Dearlove helps BCS team to state Final Four

To be the starting freshman point guard on a varsity basketball team competing in the Final Four Tournament is no easy task, but Island teen Hailey Dearlove is up for the challenge. Dearlove, a freshman at Bradenton Christian School, has played an integral part in the Panthers’ successful 27-3 season. Most recently on Feb. 20, the team rallied from a 14-point deficit to defeat Agape Christian School 57-55.

“In the first half our nerves got to us and we were playing pretty timid, but later we calmed down and played our style of basketball and got a great win for the team,” said Dearlove of the teams’ triumph on Saturday.

With that victory, the Panthers will take on Hollywood Christian School at 11:30 a.m. in Lakeland, where only the four best Class 1A girl’s basketball teams remain. If they win their game on Wednesday, BCS would play for the title of state champions against the winner of Rock Christian School and Trinity Christian School at noon on the following day.

The team has advanced through the district and regional tournaments with help from Dearlove, who specializes on defense and with assists. “Everyone hopes to get this far at the start of the season, but we have met our goals and we’re really excited to play in such a big game,” said Dearlove.

One of five freshmen on the team and the only starter, Dearlove also has a passion for playing softball and plans on pursuing both sports in the future. The local Islander also mentioned that, “We are definitely a sports kind of family, my brother and sister played at BCS and my mom went to college on a softball scholarship.”

But for right now, Hailey Dearlove and the Bradenton Christian School Panthers have their sights set on a state championship against Hollywood Christian School on Wednesday. The Sun will follow up with the outcome of this game in next week’s edition.

Regular season nears end as teams prepare for playoffs

One more week of regular season games remain for the Premier and Adult Divisions, while the two younger age groups are preparing for the playoffs to start in the first week of March. At this point in time, it appears that the team’s heading into the playoffs in first place for each division are the Tortilla Bay Dolphins, Ross Built Raiders, Tapes Tennis Titans and Raiders. In the 10-12 and Adult League’s only the top four teams with the best records will advance into the playoffs. For up-to-date stats, standings and schedules you can visit the Community Center’s website at www.islandcommunitycenter.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 16
Division 3 (8-9)
BeachHouse Cardinals 29 - Sandbar Saints 22

Alexander Buttram provided most of the Cardinals offense by rushing for a pair of touchdowns, scoring a one-point conversion and converting on a two-point attempt. Brooke Capparelli caught a short touchdown pass from Tyler Pearson and Pearson also ran for 131 yards and a touchdown score. All three Saints touchdowns came on runs by Andrew Proctor, who finished with 93 rushing yards and an interception in the game.

Division 2 (10-12)
Ross Built Raiders 32 - Mike Norman Realty Falcons 14

The Raiders spread out their scoring efforts as Jake Ross, Andrew Ross and Tyler Yavalar each had one trip to the end zone in the winning effort. Jack Shinn passed for 90 yards, ran for 102 more yards and scored a pair of touchdowns to help the Raiders remain in first place heading into the playoffs. Jack Walter provided all the point for the Falcons, finishing with 90 total yards of offense, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

Division 1 (13-16)
Galati Yacht Sales Raiders 47 - LaPensee Plumbing Ravens 20

The Raiders poured on the offense with huge offensive performances by Aaron VanHook and Danny Doyle. The two combined to score five of the teams seven touchdowns, with the other two scores coming via Luke Shackelford and Michael Galati. VanHook connected with Doyle on a pair of passes that turned into touchdowns and each also had one interception on defense. VanHook finished with 131 rushing yards, three receiving touchdowns and two touchdown passes to Doyle for 66 yards. Tommy Price of the Ravens led his team with 122 total yards of offense and a pair of end zone trips. Rainia Lardas caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Chris Pate and Olivia Roemer recorded two sacks on defense to round out the team's statistical leaders.

Wednesday, Feb. 17
Division 3 (8-9)
Tortilla Bay Dolphins 33 - Sparks Steel Art Eagles 19

Ethan Bertrand and Dylan Doyle each had two trips to the end zone and finished with 73 and 113 yards of total offense, respectively. Joey Stewart led the helm at quarterback by completing 13 of 19 passes for 164 yards and three touchdown passes. Trent Shackelford scored on a touchdown pass by Joey Stewart and also caught an extra-point conversion in the win. Truman Carlsen of the Eagles threw a 45-yard touchdown strike to Leo Rose, Jack Mello ran for 64 yards and one touchdown and Dylan Joseph finished with 25 rushing yards and a score in the losing effort.

Division 2 (10-12)
Holy Cow Cowboys 26 - Walter & Associates Titans 21

The Cowboys notched their second win of the season with help from a two touchdown performance by Henrik Hellem-Brusso and lone touchdowns by Mikey Ellsworth and Burke McCampbell-Hill. Zach Stewart passed for 57 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes in the game. McCampbell-Hill also had a great game on defense by recording one interception, one sack and one safety. The Titans’ Michael Duffman finished with 85 rushing yards and two end zone trips and Joey Salinas ran for 47 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Talucci picked off two passes and Brendan Murphy caught another pick in the close loss, as the Titans fell to 3-6 and Cowboys improved to 2-7.

Division 1 (13-16)
Anna Maria Oyster Bar Panthers 40 - LaPensee Plumbing Ravens 6

Christian Hightower took charge in the Panthers dominant win by completing 15 of 28 attempts for 209 yards including six touchdown passes and two interceptions as he also earned the Jessie’s Island Store Player of the Week honors. Four of Hightower’s passing touchdowns were thrown to Jordan Grabski, who finished with 166 receiving yards, an extra-point conversion and two interceptions on defense. Liam Cassidy and James Hardy each had end zone visits thanks to Hightower, including an additional interception by Cassidy to seal the deal for the Panthers. The Ravens offense had trouble moving the ball, illustrated by the five interceptions thrown and their only score came when Tommy Price picked off a pass and returned it back to the house. Price finished the game with three interceptions and teammate Chris Pate recorded two more picks. Each team has two games this upcoming week until the playoffs begin, with the Panthers sitting in second place and Ravens in fourth.

Friday, Feb. 19
Division 3 (8-9)
Tortilla Bay Dolphins 18 - Sandbar Saints 8

Ethan Bertrand ended up with 80 combined yards of offense and a pair of touchdowns to help lead the first place Dolphins to another victory. Ryan Doyle connected with Bertrand on a short nine-yard touchdown pass and Joey Stewart had 20 rushing yards and a touchdown to round out the Dolphins scoring. Bertrand also had two interceptions for the Dolphins as the team currently sits at 10-1 with the Saints in third place holding a 4-8 record. Andrew Proctor of the Saints led his team with 137 rushing yards, but the lone score came on a 13 yard touchdown pass from Proctor to Leo Rose. The Saints also recorded a safety for an extra two points in the loss.

Division 2 (10-12)
Walter & Associates Titans 41 - Mr. Bones BBQ Bengals 34

The Titans remained in playoff contention with this huge win over the Bengals, thanks to five combined touchdowns between Michael Duffman and Joey Salinas. Duffman ran for 151 yards, had three visits to the end zone and recorded an extra-point conversion and a two-point conversion. Salinas finished with 71 yards of total offense and a pair of touchdown receptions which were thrown by Jacob Talucci. On defense, the Titans were led by Talucci who had two interceptions and ran one back to the house for a score. Logan Reiber of the Bengals ran for 175 yards and had four touchdowns to lead his team. Chris Gunn also had a touchdown, an extra-point conversion and a two-point conversion to round out the Bengals scoring.

Division 1 (13-16)
Galati Yacht Sales Raiders 44 - Tapes Tennis Titans 12

The Raiders handed the first place Titans their third loss of the year in large part due to the showcase of skills by Aaron VanHook, who scored two touchdowns on both offense and defense. VanHook finished the game with four interceptions, half of which he ran back for scores and also recorded three touchdowns on offense. VanHook connected with Danny Doyle on a 29-yard passing touchdown and also was on the other end of the duo by hauling in a pair of touchdown receptions. Doyle completed 14 of 19 passes for 207 yards, including two touchdown passes to Luke Shackelford and another one to Garrison Clark. Anna Maria Galati converted on an extra-point attempt and also notched a sack on the opposing quarterback for the Raiders. The Titans were missing key players and only could manage two touchdowns, both recorded by Chandler Hardy who finished with 70 rushing yards and 20 receiving yards. Each team has two games left until the playoffs begin in the first week of March.

Upcoming Week’s Games

Wednesday, Feb. 24

7:00 PM- Division 1 (13-16) - LaPensee Plumbing Ravens vs. Galati Yacht Sales Raiders
8:00 PM- Division 1 (13-16) - Anna Maria Oyster Bar Panthers vs. Tapes Tennis Titans

Thursday, Feb. 25

6:00 PM- Adult Division – Titans vs. Lions
7:00 PM- Adult Division – Chiefs vs. Bengals
8:00 PM- Adult Division – Cowboys vs. Raiders

Tuesday, March 2

6:00 and 7:00 PM- Awards Banquet at AMICC

Wednesday, March 3

6:00 PM- Division 3 Playoff Game – Sandbar Saints vs. Sparks Steel Art Eagles
7:00 PM- Division 2 Playoff Game – Mr. Bones BBQ Bengals vs. 3rd Place Team (TBD)
8:00 PM- Division 1 Playoff Game – Galati Yacht Sales Raiders vs. Anna Maria Oyster Bar Panthers

*Playoff style is a single-elimination tournament. Please contact the Community Center for a more detailed playoff schedule as it approaches closer and is finalized.