Posted on Wed, May. 14, 2008

When asked to identify the catalyst for his team's unexpected postseason success, which continues Wednesday with a Class 2A state semifinal game against North Florida Christian in Sarasota, Highlands Christian coach Bruce Charlebois does not point to the dangerous bat of outfielder Ethan Perla.

Likewise, Charlebois also opts not to detail the effectiveness of his aces, left-handers Johnathon Kies and Mitchell Buerosse.

Instead, he points elsewhere.

''We have to do the labor and we have to work hard and condition ourselves and focus on the game of baseball,'' Charlebois said. ``But our focus on God is first and foremost. Because of that, He has blessed us and worked miracles on this program this year, and that's the truth.''

Charlebois classifies the baseball experience at Highlands Christian as more of a ''life lesson'' than athletic endeavor.

The Knights incorporate religion in every facet of their preparation.

''We do devotions,'' Charlebois said. 'We pray as a team. We have prayer meetings in the mornings. We have what we call `Lunch with the Lord' together as a team during the lunch hour at school where we get together, pray together about issues that we have in our lives individually and as a program.''

Although some initially resisted the structure, Charlebois noticed a gradual acceptance. As the unity built, so, too, did the team's success.

The Knights were 4-7 at one point this season before they won 15 of the next 20 games. Highlands dropped the first game of a three-game series with Miami Christian in a regional final before rebounding to take the final two to advance.

Perla, the team's most consistent performer throughout the season, continued his stellar play during the postseason run. He is hitting .431, with three home runs and 16 RBI this season.

''He is a big-game player,'' Charlebois said of Perla. ``He stepped up immensely in the postseason. [First baseman] J.R. Pryor has turned it on. He's our senior offensive leader. He really struggled early in the year, but he's just turned it on incredibly. When he goes, we go.''

Kies and Buerosse provide a one-two punch on the mound.

Kies, a junior, is 6-3 with a 1.73 ERA. Buerosse, a senior, is 5-2 with a 1.67 ERA.

SIGNINGS

• This fall, Jimmy Nolan will be one of them.

He will work out with them in the morning, go to class with them by day and practice at night.

The only major difference between Nolan and the rest of George Mason's new basketball players: Money, as this soon-to-be Archbishop McCarthy graduate will not receive a scholarship from Patriots coach Jim Larranaga for 2008-09.

Getting one, however, is the goal.

''The object of the exercise,'' Nolan's father, Jere, said Tuesday, ``is for him to perform and earn some more money.''

That is fine with Jimmy Nolan, who will officially announce his plans to attend the Washington-area university at a mass signing of McCarthy athletes Wednesday at the school.

Nolan, a 2008 second-team All-Broward selection for 6A-4A, had plenty of offers from Division II and Division III schools, with some even offering early playing time.

But, after sending tapes to Larranaga and talking with Larranaga by phone, Nolan decided Fairfax, Va., was the place to be.

''We just figured in the long run, it would be more beneficial to go to George Mason,'' Nolan said.

The reasons: Jere Nolan's trust of Larranaga and the school's academics -- both of which could help toward Jimmy Nolan's goal of being a coach.

Plus, the team's recent success -- a trip to the NCAA Tournament, along with the run to the 2006 Final Four -- didn't hurt.

''It obviously played into it a little bit,'' Jimmy Nolan said, ``because nobody really knew too much about George Mason before they went to the Final Four.''

So, starting next year, Nolan will have a chance to carry on that tradition.

Other McCarthy athletes expected to sign with colleges Wednesday:

• Basketball: Armani Appolon, Elms (Mass.) College or Warner Southern (also volleyball); Jamar Gopie, Elms College; Mike Savery, Methodist (N.C.) University.

• Football: Carlos Gonzalez, Bridgewater (Va.) College; Billy Scott, Concordia (Wis.) University; Jonathan Ramirez, undecided.

• Baseball: Alan Avila, Nova Southeastern; Sal Costanzo, Vassar (N.Y.) College; Chris Turino, Nova Southeastern.

• Softball: Katie Mansilla, North Carolina State; Alexa Martinez, Auburn.

• Boys' Soccer: Matt Delisle, Stetson.

• Girls' Soccer: Andrea Mastandrea, Ava Maria (Fla.) University.

• Track: Andrew Deleo, Clemson; Alex Hueck, Mars Hill (N.C.) College; Gus Vazquez Milan, Kansas State.

• Wrestling: Colby Borchetta, Michigan State.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

Everglades looked to its bench to fill the boys' basketball coach position. Kevin Riddick, who served as the Gators' junior varsity coach for the past two years, has replaced James Darr.

While Riddick expects improvement he doesn't expect any quick fixes in a very competitive District 12-6A.

''We had a rough year, everybody will look at us like an underdog,'' Riddick said. ``I tell the kids, if you play hard for me, you will be better. That is the only promise I will make.''

Riddick has coached 22 years on the high school level, including 15 in New York, where he was born and 11 combined as an assistant between McArthur and Miramar.

-- FABIAN LYON

ACADEMICS

Pine Crest and Westminster Academy each will earn commemorative plaques at year's end, after teams from both schools were recognized by the FHSAA for their academic achievement.

The Pine Crest boys' weightlifting team (3.513 grade-point average, first in Class 1A), Westminster girls' water polo team (3.767, first in the single-class sport) and Westminster boys' tennis team (3.783, first in 1A) each had the highest combined GPA in their sport and class.

Pine Crest's baseball team also was recognized as a team with a 3.0-or-better combined GPA, as were Westminster's softball, girls' tennis and girls' track teams. Archbishop McCarthy also earned recognition for its baseball, softball, boys' tennis, boys' track and girls' track teams.

-- PATRICK DORSEY

WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE

BASEBALL

2A STATE SEMIFINALS (at Sarasota)

Highlands Christian vs. N. Florida Chr., 10 a.m.