EDITOR'S NOTE: Plenty of big stories broke between the lines and on the playing fields, courts and tracks of the Heartland in 2009. Wins and losses aside, certain moments transcended the game themselves and stuck out as the top stories of the year. ...more

December 31, 2009

Not long after his final match at last year's state wrestling tournament, Durant's T.J. Davis began hearing the same message from everyone with whom he crossed paths. ...more

December 16, 2009

Considering Newsome's team was down four wrestlers, Coach Stephen Gilbert was especially pleased with the Wolves' performance during the 10th annual Jim Graves Invitational at Brandon this past weekend. ...more

December 16, 2009

The outcome of their final match Saturday night may have been different. The ultimate goal for Tampa Prep's Wes Jarrell and Durant's Alex Hamm, however, is the same - they want to win a state title. ...more

December 9, 2009

Between the fourth and fifth games of Tuesday night's Class 4A-Region 3 volleyball semifinal, Hudson coach Shayna Munson knew if her words didn't get through to her players, the season was over. ...more

November 12, 2009

James Mudge is all business about Wiregrass Ranch tennis. The new No. 1 is not motivated by the Bulls' memorable regular season. Nor the thrilling 4-3 victory against River Ridge in the final match or the Sunshine Athletic Conference title that came with it. It is the one-point loss to Nature Coast in the district tournament last year that has set Mudge and his team on a mission to not let it happen again. ...more

February 28, 2009

The contrasts between James Bland and Jace Grimmett are plentiful, but there's one distinction the pair will forever share: They're Avon Park's first-ever state wrestling champions. ...more

February 23, 2009

Despite a 10-man lineup and facing a new format, Nature Coast Technical earns a team title repeat at the American Legion Post 347 Tournament. FIVE SHARKS POST UNBEATEN (4-0) SLATES ...more

February 1, 2009

After battling into overtime earlier in the week, the Sebring boys soccer team couldn't help but feel confident about facing another bit of extra play on Wednesday against Palmetto in the Class 4A-District 10 semifinal at Harllee Stadium. ...more

January 30, 2009

WRESTLING While host Brandon cruises to first as expected at 25th annual Tony Ippolito Wrestling Tournament, Springstead finishes third behind Bradenton-Manatee to fall short of second-place goal. ...more

January 24, 2009