Stories by Brian Lester
Stories by Brian Lester
Milton’s Bryson Brown earns runner-up finish at state
April 13, 2025
Bryson Brown walked off the platform at state one last time late Saturday night.
Milton’s senior standout nearly won a championship for the second year in a row, but his bid fell just short as he finished second in Olympic at the FHSAA 3A meet with a 555-lbs. total.
Milton’s senior standout nearly won a championship for the second year in a row, but his bid fell just short as he finished second in Olympic at the FHSAA 3A meet with a 555-lbs. total.
Chase the champ! Dooley makes school history for Jay Royals
April 13, 2025
Chase Dooley went to state in weightlifting for the first time a year ago. He thought maybe this season he could call himself a champion at the end of the day.
That proved to be the case for Dooley, who won the unlimited division in Olympic and traditional at the 1A meet Saturday night in Lakeland.
That proved to be the case for Dooley, who won the unlimited division in Olympic and traditional at the 1A meet Saturday night in Lakeland.
Sweet Repeat! Pace is a state weightlifting champ again
April 13, 2025
With the arena mostly cleared out late Saturday night, Pace’s boys weightlifting team was still hanging around.
Lifters were posing for photos, taking turns holding up the trophies and showing off their medals. School principal Stephen Shell even took a selfie with the team.
Lifters were posing for photos, taking turns holding up the trophies and showing off their medals. School principal Stephen Shell even took a selfie with the team.
Looking ahead to the FHSAA boys state weightlifting meet
April 11, 2025
All the work weightlifting athletes from Santa Rosa County have put in this season reaches a culmination Saturday at the FHSAA state meet in Lakeland.
Action for 1A and 3A lifters gets underway at 9 a.m. EST at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Action for 1A and 3A lifters gets underway at 9 a.m. EST at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Milton Panthers hire new boys basketball coach
April 10, 2025
Milton’s boys basketball team has its new head coach.
Matt Anderson was named to the position Wednesday and brings a wealth of experience to the Panthers.
Matt Anderson was named to the position Wednesday and brings a wealth of experience to the Panthers.
Checking in with where area softball teams stand in region
April 10, 2025
As the regular season winds down, area softball teams are still in a good position to make the postseason.
Jay’s softball team is ranked No. 1 in the state in the Rural Classification as well as in its region while Pace is ranked first in Region 1-6A and second in the state.
Jay’s softball team is ranked No. 1 in the state in the Rural Classification as well as in its region while Pace is ranked first in Region 1-6A and second in the state.
Milton’s boys lacrosse team proud of effort this season
April 10, 2025
Milton’s boys lacrosse team saw its season come to an end Wednesday night as the Panthers lost in a District 1-2A quarterfinal to Navarre.
Milton trailed 5-0 at the half and was never able to mount a comeback against the more experienced Raiders in a 13-1 loss at Bennett C. Russell Stadium.
Milton trailed 5-0 at the half and was never able to mount a comeback against the more experienced Raiders in a 13-1 loss at Bennett C. Russell Stadium.
Royals take valuable lessons from tough moments
April 10, 2025
Jay head coach Duane Raley would ask how his team would respond to a tough loss to rival Central earlier this month.
He pointed over to the outfield where the players were gathered, talking about the game and how to bounce back.
He pointed over to the outfield where the players were gathered, talking about the game and how to bounce back.
Postseason hopes alive and well for area baseball teams
April 9, 2025
District tournaments are scheduled to get underway next week and a lot is at stake for teams in Santa Rosa County.
Teams are chasing district crowns and vying for a spot in the regional. This year, a best-of-three format is in place for the regional tournaments. Eight teams get into the regional in all classifications except Rural, which only takes the top four.
Teams are chasing district crowns and vying for a spot in the regional. This year, a best-of-three format is in place for the regional tournaments. Eight teams get into the regional in all classifications except Rural, which only takes the top four.
Hayden Morris helps lead way as Jay Royals blank Baker
April 8, 2025
Hayden Morris had never thrown a no-hitter. Until Monday night.
That’s when Morris dominated on the mound for the Jay Royals, striking out nine and not allowing a run or a hit in Jay’s 10-0 victory over Highway 4 rival Baker.
That’s when Morris dominated on the mound for the Jay Royals, striking out nine and not allowing a run or a hit in Jay’s 10-0 victory over Highway 4 rival Baker.