GLENDALE, Arizona (AP) — Alabama needed it all to win the toughest national title game it had ever played during the Nick Saban dynasty. All of its power. All of its speed. Even one gutsy trick. Derrick Henry, O.J. Howard … read more.

Venice won its 14th straight district volleyball title with a 3-1 victory against Sarasota in the District 7A-11 championship game at Venice High School on Thursday. The teams traded the first two sets with Venice winning the first 25-17 and … read more.

prep roundup

Port Charlotte 4, Baker County 3: Donovan Petrey’s two-run triple into the right-field corner rallied Port Charlotte (15-9) to a 4-3 victory against Baker County on Thursday night in Port Charlotte.

Petrey struck out the final two hitters …

Find out how to read more online.

McKayla Jeter has been especially productive with her hits for the Ave Maria University softball team. The DeSoto County High School graduate entered Friday tied for second on the team with 20 runs batted in. The sophomore catcher and second … Find out how to read more online.

MIRACLE 3, STONE CRABS 0 Charlotte AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Velazquez 3B 4 0 0 0 0 2 .250 Wong 2B 4 0 1 0 0 0 .286 Adames SS 4 0 0 0 0 2 .000 Bauers 1B 4 0 1 0 0 0 .125 … Find out how to read more online.

ENGLEWOOD — Darrell Roach warned freshmen Sarah Lown and Ashley Tormey after matches late last season. His Lemon Bay High School girls tennis team was graduating three of its top players, and he wanted to make sure his talented rookies … Find out how to read more online.

Teddy Deas scored six of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter and the North Port High School boys basketball team beat Cardinal Mooney 63-55. It was the Bobcats’ 11th straight win to close the regular season, beating the … Find out how to read more online.

ENGLEWOOD — By now, they know not to question what Kacyn Shirley can do at Lemon Bay High School. So when the senior scored a career-high 31 points in the Mantas’ 47-31 victory in the District 5A-11 championship game against … Find out how to read more online.

PUNTA GORDA — There was a lot Charlotte High School boys basketball coach Tom Massolio liked about his team’s 62-51 senior night victory against visiting Lely on Friday. Charlotte displayed balanced scoring, good defense and another big night from the … Find out how to read more online.

VENICE — As the final seconds wound down on Friday’s girls soccer Region 4A-3 final at Powell-Davis Stadium, the large crowd knew it was watching history: Venice High School’s first regional title in girls soccer. After the final whistle sealed … Find out how to read more online.

ARLINGTON, Texas — If anybody’s looking for an early Heisman Trophy favorite for next season, look no further than Zeke. He’s already locked up the voting bloc called the Slobs. Tailback Ezekiel Elliott, known as Zeke to his teammates, had … read more.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Marcus Mariota’s season ended without the honor that mattered to him most. Now Oregon waits to see if he will be back for another try. Going into Monday night’s game against Ohio State, the standout junior quarterback … read more.

Venice city officials are standing by as county maintenance crews deal with a problem they don’t come across that often. Bat colonies have invaded the pavilions at Maxine Barritt Park next to the Venice Pier. They arrive after dusk, usually … Find out how to read more online.

PUNTA GORDA — The Charlotte High School wrestling team wants to set the tone for a championship season at today’s Captain Archer Memorial Classic. Thanks to the FHSAA pushing the start of wrestling season back by nearly a month, this … Find out how to read more online.

NORTH PORT — For a critical moment, you were reminded that Teddy Deas and Malek Barber were also football players. Because the last 2.5 seconds of North Port High School’s 61-60 victory over Charlotte on Friday looked that natural. With … Find out how to read more online.

ENGLEWOOD — Lemon Bay High School jumped to a big early lead and coasted to a 65-44 victory over Hardee in a District 5A-11 matchup Friday night. The Manta Rays led 22-10 at the end of the first quarter, and … Find out how to read more online.

PORT CHARLOTTE – Two seniors carried the load for Port Charlotte High School on Friday night, helping the Pirates to a 67-46 win against Ida Baker at Anthony T. Cicchella Gymnasium. Guards Emily Treasure and Katie Marshall did the lion’s … Find out how to read more online.

NEW PORT RICHEY — Loni Carmello set a Charlotte High School weight-class record with a 370-pound total to earn lifter of the meet honors at the Disparti Christmas Invitational on Friday. Carmello’s total shattered the girls weightlifting mark (355) set … Find out how to read more online.

NORTH PORT — Gaspar Margaryan returned to the bench clearly frustrated as the teams broke for halftime at The Preserve. The North Port High School boys soccer team’s mantra all night had been to play the ball to the feet … Find out how to read more online.

PORT CHARLOTTE — This season has been a learning experience for the Port Charlotte High School girls soccer team. After Thursday night’s 3-0 District 4A-11 loss to Braden River, Port Charlotte is 3-10-1 overall and 1-10-1 in the district. “We … Find out how to read more online.