A look back at the year that was in Manatee County high school sports

Spring football games aren’t the only thing in the rear-view mirror.

The entire 2016-17 high school sports season is over.

So throughout this week, the Herald is unveiling a year in review in various categories to celebrate the year that was in high school sports.

What were the storylines that carried the year?

Stay tuned, because we’ve got you covered.

What were the moments to remember?

Check back this week, because we’ve got you covered.

How about the golden individual performances, the disappointments and the farewells to seniors we’ve seen establish long, distinguished careers before taking the next steps in college?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Storylines like the Manatee High head football coaching search that saw Yusuf Shakir’s hiring, the new pitch count rule in baseball that cost Bayshore High a chance at a deep playoff run, and Marline Valcin’s car accident that altered Southeast High’s girls basketball season are some of what you can expect this week.

We’ll highlight those moments — team or individual — that captured everyone’s attention and left a mark to be remembered for seasons to come, too.

Lakewood Ranch High’s boys basketball region final victory over St. Petersburg High in front of a rabid, packed gym in East Manatee County springs to mind.

The recent state track meet at IMG Academy witnessed two Mustangs, Sophia Falco and John Rivera, polish off gold medal performances, while Out-of-Door Academy’s Saraiah Walkes continued her ascent as an elite track star with her three state championship medals.

There were some disappointments, too, with teams entering the season with high hopes of capturing state titles only to fall short of that goal.

The Mustangs were quite illustrious throughout the three different high school seasons, and their softball team garnered accolades with a lofty national ranking. But the team was eliminated in the playoffs before they even got to Vero Beach, where the state softball final four was held.

That was also the case for Bayshore High and Braden River High.

Bayshore reached the state softball final four in the previous two full seasons pitcher Miriam Schmoll was around. Last year, she brought the team to the brink of the state title in her return from an anterior cruciate ligament tear that robbed her from playing most of her sophomore season. A senior campaign ended shy of that state title ring, and she’s off the University of South Florida soon.

Schmoll’s legacy, along with so many other talented athletes across various sports, like Manatee High wide receiver Tarique Milton, Lakewood Ranch High offensive lineman Sam Jackson, Bayshore swimmer T.C. Smith, Southeast High defensive lineman and wrestler Darrien Grant, Lakewood Ranch girls basketball star LaDazhia Williams and Braden River second baseman Myah Moy are some of the seniors we’re bidding farewell to.

So many athletes like Manatee High quarterback A.J. Colagiovanni, Braden River High running back Raymond Thomas, Bayshore swimmer Ryley Ober and teams like Manatee High’s volleyball squad and Lakewood Ranch High’s boys soccer and boys basketball teams put together stellar years.

So we’re also going to choose the top moment for each school, and we’re inviting you to take part.

Agree or disagree with our top moment for each school? Email us at sports@bradenton.com for what you think is the top moment from Bayshore, Braden River, Lakewood Ranch, Manatee, Palmetto, Southeast, Bradenton Christian, Out-of-Door Academy and Saint Stephen’s.

This story was originally published May 27, 2017 at 10:49 AM with the headline "A look back at the year that was in Manatee County high school sports."