Tonelli’s Wildcats Off & Running Again

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before.

More than one month into the new high school basketball season, Wharton High is undefeated, playing great defense, and establishing itself as the team to beat in Class 7A-7.

If that sounds familiar, it should. After all, the Wildcats have won seven district titles in the past 10 seasons, and jumped out of the gate with starts like:

  • 9-0 (last year)
  • 9-1 (in 2017-18)
  • 8-1 (2016-17)
  • 11-1 (2015-16)
  • 13-0 (2014-15) and on and on.

The difference between those teams and this year’s squad? Youth. Head coach Tommy Tonelli has led his youngest team to a quick 10-0 start heading into the meat of the regular season. 

“This is by far my youngest varsity team ever,” says Tonelli of a roster that includes four freshmen and four sophomores among the 12 players. “We lost six seniors, three starters, and the county’s Player of Year in Darin Green (now at UCF). That’s a big readjustment to make.”

They seem to be adapting just fine. The Wildcats’ closest game this season was a 61-49 win over Lennard High — the 450th win of Tonelli’s career — and six of their wins have been by more than 22 points.

Their season-opening run included a tournament championship — 49-33 over Berkeley Prep — at Nature Coast Tech’s holiday tournament.

Helping with that readjustment are the team’s only two senior starters — captains Carr Thiam and Gio Reyes, who have both emerged from Green’s wide shadow to lead the Wharton kids.

“They want to continue to sustain the traditions we have and the excellence we’ve shown in past years,” Tonelli says. “They have a lot of pride. Hopefully, they get to put another district championship banner up there.”

Carr Thiam fires in three of his career-high 34 points in a win over Steinbrenner. (Photo courtesy of Jess Self)

Thiam, a versatile forward who can score from long range or create his own shots off the dribble, is averaging a team-high 23.7 points per game, along with 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals. Reyes, the point guard, is averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists a game.

Both players have embraced their roles as leaders and the team’s go-to players.

“We know we have a lot of new guys and we have to get them going, be more vocal, so they pick up things faster. We get on them every day,” Thiam says. “We talk about (leading) a lot.”

“It’s all we talk about,” Reyes adds, smiling.

Tonelli says the seniors aren’t just leading verbally, but by backing up their words on the court.

“They set the right example,” he says. “I always tell the guys, if you want to see how it’s done, and you want to see what playing hard is, just watch those two. If you ever have any doubts, watch those two.”

The Wildcats are coming off a 26-5 season, and the team advanced to the Class 8A Regional final last year. Thiam and Reyes don’t want to be part of any team that ends the Wharton string of 11 straight seasons of 20-plus wins, and if this season looked like a ripe time to finally catch Wharton on the downside, well, Thiam says “not this year.”

So far, the Wildcats are 3-for-3 in their all-important District 7A-7 match-ups, handily beating Alonso, Steinbrenner and Plant and letting the county know it is best not to be fooled by Tonelli’s youthful roster. 

Against Steinbrenner, Thiam scored a career-high 34 points.

“I hit my first shot from deep, and I thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be a good game,’” Thiam says. “I was surprised it was 34 though. I thought I had like 25 or something.”

Wharton’s youthful roster is far from a hindrance, says Thiam, but rather a benefit. He runs off a list of teammates he think will be stars down the road, and Reyes does the same.

The team does indeed have a wealth of young talent. Three of the freshman on the roster — guards Chandler Davis and Karmello Branch and forward Reginald “RJ” Bell — all started for the Turner-Bartels middle school team that went 8-0 and won the Hillsborough County championship last season.

Davis has recently moved into the starting lineup.

The Wildcats are getting contributions up and down the roster, from sophomore forward Trevor Dyson (8.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and guard Jordan Brown to junior guard Elijah Barnes and the only other senior, forward Josh Barnett, who is the tallest Wildcat at just 6’-5”.

“We’ve got pretty good depth, albeit inexperienced in a lot of ways,” Tonelli says. “But, I have a lot of confidence in what those guys can do. We may be lacking for physical size, but we have a lot of skill, a lot of guys that can put the ball in the basket…I definitely like what I see in the early going.”

2019: You weren’t so bad

Like construction site dirt through an hourglass, these were the days of our lives.

And in New Tampa in 2019, there was a lot of construction dirt.

Whether it was the New Tampa Recreation Center expanding, the New Tampa Performing Arts Center beginning or The Village at Hunter’s Lake – anchored by Sprouts — taking shape, there were plenty of dump trucks to go around.

Not bad for an area that seemed to be showing its age last year. After a series of closings in previous years and months across New Tampa – HH Gregg, Staples, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ruby Tuesday, etc. – there was enough concern that a few area folks decided our ‘hood needed a good looking at.

In June, local residents packed a room at Compton Park to voice concerns as a study by the USF School of Public Affairs kicked off.

Then, as if on cue, it was revealed that the old HH Gregg was going to be taken over by Urban Air Adventure Park, and a 16,000-sq.ft. Indian market called Taza was taking over the old Staples building, and Aldi was interesting in the Ruby Tuesday spot, and The Brunchery was moving into the former Boston market, and get this….are you sitting down….there is a light at the end of the long tunnel that is the vacant Sweetbay Supermarket.

LL Cool J would tell us not to call it a comeback, but we’re going to anyway.

New Tampa is back, baby!

But seriously though, it was a good year for the area, and 2020 is very likely going to be, as the kids like to say, off the chain, as most of the aforementioned places will all be opening.

So, what else happened in 2019?

How about this:

Fire Rescue Station No. 23 opened, giving the New Tampa area 17 fire rescue stations! We jest, it’s actually four fire stations, but you should feel pretty darned safe. Speaking of safe…

…. Unincorporated New Tampa will once again be covered by City of Tampa Fire rescue in 2020, thanks to the efforts of District 2 Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan and new mayor Jane Castor, who are both quite popular in New Tampa. Speaking of popular….

Tampa City Council member Luis Viera (center) celebrates his win on March 5 with Heritage Isles’ retired Colonel Mike Escudie (left) and Jon Fletcher, president of Vietnam Veterans of America of Tampa.

…. District 7 City Councilman Luis Viera was re-elected, with a higher percentage of the vote than any of the other 23 people who ran for the six available city council seats. Viera received 82 percent of the vote in New Tampa There is no truth to the rumor he is seeking out the 18 percent who did not vote for him, and inviting them to coffee and a chance to prove himself. And by no truth to the rumor, we mean there is totally some truth to that rumor. Speaking of rumors….

…the sale of Pebble Creek Golf Club never materialized, but the search is not over. But it’s still on the market. Speaking of markets…

…..Sprouts is coming! Did we mention that already? It should be a slam dunk winner for New Tampa. Speaking of slam dunks…

Darin Green leads Wharton in scoring.

…. Wharton’s Darin Green was named Hillsborough County’s top basketball player for the 2018-2019 season. He shined for one of the county’s best hoops programs. Speaking of high school athletes shining…

….Wharton’s Zach Goldbold won a Class 4A state championship by throwing the javelin a whopping 171 feet and 11 inches, and Freedom swimmer  Michelle Morgan qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials, and both Freedom tennis teams won district championships, and Freedom’s Cooper Smith went to state in golf and Wharton’s Teiley Vaughn won a gold medal with the USA Softball U-17 Women’s National Team and sorry are we rambling? We tend to suffer from logorrhea at times. Speaking of logorrhea….

Nupur Lala

…. that was the word that Benito eight-grader Nupur Lala spelled correctly to win the Scripps Spelling Bee 20 years ago. She’s currently doing her residency at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, and is hoping to do a fellowship in neuro-oncology, specifically glioblastoma multiforme, which we could have never spelled if she hadn’t told us how when we interviewed her for a story in June. She was an absolute delight, and still super smart. Speaking of super smart…

Drew Falkowitz

…Tampa Palms resident Drew Falkowitz, 16, became the youngest graduate in University of South Florida history in June, earning a degree in cellular and molecular biology. Sure, that sounds impressive, but my kids can play Fortnite until they pass out in a puddle of their own drool at 5 a.m., so who’s the better father now, Steve Falkowitz? Speaking of fathers….

…Father David DeJulio departed St. Marks after 16 years. It was, pardon the pun, a rather dispiriting event for many of the Catholics in New Tampa. Not to be outdone, Tirso “Junior” Cintron retired as Wharton’s head custodian after 22 years, which also broke up a surprising amount of people. Not to be outdone, publisher Gary Nager held a party celebrating 25 years of the Neighborhood News. That was another sad and heartbreaking event, but enough about Gary singing karaoke.

We hope you had a great 2019, and strap yourself in because 2020 is already shaping up to produce some monumental moments.

P.S. Kinnan-Mansfield. Sorry. We couldn’t do an end of year wrap-up without mentioning it.

Potential Tenants Set Sights On Former Sweetbay Building

Long before Tampa City Council member Luis Viera had his code enforcement eyes trained on the AMC movie theater at Highwoods Preserve, they were focused like a laser on the long-shuttered former Sweetbay grocery store right across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from the theater.

The Sweetbay building was filthy, and the parking lot was not only overgrown with weeds and other vegetation, but sometimes, it was virtually overflowing with tractor-trailers and parked storage trucks.

Sometimes, it was a dumping ground for people’s cast-off furniture, appliances and clothes.

Efforts to clean the area were sometimes successful, but little by little, the parking lot adjacent to Home Depot would revert to its former rundown status. “What it needs,” Viera has said, “is a new tenant.”

For the first time since the Sweetbay store closed in 2013, that is actually a possibility — although it won’t be anytime too soon.

According to John Neukamm, the attorney for KNK Tampa, Ltd., the California-based owners of the building, prospective purchasers and tenants have begun reaching out to his client in advance of the property becoming available in November 2020.

There have been countless stories swirling about the reasons behind the building staying empty for the past seven years. The Sweetbay store is practically a New Tampa landmark, but not in a good way. Viera has argued that it is arguably New Tampa’s most notorious eyesore.

“That’s unfortunate,” Neukamm says. “My client didn’t want it to be that way.”

Here’s the story:

In February of 1999, the property, then owned by Walter Property Investments, LLC, was leased to Kash ‘n Karry Tampa, Ltd., for a 20-year term, beginning with the completed construction of the building, which was in November of that year.

In 2001, KNK Tampa, Ltd., which has no relation to Kash ‘n Karry, bought the property, which is currently worth $1.54 million, according to Hillsborough County property tax records.

Kash ‘n Karry continued to operate under the lease until June 14, 2006, when its Belgian parent company Delhaize America Inc. converted it to a Sweetbay Supermarket, where whole pineapples and cookies were handed out to customers at its happy New Tampa grand opening.

In January of 2013, however, Publix and Walmart had each only strengthened their respective holds on the Tampa Bay grocery market, and Delhaize announced it would be closing 22 stores in the Tampa Bay area, including its New Tampa location.

In October of 2013, Jacksonville-based Bi-Lo Holdings, the parent company of Winn-Dixie, paid $265 million for 72 Sweetbay stores, plus the leases to 10 other underperforming Sweetbay supermarkets that had already been closed, one being the New Tampa location.

The New Tampa lease had six years remaining at the time. However, if there were attempts by either Delhaize and Bi-Lo Holdings to negotiate its way out of the lease, they failed. 

Subleasing would have been another option, but with such little time remaining on Sweetbay’s lease, it was likely a tough sell considering what it would have cost to properly renovate the building.

Bi-Lo Holdings has continued to pay the rent at the New Tampa location. Those monthly lease payments will come to an end in November. 

“Because we are a year out from that day, we have started to open up a dialogue with prospective purchasers and tenants,” Neukamm says. “We have been contacted already by a number of folks who are interested.”

Over the years, a number of brokers have inquired about selling the property, but Neukamm says his clients felt talks were premature because of the existing lease. 

He says there will “likely” be a new owner or tenant in place by this time next year.

And, what does Viera, who says he has been asked countless questions about the old Sweetbay since being elected in 2016, think about the possible elimination of the area’s most prominent vacant store?

“It’s about time,” he says. “It’s about time.”

The Wades — Still Creating A Winter Wonderland After All These Years

Tom and Ann Wade’s first Christmas tree was made of chicken wire shaped into a cone, with pinecones hanging as ornaments.

After 53 years of marriage, the Tampa Palms residents’ tree now towers over them, covered with garland and lights and ornaments designed to fill you with the Christmas spirit, but with a modern tech-twist that plays whatever Christmas song you ask it to.

The tree is the centerpiece of one of New Tampa’s most elaborate home-decorated winter wonderlands.

“The ornaments on the tree (are my favorite),” Tom says. “There are pictures of our kids when they were small, anniversary pictures…essentially the history of our family.”

Inside the Wades’ two-story, five-bedroom home is a trip to old-time Christmas, if you’re lucky enough to be a friend or relative (or nosy reporter) and get an invitation past the gateway of outside lights and garland wrapped around two Colonial columns, seasonal music and a striking nativity scene above the door of their residence in the Cambridge subdivision. 

No laser lights and inflatable snowmen for the Wades. The look is traditional, and people still stop when passing by to snap a quick picture.

Christmas may be over as you’re reading this, but you might still able to get a look at the lavish outside decorations. But hurry, because after this year, Tom, who is now 76 years old, says he finally plans to scale back.

“I’m getting kind of old, and I don’t need to be getting up on the roof anymore,” he says, with a chuckle.

The Wades were co-founders of the Rotary Club of New Tampa (our area’s original, morning Rotary) — Ann is the current president, as well — but it is not a misnomer to also call them the first family of Tampa Palms Christmas decorations.

In 1988, Tampa Palms developer Ken Good decided to hold a home-decorating contest to celebrate the Christmas season (and market New Tampa’s growing and largest master-planned community).

It was extravagant, as a huge crowd took part in a celebratory party, with horse-drawn carriages and some of the best decorations in an area not yet called New Tampa.

The Wades were chosen the winners of that contest by a panel of judges and awarded the first place prize — a 35-inch Mitsubishi television, worth roughly $3,000 at the time (or $5,258, adjusted for inflation).

“We didn’t know there even was a prize,” Ann says. “That was a pretty big TV back then.”

The Wades have gone all out for Christmas every year since then, even sponsoring the contest in 1997 with their own money when the original fizzled out.

Their Christmas collection, inside and out, has only grown bigger since they won that first contest. Ann says she recently counted 50 boxes of Christmas decorations, and the job of prepping the house for the holidays takes them four days, mostly with Ann working inside and Tom handling the outside.

“We just love Christmas,” Tom says.

Their dining room looks as if old Saint Nick himself has been invited over for dinner. The meticulously decorated room and table settings for hosting holiday parties with their fellow churchgoers, Rotary Club members and neighborhood friends.

But mostly, they keep doing it for their family. This year, like every year, they hosted their three children — Amy, Nathan and Laura — plus their 10 grandchildren and in-laws. “There’s 18 of us,” Ann says. “It can get wild.”

As usual, Santa showed up while the family slept. Gifts were exchanged, dinner was served Christmas night, and pictures were taken.

Who knows, one of those pictures might just end up hanging from the Christmas tree next year. 

(Photos: Charmaine George)

The Kilted Axe Prepping For January Opening

When it came to opening a new business in Wesley Chapel, Michael and Alicia Esenwein (photo) could have taken a nice, safe route.

Maybe a nice little coffee shop, a cozy family restaurant, or even a charming retail hot spot.

But no. 

They chose…axe throwing?

“It’s kind of a weird story,” Mike says. “It wasn’t ever really a long-range plan…I’m not sure anyone ever plans (something like this).”

Once you talk to Seven Oaks residents Mike and Alecia, though, the story of The Kilted Axe — which will be a combination of a hip bar and hangout for axe-throwing enthusiasts when it opens on Saturday, January 18, 5 p.m., in The Grove — actually makes perfect sense.

After all, this is a couple that three years ago sold everything they owned — except for a Christmas tree Alicia says she couldn’t get rid of — and, with three young kids in tow, traveled the world for 18 months, with stops in Indonesia, Thailand, Italy and Costa Rica.

So naturally, the Esenweins’ adventurous spirit would lead to owning an axe-throwing business.

“We were living in North Carolina temporarily, and were looking for something to do and there were like 10 locations on the east coast there that had axe throwing,” Mike says. “Most of it was in barns, or a rugged setting, but there was one place in Wilmington that was upscale and had a bar and a restaurant. We just loved it. It was a cool place to hang out.”

It wasn’t until a few years after returning from North Carolina, after running some successful Under Armour flag football leagues as well as doing a little teaching — Mike was an online computer science professor for the University of Virginia and American Public University — that Alicia became restless.

“I want to do something,” she told Mike, and soon the idea for The Kilted Axe had flowered. It had been, after all, the one thing she had been asked about most by friends when they returned from North Carolina, thanks to some of her Facebook pictures.

They passively started looking at barns and warehouses for a site, but were also looking to buy a house, so they decided to put the business idea on hold until 2020.

A trip to The Grove, however, changed everything. Remembering it as a moribund center lacking zip, they drove by when they heard developer Mark Gold had bought it.

Gold, the high-charged developer with a big vision for his property, happened to be standing outside. They chatted. And Gold, who has axe-throwing places at some of his other properties, insisted they start their business as soon as possible.

“Most people wouldn’t rent a space like this for axe throwing,” Mike says. “They want restaurants. Mark knows, though. He loved the idea.”

After meeting some of the other business owners who had already signed leases with Gold, they were sold.

Axe throwing is a trendy, growing sport. The International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) says there are more than 6,000 league members in more than 100 cities and six countries. It is a staple in lumberjack competitions and has been televised on ESPN.

Mike and Alicia compare it to throwing darts; it’s just a matter of getting the technique down. 

The Kilted Axe will have three throwing lanes, all safely fenced in and manned by “Axeperts” there to help.

There also will be a lounge and balcony to hang out and have a few drinks or host an event. “Kind of like an old school pool hall feel,” Mike says.

And, because you have to be wondering — yes, mixing beer, wine and axe throwing can be safe.

“If you show up intoxicated and ready to throw axes, well, guess what? It’s not going to happen,” Mike says.

There will be men’s and women’s leagues, co-ed leagues, and even events for kids. Mike and Alicia have three kids — Jason, 14; Hailey, 12, and Hannah, who is 4. They all think axe throwing is pretty cool.

Alicia says she can’t wait for The Kilted Axe to open. Any fear that they were rushing into a crazy idea dissolved when they posted the news on Facebook, which lit up with enthusiasm. 

More than 3,700 people say they are interested in attending opening night. Almost 300 say they are going for sure. A dozen or so people have signed up for leagues, a few nights are already booked for corporate events, and it’s one of the more buzzworthy new places set to open in Wesley Chapel.

“It was a crazy response,” Alicia says. “We’re anxious. Believe me, we’re anxious!”

For more information, visit TheKiltedAxe.com, or search for “Kilted Axe” on Facebook.