Each week, our HomeTeam staffers nominate male and female Hot Shot athletes from each of the counties we cover. Then we turn the voting over to readers. These nominations span Saturday, Feb. 15 through Friday, Feb. 21. The winners get a T-shirt and bragging rights over every other school in the area. Read up on all of our nominees then vote until noon Monday.
Female nominees
Claire Feldman, Newsome softball: The sophomore’s sacrifice fly brought in the only run in the Wolves’ 1-0 victory over Wharton. She also threw three one-hit innings to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Jhade Hayes, Land O’Lakes basketball: The junior had 12 rebounds and a steal in the state semifinal against Bradenton Southeast — the Gators’ first state appearance — and nine rebounds in the region final against Citrus.
Logyn Lilley, Palm Harbor University softball: The second baseman hit a double and a homer in a 10-9 win over Countryside in a battle of unbeaten teams. Lilley is batting .625 (10-for-16) through five games.
Jill McElderry, Fivay softball: The senior dominated on the mound this week, striking out 14 in five innings with two hits and no walks against Zephyrhills. She had 24 strikeouts and one walk in the week’s 12 innings and scored five runs with four RBIs.
Olivia Welsh, Dunedin track: At the Early Bird Eagle Invitational, Welsh was the only Pinellas County girls athlete to win titles in multiple events, taking first in the 100 hurdles (15.74 seconds) and the pole vault (10 feet, 7 inches).
Peyton Walker, Seffner Christian basketball: The junior forward scored 50 points and grabbed 32 rebounds in the Crusaders’ state semifinal and championship games. Though Seffner Christian lost to Miami Country Day in the final, Walker was selected the Crusaders’ MVP for her performance.
Male nominees
Frank Bruno, Brandon wrestling: He ended an undefeated season by pinning his opponent in 48 seconds to win a 2A state title at 106 pounds. He set the tone for the Eagles, who won their 14th consecutive team championship.
Mike Clark, Lakewood basketball: The senior had his biggest game of the season in Tuesday’s Class 5A region final with 23 points, most coming underneath the basket, to help the Spartans beat rival Gibbs 63-60.
Jesse Gaudin, Hernando wrestling: One of two Leopards to make it the finals, Gaudin ended his high school career a state champion, winning the Class A title at 220 pounds. He finished with 146 career victories.
Marshall Holmes, Berkeley Prep basketball: The senior guard scored 47 points over his team’s wins in the Class 4A region semifinals and final to help the Bucs advance to state. He also grabbed 10 rebounds in Friday night’s win over Community School of Naples and made a momentum-changing steal and three-point play.
Connor and Jared Prince, Palm Harbor U. wrestling: We know, we’re cheating a tad here. The twins each won individual titles at the Class 3A state meet. Connor won his first state title at 132 pounds while Jared won his second straight at 126 to go 66-0 on the season.
Mike McDonald, Springstead wrestling: The junior came back from a 5-2 deficit with 28 seconds left to win the state championship, 8-6 in overtime, at 120 pounds. The victory capped a 44-0 season.