Sidelines: Ormond Pride gets two players to AYF All-Star game, among other local sports news

Ormond Beach Observer
Sports

Ormond Pride gets two selected to AYF nationwide All-Star game

Ormond Beach Pride players Ja'Corey Benjamin and Glenn Hill were selected to and played in the American Youth Football’s All-Star Game on Sunday, Jan. 1, at IMG Academy in Bradenton.

Benjamin and Hill were among 60 others from the AYF — the nation’s largest football organization — who were chosen to play in the New Year’s game.

They were also the third and fourth players from the Pride to be selected in its six-year existence. Ta'Juan Williams was selected in 2011, Mainland’s star quarterback Denzel Houston played in 2012.

Seabreeze Project Unify basketball team heads to state finals

Seabreeze's Special Olympics Unified basketball team won both of its regional games, earning first place on Friday, Jan. 6, at the University of Central Florida. Seabreeze won the second game in double overtime.

Seabreeze has now advanced to the FHSAA State Tournament, which will be held Friday, Feb. 24, in Lakeland.

Members of the team include: top left: Matthew Mundy, Sean Gilbert, Daja Williams, Joseph Justice; bottom left: Jordan Wright, Jalen Wilson, Isaac Mott, Jordan Lilley, Jaquan Miller and Tonette Jackson.

The Seabreeze secondary team competed in the Special Olympics Area games Saturday, Jan. 6, at the DME Sports Complex. Seabreeze won both of its games and placed first in its division.

Members of that team include: coach Michael Fries, Coach Anthony McLoughlin, Zachary Emerson, Isabella Saucedo, Meghan Taylor, Sage Toriola, Jasmine Taylor, Elisha Imhansiemhonehi, Abraam Mikhiel, Allacyn Beebe, Reagan Blanar, Vail Linn, coach Vanessa Emerson and coach John Coppa.

Mainland basketball avenges early crosstown loss with home win

The Mainland Bucs downed the Seabreeze 68-57 Friday, Jan. 14, at Mainland. The Sandcrabs won their first match 68-61 last month.

The Bucs’ second comeback attempt in as many games proved successful. They trailed 27-23 at halftime but used a 26-10 third quarter to capture the lead and separate themselves from the Sandcrabs.

Mainland’s Jvonte Moore led all players with 19 points, hitting five three-pointers. Kendall King finished with 15 points, and his brother, Kenny, added 12.

Joe Jackson led the Sandcrabs with 12 points, and Markees Shine added 10.

Riverbend ended the year with annual tournament winners

Riverbend Golf Club closed out the year with its Annual Member and Annual Points Tournaments last month. Steve Gilbert and Mike Lundregan won the member’s tournament (teams) with a 58. Dean Buxman and Russ DePinto placed second with 60 and Trevor Knotts and Terry Town took third with 62.

In the points tournament, Billy Scully won with a 65, and Gordon Benson (66) and Ted Trainor (67) second and third place.