Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Sarasota across Football, Baseball, Basketball.
Booker High School in Sarasota has canceled its varsity football season for 2026, opting for a junior varsity team only. The move follows the dismissal of head coach Carlos Woods, a player exodus, and an ongoing police investigation, prompting the school to focus on safety and stability.
The Florida High School Athletic Association penalized Sarasota Booker’s football program with a $500 fine and probation after discovering eighth‑grade players practiced with the varsity team, while roster upheaval and game cancellations loom for the upcoming season.
Gilbert Henry Blanco, the Phoenix‑born left‑handed pitcher who spent six decades in the sport, died in July 2026 at the age of 80. Tributes have highlighted not only his modest major‑league statistics but also the indelible mark he left on the amateur ranks.
The Herald-Tribune unveils its inaugural Big 15 list, highlighting the most sought‑after high school football recruits in the region and launching a reader poll that will close on August 7, 2026.
The Next 15 series spotlights fifteen standout players from Sarasota and Manatee counties, detailing their college offers, transfers, statistical achievements and commitments as they head into the 2026 season.
Coach Jon Sumrall’s revamped recruiting philosophy is reshaping the Gators’ future, securing elite in‑state commitments and setting the stage for sustained success.
Two first‑year players navigate the jump to professional baseball, sharing their paths, superstitions, and hopes for the future.
A sophomore quarterback from Sarasota is drawing attention from several Power Five programs, including Florida State, after a breakout passing and rushing season.
Four‑star quarterback Hudson West, who impressed at FSU’s June camp, is among the top targets for the Seminoles as they seek a future signal‑caller.
Florida State's 2026 recruiting class, ranked No. 17 nationally, is anchored by defensive standouts Kevin Wynn, Chauncey Kennon and emerging playmakers Devin Carter and Jasen Lopez, who could reshape the team's depth chart.
A look at five highly rated newcomers whose performances may disrupt Virginia's 2026 campaign, amid the evolving NIL and transfer portal environment.
Jamier Jones, a physical and athletic guard with Big East All‑Freshman honors, is expected to complement Jason Crowe Jr. at shooting guard for the Missouri Tigers. His freshman statistics, defensive contributions and projected statistical range suggest he could become a key catalyst for the program’s next season.
Scott Paravicini, a 32‑year‑old head football coach at Lakewood Ranch, balances chemotherapy with daily coaching, sharing his journey to encourage early cancer screening and to uplift fellow patients.
A $1 million gift from developer Carlos Beruff fuels a ambitious stadium plan at New College of Florida, but federal aviation rules and a contested land lease threaten to push the project beyond its 2025 deadline.