The student-run news site of H. B. Plant High School

PHS News
The student-run news site of H. B. Plant High School

PHS News
The student-run news site of H. B. Plant High School

PHS News
Kate Caranante

Kate Caranante, Online Editor in Chief

Kate is a senior and the Online Editor-in-Chief of the Pep O’ Plant. She enjoys reporting on football games and hopes to major in Sports Journalism when she heads off to college next year. Kate looks forward to going to Gator games again once COVID-19 is over and is nervously waiting for the last Friday in February when she finds out if she gets into the University of Florida. Over quarantine Kate got two miniature Australian Sheppard puppies named Dakota and Delilah. In her free time she enjoys going to the beach with her friends and cooking with her family. 

All content by Kate Caranante
Standing at midfield senior Caroline Patterson prepares for the faceoff. The girls won their district and moved on to regionals to face Steinbrenner High School.

Girls lacrosse team wins district, falls in regionals

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
April 29, 2021
Standing on the sideline, the varsity flag football team prepares for their game. The team made it to the second round of districts before falling to Bloomingdale High School ending their season.

Flag football season comes to an end 

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
April 26, 2021
Relaying the play to his team, senior Tucker Gleason prepares for the next series.

Sports affect the mental health of student athletes

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
March 11, 2019
At the sound of the buzzer, the girls basketball team swarms senior captain Nyla Jean on Feb. 27 at FHSAA 7A Girls Basketball State Championship at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. After losing in the State Finals to Miami High School last year, the girls came back and defeated the Miami Stingarees 52-40 and claimed Plant’s first girls basketball state title.

Girls basketball team makes history

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
March 7, 2021
On Friday, Feb. 19, the girls basketball team secured their position in the FHSAA Class 7A State Finals as they took down Oak Ridge High School 63-29, claiming the Region 2 Championship. The girls will advance to the state semifinals game Friday, Feb. 26 in Lakeland, FL, where they will face Oakleaf High School.

Girls basketball prepares for state semifinals

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
February 25, 2021
Standing on the track, seniors Ray Desanto, Marquise Jackson, and Brooks Bak smile for a picture. The three seniors signed to continue their football careers at the collegiate level on Nation Signing Day.

Three students sign on National Signing Day  

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
February 5, 2021
Staff tries popcorn in honor of national popcorn day and ranks them out of 5 kernels.

Staff tries different flavored popcorns

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
January 20, 2021
Looking at the defender, junior point guard Jean Luma prepares to take a shot. The boys' basketball team was defeated by Alonso High School in their second game of the season.

Boys basketball falls to Alonso

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
December 10, 2020
Surrounding their gingerbread house, senior Julia Wolfe and juniors Salena Kahassai and Rowan O'Flanagan apply candies to the roof. The team was awarded the superlative of Best Late Entry.

Gingerbread House Superlatives

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
December 18, 2020
Looking out at his friends and family, senior Matthew Sherer prepares to sign his letter of intent. Sherer will be attending Lafayette College next fall.

Student signs letter of intent on National Signing Day

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
December 17, 2020
Looking down the court, senior point guard Nyla Jean heads toward the basket. The girls' basketball team has started their season with a record of 6-0.

Girls basketball defeats Alonso  

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
December 9, 2020
Sitting on the table, the plate is filled with the slices of pies to try. Each staffer tried nine pies.

Staff taste tests pies

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
November 22, 2020
Holding up his helmet, senior offensive lineman Rod Miller sings the alma mater after the game Friday, Nov. 13. The team finished the season with a record of 2-6.

Varsity football season comes to an end

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
November 19, 2020
Holding the microphone soccer player Lauren Webster announces she will be attending Meredith College next fall. Three other members of the girls' soccer team also signed letters of intent on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Students speak at signing day ceremony

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
November 18, 2020
Running toward the end zone, senior wide reciever Ray DeSanto runs back the opening kickoff. DeSanto scored the varsity football team's only touchdown of the game.

Varsity football prepares for play-in game

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
November 13, 2020
Lifting up her arms, sophomore Jade Bedell celebrates while playing Steinbrenner High School on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The team advanced to the State Semifinals after defeating Vero Beach High School.

Volleyball advances to State Semifinals

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
November 6, 2020
Holding out the ball, junior wide receiver Peter Essad reaches for the end zone. The varsity football team defeated Alonso High School on Friday, Oct. 30 giving them their second win of the season.

Varsity football makes big plays to defeat Alonso

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
November 5, 2020
With their hands in the air seniors Katie Samel, Emma Welch and Carolee Jones cheer on the varsity football team in the second quarter. The girls wore pink paint and accessories in honor of breast cancer awareness month.

Spike Squad helps fill student section

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
October 30, 2020
After cutting up all the pumpkin spice flavored foods, each staff member filled a plate with treats to try. Each food was ranked in order to find a winner and a loser.

Staff tries pumpkin spice flavored foods

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
October 28, 2020
Walking down the aisle senior John Banks Whiteley holds his little sister's hand. Whiteley said his going miss going to Moe's after meets with his teammates.

Swim team celebrates senior night

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
October 16, 2020
Running down the sideline, the ball carrier tries to avoid a Riverview defender. The junior varsity football team defeated their four opponents by a combined 119-6.

Junior varsity football goes undefeated

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
October 9, 2020
Trying to get around the defender, junior wide receiver Caleb Faris heads toward the end zone. The varsity football team's season ended with a loss to Lakeland.

Varsity football falls short to Lakeland in Regional Finals

Kate Caranante, Staff Writer
November 25, 2018
Running down the field, return man EJ Crawford prepares to escape the defenders. The varsity football team will face Sickles High School on Friday, Sept. 25.

Varsity football player honors teammate

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
September 25, 2020
Standing alongside his family, senior wide receiver Ray Desanto smiles for a picture during the senior night ceremony. Desanto caught the first touchdown of the season versus Lennard on Friday, Sept. 11.

Varsity football honors seniors

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
September 17, 2020
Walking up the bleachers blue masking tape X’s mark where spectators will sit. Each group of four spectators submitted by the student athlete will sit between the X’s.

Hillsborough County announces Return to Athletics Plan

Kate Caranante, Editor in Chief
September 10, 2020
Holding a draft card, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces defensive end Chase Young as the Washington Redskins pick. The NFL held a virtual draft due to Coronavirus concerns.

Virtual NFL Draft is a success

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
May 1, 2020
The XFL fills for bankruptcy amid pandemic. This is the second time league has not made it past its first season.

XFL files for Bankruptcy

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
April 28, 2020
Free agency brings hope to Buccaneers as Tom Brady signs with them.

Free agency brings hope to Buccaneers

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
April 17, 2020
Showing off their creations, students create crafts at the anime club table. This year was the first time the club participated in Spring Fling.

[Photo] Altered Spring Fling held due to virus concerns

Graham Hill, Editor in Chief
March 13, 2020
Surrounded by players, Weiner holds up the 2009 State Championship Trophy. Varsity football defeated Manatee High School 21-14.

More than a game

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
February 26, 2020
Preparing to face Armwood High School, senior linebackers Ben Hestorff and Jackson Hacker walk onto the field holding hands. Hestorff later wore number five to honor his teammate.

#5Strong

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
November 20, 2019
Holding hands as they walk onto the field, junior defensive backs Christian Maxie and Matthew Rogero get ready for the game. The varsity football team fell 38-3 versus Armwood High School in the second game Friday, August 23.

Varsity football keeps playoff hopes alive

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
October 4, 2019
Clapping his hands, senior wide receiver Frank Murphy leads pregame warm ups. The varsity football team fell to Armwood 38-3.

Varsity football looks to improve during bye week

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
September 13, 2019
Backpedaling during practice, senior cornerback Elijah Cook prepares for the upcoming game. The varsity football team will face Armwood High School Friday, August 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Football team unveils new theme

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
August 23, 2019
Raising his helmet after the game, senior quarterback Tucker Gleason sings the Alma Mater.  The varsity football team was defeated 49-30 against Venice in the Kickoff Classic.

Varsity football falls to Venice in Kickoff Classic

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
August 21, 2019
After watching their highlights, head coach Robert Winer introduces seniors Evan Passath and Isaac Sames April 17 in the field house. Passath is deciding between Florida Atlantic Unitverity and University of West Florida while Sames will be attending Baldwin Wallace University.

Five athletes announce college decisions

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
May 2, 2019
Defending the goal, senior Charley Brannan attempts to get the ball Jesuit High School March 16. The boys varsity lacrosse team lost to Jesuit High School 10-5.

Boys lacrosse lose in playoffs

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
May 1, 2019
The girls distance track team travels to Tallahassee to compete in relays at Florida State University against individuals from all over the country Mar. 22 and 23. Nine out of the 11 girls ran personal records at the relays.

Distance track competes at FSU relays

Kate Caranante, Sports Editor
April 1, 2019
Crowded under the basket, juniors Elijah Gonzalez and Regan Weiss and seniors Bobby Gough and Logan Morrissey all look for the rebound Jan. 22 in the gymnasium. The boys basketball team beat Sickles High School 64-51.

Sports Update

Hartley Hill and Kate Caranante
February 26, 2019
Following the signing of their letters of intent, seniors Caleb Faris, Enrique Jerico DeJesus, Jude May, Romain "Smoke" Mungin and Cameron Shaw stand alongside head coach Robert Weiner in the media center Wednesday, Feb. 6. They all announced their decisions to play Division I football on National Signing Day.

Students sign national letters of intent

Kate Caranante, Staff Writer
February 7, 2019
Calling him a “once in a lifetime player,” head coach Robert Weiner introduces senior offensive lineman William Putnam Dec. 20 in the field house. Putnam announced he had signed with Clemson University by pulling out a Clemson hat and placing it on his head.

Student athletes sign letters of intent

Kate Caranante, Staff Writer
December 31, 2018
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