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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 17, 2008

Dairy Farmers Honor Taylor

Plant volleyball coach Leanna Taylor was named the 2008 Florida Dairy Farmers Girls Volleyball Coach of the Year on Tuesday.

Taylor, in her fifth season, guided Plant to a 29-3 record and its third consecutive Class 5A state title. It was the program's eighth overall.

"I am so deeply humbled," Taylor said. "The girls on the team, their hard work and dedication made this possible. I owe it all to them."
Taylor was a finalist for the award in 2006 and 2007.

She is the fourth volleyball coach from Hillsborough County to win the award. Berkeley Prep coach Randy Dagostino (1992), former Tampa Prep coach Carol Chalu (1993) and former Durant coach Teri Ohme (2002) received the honor.

"I am completely surprised," Taylor said. "There are a lot of great coaches in the state."

Plant senior outside hitter Danielle Erb, the Dairy Farmers 5A Player of the Year, finished third in total votes for 2008 Miss Volleyball. Orlando Timber Creek senior hitter Jessica Yingling, who has committed to the University of Tampa, was named Miss Volleyball.

BASKETBALL: Sickles senior center John Henson, who has signed with North Carolina, was named to the watch list for the 2008-09 Naismith Trophy for the boys basketball high school player of the year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Tuesday.

The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the top prep basketball player.

The voting academy will narrow the list down to five candidates in February and announce the winner at the end of the high school basketball season.

American Heritage senior guard and University of Florida commitment Kenny Boynton was also named to the list.

Previous winners of the award include Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

FOOTBALL: Chamberlain senior receiver Anthony Williams and Wharton senior safety Jairus Jones have been selected to play in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association North vs. South Football All-Star Classic in Sebring on Dec. 23.

Williams set a Chamberlain single-season record this year with 13 touchdowns. He also had 819 receiving yards on 37 catches to help the Chiefs reach the Class 5A region final.

Jones, a 6-foot, 215-pound athlete, led Hillsborough County in tackles with 188 and was the Wildcats' leading receiver with 842 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Nick Williams

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