Each week, our HomeTeam staffers will nominate male and female Hot Shot athletes from each of the counties we cover, then we turn the voting over to our readers. These nominations span Saturday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 15. The winners get a free T-shirt and bragging rights over every other school in the area. Read up on what made our nominees stand out, then vote until noon Monday. (Note: If the poll is tampered with, votes will be thrown out and the staff will pick the winners.)
Female nominees
Taylor Anderson, Mitchell swimming: The junior finally broke through at the state meet, winning the 50 free in 23.39 seconds for her first title. She was the only area swimmer to win an event at the Class 3A meet.
Abbey Duncan, Wesley Chapel swimming: The freshman snagged a 2A state title, winning the 200 free (1:50.82) and taking second in the 100 butterfly (56.23). Her state title is the first in the Wildcats’ history.
Shea Hamilton, Clearwater Central Catholic volleyball: Hamilton played a key role in helping the Marauders advance to their second straight Class 3A state tournament. Against Fort Myers Evangelical Christian in the region final, Hamilton had 18 kills and 19 digs. In the state semifinal against Orlando First Academy, she had 15 kills and 34 digs in a five-set loss.
Shae Timmons, Holy Names swimming: The senior had the Jaguars’ highest individual placement — third-place in the 100-yard breaststroke — at the 2A state meet. She was also a member of the third-place 200-yard medley relay team. The scores helped the Jaguars finish fourth overall.
Avery Bradshaw, Steinbrenner volleyball: The outside hitter had 29 kills in the Warriors’ Class 7A state volleyball semifinal. Bradshaw helped Steinbrenner win two sets, forcing the fifth that it would eventually lose, after falling behind 2-0.
Alex Wittman, Osceola swimming: The senior finished third in the 200 free in a personal-record 1:49.58 at the Class 3A state meet. It was the first time she had a top-three finish at state.
Male nominees
Ryan Davis, Lakewood football: The junior had a big night against Hudson in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. He hit 13 of 16 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the Spartans’ 75-19 win.
Jacquan Fuller, St. Petersburg Catholic football: The junior had a big night for the Barons in their 35-34 playoff win over Sarasota Cardinal Mooney. Fuller had 23 carries for 152 yards and three touchdowns, and also returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.
Tyler Mahla, Springstead football: Springstead is the only North Suncoast football team to advance in the playoffs, thanks largely to Mahla. The senior rushed for two of Springstead’s three touchdowns and threw to Joe Jeffords for the third.
Deiondre Porter, Jefferson football: The senior quarterback scored all off Jefferson’s points in rallying his Dragons for a Class 6A first-round playoff win over Largo. He scored four times, rushing for 203 yards and throwing for 128.
Tyler Stahl, Land O’Lakes cross country: The senior’s eighth-place finish (15:34.95) in the Class 3A state meet pulled his Gators to sixth place, the best finish for a North Suncoast team.
James Zentmeyer, Sickles cross country: The junior finished second at the state cross country meet with a 5K time of 15 minutes, 23.16 seconds.