Football Ends, but Soccer, Basketball Seasons Off to a Rousing Start

GAITHER:

Football:

The Gaither boys ran into a wall in the regional finals last Friday in Lakeland. The Cowboys were wiped out 42-14 as they limped to the finish in what was otherwise a tremendous season.

The Cowboys finish 2011 with a record of 9-4, 4-1 in the district. Gaither football only won eight games in the last three complete seasons.

Despite having a young, undersized team with a injury-decimated offensive line the job done by head coach Jason Stokes and defensive coordinator Brian DelValle simply cannot be understated or overlooked. Highlight wins at Chamberlain on Oct. 28 and , and the huge come-back win against Durant in the regional quarterfinals punctuated the Cinderella season.

A breakout season from senior Carlo Perello (32 catches, 469 yards, and five touchdowns) helped lift the Cowboys past Tech and kept Gaither in most of its games.

Senior defenders, Josh Scarberry and Nick Sampson, along with junior Logan Marshall and sophomore Matt Williams, all had more than 100 total tackles on the year.

Stokes and staff deserve a nomination for coaches of the year.

Soccer:

The boys team is 5-1-1 after last week's games at Chamberlain (5-1W), and against Leto (1-1T). The Cowboys faltered a bit in the tie with Leto but have had no problem advancing and scoring with the ball so far in 2011.

The girls team is 5-3-1 and on a bit of a tear since a Nov. 17 win over Sickles. They are in the midst of a three-game win streak after beating Chamberlain and Leto into 8-0 mercy rulings. Seems as though the girls squad is picking up rhythm.

The boys and girls both host Steinbrenner and travel to Alonso this week.

Basketball:

The Gaither boys started the season 0-2 after losing to Steinbrenner (59-33) and Blake (66-60).

The girls team is 1-6 after losses to Steinbrenner (68-17) and Blake (53-44).

Both teams will play at Chamberlain and host Alonso this week.

Wrestling:

Gaither wrestling hosts East Bay this Wednesday.

CARROLLWOOD DAY SCHOOL:

Soccer:

The girls team is scorching through the first part of the season. They are 7-1 under fourth-year head coach Donna Holyman.

Last Wednesday, they blasted out Academy at the Lakes 8-0 in the opening minutes of the second half. Senior Taylor Tippet, who is a USF committ, scored three goals, while Alex Biver added two of her own. Carli Gauthier is just an eight-grader and she got in on the scoring.

"There is a lot of chemistry and senior leadership on this year's team," said Holyman.

The boys team is 1-3 after a 1-6 loss to Shorecrest on Nov. 29 and Tampa Prep this past Monday.

Both boys and girls play at Calvary Christian this week.

Basketball:

The boys team is 1-3 after a 62-38 loss to Tampa Prep. The boys host Keswick Christian this Friday.

The girls team is 0-5-1 after a 51-25 loss to Tampa Prep. They will host Seffner Christian this Thursday.