The postseason has arrived, and so have some of these key players as a host of state championships are up for grabs:
Mathew Altman, Gaither: If Altman pitched his way past Parrish in last week’s playoff opener, the Cowboys, who entered the FHSAA brackets at 21-4, might have something cooking. Altman has been unbeatable this year, with 12 wins in 13 starts, and a microscopic ERA of 0.37, and Noak Locker has been pitching some of his best ball in April. If Ryan Deak (.347) and the rest of the bats can deliver, the biggest stage may await.
Nia Armstrong, Sickles: Armstrong, who holds the fastest time in the 100 hurdles in the U.S. this season at 13.13 seconds, is already the greatest hurdler in Gryphon history, and one of Hillsborough County’s best ever. The sophomore won both the 100 (13.91 seconds) and 400 (1:02.36) at the Vernon Korhn County Championships earlier this month, and after second-place finishes in both events at the state championships in 2025, she has her eyes set on gold when she returns in May.
Gabby Werr, Alonso: The Ravens quarterback is setting all kinds of records this year as Alonso was 15-0 heading into last week’s district playoffs. Werr broke Mieke Rowe’s previous records for career passing yards and touchdowns, and now has 12,224 yards and 194 touchdown passes. The only questions left for Werr are can she guide Alonso to another state title, when will she pass 200 touchdowns and how many of her receivers — Shea Plantz (895 yards), Mia Garcia (725) and Natalie Fischer (694) — will go over 1,000 yards?
Carolynn Emanuel, Gaither: The leader of a young team, the senior leads the Cowboy softball team in most offensive categories, and is in a groove. In the Cowboys’ last three games of the regular season, Emanuel went 7-for-10 with six runs scored, two doubles and two homers as Cowboys readied for the Class 5A, District 9 playoffs. Emanuel has a three-home run game already this season, and a few more big blasts could help her team surprise someone in the winnable district tournament, where Gaither is the only team that has scored more runs than it has allowed this season.
Super Sophs, Gaither: We’d be remiss if we didn’t shout out the Cowboy sophomore softballers that have played big roles this season — Taylor Ramsey, Riley Russell and Kendal Jackson. Ramsey and Russell are both hitting above .400 and have nine extra-base hits, and Jackson is batting .366. And in Gaither’s 10-9, 10-inning victory over Wharton to cap the regular season, Ramsey and Russell joined Emanuel in blasting home runs.
Lee Malamut, Sickles: Malamut was a key force behind the Gryphons baseball team’s six-game winning streak heading into the FHSAA state baseball playoffs last week. Malamut, who leads the team with 28 RBIs, was 10-for-17 during the winning streak, with nine RBIs.
Audrey Mathews, Sickles: The Gryphons freshman has helped spark her team to seven straight wins to end the regular season. Mathews has at least one hit in every one of those wins, going 12-for-24 with five doubles and 12 RBI. Sickles will take on Steinbrenner, the defending champs, in the first round of the Class 6A, District 9 tournament on Wednesday.
Isabella Vasallo, Sickles: The flag football quarterback’s season may be over, but she finished with one of the top seasons in program history, throwing for 3,189 yards and 41 touchdowns, while leading the Gryphons to a record 11 wins, all school records.