Replacing a successful veteran coach is a tough thing to do at any level of sports.
But now Shawn Ready has done it twice in his short coaching career.
A star player at Lyman High School, Ready began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater and would eventually replace his father _ Norm Ready _ who had a long and very impressive career as the head man for the Greyhounds.
Shawn Ready made the mover over to Seminole High School last year to join Sylvester Wynn’s staff and when Wynn decided to hang up his whistle following another playoff season, it was Ready who was tabbed to replace the Hall of Fame coach.
Then to make matters worse, the 2024-2025 schedule has begun with the Fighting Seminoles playing seven of its first eight of its games on the road, including participating in possibly the best early-season tournament in the area, the Rotary Tip-Off Classic at Winter Park High School, and the big 1-day Hoops with a Heart Classic.
As one might have suspected, the Tribe (2-6) got off to a slow start, dropping its first five decisions before knocking off neighborhood rival Lake Mary (5-3), 52-44, last Friday night at Lake Mary, led by a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, plus a blocked shot, from Joerin O’Neal, Darius Colyer with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists and Jorden Pittman with seven points, five rebounds and six assists.
With the momentum gained from its first victory, Seminole headed to Orlando to take part in the Hoops with a Heart Classic on the court inside the Golden Dome at Bishop Moore Catholic High School Saturday afternoon and led by Joerin O’Neal with 14 points and seven rebounds, Jorden Pittman with 11 points, a rebound and two assists, Rashard Rachel with 10 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot and Brayden Tarpley with seven points, five rebounds and four steals the Noles romped past Boone (2-8), 70-52.
The briefs 2-game win streak came to an end at the hands of Lake Howell (8-1), 66-54, in Casselberry on Monday.
Seminole County had a big day at the Hoops with a Heart Classic, the brainchild of late Oviedo High Coach Ed Kershner which benefits former Bishop Moore coach Rob Graham, who suffered sudden cardiac arrest during a game in 2005, which was played at Bishop Moore for the first time.
In addition to Seminole High, Oviedo (5-4) used a 16-4 third quarter scoring advantage to erase a 33-31 halftime deficit to also came out on the winning side, knocking off powerful Orlando Christian Prep (3-5), 63-53, shooting a remarkable 25-for-42 (59.5-percent) from the floor.
The Lions were led by Cameron Bryant with 26 points (9-for-12 from the floor, 4-for-5 on 3-pointers) and eight rebounds, Terell James with 15 points (6-for-9, 2-for-5) and six assists, Dominic Tejada with seven points (3-for-4, 1-for-2) and two assists and Ethan Diaz with six points (3-for-5) and six rebounds.
Here are the results from the Hoops with a Heart Classic:
* Seminole 70, Boone 52.
* Lake Minneola 66, Cocoa 51.
* Oviedo 63, Orlando Christian Prep 53.
* Viera 64, Bishop Moore 46.
