By Matt Wiley
The season has only recently begun, but both the Freedom High Patriots and Wharton High Wildcats have their eyes set on their respective District tournaments.
Cedric Smith’s Patriots started the season strong at 3-0 (1-0 in District 7A-8) going into the Fall break, with their most recent victory against District rival Gaither High (0-2, 0-1), along with non-District wins against Middleton High (2-1) and the season opener against Robinson (2-1).
“Middleton was a lot better than when we played them last season,” Smith said of the Patriots’ narrow 53-50 home-opener win. “Gaither was good, too.”
The Pats were down 3 points at the half against Gaither, but rallied with 21 fourth-quarter points to seal the 60-47 victory over the Cowboys. Senior shooting guard Michael Keller and sophomore winger Sheldon Odunna led the way with 12 and 13 points, respectively.
“We’ve got a young team,” Smith said. “Our District looks strong. (Despite a slow start), Wiregrass Ranch (1-2, 0-1) always is strong. We’re going to have our hands full this season.”
Although Freedom is off to a solid start, the Pats have managed to do so without key veteran contributors Scott Patchan, the junior center, and sophomore winger Quenden James, who are both out with in- juries until at least late December.
“They’re both key players for us,” Smith explained. “They both have experience and have played under me for two years. These younger guys are having to step up.” Smith said that his point guards and other wingers have to to play well through- out the season, especially junior winger Miguel Rojas (averaging 13 ppg) and Odunna (averaging 12.3 ppg).
At our press time, Smith said that the Pats were gearing up for an Orlando tournament Thanksgiving weekend, where they would face Winter Park. “This is going to be our first real test,” Smith said.
Wharton Looks To Get Wild Meanwhile, coach Tommy Tonelli’s Wharton Wildcats (1-1, 0-1 in District 8A- 7) have a reputation to live up to, after making it all the way to the State Semifinals last season and going undefeated in District play the past two seasons. That streak came to an end quickly this season, however, in the ‘Cats’ second game, a tough 46-40 loss to District rival Plant High (3-2, 1-0) on November 21.
“I was pleased with the season opener against Sickles (a 58-43 non-District win), but disappointed against Plant,” Tonelli said. “(Plant) played well and I give them credit. Our defense was good, but we struggled offensively.”
However, Tonelli said that he is still optimistic about the season.
“We’ve only had two practices with the whole team,” he said. “Chase Litton and Auden Tate just finished up football. Once everyone is on the same page, we’ll do well.”
Litton and Tate combined for just 11 points against Plant, while junior John Christian stepped up with 13 points.
Tonelli said district games are always his biggest concern, but that he looks forward to the annual showdown against New Tampa rival Freedom High, which will be on Friday, January 24, at Freedom.
“Freedom has improved a lot,” he said. “They’ve made strides each year. We expect it to be a dogfight.”
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