SPORTS Karim Nohra joins 400 club 2011R E WIND The Wildcats won the Class 1A-District By Kyle LoJacono them and they’re like, holy 9 championship in 2011, the first district Originally published Jan. 12 cow this guy is crazy,but I’ve title in school history.The academy changed their perception of reached the regional finals before losing After the 51-30 win against what is all about. to Trinity Christian to finish with a 19-5 Zephyrhills High Jan. 4, first-year They don’t know how to record. Nohra and the Wildcats have Academy at the Lakes coach Karim win and you have to know started the 2011-12 season 7-1. Nohra congratulated his team as he how to win and prepare to has following his previous 399 victo- win and no one did that be- ries. fore.” Sophomore forward Christina Stark was The 20-year coach thinks there is Nohra also put them on a a part of that Wildcats team last year that nothing special about winning his weight lifting and running went winless. 400th game in high school. program to get them faster “It’s been a whole different program this “I never even thought about and stronger to run his sys- year,”Stark said.“He takes practice as serious (400),”Nohra said.“All that’s saying is tem. as games.” I’ve coached a long time.As far as I’m “We press and run,that’s Junior center/forward Alexis Holler also concerned it’s just a long time of my style,” Nohra said. “If suffered through that 0-15 season. coaching.” you’re not in shape you can’t “It’s a lot faster paced all the time,”Holler Nohra, who is a professor at the press and run.I tell them all said.“We get a lot more done in practice and college of engineering at the the time ‘I want the ball.’Go it’s working. … My goal is to win the first University of South Florida,started as get me the ball and they district championship for girls basketball a boys junior varsity coach from 1987 can’t score and we have this season.I think we have a chance.” to 1990 and then became the girls more opportunities to score. Only one team has a district title at the coach at Tampa Catholic High. He That’s the bottom line. Are academy,the girls team this school year. moved to Cambridge Christian High we good at it yet? No,but if I The basketball program reached the district for two years and eventually to Academy at the Lakes girls basketball coach Karim Nohra talks take it away from you half finals in 2007. Wesley Chapel High the previous two with his team during a timeout in the Wildcats win over Zephyrhills. the time it gives us a better In the milestone win Nohra’s press de- seasons before coming to the acade- (Photos by Glenn Gefers www.Photosby3g.com) chance to score.” fense forced 25 steals,with Mauger leading my. His players said Nohra the way with nine and also adding a team- “We’ve had success,but that’s not just be- my athletic director Tom Haslam.“I’ve fol- says that at least 20 times each practice,“Go high 20 points.Guard Marjorie Rivera added cause of me,”Nohra said.“It’s the people lowed him the whole way.He’s won a ton get me the ball.”He demands perfection in eight steals,17 points and five rebounds and around me. I have two assistants and I of games everywhere he went. When I every drill,asking players where they should five assists. haven’t gone anywhere without them.” heard he was having to reapply for his job at be at any point and why. Many of Nohra’s former players,includ- Those assistants are Gene Miranda,who Wesley Chapel,which to me means you’re “He’s just a great coach,” said forward ing the entire Wesley Chapel team,watched has been with Nohra since he went to not going to have your job, we jumped on Andrea Mauger, who played for Nohra at the 20-year veteran record No. 400. Nohra Tampa Catholic, while Mackenzie Vidonic him.” Wesley Chapel last season.“He worked me acknowledged the achievement,but would played for him at Cambridge and joined his For a coach who won 48 games in two hard and is going to make me a better play- give them all up for a championship run. staff after graduating in 2006. years at Wesley Chapel, the change with er.I want to play college ball and he’s a great “If anybody wants to trade,I’ll trade my “He tries to act like it’s no big deal,but it coming to the academy was stark. The coach to help me do that.He’s very intense, 400 for seven in February,” Nohra said. is,”Vidonic said.“He’s a great coach and this Wildcats went 0-15 in the 2009-10 season but he’s awesome. He definitely knows “That’s really what I’d like to do. … Seven shows it.” and needed a lot of work to get to the 9-1 what he’s talking about,but if you don’t do wins in February means we just won the Nohra guided Wesley Chapel to consecu- mark they are at. your job you’re going to hear it.” state title.” tive regional finals the last two seasons,but “They always fielded a team,but they’d In practice,Nohra also does not miss an The academy had a game against was not retained with the team.He did not get trounced,”Nohra said.“They’d be every- opportunity to remind them where they Lakeside Christian Jan.10,but results were have to wait too long before another group one’s senior night because you know it were one year ago. not available by press time.The squad next of Wildcats was knocking at his door. would be a W.I came in and said the mental- “Lazy gets us 0-15,”Nohra yelled during a plays at the Academy of the Holy Names Jan. “I’ve known him for 25 years,”said acade- ly has to change. I’m screaming, yelling at recent practice. 18 at 6 p.m. Johnson siblings both earn all-star status 2011R E WIND Jess Johnson helped lead Bishop By Kyle LoJacono events as naturally. McLaughlin to the regional tournament Originally published on Sept. 21 “It was interesting for Jessi for the first time in program history.The because she was a Barbie-doll Hurricanes finished with a 16-9 record, Bishop McLaughlin player Jess playing young girl,”Glenn Sr. while Jess posted 403 kills and made the Johnson and her brother Glenn Jr.,a soccer said.“She didn’t want to play All-Laker/All-Lutz News Volleyball first player at Pine View Middle,each were invit- any sports at all.We tried her team. She will play at Norfolk State ed to play in international all-star events this at every sport,and she didn’t University on a volleyball scholarship. summer. like any of them. Volleyball Glenn Jr.is playing in the Jess,a 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter,was was the last choice, and it soccer season with Pine View. selected as one of 12 high-school-aged play- worked out.” ers for Team Florida Girls Youth Jess has taken off with vol- International Team that played in the USA leyball since she started Volleyball High Performance playing at the New Tampa who won three straight national titles while Championships.The event was in Tucson, YMCA at age 8.She has been a at Penn State from 2007-09. Ariz., July 25-30, the same week Glenn Jr. four-year varsity player in high Jess wants to major in chemistry and was playing in his own all-star event. school, first at Wiregrass eventually become a pharmacist if profes- Glenn Jr. was picked to play in the Ranch as a freshman, at Land sional volleyball isn’t in the cards. Knowsley International Youth Soccer O’Lakes as a sophomore and Glenn Jr.started playing soccer at age 4. Tournament in Liverpool as part of the the last two years at Bishop His favorite player is Lionel Messi of FC Florida Alliance Soccer League All-Star Team. McLaughlin. Barcelona. Soccer players were selected from affiliated Jess posted 328 kills and While he was expecting to make the clubs in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and 201 aces last year for the Florida Alliance team,Glenn Jr.said he was Manatee counties. Hurricanes. She has 706 kills very honored when he heard he was The Land O’ Lakes duo said they enjoy and 296 aces while in high picked. having a sibling that is also talented in school. “It was a great experience,”Glenn Jr.said. sports.It is also fun for their parents,Brenda Jess had to attend two try- “The game was more physical,and we fin- and Glenn Sr.,but it isn’t always easy attend- outs to make Team Florida. ished second place in the U13 division.” ing the two all stars’sporting events. She was one of about 100 He plays for both Pine View Middle and “We’re basically going in different direc- girls vying to make the final the Wesley Chapel Flames U13 squad.Glenn tions just trying to keep up,”Brenda said. cut. Jr.would like to play in college and possibly Glenn Sr.added with a laugh,“There has “I was actually surprised make a career out of the sport he loves. been a lot of stuff broken in our house from because I was cut the previ- The siblings have shined athletically,but them practicing when they shouldn’t. ous year,” Jess said.“I wasn’t their parents make sure they do not fall be- Actually my son wanted to move his bed expecting anything. When I Jess and Glenn Jr. Johnson each recently participated in hind in the classroom. out of his room so he could have an indoor did make it,I was so excited.” international all-star events, Jess in volleyball and Glenn “School is always the priority,” Brenda mini soccer field.It didn’t happen.” Team Florida played Jr. in soccer. (Photos courtesy of Brenda Johnson) said.“We make sure of that.Glenn Jr.has to Both parents played high school sports. against similar squads from get his homework done before practice is Brenda was a basketball and player, across the nation and world, coming in kids who are playing club.… I want to play even an option.We’re pretty firm about that, while Glenn Sr.played football and . ninth overall. in college.Playing professional isn’t really a so I think athletics has helped motivate their Glenn Jr.played multiple sports at a very “It really gives you a good look at what goal of mine,but if I got the opportunity it academics.” young age,including football,baseball and it’s going to look like when you play in col- would be really hard to turn down.” —All high school stats as recorded to basketball,but Jess did not take to athletic lege,”Jess said.“In college it’s all the best Jess’favorite player is setter Alisha Glass, Maxpreps.com by coaches.

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