WHO’S HOT
• Sophomore Nicole Nguyen, Cypress Creek’s No. 1 tennis player, and Nos. 2 and 3, Victoria Khokhryakova and Malak Aref, continued their season long dominance by all capturing district titles to lead the Coyotes to the Class 3A, District 8 crown. Senior Ellison Wease also added a singles title as Cypress Creek scored 20 points, outdistancing Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch, who each tied for second with 11.
• The boys winner at the 3A-8 district tennis tournament was no surprise — the Wiregrass Ranch boys. As usual, the Bulls are once against loaded and ready to make a run for another state title after dropping just one line (out of 108 played) all season. At the district tournament, sophomore Matthew Adanas took a hard fought three-set win over Pasco freshman Carter Smallwood at No. 1, while the rest of the Bulls cruised to wins.
• Wesley Chapel ace Aiden Nguyen struck out 13 batters against Cypress Creek to win the Class 5A, District 8 championship for the third time in four seasons. It was Nguyen’s fourth game with 13 or more strikeouts this season, and he has struck out 27 of the last 56 batters he has faced.
• The Wiregrass Ranch Troupe sisters, Chloe and Zoe, were perfect in a win over Pasco, combining to go 5-for-5 with six runs scored, along with a triple, a home run and six RBIs. Not bad for three innings of action (the game was called due to the 17-0 mercy rule score).
• The high-powered Wesley Chapel softball team, which is 17-6 heading into the final week, boasts three players hitting over .400. There are six also players with at least one home run and three more with 20 or more RBIs. That offensive depth has helped the Wildcats win seven of its last eight games, good enough to rank No. 6 in its region (the top eight make the playoffs).
• Cypress Creek junior Brianna Regan’s last week is tough to top. The pitcher and infielder was 7-for-11 with four doubles, one triple and seven RBIs, and also struck out all nine batters she faced against Anclote.
• Wiregrass Ranch freshman wide receiver Tona Sinatra is putting up one of the best statistical flag football seasons in the state this season, with 86 catches for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns. According to MaxPreps, which only lists the teams that have entered their stats, Sinatra ranks No. 13 in Florida in receiving yards, but No. 1 among freshmen.
Check it out
• Baseball playoffs are kicking off with some potentially interesting matchups in the region quarterfinals on Friday, April 24. While rounds 2 and 3 are best-of-three series, Friday’s games are one-and-done, adding some drama and pressure. The pairings were not decided in time for deadline, but Wesley Chapel will host a game as the probable No. 2 seed, likely against River Ridge or Daytona Beach Seabreeze. Cypress Creek could end up as the fourth seed, and possibly host.
• The area’s track hopefuls start their journey to the state championships with district meets next week. Wiregrass Ranch, led by girls distance ace and championship hopeful Natalia Gaona-Zelaya, competes at Newsome on April 22, while Wesley Chapel, led by boys 100- and 200-meter speedster Brady Pineo, will take on Cypress Creek and others in the 3A-8 meet the Coyotes will host on April 24.
• Regional tennis championships are being played Thursday, April 23, with the teams vying for a spot in next week’s state championships. If we had to guess, we’d say the Cypress Creek girls and Wiregrass Ranch boys will be in action, so make sure to check out MaxPreps to find out where you can go for a little afternoon Vitamin D and some quality tennis.