FHSAA finals future in Orlando uncertain
Orlando’s 12-year run as host of the high school football championship games may or may not continue in 2019.
The Florida High School Athletic Association’s contract with the Central Florida Sports Commission, which was renewed in 2016, expires this year.
J.A. Colasanti, whose duties as an FHSAA administrator include contract management, said the association is now negotiating with Orlando for a potential extension of the contract — but nothing is certain.
Three years ago Daytona Beach beat out Orlando as the two cities in the initial bidding process. But Daytona expressed financial concerns and could not come to contract terms with the FHSAA in the allotted 30-day window.
The association knocked on Orlando’s door again at that point and was able to finalize a new three-year deal with the CFSC.
In 2017, the finals format changed with all eight title games squeezed into one week. Prior to that the games were played over two weekends.
Saturday’s Hoops for Heart boys basketball event at Oviedo showcases reigning Class 3A state champion Orlando Christian Prep and several matchups that pit small-school playoff contenders against teams from higher classifications.
The Warriors (3-0) will play a strong 6A team, Bishop Moore (4-0), in the fifth of six games at 6 p.m.
The Master’s Academy (4-0), last season’s 4A state runner-up, plays 9A Vero Beach (2-0) at 4:30 in a clash of unbeatens who each has averaged 81 points per game this season. Vero is coached by Shane Whitsett, who won a 2015 state title at Poinciana.
Class 3A Mount Dora Christian (4-0) takes on 8A Melbourne (3-0) at noon.
Oviedo, a 9A contender that lost 67-66 at Seminole in a big district game on Wednesday, will play last season’s 2A state runner-up, Central Florida Christian Academy (1-0), in the nightcap at 7:30. Guard Bryce Street hit 6-of-7 three-point attempts and totaled 32 points for CFCA in its opening game.
Play opens with 5A Windermere Prep playing 8A Hagerty at 10:30 a.m. DeLand plays Lake Brantley at 1:30. Dr. Phillips meets Gateway at 3.
Admission is $10. The event benefits former Bishop Moore coach Rob Graham, who suffered cardiac arrest during a 2005 district tournament game at Tavares and fell into a coma for more than a month.
The 2018 Florida Dairy Farmers state bowling and golf awards had a decidedly Central Florida flavor.
Groveland South Lake junior Ryan Ward and Port Orange Atlantic senior Brooke Roberts were named the 2018 Mr. Bowling and Miss Bowling, respectively. Both won state championships.
On the coaching side, Oviedo’s Pat Costello is the Florida Dairy Farmers Boys’ Bowling Coach of the Year. She guided the Lions program to its first boys state title after leading Oviedo to back-to-back girls’ state championships in 2016 and 2017. Costello coaches both teams. Ward topped Apopka’s Ben Bailey in the boys individual final at Orlando’s Boardwalk Bowl.
Roberts beat Isabella Pohl of East River in the girls final.
The Dairy Farmers golf award winners included The First Academy senior Meiyi Yan, who shot rounds of 67 and 69 to win the Class 1A state champion and helped the Royals win the team title.
The boys golf coach of the year honor went to Kyle McClone of Windermere Prep, which won the 1A team title.