- September 12, 2024
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Many residents in communities throughout Central Florida and beyond were glued to their TVs, computers and phones rooting for the Lake Mary team as it made its run all the way to the Little League World Series Championship.
For the Palm Coast Little League organization, the Lake Mary team was more than a nearby opponent. As one of four opponents in Palm Coast’s district, Lake Mary is family, PCLL President Tiffany Schmidt said.
“We love watching them play,” Schmidt said. “We always cheer for teams in our district. We’re a family.”
The Lake Mary 12U baseball team won district, state and Southeast Region championships on the way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Lake Mary went 7-1 at the LLWS, including three wins by one run. Lake Mary defeated Texas 10-7 in an exciting back-and-forth game to win the United States championship on Saturday, Aug. 23, and then came from behind to beat International champ Chinese Taipei 2-1 in extra innings on Aug. 24 to win the World Series Championship.
“Last year, they made it to regions and lost there,” Schmidt said. “Half the team returned and they were hungry to get back this year. They never gave up. They didn’t let errors upset them. We always strive to tell our players that if you make a bad play, move on. They did that. They were down in most games and came back.”
In the World Series championship game, they scored the winning run on a walk-off bunt as nobody was covering first base and the pitcher’s throw went into the outfield.
“They were so locked in. They were focused,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt said PCLL coaches and their kids had a viewing party on Sunday, Aug. 24, in the league clubhouse following a coaches meeting.
“It was fun to see familiar faces,” she said. “Our whole league is very proud of them.”
Two Flagler Palm Coast football coaches had successful summers playing professional indoor football. FPC offensive coordinator Jake Medlock played quarterback for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League and led his team to the ArenaBowl championship. The Firebirds came up just short in the final, falling to the Billings Outlaws 46-41. Medlock passed for 1,614 yards leading Albany to an 8-3 record.
Assistant coach and former FPC and Bethune-Cookman star Jimmie Robinson helped lead the Massachusetts Pirates to the Indoor Football League championship game against the Arizona Rattlers. Robinson was named All-IFL First-Team running back for the second year in a row. He rushed for nearly 900 yards and scored 28 touchdowns during the season.
Ultimately, Robinson would like to get another shot at the NFL. He participated in the Cincinnati Bengals rookie minicamp in 2019. Medlock has played for four indoor football league teams since he completed his college career, but he had not played in six years.
He said he may play again next season.
“Right now, I'm enjoying the coaching, helping the kids reach their goals and aspirations,” Medlock said. “But I know there's a lot of talk as to what I'll do this offseason. Once free agency opens up I have a feeling my phone's going to be blowing up. So we'll see. I’ve already been told, give us three more years. But I’m 32. I don't want to do three more.”
Matanzas High School assistant boys basketball coach Eric Guerrero will take over the team as the new head boys coach, replacing Henry Robinson, who resigned late last month to become head coach at Pine Ridge High.
Guerrero had been the Pirates’ head girls basketball coach for three seasons (2019-21) before stepping down and then joining the boys program.
He has been coaching in Flagler County for 15 years. Before moving over to Matanzas, he had stints as an assistant coach at Flagler Palm Coast High School with both the boys and girls programs.
“His vision aligns perfectly with our commitment to developing not just great athletes but well-rounded individuals,” Matanzas athletic director Jordan Butler said in a press release. “We are excited for him to get started.”
The Seabreeze volleyball team defeated Mainland 3-1 in its season opener Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the Mainland gym.
Adeline Bethea had 13 kills, four aces and eight digs for the Sandcrabs. Lilli Litz had 12 digs and 14 assists and Haven Price had eight solo blocks and two assisted blocks.
Janiyah Giddens had nine kills for Mainland (1-2). Sophia Martindale had 29 assists and Jaelynn Brown had 14 serve receptions.
Father Lopez split with Spruce Creek on Aug. 20 in its first swim meet of the season, while Matanzas swept Palatka.
Lopez’s girls won nine of 11 events but couldn’t overcome Spruce Creek’s depth in a 164-122 Hawks’ victory. Lopez’s boys defeated Creek 173-103, winning 10 events.
Lopez’s Nelanee Fulton, Zoee Fulton, Evie Kate Carnathan, Matt Alvarez and Ryan Herdel each won two individual events. Maya Khanna, Joe Romeo, Elijah Alvarez and Jack Svajko each won one individual event. The Green Wave also won three relays.
At Palatka, Matanzas won the girls team title, 138-71, while the Pirates’ boys squad defeated the Panthers 106-55.
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