2022 is just about wrapped up and as a new year is on the horizon, the sports scene across the Treasure Coast was filled with intrigue and success for the area.
High schools up and down Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties produced state-championship winning teams and individuals and alums from those schools made a lot of noise in their professions to create a memorable 12 months.
TCPalm dug through the calendar and put together the 20 most viewed stories by you the readers that are worth a second look as the world turns the page onto 2023.
Stories ranged from human interest to game stories and anything in between involving the top moments that we will remember from one of the most entertaining years for high school sports locally in recent memory.
Before Vero Beach prepared to play Wellington on Oct. 7, the football program hit the big-time nationally. NBC’s “Today Show: did a profile on the team as part of its “Friday Morning Lights” segment spotlighting high school football across the country.
The program has been a pillar of consistency and winning, notably led by head coaches Billy Livings, who brought the program its only state title in 1981, and current head coach and athletic director Lenny Jankowski, who coached Vero to a state record 65-game win streak in the regular season from 2013-2020.
Vero Beach on TODAY:‘Nice to be recognized’: NBC’s ‘Today’ show spotlights Vero Beach High School football team
A veteran-laden Tiger roster, led by head coach John Leon and TCPalm Player of the Year Ryan Davis, used outstanding team defense to fuel their run to a 6A state championship, defeating Ponte Vedra 53-49 in Lakeland on March 5.
Junior guard Cam Insalaco had a team-high 16 points in the final for Martin County, who had to overcome an injury late in the year to star sophomore guard Elijah Duval. Seniors Davis, Braydin Samuels, Jack Pierrelus and Jayden Pressey lead the team collectively.
State basketball title:Martin County basketball beats Ponte Vedra for first state title since 1979
High school football got underway in August with preseason kickoff classics giving the area a first look at what to expect for the 2022 season.
Kickoff Classics:Kickoff classics: What did we learn about the Treasure Coast entering Week 1?
Treasure Coast-Martin County, Fort Pierce Westwood-Vero Beach and Stoneman Douglas-Jensen Beach highlighted the Week 4 high school football slate on Sept. 16.
High school football:Treasure Coast, Vero Beach, Jensen, John Carroll beat the rain, opposition in Week 4
Vero defensive lineman Anthwone Montgomery’s key fourth-quarter pass breakup helps Vero Beach take control late in a 26-7 regional quarterfinal win over Melbourne on Nov. 19.
Vero Beach football:Vero Beach turns the ‘Deuce’ loose to dispatch Melbourne in playoff win
Former Jensen Beach girls soccer standout Tiana Caffey had a chance to play professional soccer after her career at LSU but decided to go a much different route in June ― professional wrestling.
Local pro wrestler:Jensen Beach, LSU alum Tiana Caffey trades soccer boots for shot at the WWE
Under head coach Tom McMath, Jensen Beach’s wrestling team – led by state champions Sebastian Degennaro and Jewell Williams – captured the traditional 2A state title in March adding to its state duals championship earned in January.
Jensen Beach sweep:Jensen Beach wrestling sweeps state titles to complete epic season
Vero Beach’s football team gets stopped by a talented Osceola defense in a 31-7 defeat on Nov. 25 in a Region 3-4S title game.
Vero Beach loses:High school football: Osceola’s defense dominates Vero Beach in region final
Aug. 26 was the beginning of the high school football season across the Treasure Coast where games began to count and teams showed how promising it could be in 2022.
Friday Night Lights:Friday Night Lights return! See how the Treasure Coast did in Week 1
Led by two rushing touchdowns from junior George Roberts, Treasure Coast got the better of Martin County 35-7 for its second win over the Tigers on the season in a Region 3-4S quarterfinal on Nov. 11.
Treasure Coast wins:Treasure Coast starts fast, knocks out Martin County in FHSAA Region 3-4S quarterfinal
Former Vero Beach girls basketball star and Jacksonville alum Jade Cargill has become one of the rising stars for AEW and discusses her journey beginning in Indian River County back in January.
Local pro wrestler:From humble beginnings, basketball player turned wrestler Jade Cargill takes AEW by storm
Vero Beach junior quarterback Tyler Aronson made a commitment to SMU back in July and the four-star quarterback turned in a promising season before a broken thumb sidelined him late in the year.
Aronson commits:Vero Beach quarterback Tyler Aronson commits to SMU
On Feb. 25, Ryan Davis scores 17 points to lead Martin County to a 52-47 win over top-ranked Pembroke Pines Charter to advance the Tigers into their first Final Four since 2013.
Basketball upset:Martin County seizes the moment to reach 6A Final Four for first time since 2013
Martin County senior Ricardo Weaver returns a kickoff an exhilarating 95 yards to help the Tigers shock Jensen Beach 27-22 on the game’s final play on Nov. 3.
KO return wins game:Tigers roar! Ricardo Weaver’s kickoff return on game’s last play lifts Martin County
Seven area high school football teams advanced to the postseason in the FHSAA’s new metro-suburban split with the brackets revealed on Nov. 6.
Welcome to the playoffs:Florida high school football playoff brackets: Five takeaways for Treasure Coast teams
Jensen Beach senior Ryland Hauser is the son of actor Cole Hauser, known for his roles in “Yellowstone” and “Dazed and Confused,” and is a rising college football prospect finding his own way.
Another Hauser:Jensen Beach tight end Ryland Hauser creating own legacy on football field
John Carroll Catholic senior defensive lineman Wilky Denaud announced his top four colleges he considered in his recruiting process with USA Today recruiting reporter Jon Santucci in June.
Denaud’s football future:Exclusive: John Carroll Catholic DL Wilky Denaud announces his top four schools
South Fork earned its first win of 2022, Vero Beach, Martin County and Centennial post shutouts and Jensen Beach beats Wellington on a late field goal in September.
High school football:Week 3 football: South Fork, Vero Beach, Centennial, Jensen, Martin County score wins
USA Today’s Jon Santucci compiled memories from John Carroll’s run to a 2B state semifinal with the Rams, then led by current head coach Lenny Jankowski, leading into the 2022 team coached by Mickey Groody returning to the big stage.
HS football history:Flashback: Remembering John Carroll football’s last Final Four appearance in 2003
In the first year for girls wrestling as a sanctioned FHSAA sport, Treasure Coast junior Gabriella Perez went unbeaten at 135 pounds and won the state title in March in thrilling fashion.
State girls wrestling champ:Treasure Coast junior Gabriella Perez captures dramatic state wrestling title
