Florida Tuskers safety Jerome Carter never had a football camp to attend when growing up in Lake City, Fla. And that has been a motivating factor for him as each July he hosts a free clinic for underprivileged kids in the small community.

“First, it’s about getting the kids out there and having fun. It’s a way for me to get involved and give back to the community,” Carter said. “Second, I never had the chance to interact with football players growing up, so that’s another reason why I do this.”

“Overall, I think It’s important for professional athletes to get involved,” Tuskers Head Coach Jay Gruden said. “You’re creating relationships with the kids, which is a good thing.  Jerome has done a great job in getting involved in his community.”

Carter’s football credentials were established early in his career. The Gainesville Sun named Carter its State Player of the Year for 2001, and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association named him the Class 5A Player of the Year his senior year.

“He’s a talented guy,” Gruden said. “He’s been coached by great coaches and for this reason Jerome can offer a lot to these young kids both from his experiences off the field and on the field. Anytime you can better the place where you grew up, man, it’s an important thing to do.”

Carter would go on to Florida State and in 2002, his first year of football there, scored on a blocked punt against Wake Forest. Carter was an honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection as a junior, and was the defensive team captain his senior year.

Carter finished his career at FSU with 257 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions.

After being drafted into the NFL in the fourth round by the St. Louis Rams in 2005, Carter finished his rookie season with 38 tackles, including 12 in one game against the Houston Texans. He added 18 more tackles to his career numbers the following year plus two interceptions for 39 yards, including a big pick against the Detroit Lions.

After missing the next year with an injury, Carter was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2009, but was waived in August that same year, just in time to sign with the Florida Tuskers.

He played in all six regular-season games for the Tuskers last season with five starts. His 24 tackles and 2 interceptions for 98 yards were enough to get protected status from the Tuskers for this upcoming season.

“It’s very important to get him back,” Gruden said of Carter’s return to the Tuskers. “Jerome’s a smart guy. He’s always in the right place at the right time. He has a year of experience under his belt at the safety position in our defense which is huge, because we ask a lot of our safeties. It’s going to be good to have a guy back there experienced with the terminology and the system that we run. He’s a great leader and he’s shown that he’s a great player.”

The Tuskers, who went undefeated in the 2009 season with a 6-0 record, open training camp in mid-August.  The team will play four regular season home games at the Citrus Bowl.  Season tickets start as low as $60 and can be obtained at 407-545-8123.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

Among those scheduled to appear include 2009 United Football League MVP quarterback Brooks Bollinger, former UCF star and current Tuskers wide receiver Rocky Ross, first year quarterback and former USF star Matt Groethe, and running back Kevin Harris, a former standout at Wake Forest University and Seminole and Winter Springs high schools.

Head coach Jay Gruden will be on hand to give fans an outlook on the season ahead while members of the 2010 Florida Tuskers Dance Team will also be in attendance.

In conjunction with the Tuskers, Ember will offer drink specials throughout the event along with complimentary appetizers.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

With six seconds remaining in regulation of Saturday night’s thriller at Amway Arena, Predators Coach Pat O’Hara opted for some extra time on the clock instead of attempting a field goal from Orlando’s own 12-yard line.

Nick Hill (Photo by Chris Schubert)

But after the Cleveland Gladiators marched downfield for the go-ahead touchdown on the opening drive of overtime, T.T. Toliver, Jerrian James and Bobby Sippio each dropped passes over the middle from quarterback Nick Hill, ending the night for the Preds with a 77-70 loss.

It proved to be a shocking conclusion to an otherwise spectacular Arena Football League game. Throughout the year it’s been Hill getting the brunt of the blame (whether that’s fair or not) for the current state of an underwhelming season by franchise standards.

“I have all the confidence in the world in them to make those catches,” said Hill of his teammates afterwards. “If the situation ever comes up again, I’ll be right back in there throwing it to them.”

Sippio led the team with nine catches for 147 yards and five touchdowns, while James caught eight balls for 96 yards and a touchdown and Toliver had four receptions for 48 yards and a score.

“We probably shouldn’t have even been in overtime anyway,” said Hill. “In football you can go back and count five or six plays that you could have done better to help your team not even be in the situation you were in. It’s not because of them dropping the ball there at the end.”

Defensively, it was a long night for the Predators. The Gladiators converted 4-of-5 attempts on third down and when they weren’t striking quickly for scores they were moving efficiently downfield to the tune of 29 first downs and 421 total yards.

Why the Preds opted to extend the game into overtime against the hot hand of Cleveland quarterback John Dutton, as opposed to attempting a field goal in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, was the big unknown to fans once time finally expired.

Jerrian James (Photo by Chris Schubert)

“It was too far, just too much of a risk,” said O’Hara of the decision. “If we miss that (field goal) then they can return it for a touchdown while we’re having all our big guys run down to try to make a tackle.”

Had a similar scenario not played out between Cleveland and Spokane during the fourth week of the season, then maybe O’Hara would have had no reservations about sending out Carlos Martinez, who has made 10 of 17 this season including a long of 55 yards.

The Gladiators won their first game of the season when Brent Holmes took a kickoff 56 yards the other way with 1.6 seconds to go in that contest. On Saturday, Holmes caught 12 passes for 199 yards and five touchdowns.

“It’s a team loss,” said O’Hara before leaving the field. “We shouldn’t have been in this situation with the turnovers we had early. We really hurt ourselves.”

The Preds trailed 21-0 after the first quarter as the Gladiators turned both a fumble and an interception by Hill into touchdowns. Boos showered down on the former arenafootball2 quarterback from a largely lethargic and scarce crowd as he trotted to the sideline with 3:30 to play in the opening frame.

“Those are two bad breaks that can make you get down,” said Hill of the turnovers. “But really, it’s a long game. This is arena football and you’re going to get a lot of possessions.”

To his credit, and those of the three receivers he targeted throughout the night, the jeering seemed to do him some good.

Bobby Sippio (Photo by Chris Schubert)

“You’ve just got to stay focused and stay positive out there as much as you can,” he said. “Don’t worry about the crowd or anything like that. They have the right to boo. I’m all right with that. They want to win just like the rest of us.”

– Turning The Thing Around –

Although Cleveland had taken the home crowd out of the game, the Predators awoke from a flat-line effort to turn the tables on the Gladiators.

Hill shook off the miscues and threw three of his seven touchdown passes of the game in the second quarter to help spark the rally for Orlando.

“He’s really mentally tough. He always has been,” said O’Hara. “Confidence isn’t one of his problems. He’s a gamer, so he was really able to come back from that and that’s what he’s supposed to do.”

Trailing 28-7 with 11:33 to go in the first half, Sippio scored twice and the Preds defense forced a turnover-on-downs – when Marlon Moye-Moore batted down a pass on fourth down – then made arguably the play of the night to knot the game at 28-all as they approached the break.

In the final minute of the second quarter James put a jarring hit on Ben Nelson, which dislodged the ball from the receiver. C.L. Grogan was there to scoop it up and take it back for a touchdown.

Nick Hill (Photo by Chris Schubert)

But Dutton, who passed for 411 yards and 10 touchdowns on 36-of-53 attempts, threw a long ball for a score with 12 seconds to spare in the half. Hill was then sacked on the final play of the second quarter and offensive lineman Julius Wilson was ejected for the night for taking a swing on an opposing player.

Much like the earlier part of the season, it seemed for every little thing that went right for the Preds there were a few things that went the opposite way for the men in the black.

Yet somehow the game was all tied up at 49-49 entering the fourth quarter. This even after James made a catch over the middle and fumbled the ball away on the first possession of the third quarter, helping Cleveland extend its advantage to 42-28.

Two more Sippio touchdowns followed and an interception by Johnnie Balous, who grabbed the ball out of the air from a bobbling Victor Williams, set up the tying 8-yard touchdown run by Hill.

– Finale Full Of Fireworks –

Kenny McEntyre (Photo by Chris Schubert)

The fourth quarter proved to be just as festive for arena football fans as the postgame fireworks outside the arena were.

The Preds took the lead for the first time on the night when Kenny McEntyre jumped a Dutton pass towards the sideline and took it back 23 yards, putting the home team ahead 63-56 with 7:22 to go in regulation. Dutton quickly answered though with yet another touchdown toss to again tie the game.

With nothing but time to lose the rest of the way, the Preds went to draining the clock, so much so that they barely got the snap off on 4th-and-1. When they did, Hill launched a 28-yard touchdown strike to James down the middle of the field with just 36 seconds to play.

Five plays later Cleveland was in the end zone again, leaving Orlando just six seconds to spare. An incomplete pass from Hill followed. He was then sacked on the final play of the fourth quarter, sending the game into overtime.

At 5-7 on the season, the Predators are seemingly in a three-team battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the American Conference. This week’s game against Alabama (6-6) will go a long way in deciding the postseason picture. The rest of the schedule has the Preds on the road against a non-conference opponent in Milwaukee (8-5), at home against American Conference playoff contender Oklahoma City (5-7) and back on the road against division rival Tampa Bay (9-3).

Along with the Storm, Jacksonville (8-4) and Southwest Division leader Tulsa (7-5) are the teams currently leading the American Conference.

“We can still salvage this season,” said Hill. “We’ve got four games left. If we win all four then we’re in the playoffs and once you’re in, anyone can go on a run. We’ve just got to start closing out games.”

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

This summer the Pride are entertaining crowds at both the UCF Softball Complex and ESPN Wide World of Sports. And Osterman, a gold-medal winning softball player while with the U.S. National Team, is now playing her pro softball in Florida, helping the Pride get out to 7-2 record in the four-team league to start the season.

With the Thunder since moving to Tennessee over the offseason, the other softball rivals in the NPF are Chicago and Akron, Ohio.

This weekend the Pride hosts Tennessee at UCF with games on Friday and Saturday starting at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 12:05 p.m. They then hit the road for a lengthy stretch before returning for games at Disney against Tennessee (July 22-25) and Chicago (July 29-31).

The final home series of the season takes place at UCF when Akron pays a visit Aug. 19-22.

–– Pride Stat Leaders ––

Entering this weekend’s series, Osterman leads the Pride with a 3-0 record and one save from inside the circle. She currently has an earned run average of 0.90 through 23.1 innings of work. The former University of Texas hurler has struck out 29 batters and allowed just 14 hits and three earned runs.

Outfielder Kristin Schnake leads the team in batting with a .556 average through five games. The University of Georgia alum went 2-for-3 at the plate on Saturday in Tennessee and has scored three runs on the season.

Olympic gold medalists Jessica Mendoza and Kelly Kretschman are each hitting .407 through nine games on 11 of 27 at-bats this summer. Mendoza, out of Stanford University, has scored seven runs, hit four doubles and drove in six while Kretschman (University of Alabama) has drove in seven, scored three times, hit two home runs and two doubles.

Among the names on the USSSA roster is University of Florida’s Francesca Enea along with others from colllege programs such as Tennessee, Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma, UCLA, Louisville and Marshall.

–– Did You Know? ––

– On May 30, 1997 the first professional softball game was played between the Virginia Roadsters and Durham Dragons. The Roadsters prevailed 2-1 for the first-ever win in what was then known as the Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) league.

– On July 1, 1997 the Orlando Wahoos clinched the WPF first-half title with a 10-0 win over the Tampa Bay FireStix. Orlando would go on to win the WPF Championship Series played Aug. 26-31, 1997 over the Roadsters.

– On July 31, 1997 the first no-hitter in league history was thrown by Gabby Guerrero as the Roadsters defeated the Dragons 2-0.

– On Aug. 1, 1998 the first perfect game in league history was thrown by DeeDee Weiman as the FireStix defeated the Carolina Diamonds 2-0.

– On Aug. 25, 1998 the Wahoos earned a return trip to the championship series by winning the second-half title with a 25-8 record. Orlando went on to sweep the Diamonds for the title a week later.

– On November 6, 1998, Women’s Pro Fastpitch suspended operations of the team in Orlando and assigned its players to the Akron Racers.

– On Dec. 5, 1998 the league changed its name to Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL).

– On June 14, 1999, Crysti Bustos of the Akron Racers became the first player in league history to make the USA Softball Women’s National Team. Bustos and Michelle Venturella would be named to the 2000 U.S. National Team on Sept. 6, 1999.

– On July 7, 2000 the single-game strikeout record is set when Ohio Pride pitcher Heather Compton retires 17 batters in a 2-1 win over the Racers.

– On Feb. 27, 2001 the WPSL suspends operations before emerging with plans to revise the league as the newly minted National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) on Nov. 21, 2002. Six teams are introduced for the 2004 season on March 21 of that year, including the return of Akron, along with franchises in Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts, New Jersey and California.

– In 2009, professional softball returns to the Central Florida area as the Washington Glory become the USSSA Pride, who play its home games in Kissimmee.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

“Nick played like a top-notch AFL quarterback,” said Predators Head Coach Pat O’Hara. “The kid is a competitor. We challenged him this week. He’s capable of doing this week in and week out.”

Hill went 20-for-31 for 231 yards and six touchdowns through the air while running for two more just one week after facing criticism from teammate Kenny McEntyre.

“He played a great game,” said McEntyre afterwards. Following last week’s loss the league’s all-time leader in interceptions was quoted as saying that Hill had to get a lot better.

“What I said was wrong,” explained McEntyre. “It’s never one person in a sport. Nick and I solved that problem and we played a great game.”

T.T. Toliver caught eight passes for 88 yards and three touchdowns despite facing one of the toughest scoring defenses in the Arena Football League. In fact, it was the Preds defense that shined though by forcing three turnovers that led to scores.

The Preds jump out to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter thanks in part to two turnovers by the Sharks in their first two possessions, including one that resulted in a safety. Orlando never looked back from there as they avenged an earlier 57-31 loss in Jacksonville on April 16.

The win tightens the South Division race as the Sharks drop to 7-3 and the Predators improve to 5-5 on the season. The Tampa Bay Storm move into a tie atop the standings with a 7-3 mark while the Alabama Vipers follow close behind at 5-5. Up next for the Predators is a road game at Chicago on June 26 before returning home July 3 to face Cleveland.

– More AFL News –

At halftime of Friday’s game, AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz announced the return of three former franchises for the 2011 season. The two previous AFL champions, the Philadelphia Soul and San Jose SaberCats, are back on board along with the Kansas City Brigade. The moves bring the number of teams in the AFL to 18 in all.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

– Photos by Chris Schubert –

That puts the Preds in the basement, at 4-5 overall, of the four-team American Conference South Division heading into Friday’s rematch with the Sharks (7-2) at Amway Arena. The Storm sit a game back in the division at 6-3 with the Alabama Vipers positioned at an even 5-5.

In the first matchup between the two teams former Preds assistant Les Moss led Jacksonville to a convincing 57-31 outcome. That came sandwiched between a 73-67 loss to the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings and a 50-40 home-opening loss to the revived Iowa Barnstormers.

Yet right when it seemed nothing would go right, Orlando evened its win-loss record by reeling off three-straight wins.

In victories over Alabama (48-31) and the Dallas Vigilantes (70-59), newcomer Rayshaun Kizer accounted for five interceptions and one crucial fumble recovery. Kizer currently leads the league with nine picks in seven games. Following up that act was newly-signed Bobby Sippio, who made a splash in his debut by hauling in a 40-yard touchdown pass with three seconds to go in a 58-54 win over the Milwaukee Iron.

Since then though, the Preds have lost two of their last three. And both losses happened to take place in what has historically been considered one of the tougher venues around the league.

But with seven games to go the Predators are just 1-3 at home and 3-2 on the road. They’ll travel to Chicago (7-3) on June 26 before returning to host Cleveland (4-6) on July 3 and Alabama on July 9. After visiting Milwaukee (7-3) on July 17 and hosting Oklahoma (3-7) on July 24, the regular season ends with a clash in Tampa on July 31.

In the first meeting with the Storm, quarterback Nick Hill broke his own single-game passing record by going for 393 yards through the air. He had already passed for 381 yards in his first game with Orlando while completing a record 36 pass attempts, surpassing Jay Gruden and Joe Hamilton on those lists.

The Preds would rebound with a 57-54 win against the Tulsa Talons thanks to two timely kickoff returns for touchdowns by Josh Bush. Last week they handed the game over to Spokane in the final minute as they lost 53-52 after having the Shock down and out for much of the second half.

So, what now?

With a streak of 17-straight playoff appearances on the line, the low output on offensive (52.6 points per game is third-worst in AFL) and mounting number of injuries are clearly of concern. Being without injured wide receivers such as Sippio and Derrick Lewis could put the brakes on any postseason plans if solutions are not found sooner rather than later.

Orlando’s leading receiver T.T. Toliver will continue to lead the way as he’s already amassed 77 receptions for 949 yards and 14 touchdowns from the arm of Hill, who has completed 67-percent of his passes for a modest 2,544 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Defensively the Preds are allowing 54.8 points per game, with a league-worst three sacks to their credit.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

– More Orlando Predators –

ArenaFan

Hickok Sports

Around Osceola

Nick Hill

– Photos by Chris Schubert –

On Wednesday the Tuskers added seven defensive players and five players on offense in the 2010 UFL Draft.

Florida used its first round pick (No. 4 overall) on linebacker Weston Dacus out of Arkansas and its second round pick (No. 9 overall) on former Georgia linebacker Arnold Harrison, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dacus played in eight games with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008 and was on their roster in 2009. Harrison played with the Steelers and Cleveland Browns, appearing in 25 NFL games where he recorded 35 tackles and a forced fumble.

“We need to get more speed and athleticism at the linebacker spot and these are two players who will have an immediate impact,” said Tuskers Head Coach Jay Gruden.

Overall, 60 players were selected in the draft, joining players already protected from the team’s 2009 rosters.  In addition, teams receiving free agent commitments were permitted to protect an additional 20 players, taking each team’s provisional roster to the maximum of 52 allowed. From June 3 onwards, teams may increase that number to 70 players.

The expansion Omaha Nighthawks selected defensive end Dewayne White, a former second round NFL Draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Louisville, with the first overall selection of draft.

In the third round the Tuskers selected wide receiver John Standeford out of Purdue and later took Texas Southern wideout Cortez Hankton in the eighth round. Gruden also used his ninth-round pick on former Florida Atlantic defensive back Corey Small. Hankton played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-06, catching 34 balls for 310 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 34 NFL games. Standeford is the Big Ten’s all-time leading reception leader with 266 catches; while Small played under legendary coach Howard Schnellenberger, who was Gruden’s college coach at Louisville.

Other Florida selections included Portland State linebacker Erik Pederson (Round 4, No. 19 overall), former Toledo safety Tyrrell Herbert (Round 5, No. 24), Ohio State lineman Adrien Clark (Round 6, No. 29), Wake Forest fullback Kevin Harris (Round 7, No. 33), Stony Brook defensive end Chris Perri (Round 10, No. 50), defensive end Greg Middleton (Round 11, No. 54) out of Indiana and former Maryland center Melvin Fowler (Round 12, No. 58).

Players selected in Wednesday’s draft shall remain on each team’s Reserved Unsigned List until formally added to the roster by virtue of a negotiated contract.

– UFL Draft results are available at UFL-Football –

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

UFL Cheerleading Tryouts – JUNE 5

The United Football League’s Florida Tuskers are seeking qualified dancers and cheerleaders to take part in auditions for the team’s 2010 cheerleading squad. The dance team will perform at all four Tuskers home games at the Florida Citrus Bowl this fall and serve as goodwill ambassadors for the organization throughout the season.

The preliminary auditions will be held on Saturday, June 5 at Vibe Dance Studio (5100 Hanging Moss Road, Suite 570, Orlando, FL 32807). Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with auditions beginning at 10:30 a.m. Participants should come dressed in dance top and shorts and performing or athletic shoes.

The finals are scheduled for Saturday, June 19 at Orlando Fashion Square Mall (3201 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL  32803).

A $25 fee for the tryout is required, along with a head shot and resume. UFL Cheer and Dance Development Director Billie O’Hara will lead the sessions.

“We are looking for cheerleaders and dancers with a passion for football,” said O’Hara. “This is a great opportunity for young women to be part of a professional football cheer team and perform before thousands of fans at the Citrus Bowl and in front of nationwide television audiences.”

Participants will be asked to learn a short, across-the-floor routine that may include high kicks, jazz technique, choreography and free style. Depending on the turnout, participants should plan on spending a good portion of the day at the preliminaries, which are closed to the public.

For additional information and frequently asked questions about the tryouts, visit UFL Football – Florida. For further info, email Tuskerscheer@gmail.com.

Youth Lacrosse Camps – JUNE 14-18

Casey Powell Lacrosse Camps are among the most highly attended and respected camps in the Northeast United States and now the Orlando Titans team captain is bringing sessions to Central Florida this summer.

Powell Lacrosse, in conjunction with the Orlando Titans Academy of Lacrosse, presents the Casey Powell Lacrosse Camps from June 14-18.

The day camps will be held June 14-15 at Sylvan Lake Park and June 16-18 at RD Keene Park with a special box lacrosse training camp slated for June 15-17 at Barber Park.

The registration fee for the two-day Sylvan Lake camp is $150, while the three-day Keene Park Camp is $200. Both camps will run from 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. Campers interested in attending both camps can do so for $300.

The camps are open to boys and girls ages 7-18 and will be directed by Casey Powell and other top professionals from the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse, including two-time MLL champion Brett Queener. Campers will be divided into gender, skill and age groups by ability to allow for optimal training conditions.

Camp participants will receive individualized instruction (8:1 camper to counselor ratio) from the top pros in the game, take part in position seminars, participate in speed and footwork drills, participate in scrimmages and games, and will receive a Casey Powell camp jersey.  There will also be special training sessions for goalies.

The Box Lacrosse Training Camp at Barber Park is open to high school boys and is limited to the first 80 players signing up. The cost for the three-day Box Lacrosse Training Camp is $100.

For more information or to register for any of the Casey Powell Lacrosse Camps, visit Titans Academy of Lacrosse or Casey Powell Lacrosse.

Girls Soccer Summer Camps – JUNE 14-JULY 31

Amanda Cromwell’s Central Florida Soccer Academy is holding five girls soccer camps this summer on the campus of UCF.

Players from 4-14 years old can register for the day camp June 14-18 or the mini-day camp from July 19-21. Both camps run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and are designed for the emerging soccer player who needs repetitive technical skill work and thorough instruction on the tactical side of the game. Field players and goalkeepers are encouraged to attend.

The Elite Week 1 Camp is for girls from 10-18 years of age and will run from June 27-July 1. The Elite Week 2 Camp is for players 13-18 years old and goes from July 18-22. These overnight camps are designed for the advanced field player and goalkeeper. Olympic Development Program and/or premier club experience is recommended. Campers who would rather not stay on campus overnight can be day campers instead and should arrive at 8:30 a.m. and arrange to be picked up at 8:30 p.m.

The Super Elite Camp is scheduled for July 28-31 and is for players from 16-18 years old. This four-day overnight camp is designed for high-level field players and goalkeepers. Super Elite Camp is limited to 50 players. Those interested in attending are encouraged to send an email to info@centralfloridasocceracademy.com with Super Elite in the subject line. For more information and to register for these camps, visit Central Florida Soccer Academy.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

Spectators at Amway Arena were treated to a double-dose of heartache as the NBA game was shown on the jumbotron while the AFL action on the field was taking place.

The Magic were eliminated from the playoffs with a 96-84 loss in Game 6 on the road against the Boston Celtics. The Predators dropped to last place in the division with a 62-50 loss to the Tampa Bay Storm in the season’s first installment of the War on I-4.

– Orlando Magic –

The Magic trailed 30-19 after the first quarter of play Friday night and never found footing the rest of the way. After trailing by 13 points at the break, the Magic went on to get outscored 27-19 in the third quarter, setting the stage for the end of the season with a 4-2 loss in the best-of-seven series.

Dwight Howard shot 11-for-17 from the field to score 28 points in the setback. He also finished with 12 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Vince Carter scored 17 points (6-for-15) and had seven rebounds and three assists.

On the flipside, Jameer Nelson scored 11 points on 5-for-14 shooting and finished with a team-high five turnovers, four assists and one rebound. Matt Barnes made only one free throw on the night and Rashard Lewis shot just 3-for-11 from the floor for seven points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Orlando shot 27-percent from long-range (6-for-22) as only Mickael Pietrus made more than one 3-point basket. The Magic also struggled at the line, making just 59-percent of those shots. They were outrebounded 45-35.

– Orlando Predators –

The Predators trailed 35-17 at halftime and 55-29 early in the fourth quarter Friday night before clawing their way back, but eventually falling short in the end.

The rally started when quarterback Nick Hill connected with Kissimmee native Bobby Sippio in the end zone for a 19-yard score. Following an onside kick, Hill and Sippio hooked up again, this time for a 28-yard score with 4:45 left to play. Yet another onside kick followed, as did another Sippio touchdown to help chip into the Tampa lead, this time on a short run on a play set up by a long reception to T.T. Toliver.

With just 2:16 remaining, the Preds trailed 55-50 and could get no closer once Tampa drove the length of the field and punched the ball in one more time for a touchdown. The Storm then intercepted Hill in the end zone with under a minute to play to close things out. (Watch Highlights)

The Predators (3-4) are on the road Saturday, June 5 at 8 p.m. against the Tulsa Talons before returning home on Saturday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. against the Spokane Shock. The Preds then host the Jacksonville Sharks in a division game on Friday, June 18 at 8 p.m.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

Welcome to this week’s version of Orlando Sports Central Highlights…

– Local Product Leads AFL Predators –

Just two days after signing with the Arena Football League’s Orlando Predators, former Kissimmee Osceola football and basketball standout Bobby Sippio made an immediate impact.

In the final seconds of Friday’s game, Sippio hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass from Nick Hill to help secure a 58-54 win over the visiting Milwaukee Iron. He finished the game with 88 yards and two touchdowns on six catches.

After starting the season 0-3, the Predators have won three-straight to move to 3-3 overall. They host rival Tampa Bay Storm (3-3) on Friday at 8 p.m. at Amway Arena. Orlando and Tampa currently trail Jacksonville (6-1) and Alabama (4-3) in the division.

After playing his college ball at Western Kentucky, Sippio (6’3″, 215 lbs) played arena football with the Storm, Chicago Rush, Dallas Desperados and Peoria Pirates of arenafootball2. He also got opportunities in the National Football League with the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions as well as the United Football League’s California Redwoods and Florida Tuskers. In 2007 he led the AFL with 53 touchdown receptions while playing with the Rush.

– Former FCSL Player Gets Call To Majors –

Word out of the Florida Collegiate Summer League is that one of its own was recently called up to Major League Baseball last week.

Lucroy

Catcher Jonathan Lucroy became the first FCSL alum to crack the big leagues since the wood-bat league was founded in 2003. The Milwaukee Brewers brought up Lucroy from Triple-A Nashville on May 21 when Gregg Zaun was forced to the disabled list.

The rookie then got his first big-league hit that night in his first at-bat while on the road against the Minnesota Twins. He singled to left field in the eighth inning.

Lucroy, out of Eustis, was a standout for the Sanford River Rats and Winter Park Diamond Dawgs. He ranks second all-time in FCSL batting average (.325) and slugging percentage (.500).

Considered Milwaukee’s top catching prospect, and fifth-best prospect overall, Lucroy started the season at Double-A Huntsville before moving on to Nashville after hitting .452 in 10 games. He has since registered a .238 batting average with two home runs in 31 total games on the year.

The 2010 FCSL season gets underway on Thursday, June 3 at Sanford Memorial Stadium when the River Rats host Leesburg at 7 p.m. The five-team league runs through Aug. 5 when the championship game is played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

– Bishop Moore Lax Alum In D-III Title Game –

Von Kamecke

Salisbury University senior Mike Von Kamecke has one more lacrosse game to play before his college career closes out this weekend.

On Sunday at 12 p.m. in Baltimore, Md., the former Bishop Moore standout takes the field with the Salisbury Sea Gulls (21-1) for the final time as they meet up with Tufts (19-1) for the NCAA Division III title. In a 14-13 semifinal win in overtime against Stevenson, Von Kamecke finished with three goals on five shots and was credited with two assists. It’s the fourth trip to the championship game over the past five years for Salisbury.

Von Kamecke is capping off his best season to date as he’s second on the team in assists (30), third in points (70), fourth in goals (40) and leads the team in man-up goals with nine on the year.

He closed out his high school career with the second-most points ever for a Hornet (288) between 2003-2006 while leading Bishop Moore to a state runner-up finish his senior year.

– Student-Athletes Sign With Colleges –

– University High School girls basketball player Rachel Turner signed on with Southeastern University in Lakeland last week. Turner earned four letters as a Cougar, playing a big role in the programs first two district titles following the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons and its first conference title this past year. The two-year captain finished her career with over 500 points, 250 rebounds and 100 assists. She plans to study special education and would like to work as a teacher and coach.

– The number of Colonial High School football players moving on to play in college increased to five last week when defensive back Renard Allen signed with Concordia University in Chicago and quarterback Jose Castro signed with Baker University in Kansas. They join running back Jermaine Broomfield, bound for Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, defensive lineman Ryan Moore (Baker University) and offensive lineman Sammy Mendoza (Defiance University in Ohio) as signees from the 2009 team.

– Last week Timber Creek High School had two student-athletes sign on with college football programs as Cameron Smith is heading to St. Olaf College in Minnesota and Matt Jones will be off to Mount Union College in Ohio.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –