These Coral Springs Charter Panthers Are Tough
Tommy Romero unleashes one of his fastballs during a recent preseason game.
The Coral Springs Charter Panthers are tough. Everything about them is tough, starting with Manager Mike Higgins. Higgins returns to the helm, leading the Panthers after taking a year off due to health issues last season, after being on the coaching staff for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
The Panthers finished 14-10 last year with a 6-6 record in District 4A-14. Higgins is back with high aspirations for the year ahead.
“We’re young, but I’m excited,” Higgins said. “After the first couple of weeks, we’ll know where we stand.”
Higgins is pumped up because he has his solid coaching staff back. Back to assist Higgins are Robert Perez, Tom Magrann and Woody Smith. These men lend a wealth of baseball knowledge and experience to the Panthers nine. The coaches, along with Higgins, spend a great deal of time teaching the fundamentals of the game to their squad.
“Even though we have had a change in Manager from last year, the guys I worked with before are back and that is important. It keeps our continuity,” Higgins explained.
Coral Springs Charter will feature a sound pitching staff as their strength. Returning to the mound this year are, seniors Tommy Romero, Ryker Faircloth and junior James Doherty. Romero had four wins last year and is expected to be the ace of the staff. The six-foot right-handed pitcher can bring the heat, having been clocked throwing 92 miles an hour. Faircloth will provide a different look for Higgins’ staff. He stands six-feet, five inches and offers an array of different pitch speeds from the left side.
Higgins will also rely on Chris Chico, a returning senior, to throw some innings, especially in relief.
“I am looking forward to this year,” Chico said. “I expect to do better than last year. I will throw more innings and I look to have a lower earned run average.”
The Panthers will be led on offense by James Doherty and a couple of tough outs, Gary Demeyer and Zack Webber.
James Doherty, a good glove at third base, will also pitch and hit for power for the 2015 Panthers.
“Doherty was our big power guy last year. We’re counting on him to swing the bat,” added Higgins. “Demeyer and Webber also play football. They are real competitive and tough in game situations.”
Coral Springs Charter picked up a newcomer in senior Tyler Ray. Ray exhibited a quick bat from the left side of the plate in a recent preseason game. He will provide Higgins and the Panthers with a versatile bat, hitting second in the batting order.
The Panthers are not going to hide from any challenge.
“We play a very, very competitive schedule this year,” Higgins said. “I think we play four or five returning state champions. We planned it this way. We did this on purpose. I want to be the team that when we come to the end of the year we have hit all of the peaks and valleys. When it comes time for the districts, I hope we are a little angry and ready to get at it.”
This exemplifies the 2015 Panther team. Their Manager is tough and their assistant coaches work them through a tough regiment of drills. Their schedule does not offer them any breaks and they are not looking for them. This team is looking forward to this season and looking to take it on, one tough game after another.
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