MAYO — A Division 1 college signing, clutch late-game performances, and district titles were some of the biggest and best sports moments of the 2016-17 school year at Lafayette High. 

Here’s a look at the top 10 moments. 

10. LHS volleyball wins another district title

The LHS volleyball team, led by three-sport standout Haley Ellefson and sophomore Sarah Hamlin, defeated Bell on Oct. 20 for a sixth straight district title.

Ellefson and Hamlin recorded 16 kills apiece in a 3-1 win at LHS.

9. Overcoming odds 

There were plenty of obstacles in the way, but the Lafayette girls basketball team still managed to defeat Newberry on Feb. 9 in a regional semifinal game.

Despite multiple players having the flu, and also battling some foul trouble, LHS found a way to win.

Lafayette also won its next game to advance to the final four in Lakeland.   

8. Raulerson named to all-star team

After transferring from Suwannee High, Autumn Raulerson didn’t miss a beat in her final soccer season.

She scored 25 goals and represented Lafayette in the FACA All-Star game. 

7. District title streak continues in softball

District titles have been the norm for the LHS softball team, and it was no different during the 2016-17 school year.

The Hornets defeated Madison County on April 27 for their 12th straight district championship.  

6. Moreno wins athlete of the year

Soccer standout Osiel Moreno earned the honor of LHS athlete of the year. 

He was the Hornets’ leading scorer with 25 goals and also led the team with nine assists. Moreno recored three hat tricks, which included a four-goal performance against Hamilton County.

And soccer is not even his best sport. Moreno is headed to Mississippi College and will compete in track and field.  

5. Lewis’ district title performance

Whenever the Lafayette girls basketball team needed a boost, it seemed like Jasmine Lewis was there to answer the call.

She had a huge second half in the district championship against Hamilton County on Feb. 3, scoring 19 points to help LHS come back from 10 points down to take the district crown.   

4. LHS softball upsets Suwannee

Lafayette had a big win against Suwannee on April 10, defeating SHS for the first time since 2013. 

It was a special win for the Lafayette coaching staff. LHS head coach Tommy Chambers used to coach at Suwannee. Lafayette assistant coach Timberly Steichen played softball at SHS and graduated from Suwannee High in 2015. 

3. Perry’s no-hitter

The LHS baseball team couldn’t repeat as state champion, but the Hornets still had a great second half of the season to reach a regional final. 

During that second-half run, senior Drew Perry pitched a no-hitter against Madison County on April 13, striking out seven hitters in the process. 

2. Scarborough to Walker: Last second-touchdown to beat Jefferson County 

With points hard to come by, the Lafayette football team was faced with a huge challenge in its first district game of the season, playing at home against Jefferson County on Sept. 16

Down by 5 points with 1:47 left, the Hornets’ offense took over on their own 3-yard line needing a touchdown to win.  

They moved the ball down the field quickly, and with a few seconds left on the clock, they had time for one last play 12 yards from the end zone.

That’s when quarterback Alex Scarborough found Benton Walker for the game-winning touchdown as Lafayette capped an incredible drive with an even better finish.

  

1. Castillo signs with UCF

Lafayette’s big offensive tackle, Julio Castillo, signed a letter-of-intent to play Division I college football.

A broken ankle didn’t stop Castillo during his high school career. He came back from the injury even stronger.

He’s headed to Orlando to join the University of Central Florida Knights.