POWERBOAT RACE HIGHLIGHTS FROM COCOA BEACH

WEEKEND POWERBOAT RACING IN COCOA BEACH

Cocoa Beach, Fla - 

The waters of Cocoa Beach will be drenched with the sights and sounds of the Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix from May 16th – 20th.

The event kicks off on Thursday, May 17^th with a boat parade in downtown Cocoa Beach. Everyone can meet the racers while enjoying music, food and drinks. The VIP party will be held that same night at the Hilton in Cocoa Beach from 6 – 9 pm. Events are held all day on both Friday and Saturday, including testing, inspections, press events, live music and even a bikini contest.

Sunday the 20th is race day. The first race starts at 12 pm and the second race at 2pm. An awards ceremony will be held at The Cove restaurant at 5 pm, followed by an after-race party at the Sandbar Sports Grill from 6 – 9 pm.

For viewers and spectators, the start/finish line for Sunday’s race will be at The Inn at Cocoa Beach. Turn 1 is positioned at Lori Wilson Park with Turn 2 at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

You can learn more about the race log by following them on social media.

http://www.facebook.com/spacecoastsuperboat

HIGH NOON SHOWDOWN FOR MEL-HI IN STATE SEMI GAME

Melbourne, Fla. –

At 12:05 pm, the Melbourne High School Baseball Team plays an FHSAA baseball state semi-final at Digital Domain Park on Thursday, May 17^th in Port Saint Lucie. The Bulldogs are just two wins from a FHSAA Class 6A state championship title.

Standing in their way, Pace High School. The Patriots are a powerhouse school known for their state championship wins and consistent playoff appearances. They are 5-time state champions, with their most recent championship in 2012. Pace has made the FHSAA Final Four in three straight years.

Melbourne has a very impressive 29-3 record for the school’s first appearance in a state semi-final game since 1968. Melbourne has been proving it all year on the scoreboard, as they have nine wins with double-digit runs on the scoreboard and are riding a four game winning streak.

On the other hand, Pace High School brings more than just history and pedigree. Though this is the school’s 10^th final four appearance, they definitely do not live in the past. This year’s record of 24-6 is indicative of the six starters that returned from last year’s semi-final qualifying team.

However, Pace’s biggest weapon is arguably the most recruited prep baseball player in the state of Florida, senior shortstop Anderson Russell.

At 6,2 and 190 pounds, Russell is well known throughout the collegiate and professional scouting community. During his senior season campaign, Russell has earned a .371 batting average with 10 homeruns and 37 RBIs. Those numbers just pad his career stats of a whopping .459 batting average, 127 RBIs and 37 homeruns.

Projected to be a first round pick in this year’s 2012 MLB draft, Russell has signed to play his collegiate baseball with the Auburn Tigers in the Southeastern Conference.

Melbourne’s sophomore pitcher, Jake Walsh, will be the man tasked with trying to slow down the high-powered Pace bats; Pace has scored 20 points in this year’s postseason.

However, the bulldog pitching rotation is up to the task, as they haven’t allowed a run in two straight playoff games. Melbourne blanked Eau Gallie in the Region 2 semi-finals and then held Citrus scoreless in the Region 2 Finals. At 6,1, the right-handed Walsh has been on fire, not giving up a run in 10 innings.

Brevard Community College Adds Two New Athletic Programs

MONDAY, MAY 14, 2012

BREVARD COUNTY, FL - Buoyed by mounting success, Brevard Community College is adding new tennis and soccer programs to its growing roster of varsity sports, along with an intramural program.  The programs were announced May 14 to the College’s Board of Trustees, providing more opportunities for student-athletes and enhancing BCC’s collegiate experience.

BCC already fields teams in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, softball, golf, women’s soccer and volleyball, and has been gaining state and national recognition for their achievements. 

"The new programs allow the College to build on that success and will give students another reason to enroll at the College," said BCC Athletic Director Jeff Carr.  “BCC builds champions through academic achievement, athletic excellence and national recognition in the classroom and on the playing field.  The new programs will broaden opportunities for our students, strengthening our commitment to them."

"Men’s soccer, is scheduled to begin in 2013-14.  Brevard County high school and local clubs produce some of the top soccer players in Florida, giving the BCC program a chance to quickly gain prominence," added Carr.  "Women’s tennis, is scheduled to begin in 2013-14. Women’s tennis is also very popular in Brevard and the program will open the door for more students to participate."

Meanwhile, intramural sports in basketball, volleyball and flag-football, were announced and are scheduled to begin in fall 2012.  The intramural sports are in response to what Carr called “significant interest” from students and will revive the long-dormant program.  The intramural sports will be offered on all four BCC campuses – Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne and Palm Bay, Florida.  The program will be administered from the Melbourne campus.

Currently, there are 116 student-athletes on BCC’s varsity athletic teams.  The Lady Titans women’s soccer team was ranked 11th in the U.S. this year in just its second season, and golfer Billy Anderson won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 1 Men’s Golf National Championship in 2011.  Furthermore, the women’s softball team has gone to the Florida College System Activities Association state tournament seven of the past eight years.

The College also hosted the NJCAA Women’s Soccer National Championship in November 2011 and will host the event again this year and in 2013. To learn more about BCC’s sports programs, go to the College’s website atwww.brevardcc.edu/student-life/athletics/

FORMER NFL PLAYER JUNIOR SEAU FOUND DEAD

Oceanside, California

It is being reported by several media outlets that Tiaina Baul Seau, Jr., otherwise known as Junior Seau, was found dead in his home in Oceanside, California on Wednesday, May 2nd. He was 43 years old.

Seau was a 12 time pro bowler and 20 year veteran of the National Football League. In 1990, after his junior year at the University of Southern California, Seau declared for the NFL draft. He was the 5th overall pick, drafted in the first round by the San Diego Chargers. Seau would play most of his career with the Chargers,  from 1990 - 2002.

In 1994, Seau was named the AFC Player of the Year. He helped lead the San Diego Chargers to the 1994 Super Bowl XXIX, where they would eventually lose to the San Franscico 49ers.

From 2003 - 2005, Seau played for the Miami Dolphins. However, his final team would be the New England Patriots, where he played from 2006 - 2009. During that time, Seau was a member of the undefeated 2007 team that reached the Super Bowl XLI before losing to the New York Giants and Eli Manning.

Seau was inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame in 2011 and is a member of the 1990's All Decade Team.

He is survived by an ex-wife, Gina Deboer and his three children, Sydney, Jake and Hunter.

NFL 2012 FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS FOR FLORIDA TEAMS

These are the 2012 NFL first round draft picks, in order, for Florida NFL teams.

Jacksonville Jaguars
#5 Overall Pick:
Justin Blackmon
Wide Receiver
Oklahoma State University

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#7 Overall Pick:
Mark Barron
Safety
University of Alabama

Miami Dolphins
#8 Overall Pick:
Ryan Tannehill
Quarterback
Texas A&M University

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#31 Overall Pick:
Doug Martin
Running Back
Boise State University

AREA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL & SOFTBALL TEAMS PLAY TONIGHT

Friday Night Lights has a new sports meaning throughout Brevard County tonight as local baseball and softball teams compete for a 2012 FHSAA State Championship.

BOYS DISTRICT PLAYOFFS
Class 6A, District 7
Melbourne vs. Eau Gallie
Time: 7 :00 pm
Place: Eau Gallie High School

Class 5A, District 9
Rockledge vs. Merritt Island
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Rockledge High School

Class 4A, District 8
Space Coast vs. Satellite
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Satellite High School

Class 3A, District 6
John Carroll vs. Melbourne Central Catholic
Time: 4:30 pm
Place: Melbourne Central Catholic


GIRLS REGIONAL SOFTBALL
Five local high schools look to stay alive in the playoffs: Eau Gallie, Titusville, Space Coast, Satellite and Covenant Christian.

There will be four 2012 FHSAA Regional Semifinal games played throughout Brevard County tonight (Friday, April 27th) including a district finals rematch between Space Coast and Satellite. However, only four teams will win and advance to the Regional Finals.

The five remaining schools have survived district play and regional quarterfinals to make it to the “Sweet Sixteen” in their individual classes and are just three games away from a state championship game appearance.

Class 6A
Deltona plays at Eau Gallie High School
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Commodore Stadium

Class 5A
Auburndale plays at Titusville High School
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Titusville High School

Class 4A
Space Coast plays at Satellite High School
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Satellite Baseball/Softball Complex

Class 2A
All Saints Academy (Winter Haven) plays at Covenant Christian (Palm Bay) 
Time: 4:00 pm
Place: Palm Bay Regional Park

DWIGHT HOWARD OUT THE REST OF THE SEASON

Orlando, Florida.

Dwight Howard, a 6-time NBA All Star and Orlando Magic Center, is scheduled to undergo back surgery on Friday, April 20th.  The surgery will repair a herniated disk, a problem that has been plaguing Howard the past few weeks. The surgery will also keep Howard from participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Dwight Howard has missed several games during the month of April. With Howard out for the remainder of the season, the Magic turn to Glen "Big Baby" Davis to step up. 

2nd year player and former Kentucky Wildcat Daniel Orton has also found his minutes increasing of late. Orton was a 1st round draft pick for the Magic in 2010, but is just now getting time on the court. 

The Magic have already clinched an Eastern Conference Playoff Spot with their 36 - 26 record. They are currently in the 6th position of the 8 teams that will continue into the post-season from the Eastern Conference.  However, they are 4-6 in their last ten games and must develop a defensive presence if they plan to succeed in the playoffs. Dwight Howard is the 3-time Defensive Player of the Year, not easily replaced on a whim.

The news of Dwight Howard's surgery also adds insult to injury as Small Forward Hedo Turkoglu received facial fractures earlier this month. Hedo will miss the rest of the 2012 season, as well. 

During a Magic vs Knicks game in early April, Hedo was injured by an inadvertent face swipe from Carmello Anthony. However, Turkoglu is expected to heal in time to return for the playoffs.

The Magic travel to Utah to take on the Jazz on Saturday, April 21st.

NFL 2012 SCHEDULE NEWS ANDS NOTES

Cocoa Beach, Florida:


The 2012 NFL schedule has been released and offers some intriguing storylines from the start.

The 17 week season will have 256 regular season games.

There will be 14 Thursday night games.

Every NFL team will play a Thursday night game.

Every NFL team will play a primetime game this season.

The season opener is Wednesday, Sept 5th at 8:30 pm EST between the defending 2011 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys.

The first Monday Night Football will be a double-header.
#1. Cincinnati Bengals at the Baltimore Raves
#2. Oakland Raiders at the San Diego Chargers.

Thanksgiving Day will feature a triple-header.
#1. Houston Texans at Detroit Lions
#2. Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
#3. New England Patriots at New York Jets.

Two international games are scheduled.
#1. New England vs St. Louis in London, England on Oct. 28th.
#2. Seattle Seahawks vs Buffalo Bills in Toronto, Canada on Dec. 16th.

The 2012 Super Bowl XLVII is currently scheduled for February 3rd at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Chicago Bears play the most Monday Night Football Games with a total of three.

Peyton Manning’s first game as a Denver Bronco will be against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rematch of last year’s Wild Card Playoff Game.

The schedule release comes as a preview to the NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 26th.

GATOR’S BRADLEY BEAL WILL ENTER THE NBA DRAFT

Gainesville, Florida

Freshman Bradley Beal’s time at the University of Florida has come to an abrupt, but expected end. The university announced the decision Friday morning during a press conference attended by Beal and Head Coach Billy Donovan.

Beal helped the guard-laden Gators to a 26-11 record and an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament before losing to the Louisville Cardinals by a score of 72-68.

Beal is considered to be one of the best shooting guards entering the 2012 NBA Draft and that comes as no surprise. He averaged 14.8 points per game for the Gators, on top of his 6.7 rebounds per game.

Combine that with his ability to handle the ball and he becomes a potential triple threat in scoring, rebounding and playing the point guard position. Beal started every game as a Freshman and was also named an All-SEC first team player.

This all came after his highly successful prep career at Chaminade College Prepatory School in St. Louis, Missouri. During his senior year in high school, Beal was named the best player in the state of Missouri and the 2011 Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Beal will be only the second “one and done” player under Coach Billy Donovan’s tenure. Donnell Harvey helped the Gators reach their first NCAA Basketball Championship Finals Game in 2000 before being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks.

Beal is expected to be drafted in the 3 – 5 slot, immediately following other notable “one and done” players such as Kentucky’s Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd Gilchrist.

The NBA Draft will take place on June 28th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. ESPN will televise the event at 7:00 pm EST.