Bracy is the defending state champion in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 4×100-meter relay. He posted the fastest 100-meter time in the country as a sophomore with a wind-aided mark of 10.19 seconds.

Over the weekend, Bracy recorded a time of 10.26 in the 100-meter dash at the Florida Relays in Gainesville. Jones High School sophomore Levonte Whitfield (10.53) finished second.

A number of other local student-athletes also turned in impressive marks at the annual meet.

Chris Curtis of Dr. Phillips took fourth in the triple jump (44-feet, 5 inches) while Colonial’s Derek Knott came in sixth (44-feet).

The 4×1600-meter relay team from Dr. Phillips placed second (18:05.96) and the 4×100-meter relay team at Jones placed third (41.72).

Wekiva senior Jovan Davis took second in the 110-meter hurdles (14.37) and third in the long jump (22-09.75), while Wekiva’s 4×200-meter relay team took third at 1:28.07 to finish just ahead of Jones.

Bracy will be challenged in the Dream 100 by Remontay McClain of Covina, Calif., who was the winner of the adidas Meet of Champions. The defending California state champion in the 100 meter and 200 meter has recorded a top-time of 10.35 seconds in the 100.

In its seventh year, the adidas Grand Prix will take place at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. Visit www.adidasgrandprix.com for more information.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com and follow at Facebook or @OrlandoSportsJC ) –

In a rematch of last year’s finale, the Wildcats won 52-44 over Dr. Phillips behind a game-high 25 points from Rivers. The Duke signee shot just 8-of-25 from the field but pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

Neither team shot particularly well as Winter Park (28-5) went just 4-of-20 from beyond the arc and Dr. Phillips (27-6) finished 3-of-19 from long range. The Panthers also struggled from the free throw line, going 5-of-15 on the night.

Winter Park led by six points for much of the second half before the Panthers tied the game at 34-all with five minutes to play. Dr. Phillips closed the gap when they got a layup and free throw from Shane Larkin, followed by a 3-pointer by Isaac Lane.

The Wildcats took over from there, though, as Rivers ignited an 11-0 run with a 3-pointer of his own. Three buckets from BillyDee Williams and a tip-in by Brett Comer followed to put the Wildcats on top for good at 45-34 with two-and-a-half minutes to go.

“To repeat and get another state championship with my team, that means everything to me and our community,” Rivers said afterwards. “We’re so blessed to be here.”

Rivers entered the game averaging 28.8 points and six rebounds per game. Austin Keel scored 11 points for Winter Park. Williams added seven points.

Larkin ended his career with 10 points (4-of-13 shooting), 10 rebounds and seven assists. He entered the game averaging 19 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists and has committed to DePaul University.

Dr. Phillips got a team-high 12 points and five rebounds from Darius Andrews.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com and follow at Facebook or @OrlandoSportsJC ) –

“We just had to play our game at that’s what we did,” Griffey said afterwards.

The daughter of former major leaguer Ken Griffey, Jr. put Dr. Philips (31-2) ahead 51-39 with four minutes to go in regulation after taking a steal the other way for an easy layup.

The Rams (30-3) responded by closing out the quarter on a 14-2 run behind baskets from Morgan Jones, Sarah Taylor, Alexis Fitts and Peggy Smith, who hit a 3-pointer with 42 seconds remaining to tie the game. But the game-winning shot in the final seconds came up short for the Rams from atop the arc.

Lake Mary outscored Dr. Phillips 23-14 in the final period but were unable to carry that momentum over.

In overtime, Arianna Cumbie and Griffey each knocked down shots to put Dr. Phillips up by four points before Jones and Taylor tied the game up on trips to the free throw line. Following Griffey’s free throw to put the Panthers ahead for the final time, the last two shots of the game came up empty for Lake Mary.

The win gives Dr. Phillips its first state title since 1992 and the program’s second win of the season over last year’s champion.

The game was tied at 20-20 at the break. Dr. Phillips took a 39-30 lead after three quarters.

“Once we knew how to break their press and break their defense it was easy from then on,” Griffey said. She finished the game with 19 points on 8-of-15 attempts and 10 rebounds.

Sophomore Hannah Schaible grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds for Dr. Phillips while classmate Sydnei McCaskill led all players with six assists. McCaskill also finished with eight points and seven rebounds. The Panthers played with just one junior and one senior throughout the season.

Jones, one of four senior starters for Lake Mary, finished with a game-high 20 points (7-of-26) and seven rebounds. She will play her college ball at Northwestern next year. Taylor finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com and follow at Facebook or @OrlandoSportsJC ) –

On Friday, Lake Mary (29-2) takes on Miami Dr. Krop at 4 p.m. followed by Dr. Phillips (29-2) against Hollywood South Broward at 8:30 p.m. in semifinal games.

The Panthers were the only local team to defeat Lake Mary this season when they won 62-51 on Dec. 11. The Rams only other loss came by one point against Hollywood Christian.

Dr. Phillips suffered losses lost to Olympia and Edgewater this season.

Also still in the hunt for state titles are Port Orange Atlantic in Class 3A and Leesburg in Class 4A. Atlantic (21-7) plays Tampa Catholic tonight at 8:30 p.m. while Leesburg (23-6) faces St. Petersburg Lakewood on Friday at 10 a.m.

Ronni Williams averages 21.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for Atlantic. Leesburg has gotten 13.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game from Ashley Perry and 13.2 points from Baylie Bridges this season.

Lake Mary senior Morgan Jones leads the defending 6A state champs with 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Senior Sarah Taylor is averaging 12.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 steals.

The young squad at Dr. Phillips has been led by freshman Taryn Griffey, the daughter of former Major League Baseball player Ken Griffey, Jr., along with Sydnei McCaskill and Hannah Schaible. Griffey averages over 15 points and 7 rebounds per game.

The Panthers lost in the state semifinals last year 46-42 to Miami Lourdes, the team Lake Mary beat by nine points in the title game. Lake Mary lost 27-25 to Miami Norland in the 2009 state finals.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com and follow at Facebook or @OrlandoSportsJC ) –

That experience from last year has the Panthers poised to take on all comers this time around.

“When we’re playing in a real big game in front of a packed house it’ll be nothing for us compared to playing for a state championship,” Dr. Phillips coach Anthony Long said. “These kids have big-game experience and that pays off.”

The Panthers are marching towards its 18th-straight season of 20 or more wins behind the all-around play of senior guard Shane Larkin.

Larkin, the son of former Major League Baseball player Barry Larkin, is bound for DePaul in the fall. He led Dr. Phillips to a 64-50 win over Wekiva on Friday to improve the team’s District 5 mark to 4-0. He finished the night with a typical all-around effort, going for 23 points, nine rebounds, six steals and four assists.

The combination of Larkin and fellow returnees Kerby Lubin and Keenan Green has provided the proper stability on a team that’s welcomed newcomers to the fold. The most notable additions have been 6-foot-7 post-player Darius Andrews, who transferred in from Cypress Creek, and sophomore guard Rashawn Powell.

Long concedes that its tough to pick up on the abundance of plays his team runs, but feels everything will fall into place when it matters most.

“We’re still learning all our sets and kind of getting a feel for each other, and right now it’s showing because we’re not really all together on the same page,” Long said. “But the whole goal is to be there by February.”

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com and follow at Facebook or @OrlandoSportsJC ) –

Presented by the Rotary Club of Kissimmee, the four-day tournament features 16 of the top high school basketball teams from across the nation.

The lineup also features Division I recruits and teams with state tournament experience. Some of the top college and NBA recruiters are expected to be on hand to evaluate talent.

Teams taking part at the event from around the state of Florida include Plantation American Heritage, Ft. Meyers Bishop Verot, Ft. Myers High School, Bartow High School and Melbourne Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.

Among the local teams taking part are Class 6A state runners-up Dr. Phillips, Osceola High School, Oviedo, Poinciana, Wekiva and Lake Highland Prep.

Out-of-state teams scheduled to participate are Bishop McNamara of Forestville, MD; Christian County High School out of Hopkinsville, KY; Ball High School from Galveston, TX; Hoover High School from San Diego, CA; and Lexington High of Lexington, SC.

The tournament gets underway at 10 a.m. Monday with Christian County (KY) taking on Holy Trinity.

Tickets for the event are available through Ticketmaster and the Silver Spurs Arena Box Office.

Single day tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Kids under the age of 4 are admitted for free. Tournament packages are available for $30 for adults and $15 for students.

Visit GFLSO for a full schedule and detailed info on participating teams.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

Devonta Freeman rushed for 308 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries for Miami Central while Demetrius Hart of Dr. Phillips was held to just 39 yards on 20 carries.

“Their interior line on both sides of the ball is what won the football game for them,” Dr. Phillips Coach Dale Salapa said afterwards. “They were fast on defense, faster than we’ve seen all year.”

Freeman’s rushing effort rivals the state final record of 328 yards on 34 attempts by Travis Henry in 1996 for Frostproof. Freeman also caught three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown. Hart racked up another 105 yards on special teams.

The high-powered offense of the Panthers could only muster 238 total yards in all while converting just 4-of-11 attempts on third down. Central went for 513 yards and overcame 18 penalties for 148 yards in the win.

Dr, Phillips led 17-0 with 11:49 to go in the second quarter before Central took the lead for the first and final time at 28-24 with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter.

“It’s just a game of momentum,” said Salapa. “I don’t know that it’s any different than how a game between No. 1 and No. 2 should be.”

Since taking over the program in 2008, Salapa has led the Panthers to a 35-4 overall record that includes region semifinal appearances the past two years. Central (14-1) and Dr. Phillips (14-1) spent the majority of the season as the first and second-ranked teams, respectively, in the 6A state poll.

Quarterback Nick Patti went 9-of-24 passing for 203 yards and two interceptions in the title game. He threw two touchdown passes to Chris Gallon, who finished with four catches for 118 yards. They hooked up on scoring strikes of 50 and 30 yards in the first half.

Ryan Luckett returned an interception 61 yards for a score in the first quarter. He finished with three tackles and a pass breakup. Roderick Ryles led the Panthers with 7.5 tackles. Phillip Amone (6 tackles), Andreis Norris (5.5 tackles) and Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix (5 tackles) were each in on a tackle-for-loss.

Dr. Phillips kicker Shawn Moffitt made field goals of 32 and 26 yards. Central’s defensive pressure not only helped force those field goal attempts, but also resulted in seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage and a fumble recovery. Central outscored the Panthers 21-3 in the second half.

Rakeem Cato went 17-of-25 passing for 196 yards and three touchdowns. D’Andre Randle led the Rockets with five receptions for 68 yards and a score while Thomas Shuler also reached the end zone once on four catches for 48 yards.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

– Photos by J.C. Carnahan –

Last month the boys team ran well enough to win the Class 4A state title at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City, but finished runners-up to Miami Columbus on a tiebreaker that matched each team’s No. 6 finisher in the race.

They’d seen this kind of thing before. The Panthers lost at the region meet to Colonial in the same manner.

“It’s an eerie feeling to be at the state meet and finally beat Colonial, but then have another tie-breaker cost us,” Dr. Phillips Coach Peter Blount said. “After last year you anticipate getting another chance to win. It’s a tough feeling for the kids.”

Dr. Phillips finished second in the state a season ago. Junior Logan Kruse (No. 12 overall) will be the top-returning runner next year with seniors Daniel Millay (13th) and Josh Boggs (16th) poised to continue competing in college.

While the boys team losses four seniors in all to graduation, the girls team at Dr. Phillips is on the rise with plenty of young talent and big aspirations.

Bridget Blake was one of four sophomores on a team that placed third overall. She won the individual 4A title (17:52.90) by finishing nearly 30 seconds better than the competition, just one year after finishing runner-up as a freshman at Freedom High School.

“We’ve really turned the corner,” Blount said of the girls. “I told them that you have to go from running to be satisfied [with your time] to wanting to get up on that podium. Now instead of them just trying to make it to state they talk about wanting to win at state.”

It’s all in the mentality. And Blount would certainly know, having guided Satellite High School to three consecutive state cross country titles from 2005-07 before finishing as runners-up in 2008.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

In case you missed it, the Tuskers lost the UFL title game against the Las Vegas Locomotives 23-20 while the Montreal Alouettes defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 21-18 for the CFL title.

Former UCF football player Keith Shologan finished out his season with Saskatchewan at defensive tackle, making 30 tackles and recording three sacks. Former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson and former Florida quarterback Chris Leak saw playing time this season for Montreal.

– Rollins Soccer Caught In Snowstorm –

The most surprising thing about the Rollins College men’s soccer team playing in the Division II National Championship game this past Saturday was not that they qualified in the first place, but rather the weather conditions they were forced to play in. If you’ve yet to see it, check out the video highlights at NCAA. The Tars lost 3-2 to Northern Kentucky in weather more suitable for a football game, of the American kind.

The Rollins College roster featured several local high school alumni, including seniors Chris Cummings (Ocala St. John Lutheran), Stephen Wright (Winter Park), Bradley Welch (Cypress Creek) and Blade Zych (Lake Brantley). Plenty of local talent returns for next season. View the Tars roster at Rollins Sports.

– High School Football Finals Take Shape –

The high school football state finals begin this weekend at the Citrus Bowl with four games taking place between teams in the lower classifications.

Friday’s finals include Warner Christian Academy vs. Glades Day in Class 1B at 1 p.m., and Trinity Christian Academy vs. American Heritage in Class 1A at 7 p.m. On Saturday it’s Trinity Catholic vs. University School of NSU in Class 2B at 1 p.m., and Cocoa vs. Glades Central in Class 2A at 7 p.m.

The marquee prep football game of the weekend, though, is the Class 6A semifinal between favored Dr. Phillips at Seminole on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The state title games for classes 3A-6A take place Dec. 17-18.

A complete lineup is available at FHSAA.

– College Football Bowl Games Announced –

On Sunday the NCAA announced this season’s bowl game matchups, including the opponent for UCF at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. and the matchups for both contests in Orlando at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

UCF (10-3) is ranked No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and will take on Georgia (6-6) on Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. The Knights faced the Bulldogs just once before, losing 24-23 in Athens during a regular season game in 1999. UCF Coach George O’Leary previously faced Georgia on seven different occasions as head coach at Georgia Tech. UCF lost its only trip to the Liberty Bowl against Mississippi State 10-3 following the 2007 season.

Florida Citrus Sports chose to pair West Virginia (9-3) against N.C. State (8-4) in the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m., and Alabama (9-3) against Michigan State (11-1) in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m.

Check back for plenty more coverage of the upcoming bowl season.

– Magic’s Dwight Howard Best In November –

You see where Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for November?

He finished fifth in the Conference in scoring (21.8 points per game) and third in the league with a .594 shooting percentage. Howard also ranked fourth in the league in rebounds (12.1) while helping get the Magic off to a 13-4 start. It’s the fifth time in Howard’s career that he’s earned the league’s Eastern Conference monthly honor, also doing do in April 2006, November 2006, November 2007 and December 2007.

Among the highlights for Howard last month were:

Nov. 3 vs. Minnesota: Recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds and a season-high eight blocks in a 128-86 win over the Timberwolves.

Nov. 5 vs. New Jersey: Tallied 30 points and 16 rebounds in a 105-90 victory over the Nets.

Nov. 24 vs. Miami: Registered 24 points to go along with 18 rebounds in a 111-100 victory over the Heat.

Nov. 27 @ Washington: Compiled a season-high 32 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and hit the game-winning  shot to defeat the Wizards by a score of 100-99.

– UCF Men’s Basketball Out To Fast Start –

The UCF men’s basketball team is out to a 7-0 start for the first time at the Division I level, meaning the Knights have yet to lose under new head coach Donnie Jones. For their efforts, UCF has received votes in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls for the first time since 2006.

On Saturday, following the football team’s Conference USA championship win, the hoops team did away with Southeastern Louisiana 74-49.

Sophomore Keith Clanton tied the school record for blocks in a game when he turned away eight shots in the win. Clanton also finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds, which ties his career high. Tony Davis also blocked eight shots on Dec. 1, 2007 against USF. John Friday blocked seven shots in a game twice in January 1987.

The Knights play again on Saturday, Dec. 11 at UCF Arena against Bethune-Cookman at 5 p.m.

– Edgewater & Timber Creek Alumni In D-II Title Game –

Edgewater High School alum Kaleigh Cunningham finished her collegiate volleyball career as an outside hitter with Tampa in the Division II National Championship on Saturday in Louisville.

Tampa (31-4), who went 15-1 in the Sunshine State Conference, dropped the title match 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-10 to four-time defending champion Concordia-St. Paul (32-4). (See footage at NCAA)

Cunningham finished the season with 313 kills, 220 digs and 12 service aces. Sophomore outside hitter Jessica Yingling (Timber Creek) finished with 266 kills, 369 digs, 25 aces and 24 blocks for Tampa.

– Former UCF Women’s Soccer Player In D-III Title Game –

Former UCF women’s soccer player Alex Brandt finished her sophomore season at Messiah College with an appearance in the Division III National Championship.

Messiah (24-1) lost 2-1 to Hardin-Simmons (24-0-1). Brandt was credited with her 13th assist on the season with 15 minutes to play, when she set up Alicia Frey just outside the box for a goal. (See footage at NCAA)

Brandt, who was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2009, started in all 25 games this season and scored eight goals as a midfielder. She started 23 games for UCF while finishing the year with two goals and three assists.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

Oak Ridge (8-3) is at Dr. Phillips (11-0), Winter Park (11-0) is at Seminole (9-2), and DeLand (9-2) is at Orange Park (7-4) in Class 6A games. Oviedo defeated Osceola 10-0 in Class 5A and hosts this week against Lakeland, who beat Hagerty 56-35. Bishop Moore (9-2) hosts two-time defending Class 2A champion Cocoa. Lake Highland Prep (9-2) defeated Fort Meyers Dunbar 20-6 in Class 2B and will host Island Coast.

Last week the season ended for a couple local teams. East River lost 27-7 on the road against Lakeland Lake Gibson in 5A and Jones lost to Cocoa 14-9.

In other action… South Daytona Warner Christian (11-0) defeated Orangewood Christian 60-6 in Class 1B. Daytona Beach Mainland lost to Orange Park 29-28 in Class 6A. The First Academy lost 42-20 against Jacksonville Trinity Christian in 2A.

All second round games begin at 7:30 p.m. Keep up with all the action at Varsity Sports, WFTV Channel 9 and Bright House Sports Network.

Below is a look back at last week’s first round involving state-ranked teams, with a little help from those that covered each game for the Orlando Sentinel.

– Class 6A –

Dr. Phillips 52, Olympia 3

The Panthers defeated Olympia for the fourth time over the past two seasons by building a 24-3 lead at halftime…

Wrote Kyle Hightower:

“Running back Demetrius Hart rushed for 118 yards and accounted for three touchdowns – two rushing, one receiving – to lead the Panthers… Quarterback Nick Patti was also spot-on, connecting on 5-of-8 passes for 181 yards and three scores. He also ran in another.”

Oak Ridge 34, Apopka 14

The Pioneers won their first playoff game since 1977 by getting out to a 28-7 lead at halftime…

Wrote Joe Williams:

“Dominating may not be a strong enough word to describe Oak Ridge in the first half. Oak Ridge had 286 yards of total offense to Apopka’s 53… Only a lapse on special teams allowed Apopka to score.”

Winter Park 35, Lake Brantley 21

Wildcats’ quarterback Sam Richardson got banged late in the first quarter while his team trailed by a touchdown, but returned to lead Winter Park to the win…

Wrote Buddy Collings:

“Winter Park again had difficulty holding a big fourth-quarter lead against Lake Brantley on Friday. But again the Wildcats were able to respond at crunch time. Undefeated Winter Park marched 80 yards to seal a 35-21 victory over the Patriots with an 8-yard touchdown run by Brandon Brown-Dukes with 1:44 remaining.”

Seminole 46, Timber Creek 14

The Seminoles took control late in the first half as T.J. Thompson passed for 217 yards and three touchdowns…

Wrote Carlos Pineda:

“The Seminoles broke away with 4 minutes, 37 seconds left in the second quarter when Ronnie Moore scored on a 53-yard run to give them a 17-7 lead.”

DeLand 6, Jacksonville Sandalwood 0

A touchdown run by Jo Jo Kemp in the first quarter, set up by a big interception return by De’Ante Saunders, held up for DeLand…

Wrote Craig Castille:

“LB Joe Herndon’s goalline interception on fourth down with 20 seconds remaining sealed a 6-0 victory for DeLand.”

– Class 4A –

Lakeland Kathleen 27, Edgewater 24

Edgewater could not hang on to a 23-12 lead at home with eight minutes remaining…

Wrote Bill Gronvold:

“A 92-yard pass play… with 1 minute, 12 seconds left Friday night lifted Lakeland Kathleen past host Edgewater. Aaron Baysdon caught the ball around midfield, broke two tackles and then ran the rest of the way for the score.”

– Class 2A –

Bishop Moore 25, Astronaut 7

The Hornets get the two-time defending state champs from Cocoa at home this week after getting out to a 25-0 lead on Friday…

Wrote Jeff Gardenour:

“Senior QB Mike Calabro passed for a TD and ran for another score, and Bishop Moore’s defense forced four turnovers in beating visiting Titusville Astronaut.”

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –