By Gary Curreri

Herman Robinson and Danielle Domino each look forward to the Highlands Christian Academy basketball camp every year.

Robinson, 16, of Deerfield Beach, and Domino, 15, of Parkland, are both sophomores and starting point guards for their respective boys’ and girls’ teams at the school.

“This is good,” said Robinson, who attended the camp in his fifth grade year and the past three years from his 7th, 8th and 9th grade years. “I get a lot of drills out of it and I get better. It depends on how hard you work.”

Robinson, who has attended Highlands Christian Academy since the fifth grade, followed up his week of learning with a week of giving back. It is also his second year working the camp.

“It’s interesting because I get to see what I am like to the coaches that are here,” Robinson said. “I also see what I was like when I was their age. I want to give them my full attention and teach them things that I already know like respect.”

“Basketball delivers hard work and patience and mostly everything, including teamwork,” Robinson added. “I have a passion for it … a strong passion for it. I want to go all the way to the professional ranks, whether it is NBA, D-League or overseas.”

Domino is the youngest of three siblings to play at the school. Her older brother, Derek (college football) and Drew (college basketball) also prepped at the school. She’s been at the school since the 2nd grade and been on the varsity since the 7th grade after she moved up late in the season from the JV and has been on the varsity ever since.

“It teaches me to work hard and how to work with people,” said Domino, who has attended the camp since the 2nd grade. “Especially when we are playing 5-on-5, it builds teamwork and good work ethics.”

This is her 3rd year working the camp.

“It is a lot of patience because I am with the little kids, the third graders, but I like working with them because I get to show them how it is done and build them up for the future,” Domino said. “I like to teach them to work hard. You just have to be quick with it (your message) because they have a short attention span. We teach a lot of the fundamentals. Whatever you do best, you try and teach them.

“I love working with little kids,” Domino added. “I want to coach when I get older, if I am not playing. I want to go to the WNBA, but college is my first priority right now. I want to play college basketball.”

Jim Good has been Athletic Director at the school for the past four years and the school’s varsity boys’ basketball coach for a decade.

The camp featured 53 boys and girls in its first week of camp, including students in grades 7 through 12. It has nearly 50 children in this week’s camp, including students in grades 2 through 6.

Good said it was rewarding to have students/athletes who grew up attending the camp now coaching the younger campers in the second week. Good has been involved in the camps for the past 17 years.

“Any time you have a player who goes through that camp and then comes around the next week and switches roles and now they are the coach, it’s rewarding as a coach, to see them give back,” Good said. “They are great role models for the younger kids.”

It marked the 29th year of basketball camps at Highlands Christian Academy. Former athletic director and boys varsity basketball coach Reg Cook started them in 1985. It is the most popular of all the summer athletic camps offered by the school.

The camps featured a morning devotion followed by warm-up runs and stretches, followed by an emphasis on ball handling and dribbling. The group was divided up into stations to work on lay-ups and shooting. A certain skill was emphasized each day. Several contests were done throughout the week, which included 1-on- 1, 2-on-2, free throws and hot shots. Full court, 5-on-5 full games were played in the afternoon after lunch.

“We update the drills and we also had an all-star game with the older group,” Good said. “We select the 10 best players in the high school groups, break out the uniforms, and they play the coaches. The coaches are undefeated in the four years we have played.”

Good said about 70 percent of the campers attend Highlands Christian Academy and the remaining players attend schools in the surrounding communities. The two most notable campers to attend the Highlands Christian Academy basketball camp include Brandon Knight (Milwaukee Bucks) and Andrew Smith (now a senior at Liberty University).

Knight attended the camp when he was in the 4th grade and went on to star at Pine Crest School, and played a year at Kentucky, before being a first round pick of the Detroit Pistons.

It is the only two weeks of basketball that the school offers. In future weeks, they will offer softball, soccer, track and field, volleyball and golf.

“We have three goals,” Good said. “One is for them to have fun, the second is to work hard and the third is to glorify God

By Gary Curreri

Residents have an opportunity to take advantage of World Cup soccer fever this summer as the Simply Soccer camp returns for its 26th year in Coral Springs.

Soccer camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who will be taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting. Simply Soccer, the longest running soccer camp offered by the city, will be held at Mullins Park behind the Coral Springs gymnasium. There won’t be a similar camp this year in Pompano Beach.

There are three sessions each day ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tiny Tot program for ages 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Full day campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch.

Dates are June 9-13, 16- 20, 23-27; July 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-Aug. 1; Aug. 4-8, 11-15.

For information, call 954- 345-2200.

ELY WINS IN JENKIN’S DEBUT

Blanche Ely High School ended its spring football contest against visiting Miami Jackson on a high note as it chalked up an impressive 31-14 victory.

The Tigers’ star basketball player, Therrell Gosier, who has been turning heads off the basketball court and on the football fi eld this spring, didn’t disappoint. He caught two passes totaling 55 yards on the team’s fi rst drive to set up a 1-yard run by Teddrick Moffett for a 7-0 lead, and added a 3-yard TD catch for a 14-0 fi rst quarter lead.

“I’m just trying to help my team win a state title,” Gosier said after the game. He is being heavily sought after by Clemson, West Virginia and Nebraska, among others. “I’m looked at as the leader of the receiving corps. I think my ability to stretch the fi eld will mean a lot. It will give our slot guys more room to work with, open the fi eld.”

After Miami Jackson cut the lead in half on a 75-yard TD run by Desmond Phillips, Ely put the game away on a 28-yard scoring toss to Ladderick Smith and rolled to the win to give fi rst year head football coach Nakia Jenkins some momentum heading into the season.

Jenkins said the Tigers wouldn’t be doing too many 7-on-7 tournaments during the summer heading into the school year.

“I really don’t believe in them too much because, to me, it throws you off a little bit because your quarterback needs to get used to an offensive line,” said Jenkins, who said his team will be a part of the 7th Annual Miami Dolphins 7-on-7 High School Football Tournament presented by Under Armour and the National Guard from June 13-15.

“They have been great to us the last few years,” Jenkins said. “We may do one or two local ones, but my focus is to get my seniors in some camps so they can get looked at so the kids don’t fall through the cracks. The camps are really big to give them some notoriety.”

POMPANO SOFTBALL TO WRAP UP SEASON

Continental will play the International squad in the city of Pompano Beach’s Men’s Thursday night softball league championship on June 5 at 7 p.m.

A win by the International squad would give the team the title, while a loss to Continental would force an 8:15 p.m. winner-take-all contest.

Levinson Jewelers/Jacks Hamburger won the Men’s Softball A Division playoff bracket with a 19-7 victory over Lifetime Kia.

A new competitive league will be starting soon, and games will be played on Monday nights at the Four Fields Complex in Pompano Beach.

“Any bat will be allowed and a pitching screen will be placed in front of the pitcher for protection,” said Bobbi Palat, a recreation leader for the city. “Twelve home runs will be allowed.”

The fee is $400 for residents and $500 for non-residents. There will be a 12-game season with a double-elimination tournament at the conclusion of the regular season. The winning team will receive a free entry into next season.

Leagues are also starting for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. It will be the same entry fee of $400 (residents) and $500 (non-residents). There will be a free entry into the league for next season and there will be two separate brackets for playoffs.

For more information, contact Palat at 954-786-4119.

By Gary Curreri

Pompano Beach High School’s Erin Sundook said the five seniors on the softball team are hoping to go out with a bang.

Sundook, 18, of Pompano Beach, along with fellow seniors Sabrina Akrouk, Marissa Lamberti, Noelle McGuire and Stephanie Obando have started and played for the Tornadoes since their freshman season.

“This is our last year and we want to leave with a bang,” said Sundook, the team’s leading hitter and star catcher. “We always hit that roadblock in American Heritage-Plantation in the regional semifinals. Our ultimate goal is to knock that roadblock down. We have been doing really good and have just four losses on the season and that is amazing.”

Sundook, who is committed to attend Miami Dade College next season, has played softball since she was 8 and said it has always been her goal to play in college. For now, she will settle on taking out American Heritage- Plantation in the playoffs.

Sundook said this could be the best team they have had since she’s been at the school. “The senior class is huge,” Sundook said. “We have five seniors who have started all four years on varsity and we have been so close and we all know how to play together. I think we are molding well and fitting together and I think our pitcher (Jessica Abramson), who is only a junior, has stepped up great this year. She didn’t get much playing time last year and, this year, she has just proven herself tremendously.”

“There is one thing about this team that we do not give up,” Sundook said. “Sometimes, things don’t go our way, but if you don’t stop fighting, you won’t find success. Our offense has to be on to beat Heritage.”

Pompano High coach John McGuire took over the head coaching job last month and has guided the Tornadoes (14- 5) to a 7-1 record. The team was 7-4 when he took over. McGuire has been with the program for four years and his daughter, Noelle, is the starting second baseman for the team.

“The girls all get along,” McGuire said. “There is no animosity. I keep it a little light and they have fun, but they work hard. They go to the baseball team’s games together. There is good team unity.”

There are six travel programs represented on the team and McGuire said there are probably 4 or 5 girls that have played rec softball together since they were young. The team opens District 15-5A play on April 14 at Archbishop McCarthy. Pompano Beach lost earlier in the season to American Heritage- Plantation, 9-0, and said they are still searching for not only their first win over the team, but its first run.

Since 2010, the Tornadoes are 0-10 against American Heritage-Plantation and have been outscored 81-4. The last time Pompano Beach scored against the Patriots was Feb. 22, 2010 in a 7-4 loss. It scored four runs in the sixth inning in that contest, but, since that time, the Tornadoes have been blanked 74-0. “It is going to take an error free, whole team effort,” McGuire said. “We are going to sock the giant sooner or later. They all want to do it. In four years, it has always been a battle and they are getting closer and closer every year. I tell them we are going to get there.”

“We haven’t crossed the plate against them in four years,” added McGuire, who is 7-0 since taking over as head coach a month ago. “I think they are sensing urgency, especially the seniors. Last year, we lost two seniors in our pitcher (Danielle Conboy) and shortstop (Gina Daigle). That was the best core we’ve had. Some of our girls this year have really stepped up.” McGuire said Abramson is one of them going 8-4 on the mound this season for the Tornadoes. McGuire’s daughter, Noelle, is headed to Lake Sumter State College in Florida, while first baseman Sabrina Akrouk is also still being looked at by several colleges.

By Gary Curreri

Cam Thomas hopes to build on the history his flag football team made last season.

The fourth-year Deerfield Beach flag football coach led the Bucks to its first-ever district championship before it fell 14-12 to Atlantic in the first round play-in game of the post season. Thomas, who returns 10 of 14 players from last year’s team, is gunning for another trip to the postseason.

“My main thing is making it to the district playoffs,” said Thomas, whose team is 1-2 following Tuesday’s 21-20 overtime loss to host Monarch. The Bucks needed four overtimes to defeat Monarch 12-6 in last year’s district championship.

Deerfield Beach opened the season with a 36-6 victory over Coral Springs and lost another heartbreaker, 13-6, to Hollywood Hills.

The team is in a totally different district this season. Monarch and North Broward Prep, two perennial county powers, remain in the district; however, Coconut Creek, Pompano and Blanche Ely have been added. The top four teams make the district playoffs.

Thomas is counting on big seasons from junior Stefaterra Boykins, seniors Courtney Lee, Darrion Cowart, Justice Thomas (no relation).

“Teams prepare for one person, but they might get a different person who’s hot,” Thomas said. “We have athletes who can all play quarterback or different positions on the field.”

“One of the things we have to fix is the intensity,” Thomas said. “Some of the girls are a little too relaxed when we play. Last year, I had a ‘blue collar’ team that would grind, get bloody, dirty, and this team is a little too relaxed. We make plays, but they are too relaxed at times.”

Thomas was pleased with his team’s effort against Monarch as it rallied from a 14-6 deficit heading into the fourth quarter to force overtime. Lee, Cowart and Boykins all scored in the game.

With three games down in the 11-game regular season, Thomas gives his team a grade of C-plus.

“Today, they didn’t give up and, against Hollywood Hills, they didn’t give up,” Thomas said. “They’ve got fight, which is good. If you add in a little more intensity, they’ll be fine.”

Thomas said the early season losses would help his team get better.

“They don’t like the feeling now,” Thomas said. “They know they are much better than what they are showing on the field. We just have to put it together.”

“This whole team is athletic, and I wouldn’t be taking them to Orlando if they weren’t good,” Thomas said of his team’s upcoming April 4 game against state powerhouse, Dr. Phillips. “They are one of the top teams in the state. We want to get exposure for the girls. We want everybody in Florida to know that South Florida has good teams behind the Seminole Ridge’s and the Miramar’s.”

Bucks take second

The Deerfield Beach High School softball team finished second in last Saturday’s consolation finals at the Gulliver Prep Slamfest in Pinecrest. The Bucks advanced to the finals by beating Lourdes High 13-12 in a come-from-behind thriller during which the lead changed 10 times. The Lady Bucks racked up 13 hits including a bases-loaded double by Coral Galpine in the fourth inning.

Sarah Strothman, Karli Shoop, Vika Chursina, Coral Galpine and Annalissa Silva all hit over .500 in the tournament.

By Gary Curreri

Reg Cook won more than 500 games at Highlands Christian Academy School, however, one of the other things he is most proud of is the annual summer basketball camp offered by the school.

“The basketball camp is our most popular summer athletic camp here at HCA,” said Cook, former athletic director and boys’ varsity basketball coach at Highlands who started the camp in 1985. “Our coaches and counselors do a great job! They love the kids, the game of basketball and the Lord.”

There were approximately 100 campers between the two weeks, including 55 in the first session (7th through 12th graders), and 45 in the second session (second through the 6th grade).

“Our goal at basketball camp, along with all of our other athletic camps, is to train these young people to become better individuals as well as better players,” said Jim Good, camp coordinator and boys’ varsity basketball coach. It was his 16th year being a part of the camp. “Our coaching staff does a great job in teaching the skills of the sport while also teaching the benefits of hard work in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere.”

Josh Good, HCA’s boys’ middle school coach, worked his 11th year of camp, while Luke Still, HCA’s JV coach, worked his third year of camp. Head girls’ varsity basketball coach, Ramona Caputo along with HCA alumnus Chris Wilson (2005) and Jeff Sullivan (2011) assisted with the camp. Several varsity players from both the boys and girls varsity team earned community hours in the second week of camp while serving as assistant coaches.

Highlands Christian offers seven different summer sports camps, including cheerleading, basketball, softball, track and field, soccer, volleyball and golf.

Visit www.highlandschr istian.org for more information about the school.

Randall reinstated

Melvin Randall will return to coach the boys basketball team at Blanche Ely High School after a face-to-face meeting with the school’s principal last week ironed out their differences.

Randall had been at odds with school principal Karlton Johnson and was relieved of his duties just four months after winning his second consecutive Class 7A championship.

Randall and Johnson had clashed over the firing of his two long-time assistants, Reginald McNair and Morris Grooms, who were released before the 2012-13 season, and the fact that Randall had to apply more than once for the head coach position.

“It was a very, very good meeting,” Randall said. “Just clearing some things. We both agreed that we want to put this behind us and move forward. We want to work toward improving Blanche Ely academically and athletically.”

Both McNair and Grooms, former student athletes of Randall’s, will be allowed to return. Randall has a 458- 136 career record, including 226-79 at Blanche Ely and five state titles.

“I always believed everything would be OK,” Randall said. “The kids were thrilled when they heard the news. It was a relief for them and they are ready to work for a third state title.”

By Gary Curreri, Special Correspondent

Deerfield Beach’s Jim Eddy enjoys playing baseball on the weekends.

Eddy, 47, plays for the Cardinals in the Liberty Hardball Men’s Baseball League based out of Coral Springs. He leads the league with a .571 batting average and said he looks forward to playing in the Sunday games all week.

“You want to have some competition, so that’s why I don’t play softball,” said Eddy, who is an athletic trainer and coaches football at Highlands Christian Academy.

“I wouldn’t play in a league if there wasn’t any competition,” added Eddy, who had played with the Federal League since 1995, and has been with the Cardinals for the past three years. Eddy was a 1989 draft pick of the Montreal Expos.

“I don’t get nervous anymore and you don’t have that adrenaline. I think I am too old for adrenaline.” The Cardinals have won two out of the past three years of the league. There are many former professional players in addition to Eddy in the league. The Liberty Hardball league features players 28 and older on seven teams.

There are a couple of players in their 60s still swinging for the fences. The league plays on Sunday mornings at Mullins Park, Cypress Park in Coral Springs and Sabal Pines Field in Coconut Creek.

The present, three-yearold circuit is an offshoot of the Coral Springs Men’s Senior Baseball League that folded after the 2009 season. There are seven teams in the league that play a 20- game season that begins in March and typically runs through October following the playoffs. Because the league had four weeks of rainouts this season, the season may extend into November.

The Top 2 teams get a bye and the remaining teams make the playoffs and play in a 2 out of 3 format. The top seeded team gets to choose the venue to play in.

Powell paces Bucks

Running back Brandon Powell rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns as host Deerfield Beach (2-3) stunned Blanche Ely, 19-0, in a non-district contest on Saturday night. Aeron McNeal also had a stellar game for the Bucks as he scored on a 14-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. McNeal finished with 114 rushing yards against the Tigers (4-2).

By Gary Curreri

The Deerfield Beach Sharks 11-Under girls softball team can call itself the World Champions after going through the United States Specialty Sports Association’s (USSSA) World Series undefeated Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports recently.

Taylor Cochrane scored the lone run in the second inning and Brandi Antonio and Cochrane then shut the door with outstanding pitching by scattering seven hits as the Sharks blanked the Texas Hustle, 1-0, in the championship game.

The Sharks, who were limited to six hits in the championship game, managed to score their run after Cochrane reached on an error, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on an Alexa Ares hit to centerfield. It was the second victory in as many tries against the Hustle, which was the highest scoring team in the tournament. The Sharks won an elimination game against the team from the Lone Star state, 9-1, two games earlier.

“Our girls really showed what they were made of at the World Series,” said Sharks manager Karla Antonio. “They really pulled together as a team. Our hitting was great in some of the games; yet, in others, we needed our defense and pitching to step up in order to win.”

The Sharks rattled off six consecutive wins before facing off in the semifinal game against their interstate rival and defending World Series Champions, the Orlando Aftershock.

The Sharks had played Orlando six times previously since 2010 and had lost all six games by narrow margins. In the pivotal game of the tournament, Brandi Antonio held the Aftershock to no earned runs for five innings. Jordyn Griffith came in as a relief pitcher and sealed the deal against the Aftershock. Brooke Antonio and Chelsea Brown also turned in key defensive plays in the 2-1 win.

Nova Southeastern University women’s softball coach, Lesa Bonee, has been working with the USSSA team since 2009, and her coaching role has significantly expanded since. She works consistently to improve the girls’ hitting and makes time to give weekly private lessons to many of the athletes. Since working with Bonee, the team as a whole has shown great improvement in their overall performance and attitude.

Antonio said Bonee “makes things fun.” Bonee has had the NSU softball team serve as role models to the young players. The college players have helped provide softball instruction to the Sharks, as well as participated in fun, team-building activities such as tie-dying T-Shirts, pumpkin carving and even having a pie throwing contest at coach Bonee’s expense.

“Coach Dawn Boothe (former Head Coach at Deerfield Beach High School) worked with the team’s defense this season and really turned things around for us,” said manager Antonio. “Ryan Rogge (former Western Kentucky University pitching star) worked with our pitchers.”

“Their hard work throughout the year in all aspects of the game is what gave them the edge in the championship,” manager Antonio added. “I am extremely proud of this group of girls. They had a goal of winning the World Series this year and they made it happen!”

The World Series MVPs for the Sharks were Taylor Cochrane and Brandi Antonio (pitching), while Sami Restrepo was the Tournament MVP.

By Gary Curreri

For nearly three decades, Highlands Christian Academy has combined fun and instruction with outstanding results at its annual summer basketball camp.

Now, in its 27th year, Highlands Christian Academy hosted more than 100 players in two separate sessions.

The first session attracted the older students (7th through 12th graders) who met from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There were a total of 55 players.

The younger athletes (2nd through 6th graders) met from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the second session. There were 50 that week.

Jim Good, the school’s athletic director and boys’ varsity basketball coach, said a typical day included morning devotion, warm-up runs, stretches, ball handling, dribbling and Gatorade contests. Each day, a certain competition was done: 1 on 1, 2 on 2, free throw competition and hot shots competition.

“We went to lunch at Chick-fil-A and CiCi’s Pizza,” Good said. “In the afternoon, we played 5 on 5, full court games. Reg Cook started the camp back in 1985, and it is our most popular athletic camp at HCA.

Other athletic camps the school provides include cheerleading, softball, flag football, indoor soccer, volleyball and golf.

The head coaches for the two weeks of camp were Jim Good (boys varsity), Luke Still (boys’ JV), Josh Good (boys’ junior high) and Kelly Fichtner (girls’ varsity).

Several varsity athletes at the school also helped out during the second week to earn community service hours.

Soccer camps slated

Simply Soccer has two summer camps remaining in the city of Pompano. The dates are July 23-27 and August 13-17. Registration is being held at the Pompano Beach Civic Center. The soccer camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who will be taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting. There are three sessions each day, ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (cost is $100 weekly); extended hours camp is available: from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $125 each week, and a Tiny Tot program is offered for kids ages 5 and 6 from 9 a.m.to noon for $55 weekly.

Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch. For more information, call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Department at 954-786- 4119 or 954-786-4111.

Men’s softball league begins

The city of Pompano Beach’s summer softball league began on July 9. The league, which plays its game at the Pompano Community Park 4-Fields Complex, offers games on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights from 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Teams with a little more experience play on Wednesday nights. All-star events such as a Home Run Derby and special prizes will be offered throughout the season. There is a fully operational concession stand.

For more information, call 954-786-4119 or visit www.leaguelineup.com/ pompano.

By Gary Curreri

Pompano Beach’s Christa Osmond, 17, earned a gold medal at the Florida Special Olympics State Equestrian Sports Championships held in Tampa recently at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.

Osmond, who received a gold medal in dressage and a silver medal in the barrels event, was one of five athletes, all students in the therapeutic horseback riding program at Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida, based in Coconut Creek, to return home with a medal.

Making the trip to Tampa, along with student athletes, were coaches Alison Plaza, Horses and the Handicapped’s program director; Katie Baker, volunteer manager and riding i n s t r u c t o r ; and Mandy DeBord, executive director of Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida. Also making the trip were four horses: Jose, Hallory, Fred and Fire.

“We very proud of all our s t u d e n t a t h l e t e s w h o worked very hard to prepare for the state equestrian championships,” DeBord said. “They showed dedication and determination and were very impressive.”

The trip for the team was made possible through the support of veterinarian Dr. Jerry Rudnick and several volunteers. For more information about Horses and the Handicapped of S o u t h F l o r i d a , v i s i t www.handhmagic.org.

Sunshine Senior Softball League seeks players

The Sunshine Senior Softball League of Pompano Beach seeks players 55 years of age and older to participate in their Spring/Summer League. Games are on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Pompano 4-Field Complex on NE 10 Street in Pompano. Applications and information are available online at www.leaguelineup.com/sssfl or by calling Bart Grillo at 954-421-6892.

Soccer Camp

Simply Soccer will hold three additional summer camps in the city of Pompano. The dates are June 25- June 29, July 23-27 and August 13-17. Registration will be held at the Pompano Beach Civic Center. The soccer camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who will be taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting. There are three sessions each day, from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. ($100 weekly); extended hours camp is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $125 each week; a Tiny Tot program is offered for kids ages 5 and 6

from 9 a.m. to noon for $55 weekly. Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch. For more information,

call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Department at 954-786-4119 or 954-786-4111.

Jordyn Griffith helps the Deerfield Beach Sharks win the state championship. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Jordyn Griffith has been playing softball for the past four years and knew this year would be special.

“I thought we would be good this year because we have a lot of good players and we work together as a team,” said Griffith, 10, who helped the Deerfield Beach Sharks 10-Under softball team win the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) ‘A’ state title with 9-2 victory over its arch rivals, the West Pines Diamond Dusters. “We are really good together. We don’t fight.”

Brooke Antonio’s two triples led the way for the Sharks in the title game as the local squad finished the year 73-4 and won 13 of the 15 tournaments they entered.

Griffith and the Sharks spent most of the season ranked No. 1 in the country by USSSA. They also finished as the fourth-ranked team in the country.

“It is more pressure, but we play the same way we do and [don’t] let the pressure bother us,” Griffith added. “We rarely even brought it up. We just tried and had fun. I like it because it is fun and you get exercise when you run. It is a fun sport.”

The Sharks opened action in the state tournament, winning the first three contests by a combined 29-0 score. Amy Robbins, Sami Restrepo and Tiffany Saba starred at the plate in victories over St. Pete Fury, West Coast Vipers
and the Sunrise Thunder.

Deerfield Beach followed that up with a 3-2 victory over the Port Orange Blazers before downing Wellington Wild, 8-1, to advance to the championship round against the Diamond Dusters, which needed to defeat the Sharks twice for the title.

West Pines won the first game, 5-0. However, Deer-field Beach prevailed in the second contest, 9-2, to win the state title. Karissa Bauzon also had two hits in the final, while Brandi Antonio allowed just one hit in notching the win on the mound.

Coach Karla Antonio said they are a great bunch of girls.

“They are fun and always entertaining,” Antonio said. “They work very hard, and I can’t say enough about them. The parents are good too, which is very important. The kids are only 10. They have a lot of years ahead of them.”