Hermann To Step Down As Brandon's Coach

Brandon boys varsity basketball coach Mark Hermann, who weeks ago guided the team to the Class 5A state final four, said Monday he is stepping down after 13 seasons.

Hermann said his decision, based on his desire to "spend more time with family," will be made official Wednesday.

Hermann, who was the Eagles' junior varsity coach for seven years before being named varsity coach, will leave the program as its all-time winningest coach with 283 wins and only 87 losses.

Under Hermann's guidance, the Eagles made two final four appearances, won seven district titles and owned a 62-game win streak against Hillsborough County teams, which included postseason play.

Meanwhile, after 25 years of coaching, Riverview boys basketball coach Mike Baker has decided to resign.

Baker, who has been the program's only coach since the school opened 10 years ago, said "it was just time." Baker plans to continue to teach driver's education at Riverview.

Baker also coached at Leto for seven years and was a college assistant coach at UNC Greensboro and Samford. He led Riverview, which finished 3-15 this season, to a district title in 2003-04.

FOOTBALL: Lennard has hired George Edington as its football coach, athletic director David New announced Monday. Edington replaces Jim Wilt, who resigned in January after two seasons.

Edington was an offensive assistant the past two seasons at Lennard. He was chosen from a pool of 25 applicants, New said.

In other news, fans can now mark their calendars for Hillsborough County's top games next season.

The FHSAA has the 2008 schedule up on its Web site. Go to www.i.fhsaa.org/members/ and type the school name to access the schedule.

After Kickoff Classic games on Aug. 29, the regular season begins Sept. 5. That's when Armwood and Plant renew their rivalry - this year at Plant. The Hawks swept the Panthers last year, winning the opening game of the season and then in the regional final. The regular season ends on Nov. 14.

BASEBALL: The inaugural Jesuit Spring Break Invitational, an eight-team tournament featuring the Tigers, Berkeley Prep and six out-of-state Jesuit schools, begins today at Paul Straub Field.

The Tigers are heading into the tournament with a lot of momentum after posting four wins last week, none bigger than a 2-1 victory Thursday against Plant that handed the Panthers their first loss.

While pitching was the key for the Tigers against the Panthers, the last time Jesuit took the field it won with its bats. Drew Martinez, Nick Lockwood, Matt Fest and Greg Dupell each homered in the third inning Saturday against Blake, a game the Tigers led 22-2 before it was called because of rain and deemed a forfeit victory for Jesuit (13-2).

Jesuit isn't the only private school in a big tournament this week. Rival Tampa Catholic begins play today in the fifth annual Catholic School Challenge at Bishop Moore High in Orlando.

The Crusaders (8-3), who open the tournament at 10 a.m. today against Miami Westminster Christian, had won five straight before falling to Clearwater Central Catholic on Friday.

You can view the entire schedule for both tournaments, as well as the schedule for the 27th annual Saladino Tournament (April 5-11) at TBO.com, Keyword: Prep Report.

GOLF: Riverview standout Ian McConnell was the top local finisher at the 15th annual Mizuno Junior at Innisbrook this weekend.

McConnell, a home-schooled sophomore who plays for the Sharks, shot rounds of 74, 76 and 72 for a 56-hole total 222 to finish in ninth place, 11 shots back of the winner, St. Augustine's Kevin Phelan.

Plant's Doug Letson was the only other local boys golfer to make the 36-hole cut. Letson, a junior, shot 79-75-80-234 to finish tied for 56th.