Athletes of the Week
Though only a sophomore, North Fort Myers setter Susie McKeever has become one of the team captains. Her floor generalship and improved passing skills were evident last week as the Knights played two thrilling matches against Lemon Bay and Mariner.
On the gridiron, Cape Coral High senior Jeremy Davis has been a welcomed addition to the Seahawks, who are off to a 4-0 start. Davis’ big plays in the running game propelled the Seahawks to a 28-23 victory over Port Charlotte.
For their contributions, McKeever and Davis were chosen as the Daily Breeze Female and Male Athlete of the Week.
It actually was last season during a district volleyball tournament match when North coach Jeremy Ridgeo learned something extra about then-freshman setter McKeever. The Knights weren’t involved in the match, but were watching a match between two strong teams, Gulf Coast and Fort Myers.
Ridgeo said McKeever studied closely the play of Gulf Coast standout setter Sundai Weston, who since graduated and now plays at the University of Florida.
“She was watching Sundai and said, ‘I want to do that,'” Ridgeo said.
McKeever’s drive has been consistent since she joined the team last year.
She’s only played the sport since eighth grade and first started playing the key setter position as a freshman.
“It was interesting,” said the 5-foot-4 McKeever, who also plays basketball at North. “It was really big being a freshman and starting. (This year) I feel a lot more confident in where I’m setting the ball and who I have to set it to.”
Ridgeo said along with McKeever’s athletic ability he liked the intangibles she brought to the position. He also wanted to rebuild the program around a young setter.
“She came in very quickly and showed she can handle it,” Ridgeo said. “I’m difficult on her and she handles it well.”
McKeever and the Knights showed signs of growth last week as they battled Lemon Bay to a five-game loss. Previously this season, they lost to Lemon Bay in a two-game sweep. McKeever had 30 assists in last week’s match.
She also came up with 15 assists and 10 kills when the Knights defeated Mariner in four games.
Honorable mentions:
Darlene Hanlon, senior, Ida Baker Bulldogs cross country – Hanlon finished sixth at the season-opening Optimist Invitational.
Jessica Wagner, sophomore, North Fort Myers Red Knights volleyball – Wagner blasted 14 kills in a five-set loss to Lemon Bay and tallied seven kills and four blocks in a 3-1 victory over Mariner.
Cape High football coach Mike Goebbel summed up his teams’ play appropriately after the Seahawks’ 25-20 victory over North Fort Myers in Week 3, saying the team has the ability to “explode and implode.”
They’ve turned the ball over frequently through the first four games, but have won them all. A big reason is their explosiveness. It doesn’t take long for the Seahawks to make up for their mistakes.
Davis, a University of Miami recruit, has been one of the main weapons.
In the victory at Port Charlotte last Friday, Davis rushed for 135 yards on 10 carries. He scored on a 32-yard touchdown run early in the game to spark the offense, but the pivotal play came early in the fourth quarter.
After Port Charlotte had pulled within four points, Davis delivered a 76-yard TD run to set up what proved to be the game-clinching score.
“That’s the way it’s been with our team,” Goebbel said. “Teams have made it close and then we’ve been able to score, and (Jeremy) has kind of been the spark.”
Davis, a running back and defensive back, has added to the Seahawks’ arsenal, which already included standouts such as senior quarterback Jaylen Watkins (a Florida recruit), running back Spencer Boyd (Notre Dame) and receivers Larry Gary Jr. and Prince Holloway.
Davis played at Fort Myers High last year before enrolling at Cape. He’s rushed for 288 yards and six touchdowns on 28 carries.
The Seahawks have a bye this week before opening district play Oct. 9.
Honorable mentions:
Phil Woolbright, junior, Island Coast Gators football – Woolbright gained 193 yards on eight carries, including a 64-yard TD run, in the Gators’ 32-28 loss at Clewiston.
Chris Conrad, senior, Ida Baker Bulldogs swimming – Conrad swam to first-place finishes in two events (50 freestyle and 100 breastroke) in a meet against Mariner last Tuesday.