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 19 through Friday, April 25. 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
Aliyah Andrews, East Lake softball: The speedy centerfielder had two hits, two stolen bases and scored two runs against Braden River. But her biggest play came on a seventh-inning throw to home that helped seal an 8-5 win in the Class 7A region quarterfinals.
Shannon Bell, Durant softball: Her only hit in Thursday’s region quarterfinal against Steinbrenner was enough. The senior blasted a three-run home run that completed a four-run comeback to help the Cougars walk off with a 9-8 win.
Hallie Grimes, Land O’Lakes track: The senior came up big at the region meet at Lake Minneola, winning the 400 meters (57.09) and running legs for the winning 4x400 and runnerup 4x800 relay teams.
Maddie Posey, Canterbury softball: The Crusaders' No. 6 hitter went 2-for-3, including a bases-clearing double, in a 5-0 victory over Cambridge Christian in the Class 2A region quarterfinals.
Courtney Riddle, Hernando softball: The Leopards ace allowed only three hits and no earned runs in a 3-1 victory over Dunedin in Thursday’s Class 5A region quarterfinal.
Lace Smith, Bloomingdale softball: On the road in the region quarterfinals, Smith dominated. She struck out 19 batters, threw a perfect game and hit a home run in the seventh inning of a 1-0 Bulls win.
Male nominees
Zach Drury, Wiregrass Ranch baseball: The senior's no-hitter in the Class 7A-8 final delivered the first district title to the Bulls. He also struck out 10 in the 1-0 win over Sickles.
Tyler Jones, Jefferson baseball: The sophomore gave up just three hits in Jefferson's 11-1 win against King in the Class 6A, District 9 championship. King came into the game with a .305 team batting average, but Jones, who has a 2.36 ERA, kept the Lion hitters off balance on the way to Jefferson's first win against King in their last six matchups.
Dwayne Lawson, Hillsborough track: The Division I football recruit won two region titles, in the long jump (47-7) and the high jump (6-4) at the Class 3A, Region 3 meet.
Andrew Mink, Clearwater Central Catholic baseball: The junior's first-inning grand slam ensured the Marauders would win the Class 3A-9 district vs. Calvary Christian and remain undefeated.
Will Potosky, Bishop McLaughlin baseball: Potosky, usually a closer, started his first game of the season against Tampa Prep in the Class 3A-7 district final. He threw a six-hit, complete-game shutout in a 2-0 win.
Colton Tison, Northeast baseball: Tison, a left-handed starter, pitched seven strong innings against Countryside in Wednesday’s Class 7A-9 district semifinal. He allowed only two hits, struck out five and walked two in a 3-0 shutout.