Cross-County Rivalries Set To Begin In 3A-14

Lake Worth Christian senior Tyler Smith takes grounders during infield practice.

Highlands Christian manager Bruce Charlebois does not mean any disrespect to the other teams in their tough district, but he knows that Coral Springs Christian and Trinity Christian are both going to be very tough opponents.

“We expect those games to be knock-down, drag-out fights,” said Charlebois, whose Knights were district runner ups last season in a district that also included the other two Broward clubs in 3A-14 in the Crusaders and also Westminster Academy.

Entering this new district against teams they are unfamiliar with is seen as an advantage by the Trinity Christian players. Returning to district play for the first time in three years, the team is seeing some of their district opponents for the first time ever this season.

“It’s good we don’t know them, so we don’t have any expectations,” said Warriors senior pitcher Emilio Pena. “We have to assume everyone is very tough and just play hard every day.”

Coral Springs Christian has their sights set on much more than just defending their district crown, but they also understand that in order to achieve those things they must first take care of business in the district.

“You make long term goals and you set them aside,” said Crusaders Manager Matt Cleveland. “You have got to pick short term goals that are going to get you there first.”

For Jupiter Christian, this season marks a chance for a big turnaround year. Players have dedicated themselves to achieve their goal of reaching the district championship. They understand what it takes to win and play at a higher level and they have put in the commitment, the time and effort necessary to make it happen.

“Nothing else will satisfy this team, because they have the talent to accmplish these goals as long as they execute the fundamentals consistently and keep their aggressive mindset,” said Eagles Manager Dave Loud.

Coral Springs Christian

2013 Record: 22-7
Manager: Matt Cleveland
Coaching Staff: Dave Taylor (Assistant Coach), Steve Carp (Pitching Coach), Jay Feinberg (Catchers Coach), Joey Hage (Hitting Coach), Ed Neo (JV Head Coach), Mike Morency (JV Assistant Coach)
Key Returners: Benito Santiago, Touki Toussaint, Devin Meyer, Eric Hepple, James Buckley, Pemron Burrows, Ricky Miranda, Joey DePalo, Colin Taylor
Newcomers to watch: Jeremiah Muhammed, Cary Boniske, Chris Bec, Justin Neo
Team strengths: Pitching, Hitting & Defense

The Crusaders are not going to sneak up on anybody this season.

Following a strong 2013 campaign, Coral Springs Christian returns a deep and talented team hungry to build on its record-setting season that saw them one game away from the state tournament. The team will again play the type of difficult schedule that prepares them for the type of competition it would need to beat in order to make a run at a state title. They have the squad that can do it, and the sort of drive that makes believers…[Read More]

Highlands Christian

2013 Record: 10-12-1
Manager: Bruce Charlebois
Coaching Staff: Kyle Halloway, Ray Bombardier
Key Returners: Kirvin Moesquit, Mitchell Carroll, James McGrath, Donny Vlattkiss, Saul Valez, Joseph Ortiz, Kyle Bombardier
Newcomers to watch: Alex Bertot, Quinsley Balentien, Brendly Martina, Drexler Macaay, Ayrton Babolina, Xeno Daal, Argiomon Nark, Raygelo Melfor
Team strengths: Defense & Depth

From time to time Knights manager Bruce Charlebois likes to sit outside the cafeteria and have lunch with some of his players. The coach will sit with any select guy and talk to him about life, school, family, and of course, baseball. These moments allow them to focus on their main goal, which is best exhibited at their home field where there is a sign that says ‘step up to the plate and play the game of life’. Coach Charlebois encourages his guys to honor God with the gifts they have been given and translate that into something that they love in baseball…[Read More]

Jupiter Christian

2013 Record: 6-19
Manager: Dave Loud
Key Returners: Sean Farmer, Nik Constanakos, Jon Shuba, Dante Serino, Will Roorda, Matt Richter, Alex Gomez, Luke Sellers, James Gregory, Jason Dinzik, Brian Barnes
Newcomers to watch: Shane Shuba, David Perlman, Sebastian Adriano, Jake Capo, Reed Burke
Team strengths: Pitching

Disappointment.

That’s how head coach David Loud summed up the 2013 season for his Jupiter Christian Eagles squad. Looking to compete with the likes of of Kings Academy and Benjamin in the district, Jupiter Christian won just six games and was eliminated in the first game of the district tournament.

“We thought we could compete with Kings {Academy} and Benjamin and we did at the end of the year but it just wasn’t enough,” Loud said. “Our expectations were to get to regionals and that didn’t happen. We were close, but close doesn’t cut it.”…[Read More]

Lake Worth Christian

2013 Record: 7-17
Manager: Dave Salley
Key Returners: Jordan Marrs, Tyler Smith, Trevor Huffman
Newcomers to watch: Robbie Santiago, Luke Comerford
Team strengths: Experience

Jordan Marrs focused on becoming a better player over the summer. And he expects Lake Worth Christian to be the beneficiary.

Any time the best player on your team gets even better, no one will complain.

“I got a whole bunch stronger since last season,” said Marrs, who led the Defenders with a .357 average and 18 RBIs. “I played a lot of baseball over the summer. I also worked out with coach every single day at the baseball field or in the gym.”…[Read More]

Oxbridge Academy

2013 Record: 7-7
Manager: Juan Bustabad
Outlook: The Thunderwolves enter a district for the first time. With such a talented and dangerous group of competitors, it will offer quite a challenge for a young team still finding its way.

Trinity Christian

2013 Record: 16-6
Manager: Miguel Cuello
Coaching Staff: Austin Johnson
Key Returners: Byron Murray, Bruce Martin, Emilio Pena, Anthony Russell, Braxton Stowe, Anton Saunders, Angelini Maduro, Joey Daantji
Newcomers to watch: Jerrisonn Beaumont, Richard Moesker, Rhyllason Ignacio, Stephan Vidal, Shadrack Muelens, Edmond Americaan
Team strengths: Pitching & Defense

It’s been a long time coming.

With a three-year suspension now in the past, the Trinity Christian Warriors have returned to district play with the right to advance in the playoffs. The team can compete for a district title again, as well as play in the state playoffs. With the Warriors eagerly chomping at the bit, the rest of Class 3A shudders at the realization that the competition just got tougher…[Read More]

Westminster Academy

2013 Record: 10-14-1
Manager: Nick James
Coaching Staff: Tyler Wheeler, Kevin Roach, Alan Kunkle, Nick Karpf and Nick Thompson
Key Returners: Weston Clemente, Andrew Gross, Sam Etter, Jeremy Viveros, Josh Viveros, Thomas Messer, Tommy Dorfman, Zach Warenius
Newcomers to watch: Ramon Ripoli
Team strengths: Pitching, Defense

The Westminster Academy baseball program has a proud history and tradition of success. The student-athletes on this team understand that the standards are always at their highest, and that it is a supportive community that is always ready for that next title run. Even though times have changed some from their heyday, it is a bright future at Westminster Academy…[Read More]

Leave a comment using your facebook account!