GIRLS SOCCER Younger sister Alyx McKinney feeds cousin Ashley Custodio for the game's lone goal as Lady Bears shock Springstead (and older sister Taylor McKinney), 1-0. ...more

January 10, 2008

SEBRING — The public is welcome to attend Thursday's inaugural meeting of the Highlands County commissioners' latest citizens advisory board, which will help select the county's next administrator. Sixteen people have been appointed to what county officials are calling the "Search Committee," created to help commissioners pick long-time county Administrator Carl Cool's replacement. Cool will retire on July 1 after nearly 17 years as the county's top administrator. At the Search Committee's first meeting, set for 6 p.m. Jan. 10 in Conference Room 2 at the Highlands County Agri-Civic Center, the 16 members will select their chairman and set the ground rules for how they will work with the county's consultant. ...more

January 6, 2008

The Panthers have little to play for today outside of pride and a spot on next season's training camp roster. There is little question, though, that they would love to finish off this forgettable season of theirs by knocking off the division champs and thus becoming the only division rival to beat the Bucs this season. It's not quite the spoiler's role they're looking to play today, but they can spoil a perfect (at least in the division) season for the Bucs and send them into the playoffs with some doubts about their ability to win there. A winning effort by the Panthers will do that, so the Bucs have to be sharp today. Though their regulars will see limited playing time, they must treat this game like any other when they are in there and use it as a tune-up for the playoffs. This is no time to get into sloppy habits. It's time to keep pounding the rock and working toward a strong finish. ...more

December 29, 2007

By any yardstick, Wisconsin TE Travis Beckum is having a pretty good year. ...more

December 29, 2007

AVON PARK — The Sebring and Avon Park girls soccer teams left everything on the field, and after 80 minutes, the decision was up in the air, as the Red Devils drew even with the Streaks, 2-2 in a Class 4A-District 10 clash at Joe Franza Stadium on Thursday. "I thought we played a very clean and aggressive game tonight," AP head coach Greg Thacker said. "I was very impressed with our passing and getting the ball in position to score." This game, the first meeting between the two teams since the Nov. 8 match that was marred by an on-field scuffle and suspensions levied against the two involved, was as even as they come. Both teams rallied to the ball, although Sebring seemed to have more left in the tank at the end of the game than their Red Devil counterparts. "We're just going after the ball trying to make things happen," SHS head coach Steve Ashley said. "I give credit to Avon Park. They came out aggressive and we're lucky to come out with a tie." ...more

December 22, 2007

The mother of a teenage girl who committed suicide after being taunted online urged a state task force on Internet harassment Monday to recommend criminalizing such behavior. ...more

December 19, 2007

LB Michael Boley has become the Falcons' biggest playmaker on defense. He has the ability to make plays all over the field, much like Derrick Brooks and Cato June, but his best trait may be his blitzing. He is fast, and the Falcons make good use of his skills. They line him up on the strong side much the way the Bucs do with June, so the Bucs should have a tight end there to help when he attempts to invade their backfield on a blitz. With a chip-blocker left in as well, the Bucs should be able to pick up not only Boley but Keith Brooking and the occasional blitzing defensive back. It's imperative that the Bucs are sound against the blitz this week. The Falcons take a lot of chances on defense, and Boley, in particular, has the ability to get to the quarterback and make him pay with a heavy hit. ...more

December 16, 2007

When I first heard about the idea of a baseball league forming for individuals with disabilities, I felt compelled to find out more about it. I have two brothers-in-law who could benefit greatly from this league. I purely went to see about the who, what, where and whens. After that first meeting, I decided to volunteer to coach. This was my way of helping out. A few weeks later, I was part of the board of directors. I would like to personally thank every board member of the Miracle League of Lake Placid for giving me the chance to help out. ...more

December 13, 2007

Armwood has had its share of standout defensive linemen. Names like Torrey Davis, Jarriett Buie, Keith Watts and Charles Sallet, all who went on to play Division I football, are a few that stand out from recent years. ...more

December 6, 2007

If the boys basketball teams from Plant City and Durant have their way, there will be at least three meetings between the rivals this season. Two are on the regular schedule. ...more

December 1, 2007