lady Hornets team. Both teams managed to make their ways to their respective bracket’s championship games, with NCT continuing their torrid streak of 60+ point games.

The air was electric in the Shark Tank on Wed. Dec. 27, 2017 as the Nature Coast Sharks welcomed in 15 teams spread across the state of Florida and one team from Georgia in their fifth annual Nature Coast Christmas Tournament. Every team that showed up had high hopes of being crowned a champion in either bracket, and some were returning champions defending their crown. The results of the first eight games are as follows:

Going into this season, a critical question for the Nature Coast varsity basketball team was whether they could continue their legacy in this county. The legacy in question stems from the Sharks obtaining a regional tournament berth since skipper Dave Pisarcik took the helm.

If Tuesday’s game had any say in this season, better buckle up because there’s going to be an exciting thrill ride this year.

The University of South Florida is participating in March Madness, as the women’s team was named to the NCAA tournament, though their spot in the tournament is not without controversy.

The Lady Bulls earned their spot in the women’s basketball tournament after a 24-8 season that saw them make it to the American Athletic Conference’s final, where they would lose to the number one team in the country, the undefeated University of Connecticut. This was their fifth straight 20 win season, and eighth overall, all under head coach Jose Fernandez.

The Final Five Conquistadors of 2017
Sophomores Gabriel Steele, Dylan Bailey, Destin Dunton, Charles Isaac and Chris Copeland, are the Final Five Conquistadors for the PHSC Basketball team. PHSC is currently changing their mascot name and the new mascot will be revealed to the public during the college’s Welcome Week for the 2017-18 school year.
PHSC ended the season with 12 wins and 14 losses. Their last game was a power win over Ave Maria 105 – 67, however their five graduating sophomores expressed that their final season playing on the court was a disappointment.

The Pasco-Hernando State College women's softball team opened their 2017 season competing against Illinois Central College and Puerto Rican National Team for a double header tournament at Eddie Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater on January 27.

Teams from all over the country participated in the JUCO Classic Tournament. It’s an opportunity to compete against a diversity of talent and build skills.

“(We) really to try to get everyone in the mix and generate a team concept,” Head Coach Ryan said.

PSHC Basketball team is towards the end of their season. There are seven games left in the season and the team must pull off 5 wins to qualify for the District 10 tournament being held in Petersburg, Virginia.  Coach
Jones feels that with practice and hard work, the Conquistadors will reach this goal.

Florida State College of Jacksonville traveled to PHSC home court on Wednesday night where PHSC ended their fourth game of the season with a loss.