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, April 5 through Friday, April 11. 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
Amanda Dee and Sara Slayton, Pasco tennis: We couldn't break up this No. 2 doubles pair who bounced back from a deficit in their region final match against Hernando to secure the Pirates' first state berth.
Lauren Evans, Academy at the Lakes softball: The USF signee finished the week 4-for-5 with eight RBIs. Her two home runs - including a grand slam - against CCC secured coach Jerry English's 500th career victory.
Kristin Hoover, Berkeley Prep softball: The senior went 7-for-9 in the Bucs' three wins last week, including three home runs, one triple, two doubles and six RBIs. The senior, who owns a .617 batting average, had a walk-off homer in the bottom of the fifth in Berkeley Prep's 10-0 senior night win against Booker.
Erica Oosterhout, Plant tennis: The Panthers' top player won both of her singles matches in straight sets to help Plant make it back to state and keep their goal of a fourth consecutive title alive.
Deterrica Simpkins, Northside Christian track: The Pinellas Park transfer won the 200 (25.24), was second in the 100 (12.40) and ran legs on the winning 4x100 (51.11) and second-place 4x400 (4:26.99) relays at the Class A, District 10 meet.
Assata Trader, Shorecrest track: The sprinting specialist won the 100 (12.24), finished second in the 200 (25.61) and ran a leg on the second-place 4x100 relay (51.29) to help the Chargers take the team title at the Class A, District 10 meet.
Male nominees
Hank Deslaurier, Springstead tennis: The senior was key in helping the Eagles reach state for the first time, winning his singles match in the region final against Ocala Forest and teaming with Alex Hoover at No. 2 doubles for the clinching victory.
Jesse DeWitt, Nature Coast tennis: DeWitt won in straight sets at No. 1 singles in both rounds of regionals to spark the Sharks to their first state berth.
Napoleon Maxwell, Admiral Farragut track: The FIU football recruit won the 100 (11.35 seconds), the 200 (23.03) and anchored the winning 4x100 relay (44.23) to help the Blue Jackets to the Class A, District 10 team title.
Greg Smith, King tennis: Thrust into the No. 1 singles spot in the region semifinal, he earned an easy win and picked up another victory in No. 1 doubles. The next day in the region final, he rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the second for a straight-sets win that lifted King to state.
Dan Stefan, Boca Ciega tennis: The defending state champ continued to roll through the postseason, topping Tampa Catholic's Richard Golinello 6-1, 6-2 in the region semis and Jesuit's Palmer Evans 6-0, 6-0 in the region final. He heads back to state as an individual with a 14-0 record.
Jake Woodford, Plant baseball: Woodford has allowed just one hit during his last 10 innings pitched for the Panthers. The junior had a no-hitter, the first of his high school career, in a 7-1 win against Wharton, then gave up one single in Plant's 6-3 win against Robinson on Friday.