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, Oct. 3 through Friday, Nov. 9. 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.
Male nominees
Aaron Banks, Plant football: Senior quarterback had 314 total yards (105 rushing, 209 passing) with one rushing and one passing TD in the Panthers’ 26-24 win over Robinson. The rushing TD was the game clincher on a surreal scramble.
Willie Barrett, Anclote football: Junior running back/linebacker recovered a fumble to set up one score and returned an interception for a touchdown in tiebreaker wins over Zephyrhills and Fivay. He also rushed for 105 yards to help the Sharks make their first trip to the playoffs.
Jordan Harris, River Ridge football: Junior linebacker blocked the extra point that proved to be the difference in the Royal Knights’ 7-6 win over Hudson. He also blocked a punt and added a sack in the victory.
Ryan McRae, Palm Harbor University swimming: Senior won the 200 free (1:37.67) and finished second in the 100 free (45.41) at the Class 3A state meet. He also swam legs on the 400 free relay that was second and the 200 medley relay that was third.
John Nolte, Robinson swimming: Senior wrapped up his high school career by placing third in the Class 2A state meet in the 50 (21.15) and 100 free (46.40). He also was part of the 200 free relay team that placed third.
Tristan Sanders, Palm Harbor University swimming: Junior won the 100 back (49.63) and was fourth in the 50 free (21.28) at the Class 3A state meet. He also teamed with McRae on the 400 free and 200 medley relays.
Female nominees
Clare Fleming, Holy Names swimming: Junior swam on the two medal-winning relay teams (including 400 free which set a school record) at the Class 2A state meet. She set a school record in the 50 free (11th place, 24.48) and medaled in the 100 free (sixth, 53.03).
Maddie Hess, Newsome swimming: Sophomore won her first individual state titles in the 100 back (55.01) and 100 free (50.88) at the Class 3A meet. She also was part of the winning 200 medley relay.
Briannah Nemetz, Fivay volleyball: Junior outside hitter led the Falcons with 21 kills while adding 24 digs and two aces to lead Fivay’s five-game comeback win over Ridgewood and send the Falcons to the Class 5A region finals for the first time.
Sydney Pickrem, East Lake swimming: Sophomore won the 200 individual medley (2:01.40) and took second in the 100 back (55.38) at the Class 3A state meet.
Kendra Secrest, River Ridge soccer: Senior forward/midfielder assisted on both of the Royal Knights’ goals in a 2-2 tie against rival Mitchell. She added a goal against Ridgewood and another against Gulf to help River Ridge jump out to a 3-0-1 start.
Shelby Younger, East Lake volleyball: Senior outside hitter was a force in the Eagles’ Class 8A region semifinal win over Palm Harbor University. Younger had 13 kills and 34 digs in the 3-1 win.
Give us a shout next week at hometeam@tampabay.com if you have a Hot Shot we should consider.