By Gary Curreri

Lighthouse Point’s Taylor Anderson is showing Michigan State University that they made a good choice in offering her a full gymnastics scholarship.

The problem is that the Spartans still have to wait two years for her services. Anderson, a Level 10 gymnast at American Twisters in Coconut Creek, had a good showing in three of her four events at the Region 8 Level 10 championships where she finished first in the All-Around (37.275).

The 16-year-old was first in the bars (9.600), tied for first in the beam (9.400) and tied for third in the floor (9.350) at the Regional competition at the Kidsport Gymnastics Academy in Burlington, North Carolina that featured 495 gymnasts in both Level 9 and Level 10.

Anderson also tied for 18th in the vault (8.925). Her efforts on bars and beam tied her personal bests for the events.

“Gymnastics means a lot to me because I do it so much and I have done it my whole life,” said Anderson, a sophomore at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale.

“I love doing all of the flips and having fun…just being able to do what gymnastics is,” Anderson added. “It is just a crazy feeling knowing what to do and how do it.”

Anderson, who gave her verbal commitment to Michigan State University, earlier in the school year, also had a strong showing at the prestigious Tim Rand Invitational competition at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. The meet attracted 1,300 competitors.

In placing second in the all-around (37.525), Anderson won the bars (9.675); placed second in the beam (9.400); tied for fifth on the floor (9.300) and was seventh in the vault (9.150).

Admittedly, it is like a job with a 6-day, 30+ hours a week commitment.

“It is really tough, but it pays off,” Anderson said. “You have to think about the outcome of it and what is going to happen in the future.”

“Taylor comes in the gym everyday and works really hard for her goals and their aspirations,” said American Twisters coach Christina Ramirez.

Highlands advances 11 to state track meet

Highlands Christian Academy Sydney Blackburn won the shot put (35-08) and placed second in the discus with a throw of 120-08.00 at the Region 4-1A competition at Westminster Academy last week.

Freshman Ciara Huntley was second in the triple jump (30-07.50) and junior Sasha Graham placed third in the 400-meter dash (1:02.25) to qualify for the girls state championships. Highlands Academy was sixth in the meet with 48.25 points.

After placing fourth in the 1,600-meter run (4:44.16), junior Ryan Szklany battled back to win the boys 3,200-meter run (10:09.64).

Highlands Christian senior Josiah Ritzer was second in the boys discus (121-11), and third in the shot put (42-10.25) and senior Jake Peterson was third in the boys 110-meter hurdles (16.47). Senior Herman Robinson was fourth in the shot put (41-07.75) and freshman Alex Villas was fourth in the triple jump (38-10.50).

The Knights qualified three athletes in the pole vault taking second, third and fourth: Sophomores Chanz Miller (12-00), Kyle Coulson (11-06.25) and junior Scott Bush (10-11.75). The boys were fourth in the meet with 67 points.

The state championships are this weekend at IMG Academy Stadium in Bradenton.

By Gary Curreri

As a high school junior at Highlands Christian Academy, Herman Robinson knows his time is now.

The 17-year-old Robinson, of Deerfield Beach, made the most of his opportunity recently in the “Comin’ For That #1 Spot Basketball Showcase” at the Coral Springs Gymnasium where he and another 200 athletes performed in front of college coaches and national recruiting services.

“This is awesome,” said Robinson, a standout point guard for Highlands Christian. “It is a great experience. This is pretty big to come out here and show my skills and be put on the map.”

The 10th annual tournament featured more than 200 boys and girls middle and high school aged players showcasing their skills in the two-day event at the Coral Springs Gymnasium.

Tournament organizer Tony Perkins holds various tournaments during the year; however, this is his lone showcase event. The boys played on Saturday, while the girls came in on Sunday. The athletes are guaranteed three games, in addition to skill development from various coaches.

“The purpose is to get a lot of these kids in South Florida exposure on a national level,” Perkins said.

Robinson said basketball is his “life”, although he has his priorities in order.

“God comes first, then after school comes basketball,” Robinson said. “Basketball has helped me tremendously. It has helped me become organized, have leadership and be able to go to school on time. It has helped me because the coaches are on top of me.

“College does interest me,” Robinson added. “This summer I went to Bob Gibbons camp (at the Suwanee Sports Academy in Atlanta). I have had coaches come up to me saying this year they will be contacting me.”

Bucks rout visiting Colts

Teddrick Moffett got the host Deerfield Beach High School football team off to a quick start as he accounted for three first quarter touchdowns to lift the Bucks to a 56-2 victory over Coral Springs Colts in the District the 11-8A opener for both teams.

Moffett hit Randerick Gervin for a 14-yard TD pass, and followed that up with a 25-yard scoring run. He added a 55-yard scoring toss to Ryan Powell to build a 20-0 lead. The Bucks (3- 0, 1-0 in the district) put the game away with a 29-point second period to force a running clock that helped put the winless Colts (0-4, 0-1) out of their misery.

Moffett, a senior, added scoring tosses of 12 yards to Jerry Jeudy and 11 yards to Jefftey Joseph. Aaron Robinson returned an interception of 30 yards for a score.

The Bucks’ Lafleur Limprevil went in from 5 yards out, and, after a Colts’ safety, Alton Allen caught a 28-yard TD pass from backup quarterback Alec Brown to close out the scoring. The Bucks ran for 112 yards and added 95 yards through the air. It limited the Colts to 117 yards total offense, seven first downs.