With a Saturday afternoon filled with sun, Plant High School played host to nearly 400 visitors to cheer on a select group of boys and girls seniors for one final high school game. The number of attendees was nearly double the inaugural event held at Skyway Park last year.
The girls arrived early for the tailgate and to sign in for their uniforms. Their game kicked off a bit after 4:30 and was fun, clean, and well-played on both sides. The North team, comprised of seniors from schools in districts 14 and 15, led all game and took the contest 10-6.
Leading the way for the North squad were Newsome’s Morgan Gardner (4G), Durant’s Maddie Seguin (3G), Steinbrenner’s Anica Piniella (2G), and Steinbrenner’s Ashley Stevens (1G). Morgan Gardner would be awarded Offensive MVP while Anica Piniella would earn herself Defensive MVP. The North squad was coached by Newsome’s Chris Crusey and Steinbrenner’s Ed Kay.
On the South side, made up of players from districts 16 and 17, stat leaders were Plant’s Lexi Ashby (3G), Tampa Catholic’s Jaeden Waschbusch (2G), and Plant’s Kristina Longo (1G). Lexi Ashby would take home the girls overall MVP on the day. Coaching on the South side were Plant’s Jayne Chapman and Tampa Catholic’s Joe Ferraro.
After the girls MVPs were awarded, the boys took the field. This game was all South from the first faceoff. Eventual Overall MVP for the boys Alec Frank from Cardinal Mooney controlled the faceoff x all game, leading his South team to numerous possessions.
Like the girls game before it, the boys also kept the game fun and pretty clean. Regardless of the score, both sides were clearly enjoying their one last high school game with their friends.
But in 2019, the South squad was just too stacked and ran away with it 15-4.
Stat leaders on the South side were Calvary Christian’s Jacob Visalli (4G), Cardinal Mooney’s MJ McMahon (2G), and Jefferson’s BJ Wilson (2G). 5 different players finished with 1 goal apiece. They were Jesuit’s Arthur Ward, Lakewood Ranch’s Colby Anderson, Robinson’s Drew Verez, Cardinal Mooney’s Charles Budreau, and Plant’s Drew Mayts.
The North stat leaders were Newsome’s Cameron Kitchiner (3G) and Steinbrenner’s Christian Donnel (1G).
MVP awards on the boys side were earned by Jacob Visalli (Offensive MVP), Dylan McDowell of Wharton (Defensive MVP), and Cardinal Mooney’s Alec Frank (Overall MVP).
The North boys were coached by Bloomingdale’s Matt Borowski and Steinbrenner’s Nick Peck. On the South, coaches were Ryan Henry of Jesuit and Derek Wagner of Cardinal Mooney.
Tampa Lax Report would like to thank the parents and friends of the players for providing an outstanding tailgate event prior to the games. There was tons of great food and everyone really enjoyed it.
Our sponsors deserve some applause as well: Red’s Team Sports, Mastro Subaru, James Broome Photography, Adidas, Gatorade, and True.
Also a big thanks to Plant’s Jayne Chapman for her assistance in securing Plant High School for the event. Lastly, a clearly enunciated ‘thank you’ to our volunteer announcer for the day, Plant’s very own Josh Turton.
Thank you everyone. TLR is humbled and honored that so many people came to our event and enjoyed themselves. The smiles from the players and families on the field taking pictures after the event made all the hard work worth it for us.
