HomeTeam Hot Shots
A spotlight on the Times’ bay area players of the week.
Female Hot Shot: Jill McElderry, Fivay
Sport: Softball
Skinny: The senior made the Tampa Bay Times’ all-North Suncoast first team the past two years. She’s started her final season strong, throwing 24 strikeouts and giving up a walk in 12 innings. She’s also scored five runs with four RBIs. Last year, she ended the season with 226 strikeouts and a 1.56 ERA. She heads to State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota next year.
Male Hot Shot: Mike Clark, Lakewood
Sport: Basketball
Skinny: The senior, who transferred from Boca Ciega in the offseason, had been waiting most of the season for a breakthrough performance. It came in the Class 5A region semifinal against rival Gibbs. Clark planted himself inside, scoring a team-high 23 points to help the Spartans win 63-60. He also played a pivotal role in Lakewood’s win over Cape Coral Mariner in the region final. “We knew Mike had that in him,” coach Anthony Lawrence Sr. said. “He became the guy the last two games. It was a long time coming.”