ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: CORAL SHORES’ EDDY ESPINOSA

Eddy Espinosa battles through a swarm of Marathon defenders on his way to the hoop. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

Eddy Espinosa
Senior, Coral Shores
Basketball

“Eddy Espinosa played the best game of his career in the win over Key West.” – Coral Shores head coach Jarrod Mandozzi

Coral Shores’ Eddy Espinosa has been a key contributor to the Hurricanes’ machine that has dominated Keys basketball all season. The past few games, though, Espinosa has made it clear that he is not just a contributor; he is a force in his own right.

Espinosa stepped up and helped lead his team to eight consecutive wins and counting. In the ’Canes’ big Jan. 24 win over Key West, Espinosa dropped 21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. Head coach Jarrod Mandozzi said that the team has had many athletes step up throughout the season, but last week, “Eddy Espinosa was lights out, easily having his best game of the season.”

A dependable player all year, Espinosa stepped up when his team needed him and helped hand Coral Shores this year’s Kings of the Keys title with wins over both Marathon and Key West. For his continual effort and willingness to step back and be a team player, but also shoulder the team’s work when needed, Eddy Espinosa is this week’s Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

Eddy Espinosa during the Hurricanes’ rivalry matchup against Key West. ELLA HALL/Keys Weekly
Tracy McDonald fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.