Fleming Island High’s Gabe Lear executed the fastest pin of the night on Clay High’s Connor Green at 160 pounds to start a momentum shift for the Golden Eagles that ultimately led to the razor-sharp win.
Fleming Island High 182 pound wrestler Ryan Smenda lifts Clay High’s Abbott Taylor in matchup won by Smenda at Thursday’s Tussle of Muscle dual match between the Golden Eagles and the Blue Devils at Clay High School. The final match score wound up 24-24 with Fleming Island winning on eighth criteria of first points scored.
Powered by a six goal first half with midfielder Kammy Loustau, shown here in region action against St. Joseph's Academy, punching in two goals to push the Spartans to a 6-0 state semifinal win over Lakeland Christian. The St. Johns Country Day School will be heading to their fifth straight Class 1A championship game on February 2 at 9 p.m. in Melbourne. Also scoring goals against Lakeland Christian were Kirsten Pavlisko, Zhanee Anderson, Payton Crews and Paige Crews. St. Johns is still unbeaten with a record of 23-0-1. Lakeland Christian finishes at 19-3-1. St. Johns will face Community of Naples (19-5-2), an overtime 1-0 winner over Westminster Academy of Fort Lauderdale (16-1-1) in the opposite semifinal.
Donna J. Conversano
Left: Lakeside Junior High’s boys soccer team, coached by Roger Dailey, won a 3-0 match over Lake Asbury to win the Clay County Championship on January 29 at the Clay County Soccer Complex. Midfielder Nathan Testa scored twice with teammate Garret Godfrey adding the third goal. Lakeside registered its 12th shutout of the season. Shown is Nathan Prestridge.
Bottom: Oakleaf Junior High’s boys basketball team won 47-30 over Bradford Middle School for the Clay County Championship. The Yellow Jackets, coached by John Conley, finished with a 14-0 record.
Special to Clay Today
Clay County football players, left to right, Jennings Jackson (RHS), James Libretto (RHS), Jordan Morrissette (OPHS), Terrek Watley (OPHS), David Ayres (MHS), Jacob Conrad (CHS), Mike Adams (CHS), and Jeremy Beaulieu (CHS) added their skills to a 40-7 Florida win over a Georgia all star team in the annual War of the Border game played at Bazemore Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, GA , January 22. Clay coach Joshua Hoekstra was head coach for the Florida all stars. Not pictured were Josh Pierce (FIHS), Desmon George (OHS), Jyles Hayes (OHS) and Tyrell Brown (OHS).
Correspondents photo by Donna J. Conversano
Green Cove Springs Junior High’s girls soccer team, coached by Ashleigh Nosse, won the Clay County Championship with a 3-0 win over Oakleaf Junior High with goals from Gabby Rochester, Gabby Bellomo and Anabel Gidcumb. Cougar goalie Amelia Saling had her sixth shutout of the year.
Staff photos by Randy Lefko
Fleming Island infielder Tiffany Steczo is one of top grounder-getters in county.
Orange Park shortstop Cameron Herrera is playmaker for Lady Raiders defense.
Clay High second baseman Katlyn Morgan rounds third in Blue Devil win over Orange Park.
Oakleaf High junior pitcher Kelsey Sweatt is big arm for Lady Knights who will be returning much of last year’s Final Four team for another shot at a state title, this time in Class 7A.
Clay volleyball signee
Clay High volleyball setter Haley Bookstor, seated, signed to play at St. Johns River State College. With Bookstore are parents, Joshua and Linda Bookstor.
Special to Clay Today
Keystone Heights baseball signee
Keystone Heights High School pitcher Wyatt Harvin has signed on to play baseball at Daytona State College (NCAA Division III) in Daytona Beach. Harvin is a pitcher and first baseman for the Indians. Pictured from left back is Keystone Heights assistant coach Brian Cox, Keystone Heights High Head Coach Alan Mattox, Parents Bruce & Kim Harvin, Assistant Coach Tyler Jolly, Assistant Coach Chris Roach and Vice Principal Barry Underwood. Front and center is Wyatt Harvin.
Staff photo by Randy Lefko
Orange Park guard Maxine Knox chases after loose ball for one of three steals in second half that fueled Lady Raider scoring blitz that led to district 4-5A basketball title against Westside.
The Oakleaf High girls softball team paid tribute to long-time area baseball and softball coach Terry Thompson in Tuesday's season opener against Middleburg High School with balloons and a special tribute to the former Oakleaf High softball coach who passed away recently. Thompson was the brother of long-time Clay High baseball coach and an uncle to Oakleaf High softball coach Christine Thompson.
Staff photo by Randy Lefko
Oakleaf High center Baileigh Larson had her best game of the season with steals and rebounds keeping Bartram Trail’s prolific scorers off balance as Lady Knights won district 4-7A title.
Spartan lights
St. Johns Country Day School introduced a newly lit baseball field on Mon., Feb. 1 with the Spartans taking the field under the lights against Ed White in preseason action.
Staff photo by Randy Lefko
Fleming Island High defender Hakeem Reid goes up high to deflect shot on goal by Atlantic Coast High in Tuesday region 1-4A semifinal game won by penalty kicks by Atlantic Coast. Fleming Island held an early 2-0 lead, but let Atlantic Coast tie the game in the second half to force two scoreless 10 minute overtime periods. Atlantic Coast won with three successful penalty kicks to Fleming Island's one. It was the first loss of the year for Fleming Island.
Baseball begins
Fleming Island High first baseman Chris Hawkins captures ball in attempt to pick off Bartram Trail High baserunner in preseason action at Fleming Island High School on Tuesday. Regular season action begins on February 9.
Staff photos by Randy Lefko
Oakleaf High School’s girls basketball team, led by 14 points from senior forward Jade Lewis, No. 24, celebrate their district 4-7A championship after beating Bartram Trail High School 39-30 Saturday night at Bartram Trail High School.
Correspondent photo by Donna J. Conversano
Fleming Island freshman Aubrey Burke got playing time in Golden Eagles district 4-7A semifinal loss to Bartram Trail High School.
Orange Park High seniors, left to right, Gianni Ruemmeley, Maxine Knox and Shakarri Mack smile with coach Mandi Matricardi after receiving district 4-5A championship trophy after beating Westside High School 51-26 Friday at Baker County High School.