Longtime Southridge softball coach Gloria Satterfield passes away

   Miami-Dade County lost one of its softball coaching
pioneers Sunday when former Southridge coach Gloria
Satterfield died of lung cancer at the age of 69.

   Satterfield was the Spartans' first-ever softball coach,
hired in 1976, and led them to a record of 288-97 during her
17 seasons. She led Southridge to the state's slow-pitch state
championships five times in six seasons from 1983-1988.

   After the transition to fast-pitch softball under the
Florida High School Athletic Association in 1988, Satterfield
guided the Spartans to the playoffs twice, including a berth
in the 1992 Class 4A state championship game.

   Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Satterfield graduated from Daniel
Webster High School and later from the Oklahoma College for
Women. In 1961, she moved to Miami and spent 15 years teaching
and coaching at Riviera Junior High before working at
Southridge.

   Satterfield was named The Miami News Softball Coach of the
Year in 1983 and 1987. She moved back to Oklahoma two years
ago. Last spring, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. After a
brief illness, she passed away early Sunday morning surrounded
by family members at her home in Jenks, Oklahoma.

Our sincerest condolences go out to Satterfield's family.

Coral Gables High to host recruiting showcase

Because "there is a college for every athlete," as the press release (and the website) attest, Coral Gables Senior High School has scheduled a baseball recruiting showcase Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The target: "unsigned seniors, college players looking to transfer and upcoming high school juniors and seniors looking to get recruited," according to officials at Team USA College Recruiters, Inc.

Coaches include former UM player/Yankees prospect Rey Noriega. Among the success stories: Coral Park's Alex Castellanos, who went to Belmont Abbey (N.C.) College and was drafted in the 10th round by the Cardinals this year.

Cost is $70 in advance or $80 on the day of the showcase. E-mail (teamusacr@aol.com) or call (305-273-8904) for info.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Several Dade and Broward athletes and coaches honored

Hey fans,

Over the past 10 days, a bunch of Dade and Broward's top performers from a memorable season were honored by the Florida Dairy Farmers Association.

Over the years, the group has not given many awards to this talent-rich area, but this season has been different.

Pat Dorsey and I compiled a list. Enjoy.

   • Palmetto's Kelly Saco, who led her team to a state
championship, collected another prestigious honor recently
when she was named the Association's Softball Player of the
Year.

   Saco is the first Dade recipient of this award since its
inception in 1993. She finished with a 16-2 record, 168
strikeouts, six shutouts and a 0.40 ERA. Saco, The Miami
Herald's Class 6A Pitcher of the Year, will play this fall at
Syracuse this fall.

   • Southridge runners Brandon O'Connor and Ebony Eutsey were
named the Track and Field Athletes of the Year.

   O'Connor was a state champion in the 200 and 400-meter
races, finishing with some of the fastest times in the country
this season. He ran a 20.82 in the 200 and a 47.12 in the 400.

   His coach, Rodney Wright, was named the Overall Boys' Coach
of the Year. Wright led the Spartans to their first state
championship and his teams have not lost a dual meet in five
seasons.

   Eutsey, who was recently named the Gatorade State Athlete
of the Year, ran a 23.79 in the 200 meters and a 53.85 in the
400 at state to win state titles in both. She recently ran the
fastest time in the nation (53.23) at an invitational meet
this summer.

   Her coach, Sam Burley, who is retiring this season and is a
member of the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of
Fame, was named Overall Girls' Coach of the Year. Burley led
the Spartans to their first state title in five seasons.

   • Thanks to Cypress Bay star Brennan Boyajian, boys' coach
Vince Grossi and St. Thomas Aquinas girls coach Carol
Deopsomer, Broward County accounted for three of the four high
school tennis award winners announced Thursday.

   Boyajian, bound for the University of North Carolina this
fall, won the Boys' Player of the Year award after going
undefeated and winning the 4A overall singles title. Grossi,
who led Boyajian and the Lightning to the 4A boys' team title,
took Boys' Coach of the Year honors.

   Deopsomer, who led the Raiders to their second consecutive
3A girls' title, won Girls' Coach of the Year. Only Girls'
Player of the Year Jacqueline Kasler of Gulf Breeze -- the 2A
state champion who edged finalists Amelia Martinez (Cypress
Bay; 4A overall singles winner) and Courtney Clayton (St.
Thomas Aquinas; 3A overall singles champion) -- kept Broward
from sweeping the awards.

   • Southwest senior outside hitter Jonathan Roldan was named
the Boys' Volleyball State Player of the Year after posting
459 kills, 107 aces, 157 digs and 63 blocks. Also The Miami
Herald's Player of the Year for Dade, guiding the Eagles to a
state championship.

   His coach Mauricio Diaz was named the Coach of the Year
after winning his second state title in six seasons after
leading Southwest to a 27-2 record. He has a career record of
230-31 and has led the Eagles to the state tournament four
times.

For a full list of winners chosen for the 2007-08 School Year, go to www.floridamilk.com/sports

Hosmer: Signing not imminent

A recent report in The Morning News (of Northwest Arkansas) late Wednesday indicated that the Kansas City Royals' signing of Eric Hosmer -- the American Heritage All-State first baseman-turned-No. 3 overall pick by the Royals -- "is a matter of when and not if."

The quote from J.J. Picollo, Kansas City director of player development:

"We wouldn't have taken him (Hosmer) if we didn't think we were going to sign him," Picollo said. "We were real happy that Hosmer was there (available). We had 15, 16 different reports on him and every one was very consistent in that he has a very, very high ceiling as an offensive player. Defensively, he has also been described as a Gold Glove guy."

Reached by phone Thursday afternoon from Ohio, where he is playing in his second year with the Midland Redskins summer team, Hosmer denied that the signing is imminent.

"I haven't decided anything," Hosmer told The Herald. "Probably around August we'll start cracking down on stuff."

Hosmer is signed with perennial baseball power Arizona State, and all indications are that Tempe, Ariz., remains a very real option for the 6-5 power hitter. That goes double because, as a Scott Boras Corp. client, Hosmer likely will command big bonus money from the Royals.

Meanwhile, from the way he describes his performace in the Cincinnati area, Hosmer appears to be building upon his reputation as one of the nation's top (former) high-school bats. Hosmer, who is DHing with the Midland Redskins, said he has two home runs through five games, and went 3 for 3 Wednesday with three doubles.

Hosmer said he'll be in Ohio into early August, with his pro vs. college decision likely coming soon after.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Last batch of All-State baseball

There was no shortage of Miami-Dade and Broward baseball players -- 27, to be exact -- honored on the 6A All-State baseball team, released today (along with the 5A team) by the Florida Sports Writers Association. Here they are...

6A:

• First Team: Ahmed Garcia (P, South Miami); Corey Witkowski (P, Flanagan); Rolando Gomez (IF, Flanagan); Rony Rodriguez (DH, Sunset).
• Second Team: Anthony Angulo (DH, Southridge).
• Third Team: Casey Delgado (P, Palmetto); Harold Martinez (IF, Braddock); Albert Faz (OF, South Miami).
• Honorable Mention: Joe Coto (P, Goleman); R.J. Fondon (P, Flanagan); Terry Roberts (P, Cypress Bay); Sam Robinson (P, Killian); Kevin Alexander (P, Taravella); Mark Lau (C, Cooper City); Brent Scarberry (C, Western); Alejandro Sanchez (IF, Flanagan); Mike Martinez (IF, Killian); Frank Solis (IF, Goleman); Anthony DeAngelo (IF, Western); James Young (IF, Southridge); Willie Medina (IF, Taravella); Luis Montesinos (IF, Palmetto); Roly Hernandez (IF, South Miami); Pablo Bermudez (OF, Miami Springs); T.J. Clarkson (OF, Coral Springs); Cody Stiles (OF, Taravella); Darnell Sweeney (OF, American).

5A:

• First Team: Michael Broad (IF, Nova).
• Second Team: Joey Housey (P, Nova); Brent Zimmerman (IF, Nova).
• Honorable Mention: Daniel LoCastro (P, St. Thomas Aquinas); Anthony Parilla (OF, Coral Glades); Conor O'Neill (OF, St. Thomas Aquinas).

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Booker T. Athlete of the Year Lanie Whittaker to compete for Track Junior World team

Hey everyone,

Just thought I'd drop in and give you some news on one of Dade's top athletes while I'm in Omaha covering the College World Series.

Booker T. track star Lanie Whittaker ran the fourth-best time in the country this year by a high school athlete in the 400 meters last week in Sacramento, CA. She ran a 53.43, which bested her county-best 53.83 in the prelims at the Class 3A state meet this past season.

Her coach at Booker T., Rebecca Maurin informs me that Whittaker, the Miami Herald's Class 6A-4A Athlete of the Year, will be competing at the USATF Junior National Track and Field championships this weekend in Ohio. The field will include any athlete 21-under that met the qualifying standard, so she will be competing mostly against college freshmen.

With another strong performance, Whittaker could qualify for the USA Junior World Team, which would compete in the summer in Poland against international competition.

Best of luck to Lanie and all our South Florida track stars competing in off-season meets like this one.

All-State baseball: 3A and 4A

As promised, the 3A and 4A All-State baseball teams were released Tuesday by the Florida Sports Writers Association. And, as expected, American Heritage dominated (nine players total, four on first team). Here are the Miami-Dade and Broward honorees:

3A:

• First Team: JuanCarlos Sulbaran (P, American Heritage); David Villasuso (C, Florida Christian); Eric Hosmer (IF, American Heritage); Daniel Canela (IF, Gulliver Prep); Joey Belviso (OF, American Heritage); Adrian Nieto (DH, American Heritage).
• Second Team: Ryan Kahn (P, American Heritage); Leo Carrillo (OF, Florida Christian).
• Third Team: Ryan Arnold (P, Pompano Beach); Austin Yager (OF, American Heritage); Deven Marrero (IF, American Heritage).
• Honorable Mention: Joe Hone (P, Chaminade-Madonna); Dylan Wolchik (P, Coral Springs Charter); Anthony Tzamtzis (IF, LaSalle); Eric Acevedo (IF, American Heritage); Brandon Sedell (IF, American Heritage).

4A:

• First Team: Mark Alfonso (P, Pace); Luis Lumpuy (IF, Mater Academy).
• Second Team: Lucas Calderon (IF, Belen); Gabby Lima (IF, Cardinal Gibbons); Anthony Bondarenko (OF, Pines Charter).
• Third Team: Carlos Hechevarria (P, Pace); Chad Cabrera (OF, Archbishop McCarthy).
• Honorable Mention: Eric Whaley (P, Cardinal Gibbons); Chris Turino (IF, Archbishop McCarthy).

Teams for 5A and 6A are coming Wednesday...

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

All-State baseball teams: 1A and 2A

The Florida Sports Writers Association announced its 1A and 2A All-State baseball teams for 2008 on Monday. Here are the players honored from Miami-Dade and Broward:

1A:

• First Team: David Vidal (P, Brito Miami Private).
• Second Team: Chris Fabregas (OF, Brito Miami Private); Leonardo Rojas (DH, Brito Miami Private).
• Third Team: Samuel Diaz (P, Brito Miami Private); Ricardo Espinal (OF, Brito Miami Private).
• Honorable Mention: Yoenny Gonzalez (IF, Brito Miami Private); Manuel Machado (IF, Brito Miami Private).

2A:

• First Team: Felix Roque (P, Miami Christian); Ethan Perla (Util, Highlands Christian).
• Second Team: John Caballero (P, Dade Christian); Bryan Siddique (Util, Westminster Academy).
• Third Team: Mitchell Buerosse (P, Highlands Christian); Jairo Acevedo (IF, Miami Christian); Jonathan Escarza (OF, Westminster Christian); Eric Saavedra (OF, Miami Christian).
• Honorable Mention: Jonathan Kies (P, Highlands Christian); Nay Seldomridge (OF, Coral Springs Christian).

The 3A and 4A teams are coming Tuesday, followed by 5A and 6A on Wednesday.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

American Heritage: Baseball America's Team of the Year

They went 31-2, won the 3A state championship, saw four players drafted -- including first baseman Eric Hosmer, who went third overall -- and staked a pretty solid claim to high school baseball's "mythical national title."

According to Baseball America on Wednesday, they got it. Writes Nathan Rode, quite simply:

The Patriots can add one more title to their resume: Baseball America Team of the Year.

This is their latest top ranking, adding to their No. 1 nods from USA Today and RISE Magazine.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

One we missed

In our Friday draft coverage, I unfortunately missed one local high school player drafted: South Broward left-handed pitcher Anthony Coletti, who was taken 1,405th overall in the 47th round by the Washington Nationals (profiled a bit, by The Herald's Jim Varsallone, here).

That means 11 high school players from Broward -- two on the first day, nine on the second -- were taken in 2008. Apologies to Anthony for the miss.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Nieto: The Orioles wanted me

He knows who owns his rights. Still, talented American Heritage catcher Adrian Nieto's future remains uncertain after this year's MLB Draft. The Washington Nationals took him in the fifth round Thursday (151st overall), but -- as negotiations stand -- there's no guarantee he will choose professional baseball over his commitment to the University of South Florida.

"Right now we're far from an agreement financially," Nieto told The Miami Herald on Friday, adding that he likely will fly to Washington soon to meet with the Nationals and general manager Jim Bowden.

A Major League contract could have been a lock, though. Nieto said he had an agreement in place with the Baltimore Orioles, who considered taking him in the second round -- where he was projected to be picked in some circles -- "but they still had another guy [available]," Nieto said. (That turned out to be high school outfielder Xavier Avery.)

And although the Orioles passed on him in later rounds, Nieto still hoped Baltimore would select him.

"They were willing to still pay me what I wanted," he said.

But the Nationals came calling instead, and now Nieto must close the gap between the two sides (he didn't offer a dollar figure Friday). All things considered, though, the switch-hitting catcher sounded far from upset with the outcome -- in fact, he said he liked being part of an organization that is "excited and pumped to have me."

"The Nationals said they really want me," said Nieto, who met with Washington officials last weekend. "They didn't want to lose me to anyone else.

"So obviously they did that because they're willing to pay me what I want. Hopefully."

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

MLB Draft wrap

A few reflections on the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, now that it's all over:

• Believe what you read/hear: Some publications had American Heritage's Eric Hosmer going near the top 15, but mostly in the seven-to-11 range. ESPN's Keith Law, however, heard Hosmer would be the third pick, calling it a near lock. Plus, Hosmer had a lengthy Tuesday meeting with the Royals, who visited him here in South Florida (pushing back my interview time with him, and understandably so). That all seemed to paint a pretty clear picture of Hosmer as the No. 3 pick.
• Don't believe what you read/hear: Catcher Adrian Nieto, Hosmer's teammate, was supposed to be a sandwich pick. Flanagan shortstop Rolando Gomez was supposed to go sometime in the first day. Heck, Braddock shortstop Harold Martinez was touted as a first-round pick before the season started. All fell, for various reasons (college commitments/bonus demands likely being among them). And then there was Greg Conver, a projectable pitcher from American Heritage who went undrafted despite getting some first-day talk. (Something tells me he won't suffer the same fate after three years at North Carolina State.) But the point is: With so many high schools, junior colleges and universities out there, it's easy to overstate a player's draft value -- or, in turn, overlook that same player.
• Heritage's great year continues: Sure, only Hosmer went as high as was hoped. But the 3A state-champion Patriots still had four players picked -- Hosmer, Nieto, right-hander JuanCarlos Sulbaran (30th round) and outfielder Joey Housey (50th round). That's the same amount as all of Miami-Dade County combined.
• Check back in three: Most of these high schoolers have college commitments, including Hosmer (Arizona State), Nieto (South Florida), Gomez (UM), Martinez (UM), Sulbaran (UF), Conver (NC State), Housey (Oregon) and many more. A couple might sign, but the rest could be hearing their names -- again -- in early June 2011.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

MLB Draft, Day 2 (with updates)

It was a long wait -- through Day 1's six rounds, and almost four more in Day 2 -- but Flanagan's star shortstop Rolando Gomez finally was taken, with the 349th pick overall (in round 11) by the Anaheim (they're not in Los Angeles) Angels.

Gomez arguably was the best Broward player this year behind American Heritage first baseman (and No. 3 overall pick) Eric Hosmer, but concerns about his size (5-7) and signability issues (including his commitment to University of Miami) might have caused the polished, instinctive player to slip.

**Update at the break** Through 15 rounds, we've got a break -- and we're still waiting for the second Miami-Dade player to be picked. However, Coral Park's Alejandro Castellanos (most recently with Belmont-Abbey College) was taken 305th overall by the Cardinals, joining a number of former Miami-Dade and Broward high schoolers to have been taken out of college this year. Among them:

Yonder Alonso (Coral Gables, UM, 7th overall to the Reds); Carlos Gutierrez (Columbus, UM, 27th overall to the Twins); Dennis Raben (St. Thomas Aquinas, UM, 66th overall to the Mariners); Alex Avila (Archbishop McCarthy, Alabama, 163rd overall to the Tigers); Christopher Dominguez (Gulliver Prep, Louisville, 167th overall to the Rockies); Richard Bleier (South Plantation, Florida Gulf Coast, 183rd to the Rangers); Daniel Farquhar (Archbishop McCarthy, Louisiana-Lafayette, 309th overall to the Blue Jays); Dominic De La Osa (Archbishop Carroll, Vanderbilt, 336th overall to the Twins); Michael Marseco (St. Thomas, Samford, 338th overall to the Brewers); Alberto Espinosa (Brito, Broward CC, 445th overall to the Royals); Daniel Cook (Westminster Christian, FAU, 447th overall to the Giants); and Joseph Coleman (Cape Coral, Florida Gulf Coast, 461st overall to the Cubs).

***Update: Martinez goes in 19th round*** Once considered a first-round talent, Braddock's Harold Martinez stayed on the board until the 573rd pick, where the Texas Rangers grabbed the 6-3 shortstop. Scouts pointed to a down year for Martinez as a reason for his potential slip, and now the Rangers must contend -- like Gomez -- with Martinez's commitment to UM.

***Update: Tigers pick Southridge's Young*** James Young, a 6-4 right-hander from Southridge, was taken 823rd overall (27th round) by the Tigers.

***Update: Reds end Sulbaran's wait*** American Heritage right-hander JuanCarlos Sulbaran, projected here as a late-first day/early-second pick, fell all the way to the 30th round, where he was grabbed by the Reds (899th overall). He could be headed to UF.

***Update: Reds raid Broward again*** The Cincinnati Reds apparently scout South Florida -- they took Coral Gables-turned-UM star Yonder Alonso seventh overall Thursday -- and didn't stop there. One round after taking Sulbaran, Cincinnati took another Broward pitcher -- Nova's Joey Housey, The Miami Herald's 6A-5A Pitcher of the Year -- with the 929th overall pick.

***Update: 35th-round break*** Through 35 rounds, here are some other college players drafted who went to Broward or Miami-Dade high schools: Chad Rose (McArthur, BCC, 497th to the Rockies); Mitch Houck (Cypress Bay, UCF, 524th to the Mets); Robert Lara (Nova, UCF, 585th to the Padres); Shawn Griffin (Chaminade-Madonna, Tennessee, 595th to the Royals); Brian Van Kirk (Westminster Academy, Oral Roberts, 639th to Toronto); Jorge Castillo (Gulliver Prep, FIU, 780th to the White Sox); Adan Severino (American, UM, 786th to the Twins); Elih Villanueva (Westminster Academy, FSU, 808th to the Marlins); Nick Arata (Nova, FAU, 841st to the Nationals); Reynaldo Cotilla (Miami Springs, MDC, 955th to the Royals); Jose Jimenez (Pace, U of Tampa, 1009th to the Angels); and Brian Pruitt (Florida Christian, Stetson, 1021st to the Nationals).

***Update: Another Avila goes to Tigers*** Archbishop McCarthy's Alan Avila Jr., son of Detroit Tigers assistant general manager Al Avila Sr., was taken in the 47th round (1415th overall) by his dad's team. If you'll recall, the Tigers on Thursday picked Avila's brother, Alex, for the second time; the Alabama catcher went in the fifth round, 163rd overall.

***Update: Killian's Miranda picked*** In the final round, Killian lefty Daniel Miranda was taken 1490th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals. Will he be the last local player drafted?

***Update: Belviso makes it four*** Nope. American Heritage outfielder Joey Belviso became the fourth player from the 3A state champion, joining Gomez in the Angels' organization (50th round, 1501st overall).

***Update: That's all, folks*** Here's the final round of college players who starred at local high schools: Yan Gomes (Southridge, Tennessee, 1192nd to the Red Sox); Clayton Suss (Cooper City, MDC, 1308th to the Diamondbacks); Alex Pepe (Highlands Christian, FAU, 1323rd to the Rangers); David Torcise (Westminster Christian, USF, 1403rd to the Reds); and Marcus Salmon (Sunset, MDC, 1438th to the Brewers).

Thanks for reading. That's a wrap, after 50 rounds and almost 15 hours...

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

MLB Draft update: Still waiting...

Well Day 1 is done, with Eric Hosmer celebrating, Adrian Nieto slipping and Jarrett Burgess surprising.

Now, with 44 rounds set for Day 2 (you can follow on MLB.com's DraftTracker, beginning at 11:30 a.m.), here are some players still waiting to hear their names called:

• JuanCarlos Sulbaran, RHP, American Heritage. Why he slipped: He's polished, but not oozing with potential (plus there were some rumored signability issues). Where he'll go: Early Friday, unless those rumors of a high bonus demand are true.
• Greg Conver, RHP, American Heritage. Why he slipped: One scout worried about a possible (though unsubstantiated) late-season injury. Where he'll go: If those concerns aren't too bad, the athletic, projectable hurler won't last long Friday.
• Harold Martinez, SS, Braddock. Why he slipped: A sub-par senior year. Where he'll go: It's uncertain, but someone will take a chance that Martinez wil regain his former form.
• Rolando Gomez, SS, Flanagan. Why he slipped: Size -- it's that simple. Where he'll go: Hard to imagine someone with his approach and instincts lasting too much longer, although he has that University of Miami commitment to contend with.

There's sure to be plenty of other local players selected Friday, too. Stay tuned.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

MLB Draft update: Dade's first pick

This one was a bit of a surprise. Although Braddock shortstop Harold Martinez long was considered the only first-day prep prospect from Miami-Dade -- some thought him a first-round pick before the season -- Florida Christian outfielder Jarrett Burgess snuck ahead of him Thursday, snagged by the Seattle Mariners in the sixth round (192nd overall).

Burgess wasn't really a big name in Dade this year, with Harold Martinez and Miami Springs outfielder Pablo Bermudez getting more attention.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

MLB Draft update: Father picks son

From the former South Florida high schools file, Archbishop McCarthy grad and University of Alabama catcher Alex Avila was drafted in the fifth round (163rd overall) by the Detroit Tigers, whose assistant general manager is ... Al Avila, Alex's father.

It's the second time the Tigers have picked Avila. They took him in the 34th round (1,020th overall) back in 2005.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

MLB Draft update: Nieto slips to fifth round

Eric Hosmer going No. 3 overall was no surprise. His friend, teammate and occasional battery mate Adrian Nieto falling to the fifth round, though, was.

One scout with whom I spoke seemed convinced Nieto was a top-three-rounds guy, thinking he could be a "sandwich" seleciton between the first and second. Nieto himself said he was told the same.

But, as the end of the first day neared (teams stop picking at about 9 p.m.), the Washington Nationals snagged Nieto with the 151st pick.

Now, like Hosmer, Nieto faces the decision of college vs. pro. The switch-hitting catcher could go to South Florida instead of signing with Washington.

His thoughts, as of Wednesday night: "Hopefully I get a fair offer," he said. "And if I don't get a fair offer, I'll go to school. ... [But] my ultimate dream is to play pro ball, and the main goal is to play in the Major Leagues."

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

MLB Draft update: Beckham first, Hosmer third?

A few notes, with the draft approaches:

• MLB.com is reporting that high school shortstop Tim Beckham (from Griffin, Ga.) will be the No. 1 overall pick, going to the Tampa Bay Rays. That aligns with multiple mock drafts -- including MLB.com's and ESPN.com's -- and could bode well for Hosmer. Both scenarios see the Pittsburgh Pirates grabbing Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez second, followed by the Kansas City Royals (who visited Hosmer on Tuesday) taking the American Heritage masher (ESPN's Keith Law  calls this "close to a lock," although indications are the Royals will take Alvarez if the Pirates go elsewhere).
• If the Royals don't take Hosmer, there isn't a mock around (not that I've found, anyway) that has him slipping past the Texas Rangers at No. 11. Hosmer even said Tuesday that the club told him as much.
• I caught up Wednesday night with Nieto, who will watch the Draft with his adviser and his parents. Refreshing perspective, from the catcher: Although he's hearing the same things everyone's reporting (first three rounds, possibly into the supplemental part of the first), Nieto insisted he's not getting caught up in projections. "It's good hearing that," Nieto said, "but at the same time, you don't know what to expect [until] it really happens."

Coverage of the first round begins on ESPN2 and MLB.com at 2 p.m.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

MLB Draft preview, high schools edition

The Herald's print edition Thursday profiled American Heritage first-round hopeful Eric Hosmer and assessed the Marlins' situation.

Now, here are some extended capsules from the Broward and Miami-Dade high schools scene, focusing on some possible first-day picks:

• Eric Hosmer, 1B/P, American Heritage. Projection: First round, possibly top-three. Why he'll get picked: Everything -- size, power, athleticism, character ... plus his potential as a pitcher, if the whole hitting thing doesn't work out. One scout's take: "He should be a Major League regular starter ... [but] he could go beyond that. He might be a superstar."
• Adrian Nieto, C, American Heritage. Projection: First three rounds, possibly even first. Why he'll get picked: He's a switch-hitting catcher with size, arm and power. One scout's take: "He's not afraid to throw the ball, which is what I loved about him."
• Harold Martinez, SS, Braddock. Projection: Fifth round. Why he'll get picked: Superior power and size (6-3) for his position. One scout's take: "He's not going to go as high as everyone thought he was going to go. ... Before the season, he was supposed to be a first-round pick."
• JuanCarlos Sulbaran, RHP, American Heritage. Projection: Fifth to seventh round, possibly jumping to the right team. Why he'll get picked: Polish and high-level production. One scout's take: "He's definitely got the potential to be a Major League starting pitcher -- maybe a fourth or fifth starter in the Major Leagues, but not a front-line guy."
• Greg Conver, RHP, American Heritage. Projection: Fifth or sixth round, but some team might want to take a risk earlier. Why he'll get picked: Pure potential, based on his combination of raw athleticism and size (a lanky 6-4). One scout's take: "Sulbaran is just more polished [and has] more pitching experience than Conver. ... If they were on the same page, Conver would definitely be the better prospect."
• Rolando Gomez, SS, Flanagan. Projection: Late first day, early second. Why he'll get picked: Plate approach and understanding of the game. One scout's take: "There's concerns about his size (5-7), his durability. ... I want to see him do it in college (at University of Miami), and then draft him three years down the line."

Of course, plenty of players could find their names called during the draft's two days (there are 50 rounds, after all) -- so by no means is this a complete list. In fact, MLB.com's Florida roundup also lists Anthony Angulo (Southridge), Joe Belviso (American Heritage), Pablo Bermudez (Miami Springs), Jarrett Burgess (Florida Christian), Joey Housey (Nova), Peter O'Brien (Braddock), Vickash Ramjit (Columbus), David Villasuso (Florida Christian), James Young (Southridge) and Kevin Youst (American Heritage) as prospects.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

ESPN's Law: Hosmer No. 3 to Royals

With the MLB draft approaching (June 5-6), mock drafts are proliferating. ESPN.com's Keith Law released his first-round projections Friday, projecting American Heritage first baseman (and possible pitching prospect) Eric Hosmer as the No. 3 overall pick to the Kansas City Royals.

Here's what Law wrote in his Insiders-only mock about Hosmer, predicted to be the top prep player picked:

The Royals had sworn off Scott Boras clients after a tough negotiation with Mike Moustakas last summer, but they apparently have decided to have just one more for the road after seeing Hosmer's tremendous upside as a hitter. (They can quit any time.) Brian Matusz also is a consideration here.

Hosmer is the only South Florida high school product projected among the top 30 picks, although Law recently suggested in a blog post that Hosmer's teammate, catcher Adrian Nieto, could go right after:

The Mets are very interested in American Heritage (Fla.) catcher Adrian Nieto, a switch-hitter who has a strong arm and projects to hit for power. Nieto could go in the sandwich round, where he has several suitors, and shouldn't last beyond the second round.

As for Braddock shortstop Harold Martinez, though, the news wasn't as good:

Braddock (Fla.) shortstop Harold Martinez didn't play well on the first day of the Sebring high school showcase on Friday; his swing has gotten longer and he was struggling with routine plays in the field. He also looks a little bit heavier than he did last summer, when he was one of the best players at the AFLAC All-American game.

(Meanwhile, on the Canes front, Law had Yonder Alonso going sixth to the hometown Marlins, but did not have highly touted Jemile Weeks among the first 30 picks.)

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Watch the heat

A 15-year-old football player died in Irvine, Calif., on Wednesday. And although this seemed to be from an apparent asthma attack, it brings to mind all the heat-related illnesses that come as spring turns to summer.

Such a death also occurred yesterday, at North Carolina A&T. Most infamously, it happened with Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Korey Stringer. And it's definitely something to watch out for as the temperatures rise on tracks and fields everywhere, especially in South Florida.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

A national championship?

Much was made at the Herald's All-Broward breakfast last Thursday about American Heritage's possible "national championship" in baseball, after the Patriots won the 3A title last Tuesday.

So, with no official national championship in high school baseball, did American Heritage join Miami Northwestern football in winning that "mythical national title"?

Here's a rankings roundup, as of Tuesday afternoon:

• Baseball America: No. 1 in their nearly month-old rankings (April 29), although it's hard to believe the Patriots did much to unseat themselves at the top.
• USA Today: No. 1, as of Monday, the biggest rankings win for the Patriots after their title.
• RISE Magazine: No. 1, as of last week (before they won the title).
• MaxPreps.com: No. 2, curiously behind Georgetown (Texas), which has a 22-7 overall record.
• Rivals.com: No. 4, as of May 21; expect that one to go up.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Showing their medal

Sometimes sportsmanship stories can get a little overblown. Perfect example: the nation's slightly excessive fascination last month with the story of the Western Oregon University softball player who was carried around the basepaths by her opponents.

But this one -- also out of the Pacific Northwest -- will be tough to beat, mostly because it involves a different kind of personal sacrifice: a state championship medal.

According to the story, Bellarmine (Wash.) Prep senior Nicole Cochran had just won the 3,200-meter Class 4A state title, setting a personal best (10:36) in the process. Soon after, though, she was disqualified for taking three consecutive steps along the inside line of the track. Andrea Nelson of Shadle Park High School in Spokane, who finished four seconds back, was declared the champion.

Then (from ESPN.com)...

The awards ceremony took place, then Nelson got off the awards stand, walked over to Cochran, removed the first-place medal from around her neck and draped it over Cochran's.

"It's your medal," Nelson said to her, the Tri-City Herald reported. "You're the state champion."

The rest of the top eight finishers then held an impromptu ceremony of their own. Exchanging their medals -- Nelson received the second-place medal, Sarah Lord of Redmond High School took the third-place medal, and so on.

"That's not how you win state," Nelson said. "She totally deserves it. She crushed everybody."

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Umm, ouch...

While covering the 1A and 2A state track championships last month, I wondered allowed why Florida doesn't have a javelin competition (my high school's home state, Kansas, does).

Maybe this is why:

PROVO, Utah -- Ryan McGeeney served seven years in the Marines, including a six-month deployment in Afghanistan, but 10 minutes of photographing the state high school track championships proved to be more dangerous to him.

Hours after his leg was pierced by a javelin at BYU's Clarence Robison track stadium, McGeeney was fortunate to be able to appreciate the irony.

The Standard-Examiner photographer was struck below the knee by a javelin while shooting the discus event shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday, delaying the events while an ambulance pulled onto the track to take him to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

"They don't have javelins in Afghanistan," McGeeney joked after returning a few hours later to continue shooting photos of the track meet. "That's where I'm lucky."

McGeeney was watching a Top of Utah competitor in a girls discus event at the north end of the track infield when he was skewered just below the right knee by a javelin from the south side.

Of course...

Provo High javelin thrower Anthony Miles felt terrible about the accident, though McGeeney reassured him it was not his fault.

"My heart just stopped, and when I heard that he was going to be OK, it was just a nice relief that he was going to be all right," Miles said.

And the rest of the story?

The throw was measured by the event judges and sealed the state 4-A javelin title for Miles, he said.

"My very last throw I think I beat it by three inches (170-feet, 9-inches), but still with that throw, I would have taken state."

Now wouldn't that just add to the excitement?

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Baseball's new regional format

A few things of note, following up on today's story about baseball's new regional format (a best-of-3 series, as opposed to one game):

• As noted, eight of the nine South Florida baseball coaches said they liked the idea behind new format -- at least a little -- considering it a fairer way to decide who goes to the state final four. The only dissenter: Goleman coach Manny Yanez. "I kind of liked the one-game format," said Yanez, whose team swept its regional. "...Nobody's playing two out of three or three out of five in basketball or football."
• Miami Christian's Armando Rodriguez wasn't emphatically in favor of the new system -- his team lost two straight to Bruce Charlebois' squad after winning the first -- preferring a best-of-3 format in the state final (Paul McLaughlin of the FHSAA addressed this in the story, though, saying time restrictions will almost certainly prevent that from happening).
• Nova coach Pat McQuaid was concerned with the quick turnaround for 2A and 5A schools, whose semifinals in Sarasota began Wednesday -- not so much because of what happened (weather allowed all regionals to end Saturday, as scheduled), but what could have happened (what if weather pushed them back to Monday?). "Hopefully they'll come to a consensus so they rotate that around a little bit [among classes]," McQuaid said.
• Brito's Pedro Guerra, through an interpreter, was the only coach not to openly question the doubleheader (easily the most contentious issue). "As long as you train the players," he said, "there's not going to be a problem."

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

South Florida's successful softballers

If you were watching ESPN2 this afternoon, you might have heard the words "from Hollywood, Fla." -- in reference to Charisse Mariconda, a St. Thomas Aquinas graduate and Virginia Tech softball player who was in the Hokies' lineup against Tennessee (announcer Pam Ward also called Mariconda "a nifty little third baseman" in the Hokies' 4-0 win.

Of Course, Mariconda's not the only South Florida softballer in the NCAAs regionals, being played this weekend nationwide:

• Houston senior Angel Shamblin (Hollywood Christian) threw a perfect game Friday in a 9-0 win against Delaware State.
• Stanford junior Missy Penna (Miami Southwest) struck out 14 batters Friday in a 4-0 win against Massachusetts.
• Pace's Kelley Montalvo, an Alabama junior, went 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI in Friday's 10-1 win over Jacksonville State.
• UF's Tiffany DeFelice (American Heritage), UCF's Hillary Barrow (Felix Varela), USF's Cat Olnick (American Heritage), Auburn's Krista Clyde (Cypress Bay) and Tatiana Fernandez (Dade Christian), and Stony Brook's Casey Jacobs (Chaminade-Madonna) and Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City) all saw action Friday. UF's Stephanie Bronbacher (American Heritage), UCF's Diana Rojas (Lourdes), Auburn's Lauren Schmalz (Everglades), Notre Dame's Shannon Kelly (Hollywood Christian), Alabama's Crissy Owens (Braddock) and Florida State's Robyn Petrovich (South Plantation) also are on regional teams.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Clauss headed to George Washington

Cooper City pitcher Kara Clauss will play softball at George Washington University next season. Clauss will join the Atlantic-10 school after going 10-4 and leading Cooper City to the Region 3-6A final in 2008 (a 2-1 loss to Palm Beach Gardens).

Clauss also no-hit Flanagan in the regional semifinal. She'll join a Colonials squad that went 12-27 in 2008.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Time to talk tennis, too

In working on a story about two North Carolina-bound Broward tennis players: Cypress Bay's Brennan Boyajian (this year's 4A champion) and Sagemont's Zach Hunter (the 1A overall winner), I came across some recent USTA junior rankings for boys and girls.

Plenty of Broward and Dade players were on these lists. And while that's probably not surprising, tennis is one of those sports that sometimes gets overlooked by many (I, too, am guilty as charged, as Dewey Cox would say).

Top 100 boys (18-and-under; as of May 15):

• Boyajian, No. 11
• William Federhofer (Dr. Krop High), No. 35
• Spencer Wolf (Coral Springs), No. 50
• Jeffrey Morris (Cypress Bay High), No. 53
• Hunter, No. 63
• Luke Mojika (Palmetto Sr. High), No. 67

Top 100 girls (18-and-under; as of May 15):

• Courtney Clayton (St. Thomas Aquinas High), No. 10
• Monica Chow (Miami), No. 13
• Rachel Saiontz (Ransom Everglades School), No. 15
• Alexandra Anghelescu (Weston), No. 35
• Julie Sabacinski (American Heritage School), No. 60
• Cassandra Herzberg (Miami Country Day School), No. 67

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Pines Charter finishes at No. 4

After an undefeated start and five weeks at the top, Pembroke Pines Charter fell to No. 4 in USA Today's softball rankings after losing the 4A title game to Naples on Saturday. The Jaguars ended the season 30-1.

Naples jumped into the top 25, grabbing the final spot. Palmetto, which won the 6A championship by beating Palm Beach Gardens on Saturday, was listed in the "also receiving consideration" category.

(These rankings aren't final, though, as most other states haven't finished their seasons.)

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

A few signings...

This story in today's Herald highlighted a few signings from Archbishop McCarthy (which took place today at the school). Here's an updated list, with a couple of corrections/additions/updates:

• Football: Carlos Gonzalez, Bridgewater (Va.); Billy Scott, Concordia (Wisc.).
• Basketball: Jamar Gopie, Elms (Mass.); Jimmy Nolan, George Mason (walk-on); Mike Savery, Methodist (N.C.).
• Baseball: Alan Avila, Nova Southeastern; Sal Costanzo, Vassar (N.Y.); Chris Turnio, Nova Southeastern.
• Softball: Katie Mansilla, North Carolina St.; Alexa Martinez, Auburn.
• Soccer: Matt Delisle, Stetson; Kelsey Dunning, St. Thomas; Christine Mastandrea, Ave Maria (Fla.).
• Track: Andrew Deleo, Clemson; Alex Hueck, Mars Hill (N.C.); Gus Vazquez Milan, Kansas St.
• Wrestling: Colby Borchetta, Michigan State.
• Also, Armani Appolon (basketball/volleyball) and Jonathan Ramirez (football) still are undecided, according to the school.

Elsewhere in Broward, Cooper City basketball player Cayla Aaron will sign Monday with Fairmont (W.V.) State, a Division-II school that won the West Virginia Intercollegiate Conference's tournament last season and was ranked as high as 10th in D-II. She'll receive a full scholarship.

Congrats to these students, and athletes/parents/coaches/readers -- as always -- are encouraged to keep us posted on any other signing news.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Spring sports' scholastic stars

The FHSAA has released the top spring-sports teams, GPA-wise, for 2008. In Broward, Archbishop McCarthy, Westminster Academy and Pine Crest stood out, while Gulliver Prep represented Dade.

South Florida's teams (all of those recognized have a combined GPA of 3.0 or higher):

• Archbishop McCarthy: Baseball (3.071, fifth in 4A); Softball (3.100, sixth in 4A); Boys' Tennis (3.505, fourth in 1A); Boys' Track (3.215, fifth in 2A); Girls' Track (3.395, sixth in 2A).
• Gulliver Prep: Softball (3.119, ninth in 3A); Boys' Lacrosse (3.138, fourth in single class); Boys' Water Polo (3.229, fifth in single class); Girls' Water Polo (3.205, eighth in single class); Boys' Tennis (3.010, eighth in 2A); Girls' Tennis (3.246, eighth in 2A); Boys' Track (3.160, seventh in 2A); Girls' Track (3.351, eighth in 2A).
• Pine Crest: Baseball (3.343, second in 3A); Boys' Weightlifting (3.513, first in 1A).
• Westminster Academy: Softball (3.388, fourth in 2A); Girls' Water Polo (3.767, first in single class); Boys' Tennis (3.783, first in 1A); Girls' Tennis (3.644, fourth in 1A); Girls' Track (3.611, third in 1A).

Winners (Pine Crest boys' weightlifting, Westminster Academy girls' water polo and boys' tennis) will receive a state championship plaque.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Nick Williams still fighting -- and throwing

Donna Pappas had to put me on hold Sunday. And who could blame her? Turns out her son, Nick Williams, was expecting some more visitors.

Williams, the 16-year-old Cardinal Gibbons junior injured in a one-car wreck May 4, still is in the hospital, still heavily sedated and still on a respirator, according to Pappas. He has a fever and contracted pneumonia -- that's upsetting, Pappas said, but normal for a person in his condition -- but is showing some positive signs.

In fact, he even threw a pillow.

"He was going to kill a volleyball one way or another," Pappas joked.

More positives: Pappas said doctors hope to have Williams off the respirator in "a couple days," although they're not committing to anything just yet. Plus, there's still a ton of support, everything from flower bouquets to those visitors who keep flowing in -- everyone from Williams' chemistry teacher to his uncle, who Pappas said came in this weekend from Marin County, Calif.

And the word continues to spread about Williams, Pappas said, who wore No. 2 on the court this year.

"God willing, if he's able to play next year," she said, "I can assure you, it won't be like, 'Who's that No. 2, anyway?'"

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

ESPN love for 2 Patriots

They have bigger things to worry about -- at least in the short term -- with the 3A state baseball title on the line next week, but American Heritage first baseman/pitcher Eric Hosmer and catcher Adrian Nieto appeared on Keith Law's top 60 draft prospects list (available to Insiders only) on ESPN.com.

For non-Insiders: Hosmer came in at No. 5, also the second-rated high schooler on the list. Nieto is 39th.

Also, three University of Miami players -- St. Thomas' Dennis Raben (26th), Yonder Alonso (18th) and Jemile Weeks (30th) -- are top-60 players.

The draft is June 5-6.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

This has nothing to do with South Florida...

...but still a crazy story out of Texas: High schooler Bonnie Richardson single-handedly (and single-leggedly...or would it be double-leggedly?) won the University Interscholastic League's 1A girls' track team title this weekend, as the only qualified athlete from Rochelle High School.

Richardson's title march began with field events on Friday when she won the high jump (5 feet, 5 inches), placed second in the long jump (18-7) and was third in the discus (121-0).

On Saturday, she won the 200 meters in 25.03 seconds and nearly pulled off a huge upset in the 100 before finishing second (12.19) to defending champion Kendra Coleman of Santa Anna. Richardson, a junior, earned a total of 42 team points to edge team runner-up Chilton (36).

It was a good thing the 1A events were split over two days because Richardson said the heat — temperatures were in the high 90s both days — might have knocked her down. She laughed off a suggestion that she could have won more if UIL rules didn't limit individual participation to five events.

"I don't think I could handle any more," she said. "It was hot and I was tired."

Needless to say, it took more than one athlete for the Southridge teams, the St. Thomas Aquinas boys and Westminster Academy boys to win their 2008 team titles.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

In case you missed it...

Five Broward baseball teams had regionals Friday night. The Herald was there for American Heritage's sweep of Chaminade-Madonna and the Highlands Christian-Miami Christian split, and had a bit on Flanagan's loss to streaking Lake Worth Park Vista (the Cobras now have won 29 in a row), but wasn't in Stuart for Nova's two-game loss to South Fork.

Here's some detail, courtesy of the Stuart News:

The Bulldogs hit six home runs to beat Davie-Nova 15-7 in Game 1 of the best-of-three regional final on Friday. In Game 2, South Fork clawed, gambled and sprinted for four fortuitous sixth-inning runs to beat the Titans 7-3 and clinch state berth.

Kyle Hunter, Dan Harper and Will Claunch all homered for South Fork as part of a seven-run fifth-inning of Game 1.

Nick Zaharion (2) and Blake Cilwick also homered for the Bulldogs. South Fork starting pitcher Tyson Young (5-3) didn't have his best outing, but he grueled through five innings and came away with the victory.

Nova's Game 2 starter Patrick Morris was handed a 3-0 first-inning lead and coasted through the front half of the game. Leading 3-1 in the sixth, South Fork's Robert Bednar reached on an error, the next two batter's singled and Kyle Hunter reached on a second error.

Tyson Young hit a pop up to short right field, but coach Mike Harper still sent Mike Beck from third. Beck scored easily after an errant throw. Spencer Dickinson followed with an infield single, and Harper gambled again, sending Kyle Hunter from second to increase the lead to 5-3.

That means, depending on the Highlands Christian-Miami Christian result (1 p.m. today), Broward could be down to one team in the 2008 spring high school season.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Win at all costs?

Two interesting conversations came about while writing stories about Nova baseball and Cooper City boys' volleyball -- both playing today with their seasons (possibly) on the line.

Sure, the teams led by Nova coach Pat McQuaid and Cooper City coach Warren Denise have plenty at stake (with both McQuaid's Titans and Denise's Cowboys fighting for a spot in their respective final fours) but during phone interviews this week, both coaches offered plenty of refreshing -- and pretty much unsolicited -- perspective on the importance of this weekend.

McQuaid (whose Titans won back-to-back state titles in 2004 and 2005):

"People don't realize how hard it is to get to this level, even the regional final game, because there's good baseball teams in South Florida ... and to get to the final four, that's phenomenal.

"You've got to be a little bit lucky, a little bit good, and things have to fall your way."

And Denise, whose team is at state for the first time in the sport's six-year FHSAA history:

"Only one of the eight teams is going to be the state champion. ... I think, in our culture today, that if, 'You didn't win it all, then you didn't do anything,' and, 'Second place is first loser' and all that stuff, I don't think that stuff is all positive.

"If it was only about winning a trophy or something, then none of it would be worth it. ... It's about teamwork and friendships and how you play the game. I know all that is cliche and sounds old, but there's a reason why it's a cliche: Because it's true."

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Broward's next state-championship team

As in, who's it gonna be? American Heritage won the 3A softball title Tuesday. St. Thomas Aquinas (3A boys) and Westminster Academy (2A boys) claimed track titles. And in tennis, Cypress Bay (4A boys), St. Thomas Aquinas (3A girls) and American Heritage (2A girls) each won.

Now, here are the remaining team-title contenders:

• In softball, one team's still out there: Undefeated Pembroke Pines Charter, which plays Glen St. Mary Baker County in Friday's 4A semifinal.
• Boys' volleyball, whose state tournament also kicks off Friday, features two Broward teams: Cooper City (which plays Lake Mary in the quarterfinals) and Cardinal Gibbons (Boca Raton Spanish River).
• Baseball -- still waiting on its best-of-three regionals (they start Friday) -- has several teams still around: Flanagan (6A; it plays at Lake Worth Park Vista), Nova (5A; at Stuart South Fork), Highlands Christian (2A; at Miami Christian), and American Heritage and Chaminade-Madonna, set for a head-to-head matchup in 3A.

So who's next? You decide.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

The Nick Williams Trust Fund

At Cardinal Gibbons' boys' volleyball match Tuesday, amid all the t-shirts, jerseys, banners and signs bearing the name and number of injured Cardinal Gibbons volleyball player Nick Williams, sat a bucket.

On it: "Nick Williams Trust Fund." In it: plenty of dollar bills, which are aimed to help offset the cost of Williams' medical expenses after his horrific car wreck early Sunday morning, according to one of the fund's creators, Susan Belt (mother of Williams' friend and teammate Austin Belt).

Those interested in donating to the fund, set up through the Bank of Florida, should contact Susan Belt at ajbelt@aol.com for more info.

As for the match, Cardinal Gibbons looked shaky early, but overcame Williams' absence to beat Archbishop McCarthy in four games and advance to state. More in Wednesday's Herald...

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

American Heritage still No. 1

Here's the lead to RISE Magazine's latest national top-25 baseball rankings:

The Sunshine State took a big hit in the national high school baseball rankings as No. 2 Sarasota, No. 15 Plant and No. 17 Seminole all had their seasons ended in their respective regional playoffs. Sarasota won last year's Class 6A state title.

But, as writers Jon Mahoney and Matt Remsberg continued, it wasn't all bad news for Florida -- especially for fans of American Heritage, which on Monday kept the No. 1 spot for the second straight week after falling as low as sixth early in April.

The Patriots face Chaminade-Madonna this weekend in a best-of-three regional final. A win there moves them into next weekend's state final four.

American Heritage also is ranked No. 5 by Rivals/StudentSportsBaseball and No. 4 by USA Today, although both sets of rankings are at least a few days old.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

*Update* Better news: Williams 'improving'

Here's the latest on Cardinal Gibbons volleyball player Nick Williams, who was severely injured in a car wreck Sunday morning:

Williams' father, Jim, told The Herald by phone Monday that ''hour by hour, [Nick is] improving.'' According to his father, Williams' injuries include a compound fracture in his left elbow, a possible broken rib, two foot fractures and one ankle fracture.

Williams also said his son was in a ''lightened state of consciousness,'' able to open his eyes in three- to five-second intervals. He also was able to use his right hand and was displaying more motor skills than on Sunday.

''The whole thing is encouraging,'' Jim Williams said.

Cardinal Gibbons senior Austin Belt, reached by phone Monday, called Williams his ''best friend'' and ''brother'' and said he spent about 12 hours at the hospital Sunday. Upon arrival, what he saw was jarring.

''I knew it would be bad,'' Belt said, ``but I was definitely not ready for what I saw when I walked in there.''

Belt said Williams was ''covered in blood'' and had ``scratches everywhere.''

According to the police report, there was no indication of drugs or alcohol being involved in the crash. Belt said Williams was supposed to stay at his house that night. Instead, Williams stayed with his father in Pompano Beach, then left early to pick up his uncle, who was flying home to Boston.

''Just completely harmless -- wrong place, wrong time,'' Belt said. ``I don't know how to explain it.''

Said volleyball coach Marcy Meyer: ``He was not doing anything wrong. It wasn't like he was out drinking or anything like that. It was just an accident.''

Jim Williams said about 200 people visited the hospital Sunday, including both the boys' and girls' volleyball teams. A prayer vigil was held that evening, and Belt said he and a few other teammates even went to the tree where Williams crashed and prayed.

Certainly good to hear. More on this later.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

Really bad news out of Cardinal Gibbons

Junior Nick Williams, one of Cardinal Gibbons' top boys' volleyball players, was seriously injured in a car crash early Sunday.

From MiamiHerald.com:

Coach Marcy Meyer called it ``everyone's worst nightmare come true.''

Thomas ''Nick'' Williams, a Cardinal Gibbons High School boys' volleyball player and honor roll student, was severely injured in a car accident Sunday morning, according to a police report.

He was in serious but stable condition in the surgical intensive care unit at North Broward Medical Center.

According to a report from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the accident occurred when Williams' 1997 Ford Explorer traveled onto the median at about 5:30 a.m. Sunday, striking a street sign and a tree in the 6300 block of North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. He was transported to North Broward Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, the report said.

There was no indication of drugs or alcohol being involved in the crash, according to the report.

Meyer, reached by phone Monday, agreed.

''He was not doing anything wrong,'' coach Marcy Meyer said. ``It wasn't like he was out drinking or anything like that. It was just an accident.''

Meyer said she and several teammates visited Williams on Sunday, and held prayer services that evening.

Meyer said Williams would undergo testing Monday, and she and her team were awaiting an update.

The Chiefs (26-1 on the year) play host to Archbishop McCarthy at 6 p.m. Tuesday, with the winner reaching Friday's state quarterfinals.

''It's very tough, but the boys are all pulling together,'' said Meyer, who was preparing for a mid-afternoon meeting with her team when reached. ``I'm just trying to regroup and help the boys to regroup.''

Meyer insisted Tuesday's match would go on -- ''because that is certainly what Nick would want them to do,'' she said.

Still, Meyer indicated she thought Williams would pull through, saying, ``He's going to be [ticked] because he is not playing, [and] he's going be [ticked] because he thinks he let his teammates down.''

On the volleyball court, Williams has been one of Cardinal Gibbons' top players, an outside hitter with a knack for thunderous kills (he had 30 in the Chiefs' win over St. Thomas Aquinas in last Thursday's District 9 championship game).

Williams also is an accomplished student at Cardinal Gibbons. The Chiefs' media guide lists him as a three-year honor-roll student with a 4.3 GPA, and he also is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Biomedical Club. He also served as manager to Meyer's girls' volleyball teams the last two seasons.

Last month, Williams said he was sending e-mails to and making highlight tapes for college coaches.

''I do want to play college [volleyball],'' Williams said.

From covering the Chiefs a few times, Williams always has stood out as talented and confident. He'll definitely be missed on the court Tuesday, as Cardinal Gibbons -- possibly the top team in the state all year -- tries to overcome the hurt to win its regional. But, as Meyer said in a phone conversation Monday, it really puts everything in perspective.

Updates coming as we have them.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)

In flag football, it's down to this...

Before this year, one team hadn't made it past the first round.

The other one? Well, it hadn't even made it that far.

Tonight, the flag football teams at Douglas (a first-round victim in 2005 and 2006) and Everglades (a state-tournament newcomer), will fight to see whose program-best season gets even better (also profiled here).

The game (5:30 p.m. at West Boca Raton High School, just across the county line and off the Turnpike, for those interested) serves as the de-facto Broward County flag football championship, but also a little bit more -- the winner goes to the semifinals, looking to become the fifth Broward school to play for a state title in the sport's six years of existence.

Here's a look at the two squads:

• Everglades (10-3, District 24 Champions) -- The Gators beat Miramar 18-0 for the district title, then knocked off Hollywood Hills -- again by a score of 18-0 -- to reach the state quarterfinals. "We really pride ourselves on defense," coach Steve Bounoutas said. Guess so.
• Douglas (15-1, District 20 Champions) -- The Eagles emerged from a tough district (they handed runner-up Monarch its only two losses of the season), then handled upset-minded Plantation in the second round to move on. Quarterback Taylor Thomas has been tossing touchdowns all year.

The victor faces the Tallahassee Leon/Apopka winner Saturday.

--Patrick Dorsey (e-mail)