The Bruce McNorton Youth Football Clinic returns to Daytona Beach on Friday, June 13 at Derbyshire Sports Complex at 849 Derbyshire Road from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The annual free event is open for boys and girls 6 to 19 years old.

Kids will learn skills and drills from former pro players and local youth and high school football coaches. There will also be 7-on-7 play.

The clinic is put on by Daytona native Bruce Mc-Norton who is a former NFL player and former NFL scout.

Registration can be done online at www.DaytonaBeach.gov/Activities

For more information, contact Terry Johnson at 386-671- or JohnsonTerry@DaytonaBeach.gov.

Daytona presenting girls flag football

Due to the sport’s ever-growing popularity, the city of Daytona Beach Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a flag football league for girls ages 10 to 15 years old. 

Free clinics are taking place at Derbyshire Sports Complex at 849 Derbyshire Road on Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The clinics are in preparation for the upcoming girls flag football season which runs through June. There is a registration fee of $40 for the girls who decide to play in the league.

Register online at https://www.DaytonaBeach.gov/Activities

For more information, call 386-671-5509.

Free baseball clinic coming in June

The Florida Minority Baseball Alliance is hosting a free baseball clinic for youth ages 5 to 12 years old at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday, June 7 at 8 a.m.

The clinic is part of the Florida Minority Baseball Alliance’s Florida Sunshine Classic which is a three-day event that promotes minority baseball players and baseball in minority communities. The event will be at Jackie Robinson Ballpark from Thursday, June 5 to Saturday, June 7.

The clinic is on the third and final day of the three-day event.

The Sunshine Classic Game is at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m.

Kids that attend the clinic can go to the game for free.

Also, during the three-day event there will be a parent’s conference, meet and greet, luncheon, players showcase and a college fair.

For more information, the complete schedule, reg- istration and more, visit https://www.thefmba.org.

Senior shortstop Camryn Bradshaw in the batter’s box for El Toro. Senior catcher Alyssa Bueno is behind the plate for Warren (PHOTOS: Adam Kunin, For OC Sports Zone).

El Toro High School’s softball team couldn’t hold on late against Warren at home on Saturday afternoon, as the Bears made a seventh-inning comeback to defeat the Chargers 8-7 in the semifinals of the CIF Division 4 playoffs.  

After falling behind 5-2, El Toro battled back to retake the lead in the sixth inning. However, Warren’s three-run seventh inning erased the Chargers’ two-run lead and propelled the Chargers to a road win.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

El Toro meets postgame following its 8-7 loss to Warren in the CIF Division 4 semifinals.

El Toro senior left fielder Madison Huff cuts down her banner in her final game after El Toro’s 8-7 loss to Warren.

Warren starting pitcher, sophomore right-hander Emi Ibarra, prepares to deliver a pitch.

El Toro starting pitcher, sophomore right-hander Hayden Stofle, winds up to pitch.

Junior third baseman Sadie Mitchell hitting for El Toro. Senior catcher Alyssa Bueno behind the plate for Warren.

El Toro and Warren shake hands following their CIF Division 4 playoff game.

With the victory, Warren (20-12) punched its ticket to the CIF Division 4 title game, where it will play Long Beach Poly at Deanna Manning Stadium Friday at 3:15 p.m.

On the other hand, El Toro (14-13-1) had its CIF playoff run come to an end in the semifinal round.

Despite the loss, El Toro Coach Shannon Tinsley remained proud of her team’s perseverance throughout the season. 

The Chargers, who started the spring with a 3-7 record, needed to make a push in league play to secure a spot in the postseason. The young group slowly found a groove and carried momentum into the playoffs, where it earned three victories before falling in the semifinals. 

“We had a really slow start to the season in every way possible,” Tinsley said. “So to be playing our best softball in the biggest moment at the end of the year, I told them, I’m so proud of you guys.”

El Toro displayed its resilience on Saturday after it surrendered its 2-0 lead after a four-run frame from Warren. 

The inning, highlighted by a three-run home run to left field from senior first baseman Rachel Lopez, put the Bears up 5-2.

However, the Chargers quickly responded. In the bottom half of the inning, El Toro tacked on three runs courtesy of three-straight RBI hits from senior shortstop Camryn Bradshaw, junior third baseman Sadie Mitchell and junior first baseman Emerson Rollins. 

Then, the Chargers found some more offense in the fifth and sixth. A sacrifice fly from junior catcher Karissa Spieler gave El Toro the go-ahead run in the fifth, while Bradshaw launched a solo shot over the fence in left to give her team some insurance in the sixth.

Yet, the Bears didn’t back down. Doubles from senior left fielder Sophia Munguia and junior shortstop Lexi Cortez helped Warren score three in the seventh, which proved to be enough for the Bears on the road to pick up an 8-7 victory. 

The loss marked the line for El Toro’s two seniors in Bradshaw and left fielder Madison Huff.

Bradshaw, who won El Toro female athlete of the year, played a crucial role in turning the program into a perennial postseason team. 

“Camryn Bradshaw is the gold standard … Her numbers are impressive, but it’s her intangibles that make her really special,” Tinsley said.

Bradshaw remains optimistic that under Tinsley, the program can continue to grow. 

“Before I came here, they (El Toro) hadn’t made the postseason in a really long time,” Bradshaw said. “I remember stepping on the field freshman year, and coach Shannon had a different message for the team, and I was thankful I got that all four years.

“We do things that people don’t see …  That’s the reason we keep getting so far, and I’m really excited to see how this program continues to grow.”

The young team, with five freshmen and two sophomores, looks forward to gearing back up for another run at the postseason next spring. Nonetheless, Tinsley hopes the Chargers can learn from this season, as she believes getting their underclassmen to get integrated quickly will remain vital to the squad’s success next year.

“When those freshmen bought in, that’s really when we turned the corner,” Tinsley said. “I think it’s just [about] getting the new kids next year to buy in early.”

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On the last weekend of April, the 2025 Florida State Boxing Junior Olympics Amateur Tournament was held in Orlando, Florida. The Spring Hill-based dojo Primal Striking and BJJ represented the area well with five fighters, two of whom won individual state titles in their respective divisions.

“Good squad,” said Primal Striking Coach Frank Alagna. “I am so proud of them. Honestly, we really had a great time. It was a great weekend in Orlando, and for them to come back with new hardware for the gym – really special.”

The coach’s five fighters included:
– Brayan “The Cuban Missile” Diaz Granado
– Anthony “Ant-Man” Page
– Francesco “El Coqui” Alagna
– Luis (LJ) “Lockjaw” Rodriguez
– Jayden “El Flaco” Soto

The nine-year-old Anthony was victorious in the 85-pound class, earning him the Junior Olympic Gold Medal on Sunday.

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“It was just cool knowing that I was going to go to the Junior Olympics,” said Anthony.

Brayan, 18 years old, took the state title in the Youth 132-pound weight class. When discussing Granado further, Coach Alagna paid homage to Four Corners Boxing Coach Anthony Vasquez, whom he called “one of the best coaches in the state.”

Coach Alagna and company have held several joint sparring sessions with the New Port Richey-based Vasquez. Across their interactions, Coach Vasquez relayed to the Primal Striking instructor who Brayan was and that the boxer was moving from New Port Richey to Spring Hill.

Granado had no fights under his belt, but Coach Alagna noted that “it was kind of a blessing that he gave me.” Once Brayan became a part of Primal Striking in the spring of 2024, Alagna had the boxer train for about six months before flying him up to New York for his first fight.

His coach added that Granado won a New York State Championship at the New York State Fairgrounds in front of thousands of people. Now, Granado has competed in six fights (excluding two no-shows by his opponent) and has a state title to his name.

“It meant a lot to compete [in Orlando] because I am coming off two losses, so I really needed this big win for the Olympics,” said Granado. “I feel like boxing is all I got […] I needed this win so I could keep on advancing in boxing because it is a need. It is not like I want to do it, it is like all I got.”

The boxers began their time at Primal Striking having never competed in an official match, and now they are both Florida State Junior Olympic Champions. At 9 and 18, the pair represents the youngest and oldest boxers who competed for Coach Frank Alagna in Orlando. The fighters are varied not just in age, but in styles, too.

“Very proud of these boys,” said Coach Alagna. “Every one of them has their own style and their own skills that they bring to the table […] It is a wide range, and how they work together and care about each other and really truly have that team attitude […] they are all right there cheering, video recording, and supporting each other as well as in the gym.”

It has been exciting for the Primal Striking coach to see the program grow over the last four-plus years. Founded in 2021 with only four members and Francesco Alagna as the sole fighter representing the dojo, Primal Striking and BJJ has grown each year. Last year, three fighters were sent to the Junior Olympics, while this year, five made the trip.

For Coach Alagna, though, it is not solely about boxing but rather the skills that the sport can foster. He wants boxing to be just one part of the athletes’ fulfilling, multi-faceted lives.

“That is what I want these kids to get excited about. Going to college and using their skills in the classroom […] using that mental skill in a boardroom, learning how to debate somebody [and being quick and accurate].”

CINCINNATI (AP) — Elly De La Cruz drove in four runs and the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-4 Saturday to end a three-game losing streak.

Justin Turner and Carson Kelly homered as the Cubs had a three-game winning streak snapped. Kelly came into the game in the fifth inning after catcher Miguel Amaya suffered a left oblique strain.

De La Cruz and the Reds struck quickly in the first. After Santiago Espinal drew a walk with one out, De La Cruz lined a fastball by Colin Rea (3-1) into the seats in right-center for a 2-0 lead.

The dynamic 23-year-old shortstop added a two-run base hit to center in the fifth inning to extend the Reds’ advantage to 5-1.

The top of the Reds’ order went 5 for 11 and accounted for five runs scored.

Emilio Pagán got his 13th save in 15 opportunities.

Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott (4-0) allowed only one run in six innings. The solo shot by Turner was the first homer the left-hander had allowed in 23 2/3 innings and 100 batters.

Rea, who had allowed only 10 runs (nine earned) in seven previous starts this season, gave up six runs in five innings.

Key moment

Turner’s homer off the left-field foul pole to lead off the ninth got the Cubs within two runs. Matt Shaw doubled with one out, but Emilio Pagan struck out Ian Happ and got Kyle Tucker to fly out to end the game.

Key stat

Turner is the first Cubs player age 40 or older to homer in a game since Gary Gaetti in 1999. Ernie Banks, Davey Lopes, Walker Cooper and Charlie Root are the other Cubs who have homered in their 40s.

Up next

Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (3-3, 5.44 ERA) faces Reds lefty Nick Lodolo (4-4, 3.22 ERA) in the series finale Sunday.

The City of Dallas has announced the fourth annual Summer of Safety campaign, a citywide initiative to keep youth engaged, active, and safe during summer through free and low-cost programs.

The campaign, running from late May to early August, aims to promote public safety while offering learning, creativity, and recreation opportunities.

The initiative was announced at a press conference at Singing Hills Recreation Center, where Mayor Eric Johnson emphasized that public safety remains his top priority. He noted that Dallas has seen four consecutive years of violent crime reduction, with further declines during the summer since the campaign began.

“Public safety is my highest priority for Dallas, and the annual Summer of Safety is a critical component of the data-driven, holistic approach we take to public safety in this city,” Johnson said. “The Summer of Safety is also one of the many ways we show our youth that they are valued members of our community. We are keeping Dallas safe, helping our kids have fun during the summer, and instilling in our youth a love for Dallas by showing them that Dallas loves them.”

The 2025 campaign builds on past successes with programs like the SMART Summer reading challenge, the Teen All Access Pass, and the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program.

The Teen All Access Pass, available starting July 1 at city recreation centers, provides free admission for Dallas residents ages 13–17 to venues like the Dallas Zoo, Bahama Beach Waterpark, and Perot Museum.

The Youth Sports Ticket Program offers free access to local professional, collegiate, and amateur sporting events.

“This summer, our priority is clear: keep our city safe and our kids engaged. Violent crime is down – and continues to decline – not by chance, but through education, awareness, and collaboration,” Comeaux said. “Parents, community members, city leadership, and law enforcement are working together to keep our kids active, informed, and supported, while strengthening the neighborhoods we call home.”

The Dallas Public Library, with 30 locations citywide, offers free Wi-Fi, computer access, and hundreds of workshops and events.

The SMART Summer program, from May 31 to August 9, encourages kids ages birth to 18 to read, discover, and create to earn free books. A kickoff party is planned for May 31 at select libraries in partnership with Dallas ISD.

The library also provides free meals to kids under 18 at 15 locations; proof of need is not required. Teen-specific programs include Roblox workshops at the North Oak Cliff Branch and a Teen D&D program at the Pleasant Grove Branch.

The Culture Pass Dallas, a collaboration between the Office of Arts and Culture and the Dallas Public Library, offers library cardholders free access to arts and culture programming. More details are available here.

Dallas Park and Recreation oversees 42 recreation centers, nine community pools, 17 spraygrounds, three Cove aquatic centers, and the Bahama Beach Waterpark. Programs include Discover Dallas, a free summer camp for ages 5–12, and Outdoor Adventures New Horizons at Samuell Farm in Mesquite for ages 7–15, featuring activities like kayaking and archery.

The Best Buy Teen Tech Center provides a creative space for ages 12–17 to develop tech skills.

Counselor-in-Training programs at select recreation centers offer leadership training for ages 13–17. The department also hires over 400 seasonal employees for aquatics roles, with pay ranging from $19.83 to $23.

The Dallas Police Activities League (PAL) engages youth ages 8–18 through athletic, educational, and recreational activities like boxing, martial arts, and basketball training camps to foster positive relationships with law enforcement and promote personal growth.

A full list of the Summer of Safety 2025 activities is available online.