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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 31, 2008

Wharton's Powell Commits To Army

Wharton senior LB/RB Josh Powell has committed to Army, Wharton coach David Mitchell said Wednesday.

Powell visited West Point in November, but kept his options open. Elon and Florida Atlantic also were interested.

"He's grown into a fine young man," Mitchell said. "I remember watching him play as a freshman on JV. He's one of those guys you love to have in your locker room. He speaks through his actions."

Powell said he will most likely play strong safety.

"It felt like the right direction I should be going," he said.

Also, Berkeley Prep QB/DB Archie Barnes has committed to Vanderbilt, Berkeley coach Dominick Ciao said.

"It's a great opportunity for him," Ciao said. "He was a great leader for us. It's a great fit for him academically and athletically."

Barnes visited Vanderbilt over the weekend and was offered a "gray shirt," meaning his scholarship would not become effective until January 2009. Barnes is the second player to commit to Vanderbilt under Ciao.

This past weekend, Barnes said Vanderbilt recruited him as an athlete. He said they would like to see him play quarterback, receiver, defensive back and linebacker. UMass, Furman and Navy also were interested.

"If he goes in January, he has an extra year to get ready," Ciao said. "That's what they offered him, but if in the meantime something opens up from now until August, he can go then."

MORE RECRUITING: East Bay's Ryan Stubbs will make his first official visit this weekend to Nicholls State, Indians coach Brian Thornton said.

Stubbs, a first-team all-conference pick and a Tampa Tribune All-Hillsborough County honorable-mention selection, led the Indians with 811 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Nicholls State is the only program to offer Stubbs a scholarship thus far, Thornton said.

Also, Tampa Catholic senior DL Marco Mendoza, a Tribune first-team all-county pick who led the county with 23 sacks last season, is scheduled to visit Western Illinois, while Armwood senior DL Josh Alston will make an official visit to the Air Force Academy.

MURRAY, GIDDINS MAKE TOP 100: Plant junior QB Aaron Murray and Armwood junior DL Ryne Giddins each were listed on the Rivals.com Top 100 for the Class of 2009.

Murray, who threw a state-record 51 TD passes last season, was listed at No. 44. Giddins, who set a Hawks program record with 19 sacks last season, was listed at No. 98. Both players were listed as four-star (on a five-star scale) recruits.

Also, Chamberlain junior DL Dontavious Pyron was one of 15 players "who just missed" being in the recruiting Web site's top 100 players, according to a story accompanying the list.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Armwood senior G Adam Sollazzo has been the named the Florida Athletic Coaches Association's District 13 Player of the Year, given to the top boys basketball player in Hillsborough County as voted by the coaches, Armwood coach Jeff Pafunda said.

Pafunda said Sollazzo (6-foot-5) will represent the county at the FACA North vs. South all-star game. Sollazzo, who is averaging 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, also was selected as the Class 5A county player of the year. Other county players of the year by classification were Gaither's Kornilous Donnell (6A), Spoto's Derick Beltran (4A), Berkeley Prep's Zak Kazanski (3A) and Tampa Prep's David Waller (2A). Coach of the year selections were Renaldo Garcia from Sickles (6A), Plant coach Mike Phillips (5A), Spoto coach Eric Brooks (4A), Berkeley Prep coach Bobby Reinhart (3A), Tampa Prep coach Joe Fenlon (2A) and Seffner Christian coach Roger Duncan (1A)

District representative and Alonso coach Todd Price said Waller finished runner-up for district player of the year. He said a 1A Player of the Year was not selected.

VOLLEYBALL: Plant senior Kellie Catanach, a standout setter on the Panthers' state-championship team, was named a fourth-team Academic All-American by PrepVolleyball.com. Catanach, who has signed with Duke, was named the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year and Miss Volleyball by Florida Dairy Farmers after leading Plant to its second consecutive Class 5A state title.

Nick Williams, Adam Adkins

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