Youth: Naples Youth Soccer Club U-16 girls shine at State Cup

The Naples Youth Soccer Club’s U-16 girls team won three of four matches at the State Cup round of 16 during Memorial Day weekend.

The team defeated Palm Beach United, 5-1, West Pasco, 2-1 and West Pines United, 2-1, to win its bracket and qualify for the semifinals. Jamie Takala, Jen Maybin and Rachel King all scored goals. Kelly Tripp, Alex Sheckler and Nina Cibula had assists.

The Naples U-16 team will represent Southwest Florida at the state championship competition this weekend in Palm Bay. They will play the defending champion Countryside Lightning in the semifinals. Other members of the Naples U-16 team include Steph McNamara, Jordan Shechter, Jacquie Lista, Cami Lewis, Kaylen McCormick, Marluy Izaguirre, Justine Long, Jackie Sullivan and Alex McLay.

Tryouts for the next seasonal year will be held 6 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday at Vineyards Community Park. More details are available at www.naplessoccer.com.

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The Bandits Baseball, an 11-and-under USSA squad comprised of players from Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Estero, won both the Triple-A division and Major Divison of the World Series.

The Bandits won second place during a USSSA tournament in Jupiter over Memorial Day weekend. The Bandits earned a berth to the World Series in the Major Division and the final berth into the Elite 12 next weekend in Sanford.

The tournament features the top 12 teams in the division from Florida. The World Series will be played this month.

The Bandits will arrive wearing their third-place medals from this weekend out of Houston after competing in the Governor’s Games in Louisiana, placing third out of more than 40 teams.

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The Naples Gators are still conducting on-line sign-ups for tackle and cheer for ages 6-14 and flag for ages 5-7 and 8-10. Practice begins July 10 for all tackle kids and mid-August for flag. Travel will be minimal for tackle this year. Sign up by going to www.naplesgators.com or call 537-5334 for more information. Cost is $160 for tackle and $90 for flag.

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The Optimist Club of Naples will be starting its ninth season of middle-school volleyball in August.

The Optimist Volleyball League is offered to students enrolled in Collier County middle schools.

League practice will begin the week of Sept. 4. Games will be played on Sundays at Barron Collier High School, beginning Sept. 17 through Oct. 29.

Registration is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19 at Barron Collier High School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.naplesoptimistclub.com.

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The Optimist Club of Naples will be starting its 34th season of middle-school basketball in November.

The Optimist Basketball League is offered to students enrolled in Collier County middle schools.

League practice will begin the week of Nov. 6. Games will be played on Saturdays and Sundays at Golden Gate High School, beginning Dec. 2 through Feb. 11.

Registration is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14 at Vineyards Community Park, next to the concession stand, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For further information, visit www.naplesoptimistclub.com

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The Fort Myers Miracle baseball team will hold its annual three-day youth baseball camps at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.

Kids ages 6-12 will learn to run like Miracle players Alexi Casilla, hit like Garrett Guzman and pitch like Kevin Slowey.

This year there will be two camps at Hammond Stadium.

From 20-22 kids ages 6-8 will participate each day from 9 a.m. until noon and kids ages 9-12 will participate from July 19-21 from 9 a.m. until noon each day.

Limited spots are available. For $100, each child will receive breakfast, juice and lunch. Kids will all be given T-shirts, a baseball cap, graduation certification, a ticket to each Miracle game on the corresponding camp days and professional teaching from Miracle players and coaches.

Each camp is limited to 90 kids. To register, call Justin Stecz at the Miracle office at 768-4210 or visit the Web site at www.miraclebaseball.com.

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To have your youth activity listed in the calendar, mail it to Naples Daily News, Kids Calendar, 1075 Central Ave., Naples, Fla., 34102. You can also fax the information to 239-263-4816 or e- mail sports@naplesnews.com but e- mail is preferred by no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays.