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County Tourney A Possibility?

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A Tribune staff report

Published: January 8, 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 '80s, I played in the King tournament," Ware said. "It was like the county championship for soccer back in the '80s."

Durant coach Jamin Hollingsworth, who played for the Cougars in the '90s, 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 Wednesday night and is set to conclude 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 teams, 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 PICKS UF
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 ACLs 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.

BENINATI OUT WITH INJURY
Wharton girls sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Beninati was injured 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 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 IS READY

Plant girls starting outside halfback Stacy Heitlinger, who has missed the last seven matches with a torn right 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."

Nicholas Murray, Jarrett Guthrie

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