Editor's note: The first poll was clearly compromised. This is meant to be a fun poll each week to nominate the area's best student-athletes. It is also meant to be fair. Voting will remain open until 5 today.
Each week, our Home-Team staffers will nominate male and female Hot Shot athletes from each of the counties we cover, then we turn the voting over to our readers. These nominations span Saturday, Nov. 17 through Friday, Nov. 23. The winners get a free T-shirt and bragging rights over every other school in the area.
Female nominees
Alex Eaton, Shorecrest cross country: The junior had her highest finish at a state meet, placing third in Class A (18:33.78). She also helped the Chargers’ girls finish third overall, the best among Pinellas County boys or girls teams in any classification.
Leah Ford, River Ridge girls basketball: The sophomore guard was the top performer at her team’s Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Shootout. She averaged 27.5 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks for the Royal Knights.
Megan Ingram, Palm Harbor University basketball: The sophomore forward scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds in the final of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Shootout at River Ridge. Ingram, along with her sister, Kaylin, was named co-MVP of the tournament
Andrea Mauger, Academy at the Lakes basketball: The senior forward exploded for 30 points in a blowout win over Shorecrest Prep and added eight points in a win over Tenoroc for the unbeaten Wildcats.
Julia Rodriguez, Plant cross country: The senior placed a team-best ninth (18:50.86) in the Class 4A state meet, to wrap up her string of top-10 finishes in the postseason despite battling mono.
Claire Snyder, Holy Names cross country: The junior placed fifth (18:51.96) in the Class 2A state meet to secure her second career medal.
Male nominees
George Campbell, East Lake football: The sophomore defensive end scored two touchdowns on fumble recoveries in the Eagles’ 29-7 Class 8A region semifinal win against Vero Beach. The first fumble was recovered in the end zone. The second was returned 95 yards for a score.
Clint Carnell, Newsome football: The senior running back helped Newsome pull off the upset of the night, scoring the winning 2-yard touchdown in a 21-14 win over previously unbeaten Durant. He also had a game-high 109 yards.
John Childs, River Ridge basketball: The junior center justified the two college offers he received in the offseason. He recorded two triple doubles, averaging 22.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and 10.5 blocks to earn MVP honors for his team, which won its tournament.
Spencer Guerette, Anclote cross country: The senior runner was the North Suncoast’s top male finisher at state. He earned an eighth-place finish in Class 2A (16:18.56).
Trey Larry, Clearwater Central Catholic football: The senior, who averages more than 23 yards every time he touches the ball, scored CCC’s only touchdown on a 54-yard run in the third quarter against Tampa Catholic. He finished with 105 yards on six carries and gave the Marauders the lift they needed to pull out a 10-7 victory.
Martin Ruiz, Robinson football: Robinson’s “rock” comes up big with the season on the line, catching the winning 4-yard touchdown in a 22-19 victory over Lakewood. The senior also had 152 yards rushing on 20 carries.
Voting is now closed.
Give us a shout next week at hometeam@tampabay.com if you have a Hot Shot we should consider.