HomeTeam Hot Shots
A spotlight on the Times’ bay area players of the week.
Female Hot Shots: Alexis Franco and Laurel Wanger, Largo
Sport: Tennis
Skinny: The Packers’ top doubles team played in last week’s Class 3A individual state tournament at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs. Franco and Wanger won their quarterfinal and semifinal matches in straight sets before falling in the final 0-6, 6-4, 10-5 to Naples. This was the first high school season Franco, a sophomore, and Wanger, a freshman, played doubles. Both play with and against each other at Bardmoor Country Club. Franco also made the final of the individual singles tournament before losing to Naples’ Nikki Kallenberg.
Male Hot Shot: Dan Stefan, Boca Ciega
Sport: Tennis
Skinny: The junior was dominant in winning the Class 2A overall singles championship, his second straight state title. He did not lose a set in four matches, including a 6-2, 6-2 win over Chase Perez-Blanco of Miami Gulliver Prep in the overall final. “He has that ‘it’ factor,” Boca Ciega coach Kelley Hixson said. “The crazy thing about his game is that as good as he is, he has not even reached his ceiling.” Stefan also teamed with Nikita Goldenberg to win the individual doubles championship. The duo lost the overall title in straight sets.