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Seffner Christian preps for state semifinal game Wednesday

Tampa, Florida -- The Seffner Christian girls basketball team, practiced in a unfamiliar location Monday, as they prepared for the state semifinal game -- the USF Sun Dome.

USF women's basketball coach Jose Fernandez, made the Sun Dome available for several high school girls teams who will play in Lakeland this week, in the state semifinals and finals.

Seffner Christian made it to the state tournament two years, but lost. They're using that trip as motivation.

USA Today HSS Top 10 Football Poll

As we approach the final week of the season, first round playoff matchups are set, and only one final game, often a rivalry game, remains for most teams.

There was very little movement in the High School Sports top 10 this week, with the exception of Lakeland dropping down and out, and East Lake moving up and in.

Again, the High School Sports Top 10 encompasses gridiron teams from the entire Tampa Bay area, Polk, Pasco, Hernando, Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas and Hillsborough.

Once again, there can't be any disagreement with our number one team:

High school volleyball player returns with one leg

LAKELAND, Fla. - Zoe Gibbs may blend in with everyone else on the volleyball court at Lakeland's McKeel Academy of Technology, and if you ask her, that's just fine. Unlike most high school athletes, she's not looking to be a star on the court. In fact, she's just happy to be on the court at all. That's because last Easter a jet ski collision left Zoe with a severed leg and nearly took her life.

"One personal water craft actually went up and over the other one," said Gary Morse of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the agency that investigated the crash.

Lake Gibson stuns Winter Haven, 28-24

Lakeland, Florida - The Lake Gibson Braves rallied back from a two-score deficit to defeat Winter Haven in a Class 6A District 10 matchup of unbeaten teams.

Winter Haven (4-1, 1-1) came into the game ranked No. 4 in the state

Next week, Lake Gibson (6-0, 2-0) hosts Ridge Community, and Winter Haven will face Mulberry at home.

Jenkins High School JROTC Drill Team runs through the drills

Jenkins High School JROTC Drill Team runs through the drills

 

On Saturday, April 14, George Jenkins High School played host to the 2012 Florida State JROTC Drill Competition.

Ninety-six schools from across the state were represented as they competed at the Lakeland high school. This equated to about 2,000 cadets from various school districts. 

The cadets competed in 18 events in which judges rated cadets based on precision and technique displayed during routines. The competition was fierce and very tough throughout the day as teams battled it out to place first through fifth place.

Cadet Josh Daily wows the judges during the Male Solo Exhibition

Cadet Josh Daily wows the judges during the Male Solo Exhibition

Bartow, Florida -- Everybody wants to be a winner. But winning isn’t just about being the first one to cross the finish line, it’s about having a winning attitude.  Cadet Josh Daily lives by this philosophy. He believes that if you wake up in the morning and tell yourself you are going to fail, that’s what you will do. But say you will succeed and success will come your way. 

During the 2012 Florida State High School Drill Competition, he proved this way of thinking works well.

Summerlin Academy places first in the 2012 Florida State High School Drill Competition

Summerlin Academy places first in the 2012 Florida State High School Drill Competition

Bartow, Florida -- Students from Summerlin Academy were big winners this year when they competed in the 2012 Florida State High School Drill Competition. The competitions which took place on Saturday, April 7 were held at George Jenkins High School in Lakeland.  

Florida State Drill Meet winners included the following teams and individuals:

1st place- Male Armed Squad Exhibition

1st place- Male Armed Individual Exhibition (Cadet Josh Daily)

3rd place- Female Armed Dual Exhibition (Cadets Hagood and Wodecki)