SIDELINES 11.26.14

+ Olympia coach will not return

Olympia High School Athletic Director Lauren Bradley announced last week that Tom Paolucci, who coached the Titans football team the past two seasons, will no longer be the head coach for the program.

“Principal Guy Swenson and I decided that our football program needs new leadership, and we will begin our search for a head varsity football coach effective immediately,” Bradley stated in a release. 

Olympia went 3-7 in 2013, Paolucci’s first season, and 1-8 this fall.

The release said that Paolucci was informed of the decision Nov. 19 and that the players were told the next day.

+ Yankees adds West Orange alum

Mason Williams, a former star outfielder for the West Orange Warriors baseball team, was added to the 40-man roster for the New York Yankees last week.

Williams was drafted by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft and has been in the club’s minor league system since.

Williams, praised for his speed and abilities on defense, played the 2014 season at the Double-A level for the Trenton Thunder, which competes in the Eastern League.

+ Bridgewater goes undefeated

Congratulations to the girls volleyball team at Bridgewater Middle School. The Bobcats went undefeated this fall.

Team members include Taylor Head, Ava Czyzewski, Erin Welsh, Emma McElveen, Taylor Nelson, McKinna Griffitts, Brinley Griffitts, Olivia Lovins, Ayanna Powell, Gabby Tovar, Leah Ferguson, Angeline Bergner, Caitlin Davis, Cassidy Chambers, Arianna Bergner and Katie Boeneman.

The team is coached by Layla West.

+ DP alum named new head coach

Doug Gabriel, a former star wide receiver at Dr. Phillips and UCF before playing in the NFL, has been named the head coach at East River High School after serving as the program’s interim coach this past season.

Gabriel had been the offensive coordinator for the Falcons before being put in charge of the team in August, when former head coach Marc Rankin was asked to resign.

+ Magic star sponsors tourney 

Dr. Phillips High School will host the first Victor Oladipo Invitational on Dec. 26, 27 and 29.

The tournament is named for the star guard for the Orlando Magic, the No. 2 selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, who is sponsoring the event.