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Patchan To Announce College Choice Jan. 5

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2007

Armwood senior football player Matt Patchan will announce his college choice during a news conference on Jan. 5, the same day as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, but his announcement won't take place during the game in San Antonio, Texas.

Armwood coach Sean Callahan said Thursday his standout two-way lineman, one of the nation's most sought-after recruits, won't play in the prestigious all-star game because he has been battling mononucleosis. Callahan said Patchan got sick shortly after the Hawks' state semifinal loss to Miami Washington and has been advised by doctors not to play in the game. Patchan was one of 78 players nationwide selected for the game.

Callahan said he didn't know Patchan's college choice. Patchan, who was recently named a Tribune All-Hillsborough County first-team selection and first-team All-USA by USA Today, previously had narrowed his choices to Florida, Miami and LSU.

BIG HONOR: East Bay senior two-sport athlete Chris Collins recently received a distinguished Presidential Appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, Indians wrestling coach Erik Matricardi said Thursday.

Collins, who swims and wrestles for the Indians, received the good news on Dec. 21 and was overjoyed to say the least, Matricardi said.

"He was literally out of breath when he called to tell me, he was so excited," Matricardi said. "He is a great kid. No one deserves it more than him."

Collins has competed in both swimming and wrestling all four years at East Bay and has enjoyed success throughout in each sport. Earlier this year he swam a leg on the Indians' 200 free relay team that broke a school record in the event, one that had stood since 1997. So far this wrestling season, Collins, a 160-pounder, is 23-1, including a 5-0 mark at a six-way dual tournament hosted by East Bay on Dec. 22, the day after he received notification of his appointment.

"He's been doing outstanding this year," Matricardi said.

Matricardi said Collins likely will compete in both sports for the Black Knights.

MILESTONE ON TAP: Brandon junior wrestler Eric Grajales will go for career win No. 200 today when the Eagles get under way at the Heart of Dixie Classic at Vestavia Hills High in Alabama.

Grajales, one of the nation's top prep 130-pounders, holds a record of 197-6 overall, counting his seventh- and eighth-grade seasons at Temple Heights and his time at Brandon. Grajales, a two-time state champion and undefeated in an Eagles uniform, is scheduled to get five matches today, the first of the two-day tournament.

NEW COACH: Hillsborough girls basketball coach Chris Brazzle was replaced by former Terriers coach Yolanda Whitehead last week because of philosophical differences between Brazzle and the school athletic department, Brazzle said Thursday.

"My coaching style was too aggressive for some people. I was told I yell too much," he said. "When Hillsborough High gets leadership for all of the athletic programs, every program will be a success. Right now, it's all about football and baseball."

Brazzle said the team didn't take the news very well.

"Some players talked about quitting, but I told them that wasn't a good idea," he said. "I think Yolanda was the best choice for the job. I wish the girls the best."

Hillsborough, which has no senior on its roster, is 10-4 after losing Thursday against Tampa Catholic in the Keeler Memorial Christmas Tournament.

MILESTONE: Bloomingdale senior guard Paris Moore scored her 1,000th career point Saturday in a 53-36 win against Jacksonville Bartram Trail.

Moore reached the mark after making two free throws early in the first quarter. With the second half of the season still to play, Moore has a chance to break Erica Woodard's school mark of 1,228 career points.

BOYS BASKETBALL: The Jesuit Invitational will be played today and Saturday at Jesuit. Today, Hardee and Hudson play at 6 p.m., followed by Jesuit versus Bayshore Christian at 7:30 p.m. The championship game will be played Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Adam Adkins, Gregg Becnel, Nick Williams

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