Southshore’s Hope for a District Title

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A Tale of Two Cities

The Rise and Fall of High School Basketball in Southshore

Thursday night at Plant High School, the dreams of two cities collided, marking an end to one and breathing new life into the other.

Ruskin’s Lennard basketball team faced an overwhelming opponent in Plant and were unable to pull off what would have been a historic upset. For the Longhorns, led by senior guard Devin Freeman, the defeat was doubly hard to swallow as the entire starting lineup is made up of seniors. Thursday night marked the final high school basketball game of their careers.

A season wrought with more downs than ups, the Lennard Longhorns never stopped fighting. While postseason play has ended for the Ruskin High School, life is just beginning for these young men as they move on to the next chapter.

The other side of the coin at Plant last night was Riverview’s own Sumner Boys Basketball team. Led by senior guard Bennard Anson, the Stingrays could not be stopped. They held Palm Harbor to just 13 points as they marched their way into the District Championship game this Saturday.

They will face Plant at home, an opponent they lost to earlier this year by ten points. But with late-season momentum on their side, Sumner has its eyes on revenge. The dream of a district title is still very much alive, and if they play with the same grit and teamwork they displayed Thursday night, their dreams may very well come true.

Other Southshore schools, Riverview, East Bay, Morgan, and Spoto, have also fallen out of the district race. All our hopes now rest with Sumner.

Good luck tomorrow, boys. Make us proud.

When You Actually Need Insurance, It’s Already Too Late

From storms to traffic accidents, why Southshore residents are rethinking how they choose insurance coverage

Let’s be honest. Nobody likes to talk about insurance until they need it. It’s one of those things you don’t even think about until someone slams into the back of your car or a tree branch torpedoes through your living room window at 7 pm.

Insurance is a necessary evil, and the industry sometimes gets an unfair reputation. Most people only experience it when something has gone wrong. That’s why working with an independent insurance agent matters. You want someone looking out for your best interest, not just pushing one company’s policy.

Most Insurance Services has been helping families and businesses protect what matters most for years by doing things differently. Instead of being tied to a single carrier, they shop multiple insurance companies to find coverage that fits your needs and your budget. That means you get options, honest advice, and someone who can actually explain what you’re paying for before you ever have to file a claim.

In a place like Southshore, where storms, growth, and traffic are all part of daily life, having the right coverage isn’t just paperwork. It’s peace of mind. Whether it’s home, auto, flood, or business insurance, having a local team that understands the area makes a difference when it matters most.

Because the goal isn’t just having insurance. It’s knowing you’re covered when life happens.

That’s Not Fair

As the Florida State Fair returns to Hillsborough County, rising costs, increased security, and changing traditions leave many wondering if the experience is still worth it.

If you grew up in the Tampa Bay area, you’ve been to the fair a time or two. From elementary school field trips to the coveted Students Day, the Florida State Fair is a Hillsborough County staple. But as fair season rolls around this year, I wonder just how many people still pencil this in on their calendar.

Over the years, the fair has become known more for fights, safety concerns, and prices that require a second mortgage than the town fun spot of yesteryear. What was once an easy, affordable night out for families now feels like something you have to think twice about before going.

And now, with more than 1,000 deputies working this year’s event for security and new rules requiring all visitors under 18 to have a 21-year-old chaperone after 5 pm, I’m struggling to find a reason for this to exist in the same way it once did at all.

Most families in Southshore will tell you they wait until March and make the trip to Plant City’s Strawberry Festival to get their fix of state fair nostalgia. Less trouble, less ruckus, less money, and for many, more fun.

An army of officers walking around the fair doesn’t exactly scream safety. If anything, it raises more questions than answers. More concerning are the things that had to have happened for that many officers to be there in the first place. This is why we can’t have nice things.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the fair. Will you be attending? Is it still worth it? When was the last time you went? Shoot us an email or leave us a comment. Your voice matters.

The Rise of Metal Roofs in Southshore

How metal roofing is becoming a popular choice in Southshore, and why installation quality matters as much as durability

If you’ve driven through Southshore lately, you’ve probably noticed something changing above the houses. More and more metal roofs are showing up from Wimauma all the way up to Gibsonton.

And it’s not just a trend.

Florida weather has a way of making homeowners think differently about durability. Between summer storms, intense sun, and the occasional hurricane reminder that we live in paradise with conditions attached, people are looking for roofing options that last longer and hold up better over time. Metal roofs have become popular because they’re built for exactly that. They’re known for longevity, wind resistance, energy efficiency, and in many cases, lower maintenance compared to traditional shingles.

But here’s the part that doesn’t get talked about as much.

A durable roof only works if it’s installed correctly.

Metal roofing systems are different from traditional roofs. Installation requires precision, proper ventilation, and crews that understand how Florida weather actually impacts materials over time. The reality is that the quality of the installation matters just as much as the material itself. A great roof installed poorly can become an expensive problem.

That’s why many local homeowners are paying closer attention to who is doing the work, not just what product is being installed.

Steadfast Roofing has built its reputation locally by focusing on that exact idea. The goal isn’t just putting a roof on a house. It’s making sure the work holds up years down the road when the next storm rolls through. In an industry where homeowners often only interact with roofers after damage or stress, reliability and communication tend to matter just as much as craftsmanship.

As more Southshore homes move toward longer-lasting roofing options like metal, the conversation is shifting from price alone to long-term value. Because at the end of the day, the roof over your head should be dependable. And the company installing it should be too.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Not Every 911 Call Needs an Ambulance

Hillsborough County introduces telehealth option to handle non-emergency calls and ease pressure on Fire Rescue crews

As Southshore continues to grow, so does the number of calls coming into 911. Not every call is a true emergency, but emergency crews still have to respond, which can pull resources away from situations where seconds really matter.

Hillsborough County is now introducing a telehealth option for certain non-emergency medical calls. In some cases, callers may be connected with a licensed doctor by phone or video instead of automatically sending an ambulance. The goal is to keep Fire Rescue crews available for serious emergencies while still helping residents get medical guidance quickly.

For communities like Southshore, this is another example of growth putting pressure on local services. As more people move into the area, programs like this are meant to help emergency response keep pace without reducing care.

Emergency crews will still respond whenever a situation appears serious. The change is really about making sure the right help shows up at the right time as we continue to expand.

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb orbiting 30 feet above your living room? We’ve got you. And the best part, they’re all right here in our community.

Interested in joining the list? Shoot us an email to [email protected]

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Local Sports

Our area high schools boast state champions and multiple division titleists. Come out and show your support for these teams and for our community.

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Until next time,

Keep It Local.