Todd Fitz-Gerald of Douglas named state’s top baseball coach; plus, BCAA scholarship winners
Todd Fitz-Gerald of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was named the Florida Dairy Farmers 2021 Baseball Coach of the Year following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school baseball coaches and media representatives.
In his 10th year at Stoneman Douglas, Fitz-Gerald guided his team to a 28-2 record and the Class 7A state championship. He has posted a 196-53 record at the school with a pair of state titles (2016 and 2021). His career record of 446-119 includes a 10-year stint at Plantation-American Heritage where he won a state title (2008) and had two other Final Four appearances (2002 and 2009).
Previously selected as the Class 7A Coach of the Year, Fitz-Gerald won the overall award with nine first-place votes and 135 points to finish ahead of Class 5A COY Jon Hudson of Mosley (82) and Class 3A COY Scott Grove of The First Academy (73).
They were followed in the voting by Class 6A COY Kris Wilken of Bloomingdale (53), Class 1A COY Mike Spina of Newberry (40), Class 4A COY Brian Campbell of North Broward Prep (30) and Class 2A COY Mike Mathews of Out-of-Door Academy (27). All seven finalists led their teams to state titles.
Senior shortstop Deric Fabian of North Marion High School was selected the Florida Dairy Farmers 2021 Mr. Baseball following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school baseball coaches and media representatives.
Class 5A Player of the Year Andrew Ildefonso of Archbishop McCarthy was fifth.
The Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers’ commitment to the state’s youth. This is the 29th year of these unique awards as we honor the state’s top athletes and coaches in all 30 FHSAA sanctioned and recognized sports.
The program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy products a primary part of their diet in their overall nutrition plan.
Cardinal Gibbons Baseball Camp
The Jason Hamilton and Chiefs Baseball Club East Inc’s 2021 Summer Baseball Camp offers three sessions for boys and girls, age 4-11, at Cardinal Gibbons High School, 2900 NE 47th St., Fort Lauderdale 33308.
The program, led by Cardinal Gibbons High School head baseball coach Jason Hamilton, includes instructions, drills, games, and fun. The staff consists of former players and area and regional experienced high school coaches, who have coached and/or played collegiately and/or professionally.
Session 3: June 28-July 2: 8:30 a.m.-Noon. Cost $180. Sibling discounts available. No lunch or concession stands.
Call or text Coach Hamilton at 954-650-2962.
BCAA Scholarship Recipients
SOUTH
Superintendent’s Award: Sierra Langford (Flanagan); Charles Smith (Hallandale).
Charity for Champions: Mika Petruska (St. Thomas Aquinas); Elisa Arenas (West Broward); Jeremy Lever (Western).
Damian Huttenhoff: Nia Elie (Miramar); Juan Marin (Pembroke Pines Charter); Cameron McDuffy (Flanagan); Lina Mohamed (Hollywood Hills).
BSN Sports: Sydney Hoover (Western); Tyler Flowers (Cooper City); Megan Morgan (Cypress Bay).
Keynote Speaker: Madison Valachovic (Cooper City).
Miami Dolphins: Adbul Ibrahim (Miramar); Marquis Bennett (McArthur); Roman Huntley (Nova).
U-18 Sports Medicine: Mia Golding (South Plantation); Jonathan Hurst (South Broward); Valentina Lara (Everglades); Julio Montes (Stranahan); Alexis Forbatsch (Cypress Bay).
Kreul Foundation-FAU: Alistaire Hall (Hallandale); Ericka Johnson (McArthur).
Chris Hixon Foundation: Isabel Gleeson (South Broward); Glenn Reid II (Nova).
Damian Huttenhoff Golf Scholarship: Brock Van Sant (South Plantation).
BCAA Scholarships of Merit: Alexis Henderson (Everglades); John Paul Handal (West Broward); Steven Grady (St. Thomas Aquinas); Jasmine Glover (Pembroke Pines Charter).
M-F Athletics: John Stokes III (Stranahan).
Basketball Officials Association: Mya Lewis (Hollywood Hills).
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NORTH
Superintendent’s Award: Samantha Kinggard (Coral Springs); Mahina Yamashita (Northeast).
Charity for Champions: Noah Hart (Cardinal Gibbons); Blake Ofstein (Marjory Stoneman Douglas); Bailey Sweginnis (Coral Springs Charter).
Damian Huttenhoff: Chelsie St.Fleur (Blanche Ely); Brielle Flanagin (Pompano Beach); Tyrik Bonhomme (Coconut Creek); Jadae Cummins (Piper).
BSN Sports: Celina Saunders (JP Taravella); Alyanna McGrath (Coral Glades); Carlinton Armstrong (Plantation).
Keynote Speaker: Ethan Cecile (Coral Glades).
Miami Dolphins: Xavier Angulo (Fort Lauderdale); Javaris Juste (Boyd Anderson); Mark Trana (JP Taravella).
U-18 Sports Medicine: Aaliyah Reid (Deerfield Beach); Dimitri Bernot (Dillard); Cecile Rodrigues (Coconut Creek); Jeffrey Drew (Pompano Beach); Leilani Thuraisingham (Coral Springs).
Kreul Foundation-FAU: James Paris (Northeast); Logan Cashman (Monarch).
Chris Hixon Foundation: Jomel Monpas (Blanche Ely); Brett Lickerman (Marjory Stoneman Douglas).
Damian Huttenhoff Golf Scholarship: Sapphire Hall (Plantation).
BCAA Scholarships of Merit: Isabella Hanna (Monarch); Erica Robinson (Dillard); Shannon Blankenship (Deerfield Beach); Brett Straus (Coral Springs Charter).
M-F Athletics: Michael Fiore (Fort Lauderdale).
Basketball Officials Association: Moses Frazier (Piper); Cor’niya Johnson (Boyd Anderson)
Scheck Hillel Sports
After canceling athletics last school year because of the pandemic, Scheck Hillel Community School in North Miami Beach will return with sports starting in the fall.
The Lions will begin with boys’ golf, girls’ volleyball and boys’ and girls’ cross country.
Seahorse wrestling
It’s the return of Seahorse Wrestling in Weston.
The Bad Bay Wrestling Club summer practice schedule:
Advanced practice starts at 4:15 p.m. New wrestlers starts at 5 p.m.
Must have a USA Wrestling card. It can be purchased at:
FLORIDAAMATEURWRESTLING.ORG.
July practice dates: July 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27.
Questions text Cypress Bay wrestling coach Allen Held at 954-854-1124.
Submit info on new coaches, award winners and all-star games
For high schools in Broward and Miami Dade counties, if you have new hires, coaches and athletes who won special awards (local, state, regional, nationals) and/or competed in all-star games, email hssports@miamiherald.com. Varsity only.
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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
