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Seeding Placement Heating Up In 5A-8

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2007

Class 5A District 8 is proving to be the most competitive district in Hillsborough County this season. Brandon (12-2) remains undefeated in district play, but three teams could tie for second by the end of the regular season. Newsome, Armwood and Bloomingdale could vie for second, while Wharton and Freedom could become surprises during the district tournament.

Last week, Bloomingdale beat Armwood in five games (15-25, 28-26, 22-25, 25-23, 15-5), while the Hawks (7-2) defeated Newsome (6-3).

'It's anybody's game,' Bloomingdale coach Bonnie Hess said. 'It's wide open.'

'Whether you're No. 1 or No. 2 in our district, it doesn't matter,' Brandon coach Amy Watson said. 'It's just a prestige thing.'

Last season, top-seeded Bloomingdale defeated fifth-seeded Wharton in the district final. Wharton upset second-seeded Brandon in the semifinals. Hess said the district has been up for grabs in the last three years.

'There was the one year we went to the finals as the seventh seed,' she said.

'You have to be ready to go every time you step on the court,' Watson said.

BAYSHORE TOURNAMENT: Durant defeated Gaither, Bayshore Christian and Bloomingdale to win the Bayshore Christian Tournament over the weekend. The Cougars improved to 13-5. Host Bayshore Christian defeated Seven Rivers Christian and Ocala St. Johns.

Alexa Donini (Durant), Jannica Mollett (Bayshore Christian), Caitlin Barsumian (Bloomingdale), Hannah Davis (Antilles High, Virgin Islands), Elissa Haussmann (Gaither), Rachel Capra (Seven Rivers Christian) and Marianna Broz (Tampa Catholic) were named to the all-tournament team.

TITANS COME HOME: Tampa Bay Tech hasn't played a home match this season because of renovations being done on the school's gym. The closest the Titans got to play a home match was using the gym of a local middle school.

'We've been adjusting as best we can,' Tech coach Kristin Alvarez said.

Tonight, however, the Titans will play at home for the first time this season against Leto. Of its next four matches, two are at home, which includes Senior Night against Jefferson.

JAGUARS SPREAD AWARENESS: On Tuesday during its match against Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, the Academy of the Holy Names junior and varsity teams will hold a fundraiser to promote breast cancer awareness in conjunction with the school's Student Council. Holy Names athletic director Pete Young said the team will donate proceeds to the Florida Suncoast Affiliate of Susan G. Komen.

CRUSADERS GET UPSET: Tampa Catholic swept Academy of the Holy Names on Tuesday (25-14, 25-23, 25-22) to stay undefeated in district play.

Senior outside hitter Marianna Broz led TC with 12 kills, 17 digs and three blocks. Sophomore setter Suzanne Peterson had 28 assists.

The team faces Berkeley Prep on Thursday, but can clinch the second seed in the district with a win against St. Petersburg Catholic tonight.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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