sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Amanda Butler calls a play during Florida’s 68-62 loss against Georgia on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Gators look to win rebounding battle against evenly matched Tide

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 29, 2014

The surging Crimson Tide is rolling into the O’Connell Center tonight.

Sports

Junior returning from injury after decorated 2013 campaign

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Jan. 29, 2014

A dislocated arm and torn labrum knocked Marquis Dendy out of competition last year, and the junior underwent surgery in September 2013.

Offensive line coach Mike Summers at a press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Florida a finalist for Maryland offensive-line prospect

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Jan. 29, 2014

National Signing Day is just six days away, and Florida’s 2014 recruiting class currently has 21 commits. With only four scholarships remaining for the class, Florida hopes to fill one of the open spots with five-star offensive tackle Damian Prince.

Kytra Hunter performs her floor routine on Friday in the O’Connell Center. Hunter scored a perfect 10 on the routine. Her performance followed fellow UF gymnast Bridget Sloan’s perfect floor routine — the first back-to-back 10s in an event for UF in almost 18 years.

Sports

Wiping the floor: The anatomy of Hunter, Sloan’s perfect 10s

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 28, 2014

There is more to a perfect 10 than meets the eye — which is why the Gators have accomplished the feat only 17 times in the program’s 41 years of existence.

Damontre Harris poses at media day on Oct. 10, 2012. Harris, who left the team in December 2013, has practiced with the Gators after re-joining the team. Coach Billy Donovan said Harris will not play for Florida until next season.

Sports

Harris practicing with UF

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 28, 2014

Since Damontre Harris re-enrolled at Florida at the start of the semester, he has so far been successful in his attempts to work his way back into coach Billy Donovan’s good graces.

Kayla Lewis drives toward the net during Florida’s win against Georgia on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Forward racking up boards

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 28, 2014

The Gators are one of the smallest teams in the Southeastern Conference.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin talks to reporters after his team’s practice on Thursday in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks face the Denver Broncos on Sunday at 6:25 p.m. in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Sports

Gators in the NFL: Harvin cleared to return to Seahawks for Super Bowl XLVIII

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 28, 2014

Percy Harvin is ready to start making an impact again.

Florida point guard Kasey Hill shoots over Kansas guard Naadir Tharpe during No. 19 Florida's 67-61 win against No. 13 Kansas on Dec. 10 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Freshman point guard shooting poorly from three

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 28, 2014

Throughout his freshman campaign, point guard Kasey Hill’s shooting touch from beyond the arc has not been the smoothest.

Kourtney Keegan attempts a volley during the Bedford Cup on Oct. 13, 2013, at the Ring Tennis Complex. Keegan won both of her singles matches in Florida’s opening weekend.

Sports

Freshman leading the way after UF’s season-opening matches

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 28, 2014

With the ITA Kickoff Championship behind them, the No. 2 Gators’ season has not been a story of experience, repetition or expected outcomes. Instead, it has been a story of freshmen and firsts.

Sports

Golfer disappointed after opener

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Jan. 28, 2014

After the golf team’s fourth-place finish in the Florida Challenge on Monday, redshirt sophomore Katie Mitchell and her teammates are looking to improve in their first three-round tournament in Palos Verdes, Calif., on Feb. 9-11.

Chris Walker stands on the sideline as the Gators warm up during Florida’s win against Tennessee on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Donovan optimistic about Walker ruling

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 27, 2014

From the day Patric Young stepped on Florida’s campus as a freshman in 2010, the 6-foot-9 center immediately drew comparisons to some of the NBA’s biggest stars, such as Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudemire.

Ronni Williams shoots the ball during Florida’s 87-69 win against Auburn on Sunday in the O’Connell Center. Williams scored 10 points against the Tigers.

Sports

Three-pointers carry Gators

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 27, 2014

Rebounds are not an issue if you are sinking threes at will. Florida showed that on Sunday against Auburn.

Four-star running back Derrell Scott is interviewed by reporters after choosing Tennessee over Florida.

Sports

Top-10 running back prospect chooses Tennessee over Florida

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Jan. 27, 2014

Four-star running back Derrell Scott, a 2014 prospect out of Havelock, N.C., announced his verbal commitment to Tennessee on Monday afternoon.

Houston Rockets’ Chandler Parsons (25) shoots a three-point shot as Memphis Grizzlies’ Tayshaun Prince watches on Jan. 24 in Houston.

Sports

Gators in the NBA: Parsons holding Rockets together as team’s ‘glue guy’

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 27, 2014

Throughout the 2013-14 season, the Houston Rockets have called Chandler Parsons their “glue guy.”

Rachel Spicer performs on the balance beam during Florida’s 198.05-196.70 home win over Georgia on Friday.

Sports

Perfect scores overshadow junior

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 27, 2014

Rachel Spicer didn’t perform her floor routine during Florida’s 2013 title run.

Sports

Gators finish fourth in season-opening tourney

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Jan. 27, 2014

Katie Mitchell and Karolina Vickova walked onto the greens of the Black Diamond Ranch Monday morning hoping to score a win for the Gators on their birthday.

Sports

Holloway not satisfied despite solid performances

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Jan. 27, 2014

Very pleased, but not satisfied, is how coach Mike Holloway is feeling about his track and field team after two meets thus far in the indoor season.

Michael Frazier II drives the ball down the court during Florida’s 67-41 win against Tennessee on Saturday in the O’Connell Center. Frazier led the Gators with 17 points against the Volunteers.

Sports

Florida offense finding balance during conference play

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 26, 2014

For the first three games of the season, the Gators’ offense went through Casey Prather. Nearly a third of the team’s total points scored came from the senior forward.

Jaterra Bonds drives the ball down the court during Florida’s 87-69 win against Auburn on Sunday in the O’Connell Center. Bonds scored eight free throws as the Gators went 21-of-26 at the line on Sunday.

Sports

UF snaps losing streak

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 26, 2014

The Gators snapped their three-game skid with authority Sunday afternoon in the O’Connell Center.

Bridget Sloan and Kytra Hunter celebrate following Florida’s match against Georgia on Jan. 24 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Sloan, Hunter perfect on floor

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 26, 2014

When sophomore Bridget Sloan finished her floor routine Friday night, a crowd of more than 10,000 fans who gathered to see Florida (3-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) compete against Georgia erupted.