By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
A pair of Pasco-Hernando Community College guards received honorable mention in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 8/Florida College System Activities Association Men's Basketball Player of the Week voting in January.
Brandon McWhorter, a 6-foot guard, averaged 21.5 points per game over two contests during the week of Jan. 14. He graduated from Anclote High School in Holiday last year after averaging 18 points per game for the Sharks over his last two varsity seasons. He is currently leading PHCC, averaging 19 points per game.
"McWhorter, a late recruit for the team, is a valuable player," coach James E. Johnson said. "He is a quiet leader and has earned respect from his teammates and from opposing teams."
Ja'mil Jones, another 6-foot guard, scored 22 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 72-67 victory over TAAG Academy on Jan. 25. He is currently a sophomore and team captain. A graduate of Spring Valley High School in South Blythewood, S.C., Jones leads PHCC with five assists per game and is second with 16.1 points per game.
"Jones has really demonstrated that he can play this game," Johnson said. "Jones is committed to involving each of his teammates in the game."
The Conquistadors began the season 0-11 but have done better recently and now stand at 7-13.
NFL STAR HARRIS RETURNS: Hernando County native DuJuan Harris, who became a starting running back for the Green Bay Packers this season, will hold an autograph session this evening at Monti Magill's Irish Pub, 2396 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.
Harris will be on hand from 7 to 9 p.m. and will sign whatever fans want for a $10 fee. Proceeds will go to a local resident struggling with multiple sclerosis.
The running back graduated from Central High School in 2007 and went on to star at Troy University in Alabama. After limited time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Harris found a home in midseason with the Packers and worked his way to the starting role by the time the playoffs rolled around.
For information, call Monti Magill's Irish Pub at (352) 683-0668.
LOCAL MARTIAL ARTIST PUBLISHES BOOK: Local martial arts instructor Jay Blanton recently had his autobiography published by DSI Productions in Virginia.
Blanton's book is 256 pages and talks about his early years. He worked through bullying issues with the help of his strong faith to become a Soke grandmaster and the founder of a new discipline of Jujitsu called Mang Ho Jujitsu Ryu.
DSI Productions is associated with Dragon's Society International, a martial arts organization.
Blanton, a 10th-degree black belt, was appointed by the European Jujitsu Union as a U.S. delegate over a year ago.
Blanton will attend the DSI convention in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in April as a guest instructor.
HERNANDO WOMEN'S 500 CLUB BOWLING: The Women's Hernando County 500 Club will have its third tournament of the season Feb. 24 at Spring Hill Lanes.
The event will be a doubles tournament, with bowling starting at 1:30 p.m. It is open to all members of the Women's 500 Club who are also members of the Hernando County U.S. Bowling Congress and Women's Bowling Association.
The deadline to register is Feb. 19. To become a member of the 500 Club, one needs to have bowled a sanctioned 500 series.
For information, call Sheila Wehrenberg at (352) 688-1575.
HERNANDO YOUTH LEAGUE SOFTBALL: Hernando Youth League Dixie Softball has scheduled registration at Tom Varn Park in Brooksville for its spring season.
League officials will accept sign-ups from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
A copy of a child's birth certificate is necessary for registration. The fees cover all games, insurance and trophies. All new players receive a $10 discount. Returning players who bring a new player will receive a $5 discount on their fees. There is also a family discount of $5 for the second child or each additional child.
For information, contact Bonnie Anhalt at (352) 584-1558 or bonnita2u@hotmail.com. Parents can also visit the league website at hylsoftball.com or the league Facebook page at Hernando Youth League Softball.
HERNANDO SPORTSMAN'S CLUB CLINICS: The Hernando Sportsman's Club, 16121 Commercial Way, north of Weeki Wachee, is offering National Rifle Association classes next month.
The NRA Basic Instructor Training course will be from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday. Instructor candidates must possess and demonstrate a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills and be intimately familiar with each action in the discipline they wish to be certified.
All students will receive the NRA trainer's guidebook. The cost of the course is $100.
The NRA Pistol Instructor course is a two-day class from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 15 and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 16. Candidates must pass the exam with a score of at least 90 percent and receive the endorsement of the training counselor for certification.
Students in this course must first complete both the NRA Basic Pistol class and NRA Basic Instructor Training class. The basic instructor training course must have been completed within the past two years. The cost of the course is $300.
Preregistration is required for all classes. For information, call the Hernando Sportsman's Club at (352) 597-9931.
SUSAN G. KOMEN GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Ladies League at Toscana Crossing at the Heather, north of Weeki Wachee, will host the Passionately Pink for the Cure Golf Tournament on Feb. 19.
All donations and proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and its nationwide initiatives to support breast cancer research.
Registration for the nine-hole tournament will begin at 7:15 a.m.; the shotgun start is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. A light breakfast and coffee will be served prior to tee-off.
The minimum donation is $25, with checks made out to "Susan G. Komen for the Cure." Greens fees will be collected the morning of the tournament. Fees are $9 per golfer for those who walk, and $14 for those who want a cart.
Interested golfers must sign up at the Toscana Crossing clubhouse by Tuesday. Information and donation checks may also be mailed to Myrna Newton, 12345 Club House Road, Brooksville, FL 34613.
UMPIRE CLINICS: The Hernando-Sumter Umpires Association has scheduled a set of baseball/softball umpiring clinics.
The clinics are designed to train anyone who wants to become an umpire and also can help seasoned umpires improve. The final local clinic will take place Feb. 17 at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill.
The sessions are open to men and women age 16 and older. All clinics will start at 10 a.m.
Visit hernandosumterumpire.com to register. Call (352) 593-6998 or send email to clinics@hernandosumterumpire.com for information.
Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.