With an enrollment of under 200 students, Cedar Key School is known as the smallest public high school in Florida. But for this tight-knit community and its athletes, the small-town atmosphere is cherished.
Basketball players play baseball, weightlifters run track, and volleyball players play softball. From August to May, the athletes go hard every day, embracing the unique challenges and camaraderie that come with it.
Heading into the 2024-25 basketball season, the Gainesville High School women's basketball team set a collective goal: to reach the state championship. Mission accomplished.
For many athletes, injuries are a part of the game. While some are forced to move on, others use setbacks as motivation to return stronger. For Ilyana Graciani, a junior soccer player at Newberry High School, getting back on the field after multiple surgeries and countless hours of rehabilitation is a dream come true.
"I love the game of soccer too much to have given up, it just wasn't in my DNA," Graciani said. "The field is where I feel the most comfortable, and being out there competing with my teammates is the best feeling in the world."
Hitting a baseball is considered one of the toughest feats in sports. With a ball traveling up to 100 mph and the mound just 60 feet, 6 inches away, a batter has less than a second to decide whether to swing.
For those who can consistently make contact, it's an unmatched feeling.
St. Francis Catholic Academy senior William Collett has had a journey like few others in youth sports. The shooting guard has overcome tremendous obstacles to become the captain of the St. Francis Catholic Academy varsity basketball team, earning this week's UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week honor.
For Bell senior weightlifter Kennedy Smith, the journey to success has always been fueled by a desire to be the best. However, after winning three straight regional titles in high school, her perspective shifted this year. Smith's focus on enjoying the competition has made her most recent season her most gratifying yet, earning her the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week award.
Ar'Nayshia Griffin, a junior guard for Bradford High School, has been named the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week. The Starke native is currently averaging 26.6 points per game, a performance that places her among the top scorers in all of North Central Florida.
In comparison, those scoring numbers would stand out even among the top players in women's basketball at any level nationwide. The leading scorer in the WNBA this season is averaging 26.9 points per game, while the NCAA Division I leader is averaging 26.5.
Being a four-year starter at the high school level isn't easy, and accomplishing that for one of the best teams in the state is a rarity. But for Buchholz senior wrestler Finn Buchanan, it's all about mentality — buying into the program and continuing its legacy of success.
The Bell Bulldogs' Lady Basketball team faced some early challenges to start the new year, but thanks to senior Maddie Smith, they've bounced back from three consecutive losses with back-to-back victories. Smith's impressive performances have earned her the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week honor.
The Columbia girl's varsity basketball team has faced a string of early-season injuries, leading to struggles and a four-game losing streak. However, the Tigers have turned things around, winning three straight road games, thanks in part to a standout performance from junior guard Mariah Cox. Cox put up 17 points and 10 steals in the Tigers' victory over PK Yonge, earning her the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week honor.
