A spotlight on the Times’ bay area players of the week.
Male Hot Shot: Jamil Morris, Osceola
Sport: Football
Skinny: This offseason has been filled with setbacks and sorrow for the senior. He had shoulder surgery, which forced him to miss spring football. He watched a close friend die of stomach cancer, while a cousin died before she was able to get a heart transplant. Those low points served as a powerful motivational tool for Morris, who delivered a captivating performance in Friday’s season-opening win against neighboring rival Seminole. Morris rushed for a career-high 185 yards and two touchdowns to help the Warriors win 23-15. “It was tough dealing with so much, but I’m able to put all of that behind me when I’m playing football,” Morris said. “I expected to have a good game because I was dedicating it to my friend and cousin, who both died. …This past week was probably the best game I’ve ever had. But I know I have plenty more of those kinds of games in me.”
Female Hot Shot: Shyanne Dove, Mitchell
Sport: Golf
Skinny: Dove had one of the best rounds of the week, shooting an eagle and finishing 2-under 31 against Land O’Lakes to help the Mustangs start their season 2-0. Her strong nine-hole performance is just the latest sign of progress for the sophomore. She spent the summer playing junior golf tournaments, winning a few of them. Dove also focused on her short game, to avoid giving strokes away after her typically good drives. “She was always a good ball striker,” Mustangs coach Tom Stratman said. “Now her chipping and putting have improved.”
Results
Player votes percentage
Shyanne Dove, Mitchell golf 3156 13.932%
Alyssa Lamoureux, Northside Christian golf 2950 13.023%
Casey Houlton, St. Petersburg volleyball 2921 12.895%
Jamil Morris, Osceola football 2606 11.504%
Christian Trinidad, Mitchell football 2084 9.2%
Sarah Morales, King volleyball 1680 7.416%
Tyler Sroufe, Tampa Catholic volleyball 1570 6.931%
Grace Olsen, Wiregrass Ranch volleyball 1370 6.048%
Deiondre Porter, Jefferson football 1161 5.125%
Logan Wolfe, Sunlake football 1106 4.882%
Isaiah McIntyre, Bloomingdale football 1020 4.503%
Mekhi Reynolds, Countryside football 1029 4.542%
Total: 22653 votes