Park Vista Has Four Baseball Signees on National Early Signing Day

Park Vista’s Shane Bussey, Robbie Coleman, Brandon Rhodes & Brett Lashley

In its eight years of existence the Park Vista baseball team has gone from the new kid on the block to one of Palm Beach County’s most accomplished programs.

On Wednesday, four of its players celebrated the reward for all the hard work and dedication they have given to their baseball teams, as each player signed their college letter-of-intent on National Early Signing Day.

Signing from the Cobras baseball team were Robbie Coleman (Virginia), Brett Lashley (Stetson), Brandon Rhodes (FAU) and Shane Bussey (Maine).

“It’s always great to see Park Vista student-athletes succeed,” said Cobras baseball coach Larry Greenstein. “School has always come first for these guys, but baseball has been a very close second. The school has always been very supportive and it’s just a great feeling to see them grow into adulthood. I’m looking forward to great things from them both on and off the field.”

With the exception of Bussey, who transferred to the school this year after spending the rest of his high school years at The King’s Academy, these players have been instrumental pieces for a program that has twice played in the state Final Four during their years of play.

Brandon Rhodes and Shane Bussey officially sign their letters-of-intent

“We’re the only team in the county to go to states that many times, and we’ve got one last chance this year to make our best effort to finally bring home a championship,” said Rhodes, who was aggressively pursued by FAU since his sophomore year. As the Owls have few left-handed pitchers on their roster, Rhodes has a great chance of seeing action right away. “Hopefully I’ll be able to go out and prove myself,” he said.

Rhodes was 4-1 with 18 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched last season, earning the win in Park Vista’s regional semifinal victory over Jupiter.

While many people wrestle with the difficult decision of choosing their college, for Lashley the choice to sign with Stetson was pretty easy to make.

“My brother Ryan is already on the team and I know the ins and outs of the campus already from having gone up to visit him,” Lashley explained. “The choice was easier to make after they beat Florida State and swept Georgia this past season too.”

Brett Lashley and Robbie Coleman prepare to sign

Lashley is best known on the Cobras team for his uncanny ability to turn a double-play from his position as the second baseman, and his most memorable moment came when he connected on a 3-0 pitch for a hit that ignited Park Vista in their regional championship victory over Flanagan last season.

For Bussey the chance to sign with his new teammates helped to elevate the entire experience, and he was also treated with an extra surprise when his former Lions’ coach Doug McGaw showed up to witness the signing ceremony.

“I knew he was a special player since he came up from the junior varsity team during his eighth-grade year. He never left the field after that,” said McGaw. “To see him move on now is certainly a tribute to the work ethic he has given for the sport that he loves.”

For his career, Bussey has a .458 batting average, 1.70 ERA, and an impressive .529 on-base percentage, while also playing a huge role on the Lions’ and now the Cobras football teams. His choice to sign with Maine was made easier due to the fact that he has the opportunity to play both baseball and football there.

“I was there visiting with the baseball coach, and then the football coach called me too,” said Bussey. “I never knew it was an option. The school is really great because the teams all hang out together; and they support each other between their sports.”

When Robbie Coleman turned 16 years old, he celebrated his birthday by announcing his commitment to the University of Virginia.

“I didn’t plan that; it just worked out that way,” Coleman explained. “I went to a camp at Virginia and when I was heading home they called and made me the offer. I talked about with my parents, and the decision was an easy choice for me because of the high academics and proven athletics. So I accepted, and it just happened to fall on my birthday.”

Coleman is a four-year starter who evolved into the Cobras go-to guy in pressure situations, as he recorded 31 strikeouts in 21.2 innings pitched last season, posting a 2.58 ERA with a 3-2 record and two saves.

Shane Bussey with his former King’s Academy coach Doug McGaw

The only unfinished business for these four Cobras players is that elusive state title they have one last season to strive for.

“Coach Green is the greatest and we would love to be the ones to bring home that title for him,” said Lashley.

Park Vista Athletic Director Pam Romero took the moment to recount to the players all that they have already accomplished in their careers, which includes three conference titles as well as the state Final Four appearances. The school also won the All Sports Trophy Award from the Sun Sentinel, something they would not have accomplished if not for the contribution from the baseball team.

“Always remember where you’ve come from,” Romero reminded the players during Wednesday’s ceremony.

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