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Soccer Notes: County Tourney A Possibility?

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Tribune staff

Published: January 7, 2009

TAMPA - Wharton boys soccer coach Scott Ware remembers playing in the King High Soccer Tournament during his high school career.

"I remember back in the eighties, I played in the King tournament," Ware said. "It was like the county championship for soccer back in the eighties."

Durant coach Jamin Hollingsworth, who played for the Cougars in the nineties, does as well.

"We used to have the King tournament back when I played," Hollingsworth said. "And that was pretty much the county championship. Even Jesuit would play in that sometimes, if I'm not mistaken.''

Now, however, with the restrictions placed on tournaments and playing schedules, and the rapid growth in the number of schools in the county, the ability to hold a true county championship has been made difficult.

But that might not stop some from trying.

The Wharton Invitational, which held its semifinals on Wednesday night and will conclude on Saturday, has expanded to 16 teams this year. Ware, who has seen the tournament expand from eight teams to 12 to 16 in his time as coach, thinks going further would be a possibility in the future.

"It seems that way, I think people like to see it that way," Ware said. "I've had a lot of compliments on this tournament, keeping it local with all Hillsborough County teams, which is our goal."

To expand the tournament to include all of the county's schools, Wharton would need permission from the FHSAA to waive its tournament restrictions. To do that, it's likely they would need the backing of the County School Board. Those at the Wharton Invitational, however, are all for reviving the concept.

"I think it would be great," King coach Chris Lewis said. "I think these [tournaments], where you can get a one game a day format for team's, I think it's an awesome thing. I think an extra tournament like that would be good. If we could put it back, it would be fun."

BURROWS COMMITS TO GATORS

Wharton girls midfielder Brittany Burrows has committed to the University of Florida, and will sign with the Gators during the NCAA signing period next month.

Burrows, who suffered two torn ACL's during in 2006, one in January, the other in December, would join former local standouts Caitlin Howard (Sickles) and Vanessa Rangel (Freedom) on the Gators roster for next season.

WILDCATS GOALKEEPER OUT WITH SHOULDER INJURY

Wharton girls sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Beninati was injured in on a play in the Wildcats' 2-1 loss to Winter Haven in the Sarasota Holiday Classic Tournament. Beninati broke her right collarbone midway through the Wildcats' final match of the tourney on Dec. 20.

Last season, Beninati suffered a leg injury late in the season and was unable to play for Wharton in the district tournament.

HEITLINGER READY FOR RETURN

Plant girls starting outside halfback Stacy Heitlinger, who has missed the last seven matches with a torn left MCL, is ready to return to the field according to coach Stephen McGill.

"She gives us a tremendous presence," McGill said. "She beats any fullback – beats them like a drum."

Heitlinger had three assists and one goal prior to her injury and McGill said she adds a tremendous threat with her crosses.

"She sends beautiful balls across the goal and really opens up our left side with great services," McGill said. "She is really fun to watch."

BOYS TOP TEAMS

1. Jesuit – Lost its first game of the season to Wharton, but defeated Durant at HS Invitational and Berkeley on Saturday.

2. Berkeley Prep – Quality all-around performance was rewarded with HS Invitational title.

3. Durant – Only loss is to Jesuit. Playing well from front to back, it gets tough tests ahead of district tournament.

4. Wharton – Reaching final of HS Invitational by beating Jesuit was impressive. Suffered tough loss against East Bay on Monday.

5. Sickles – Couldn't close the deal at the HS Invitational after beating Tampa Prep, but is into Wharton Invitational semifinals.

GIRLS TOP TEAMS

1. Plant (13-1-1) – Plant went undefeated in the Sarasota Holiday Classic, but were held out of the finals by a goal differential decider. The Panthers did pick up a big win against Bloomingdale (the only team to beat Plant this season) and a tie against undefeated Ft. Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.

2. Newsome (16-4) – Newsome lost a tough 1-0 match against Cardinal Gibbons in the Sarasota tournament final but won matches against Tampa Prep, Wharton, Durant and Winter Haven.

3. Bloomingdale (9-2-2) – The Bulls had two tough losses to Plant and Cardinal Gibbons in the Sarasota Holiday Classic, but are still a powerhouse in the county. Bloomingdale will look to rebound after the tourney with Riverview on Friday.

4. Tampa Prep (9-2) – The Terrapins fell in a tough 2-0 match to Newsome in Sarasota and will return to soccer with a tough match against Berkeley Prep on Saturday in the Headmaster's Challenge.

5. Berkeley Prep (12-2-1) – The Buccaneers are on a four-game winning streak and are leading the way in 3A-9, but have some tough tests ahead with Lakeland Jenkins tonight and Tampa Prep on Saturday.

BOYS TOP PERFORMERS

Johnny Van Der Luit, Newsome – Scored a second half hat trick against Hillsborough to send Wolves into Wharton Invitational semifinals.

Christian Matta, Sickles – Has four goals in four games at the Wharton Invitational entering Wednesday night.

Eri Jacobs, Berkeley Prep – Had a goal and three assists in the Bucs win against Palm Harbor in the High School Invitational Premier Division final.

Freeman Bass, Durant – Sweeper is rarely caught out of position, and was very impressive in the Cougars 4-0 win against Bloomingdale on Monday.

Alex Stickley, Wharton – The goalie provided timely saves, including two penalty kick saves in regulation, and two more in a shootout, as Wharton reached the final of the High School Invitational Elite Division.

GIRLS TOP PERFORMERS

Connor Zwetsch, Plant – The sophomore has seven goals on the season, including a game decider in the 71st minute against Bloomingdale in the Sarasota Holiday Classic.

Taylor Richardson, Berkeley Prep – The Buccaneers have a big weapon in the sophomore who leads the team with 18 goals, including a hat trick in an 8-0 win against Keswick Christian on Dec. 13.

Melissa Adams, Wharton – The Wildcats junior forward/midfielder has 10 goals on the season, including two in a 7-3 win against Plant City on Tuesday.

Karina Gutsche, Newsome – The sophomore has filled in wherever the Wolves have needed her this season playing sweeper, forward and midfield. Wolves coach Kelly Townsend said Gutsche has most likely found a home in the midfield, where she played and scored a goal in the teams 4-0 win against Durant on Tuesday.

Compiled by Nicholas Murray and Jarrett Guthrie.

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