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Hernando Today

Can Central Stay On Top?

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Central Head Coach Hank Deslaurier heads into his fourth year with several starters back in the fold from last season’s county-best 13-8-1 won-lost-tied slate.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: November 10, 2008

Last season, Central High dominated the county, defeating Hernando, Nature Coast and Springstead by a combined 30-5 in six matches.

But when it truly mattered, in the rugged Class 5A, District 7 Tournament, the Bears (13-8-1 in 2007-08) came up short, losing to River Ridge in the district semifinals. Central hasn't reached regionals since 2002.

Yet even with the graduation of the county's two leading scorers, Will Anderson (45 points) and Cody Grey (43 points), the Bears are poised to remain on top of the local scene.

"We think we have a stronger team this year than last year," Central fourth-year Head Coach Hank Deslaurier said. "We have a lot more speed in the midfield. There will be short, quick balls out of the midfield. It should be a heavily offensive attack."

Sophomore Christian Velasquez is the Bears' top returning scorer, coming off a 15-point season, including a county-best 11 assists.

Also figuring to play key roles are senior returnees Nick Hernandez (goalkeeper) and Bobby Bock (midfield), plus sophomore David Vitola (forward) and newcomers Brandon Waddy (forward) and Omar Odulaja (midfield), both sophomores.

Deslaurier sees 5A-7 coming down to a three-team race, between his team and perennial powers Land O' Lakes and River Ridge.

"We have to have a solid team year, play to our potential and stay healthy," Deslaurier said. "We probably should have made it out of districts last year but we couldn't stay healthy."

The remaining four county teams are all in a building mode, made up mostly of young players.

Springstead, the county's power for so many years, had an uncharacteristic down campaign in 2007-08, going 7-12-7 with an inexperienced bunch.

Veteran Head Coach Sal Calabrese, in his 16th season at the helm, has an even younger group this season, and admits anything above .500 would be a bonus.

"We've had a pretty good freshman group come in, guys that have played quite a bit of club ball, but they don't have high school experience," Calabrese said. "The whole concept is trying to get them to play as a unit. It's going to take a couple of weeks."

The Eagles reside in 4A-8, where Hudson and Pasco figure to be the top dogs. Nature Coast and Hernando are also in that district, but both are still trying to establish a base.

The Sharks went 5-15-2 under first-year headman Patrick O'Grady last season, a school record for wins. Nature Coast had only six victories combined in four previous seasons.

Gone is top-scorer Jean-Pierre Salazar (20 points) and goalkeeper Nick Allegra, who moved away. But O'Grady still feels his team can head in a forward direction.

"Our team last year won more games than the school had won ever," O'Grady said. "At least doubling that gives us a chance to improve. Winning half of our games realistically gives us a good season, but is that what we want? No. We're looking to win a lot of games."

Hernando suffered a 2-18-1 run in Kevin Knox's first year as head coach, and the Leopards also lost their highest scorer in Matt Browning (14 points).

"We want to get to .500 this year," Knox said. "We're trying to build a program. Last year was laying some groundwork and we're trying to build on that."

At Hernando Christian Academy, the Lions enjoyed a surprisingly successful 2007-08, as Matt Carrao's club went 9-6-4. However, the Lions failed to escape Class 2A, District 9 and earn their first regional berth.

They will lean on Jeff Basciano to follow up his junior year of 12 goals and 31 points. Carrao expects to see more than 20 goals out of Basciano, because quite simply that's what the team needs.

Bishop McLaughlin won the district last season and Carrao anticipates the Hurricanes sitting atop the standings once more.

"Last year it was a rebuilding year and we definitely overachieved," Carrao said. "This year will be the same type of team. We'll be scrappy, play a couple of positions by committee. Hopefully we'll upset some people."

CENTRAL BEARS

Head coach: Hank Deslaurier (4th year)

District: 5A-7

2007-08 record: 13-8-1 (5-2-1 5A-7, lost in district semifinals)

Key losses: Cody Grey, Will Anderson, Kyle Beach, Darrin Foreman.

Key returnees: Nick Hernandez (Sr., GK/DEF), Christian Velasquez (So., MF), Bobby Bock (Sr., MF), David Vitola (So., F).

Key newcomers: Brandon Waddy (So., F), Omar Odulaja (So. MF).

Coach's outlook: "We think we have a stronger team this year than last year. We have a lot more speed in the midfield. There will be short, quick balls out of the midfield. It should be a heavily offensive attack."

HERNANDO LEOPARDS

Head coach: Kevin Knox (2nd year)

District: 4A-8

2007-08 record: 2-18-1 (2-13-1 4A-8, lost in district play-in)

Key losses: Matt Browning, Sergio Pinson, Michael Behm.

Key returnees: Travis Knox (Sr., F), Robert Rook (Sr., Sweeper), Nick Champney (Sr., MF), Mike Davalos (Sr., F), Mike Landry (Sr., DEF), Patrick Peacock (Sr., DEF), Jesse Lane (Sr., DEF).

Key newcomers: Kevin Herbert (Sr., F), Brian Keyes (Sr., MF).

Coach's outlook: "We want to get to .500 this year. We're trying to build a program. Last year was laying some groundwork and we're trying to build on that."

HERNANDO CHRISTIAN LIONS

Head coach: Matt Carrao (4th year)

District: 2A-9

2007-08 record: 9-6-4 (4-1-1 2A-9, lost in district semifinals)

Key losses: Sean Byrne, Chip Harrell.

Key returnees: Jeff Basciano (Sr., MF), Kyle Marra (Jr., DEF), Ken Lehman (Jr., DEF).

Key newcomers: Josh Romeo (Sr., GK), Jake Regan (Fr., F).

Coach's outlook: "Last year it was a rebuilding year and we definitely overachieved. This year will be the same type of team. We'll be scrappy, play a couple of positions by committee. Hopefully we'll upset some people."

NATURE COAST SHARKS

Head coach: Patrick O'Grady (2nd year)

District: 4A-8

2007-08 record: 5-15-2 (4-10-2 4A-8, lost in district quarterfinals)

Key losses: Nick Allegra, Jean-Pierre Salazar.

Key returnees: J.J. Lain (Sr., DEF), Brandon Misener (Jr., DEF), Matthew Curtis (Sr., F), David MacLean (Jr., F), Jarid Sandifer (Jr., GK).

Key newcomers: Kevin Lain (So., DEF), Hector Martinez (So., MF), Eric MacLean (Fr., F), Alex Morera (Fr., DEF).

Coach's outlook: "Our team last year won more games than the school had won ever. At least doubling that gives us a chance to improve. Winning half of our games realistically gives us a good season, but is that what we want? No. We're looking to win a lot of games."

SPRINGSTEAD EAGLES

Head coach: Sal Calabrese (16th year)

District: 4A-8

2007 record: 7-12-7 (6-4-6 4A-8, lost in regional quarterfinals)

Key losses: Zach Magrini.

Key returnees: Steve Sullivan (Jr., DEF) Stephan Philippeaux (Sr., MF/F), Josh Peirce (Jr., MF), Joey Lasala (So., GK), Nathan Leathers (So., F), Gerry DeCristofaro (So., DEF/Striker), Tyler Callaghan (So., F/DEF).

Key newcomers: Cody Emmerman (Fr., MF), Andrew Brunner (Fr., MF), James DeInnocentiis (Fr., DEF), Matt Campbell (Fr., MF), Michael Hogeland (Jr., DEF), Terry Wald (Jr., MF/F).

Coach's outlook: "We've had a pretty good freshman group come in, guys that have played quite a bit of club ball, but they don't have high school experience. The whole concept is trying to get them to play as a unit. It's going to take a couple of weeks."

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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