A Peek At New Tampa’s Fall Prep Sports

Friday, August 27, is the season opener for the Wharton and Freedom football teams, who will open the season against each other.

As if Freedom (1-9 last year) didn’t have enough of an uphill climb against the Wildcats, who won this meeting 50-0 last year, the Patriots also will have to deal with what could be a raucous opponent and fired up crowd as the school also debuts its new artificial turf field, which was installed over the summer, for a regular season game.

Wharton will have more offensive weapons this season so expect more scoring, but the Wildcats defense alone may be worth the price of admission.

The group allowed only 10 points a game last season, and could make a claim as one of Tampa Bay’s best.

Almost every defensive player is back, and the linebackers are outstanding. Senior Daveon Crouch has orally committed to Boston College, senior Henry Griffith led the team with 82 tackles, including nine for a loss, in 2020, and sophomore Booker Pickett, Jr., (pictured) was named a second-team MaxPreps Freshman All-American.

Senior CB Jairon Dorsey led the ‘Cats with five interceptions last season, while junior cornerback Dijon Johnson recently picked up college offers from Boston College, Ole Miss and Florida, and the defensive line is solid. 

They say defense wins championships, but Wharton has a few obstacles to overcome if they are going to prove that true, namely, one of the toughest schedules the team has ever faced.

The new District 7A-10 includes perennial powerhouses Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech, plus Wiregrass Ranch, and the non-district schedule includes former State champs Jesuit, Jefferson and Plant.

Carly Joerin (left) and Michelle Morgan, along with some promising newcomers, give the girls swimmers at Freedom enough firepower to contend for district and region championships this season.

GOLDEN GIRLS?: If Wharton football isn’t New Tampa’s best fall sports team, then it may be the Freedom girls swim team.

Led by Division 1 signees Michelle Morgan (Univ. of North Carolina) and Carly Joerin (Dartmouth College), the Patriots return just about everyone from the squad that finished seventh at the Class 3A meet last season.

“We were second in the District, second in the Region and seventh at State,” says second-year coach John Olewski. “We expect even better things this year.”

Morgan was the State champ in the 200-yard individual medley and added a silver in the 500-yard free while anchoring the 400-yard freestyle relay that won bronze.

Joerin also swam on that relay, as well as the 200- and 500-yard freestyles.  Alexa Valdez-Velez also swam on the brone-medal-winning relay team, and is a key returner.

Olewski says he has 27 swimmers, and every event is covered and then some this season. “We’re definitely looking forward to it,” he says.

Brooke Reif

SPEED RACER: Brooke Reif has her sights set on breaking Wharton’s cross country record of 18 minutes, 34 seconds in the first meet this season, then getting her times under 18 minutes, and then leading the Wildcats back to the Class 4A state meet as a team after missing out last year.

Luckily for her last goal, she will be counting on the return of the whole team — seniors Alex Frye and Alexi Amer, junior Olivia Hammill and a handful of others.

“We have everyone back,” she says. “I think everyone has improved and we’re much better. State is our goal.”

Reif and Frye could be a formidable top duo this season. They were the only Wildcats last season to advance past Districts, with Reif getting past regionals en route to a 31st place finish at State.

While Reif’s times were nothing special last season in cross country, her track season was so exceptional the experts at flrunners.com think she’ll have a cross country breakthrough. Reif was third in both the 1600- and 3200-meter runs at the Class 4A State Championships, performances that lead flrunners.com to rank her No. 10 in the entire state in their preseason cross country rankings.

HIGH FLYING: While 6-foot-3 senior middle hitter middle hitter Bella Bonatakis (pictured) wants to play the toughest competition out there, you’ll have to excuse her for not shedding a tear when she found out that Wharton was no longer in the same district as Plant.

“Maybe it’s a little bit of a relief?,” Bonatakis said with a wide smile.

A little? Wharton has made the District final eight of the last nine seasons, and lost six of those games to Plant. Of all the teams that Wharton has ever played at least five times, it only has losing records against Carrollwood Day School, Bloomingdale and…Plant.

Goodbye, and good riddance.

With Bonatakis (200 kills and 85 blocks last year), senior setter Gabrielle Frye (295 assists) and senior libero Kylie Lauderdale (170 digs) returning, Wharton will be formidable again. 

Throw in setter Danielle Galfond to help run the Wildcats’ 6-2 offense, future star Paige Boyd and returning hitter Ja-Niya Lamar, and a deep bench, and — Plant or no Plant — the Wildcats have all the makings of a team that can win that elusive Distrct title.

Freedom Winter Sports Preview: Will The Wrestling Team Produce A State Champ?

The Freedom wrestling team rewrote the school record book last season, but may not be done making history, says coach Derrick McCoy. (Photo: Andy Warrener)

The most successful winter sports program at Freedom High in Tampa Palms this season might very well be the school’s wrestling team.

No, really.

Not historically strong, the Patriots had a breakout season in 2016-17, and are primed for even better things this winter.

Head coach Derrick McCoy has been at the helm for five years now. He remembers when he took over the program in 2012 and had just six wrestlers. Prior to the Thanksgiving Break, McCoy had 29 certified wrestlers with four more in the process, bumping his total squad number up to 33.

“This will be the first year all of the weight classes are filled, and all but the 106-lb. class have more than one guy in them,” McCoy says.

Last season, the Patriots were the Class 3A, District 7 runners-up, scoring 152.5 points, just behind champion Steinbrenner, which had 155.5. They were fourth at the Hillsborough County Championships, had nine regional qualifiers, three state qualifiers and senior Alex Kiester placed fifth at the Class 3A state meet.

All were program firsts.

Last season also was the first that McCoy had the services of an assistant coach. Mike Neuman, a collegiate wrestler for the University of Iowa, was a full-time assistant to McCoy last year, and the extra coach is just what the budding Patriots team needed.

“Before, it would be just me and like 20 kids,” McCoy says. “Now we’re able to break up into groups, so the extra help is great.”

Keeping pace with program firsts, Kiester, Freedom’s top wrestler, has become the first Patriots wrestler to commit to a college program — Queens University in Charlotte, NC.

“I think if he really pushes it, he could be a finalist at State this year,” McCoy said. “He’ll have to focus on the State champ from last year (Brevin Balmeceda of Miami South Dade).”

Kiester is set to move up from 145 pounds to 152 this year, and while much of his competition from last year also will move up, the second, third and fourth-place finishers at 145 pounds from 2016-17 have graduated.

Senior Jerry Miller will slot into Kiester’s old weight class at 145, and the pair are training partners. Miller got knocked out in what is known as the “blood round” at Regionals (the elimination round in wrestlebacks that determines whether you advance to states or not) last season, but McCoy expects Miller to qualify this year.

Senior Dawson Baker at 170 lbs. is another wrestler McCoy expects to make States. Baker suffered a season-ending injury at Districts, but McCoy cites him as one of the hardest workers in the room. Sophomore Blake Schroyer at 120 is another solid State prospect; he was a Regional qualifier as a freshman but drew State runner-up Michael Bush of Sarasota in the second round and was sent to wrestlebacks.

Senior 132-pounder Zion Factora was a backup to senior State qualifier Tommy Barker last season, but could break through to States himself this year, and 220-pound junior Andres Procel has grown into his body for his junior year.

Wrestling in the 195-pound class but weighing just 190 last season, Procel is up to 219 with just 12% body fat heading into 2017-18.

McCoy is hoping to advance four wrestlers to States this year and has put together a solid schedule to battle test them. The Patriots will actually host two 6-way duals this season, and the 3A-7 District tournament. The Patriots also will host cross-town rival Wharton on Dec. 13, where Freedom will be heavy favorite.

HOOPS, THERE IT IS:

After a nice three-year run in which Freedom averaged 20 wins and advanced to the playoffs twice, the Patriots were hit hard by graduation and stumbled to a 9-12 record last year.

The Freedom boys basketball team hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 2016-17 campaign. (Photo: Andy Warrener)

Much of the drop-off was attributed to the tough competition in Class 8A, District 8, where the Patriots posted a 7-8 record.

However, head coach Cedric Smith thinks his boys are due to have a much better season in 2017-18. It starts with returning four-year starter and 6-foot-9 center Alek Rojas.

“Alek is the one guy who has played since his freshman year,” Smith says. “We’re fortunate to have that big guy that allows us to play like a traditional basketball team. It creates matchup problems when teams try to play zone (defense).”

The starting point guard from last season, junior Nick Butler, returns as well.

“Nick got an unbelievable education from the previous point guards (Nasir Core and Keyshon Reddish) ahead of him,” Smith says. “You want your point guard to be an extension of the coach.”

Very little experience returns otherwise for the Pats. Junior scoring guard Trevian Henson is back, but players like forwards Jeremiah Ashe and Dante Johnson are new and raw, and will be counted on to help get the Patriots claw back to the top.

“We got our butts kicked last year and the guys are more hungry to work and to listen this year,” Smith said. “This group reminds me of the first group that won the District in 2012-13. Their eyes are open, they’re listening, they want to get better.”

Freedom is 1-2, including a 65-52 loss to Wharton.

GIRLS HOOPS STARTING OVER

The Freedom girls basketball team had a great season a year ago, going 17-8, even if it was underlined by an early exit in the district playoffs.

Megan Clark led the team, averaging 23.3 points per game, but now laces up to play for Tennessee Tech University.

In fact, the Patriots girls graduated roughly 90 percent of their offense, but Coach Laurie Pacholke is getting solid production already from junior guard Emoni Thomas, who scored 29 points in  season-opening win over Hillsborough, and Regan Roger, a 6-1 wing who added 18 against the Terriers.

Roger is one of five Freedom players 5-10 or taller, so size isn’t a problem. But, finding the players to run the floor like Pacholke likes will be, at least in the early going.

SOPH COACHES SEEK SUCCESS

The Freedom girls soccer team had a pedestrian 6-6-2 season last year, but it was also head coach Jen DeMik’s first year at the helm.

The Patriots recovered from losing their first four games, going 6-2-2 the rest of the season. They started 2017-18 on the right foot, winning their first games as Allie Freihofer led the way. The freshman put three goals in the net in the first two games of the season, and she is one of seven Patriots to already score, though the Patriots fell to 2-2 heading into this week.

Boys second-year coach Cornelis Van Der Luit brought the Patriots up from the cellar last year, going 7-7-2 after a 3-12-2 mark the year before, but seven seniors from last year’s squad have graduated. The Patriots are 2-4-1, and are coming off  6-0 win over East Bay.

Wharton Winter Sports Preview: Girls Soccer & Boys Hoops Poised For Big Things

The Wharton girls soccer team has the tools to put together its best season yet. (Photo: Andy Warrener)

The Wharton girls soccer team may be ready for a breakthrough.

The Wildcats are off to a 7-2 start (heading into Friday’s game against Steinbrenner), with the only losses coming to Class 3A State runner-up Land O’Lakes and undefeated Palm Barhor University. Experience will be a strong suit for this year’s Wharton grads.

“We lost six seniors from last year’s (12-6-3) team, four of which went on to play in college,” head coach Denis Vukorep said. “Last year, we were still finding our identity. We had just one senior and she was injured most of the year. This year, we return all 11 starters.”

Two of those seniors are already making a charge at the school record books.

Keeper Caroline DeLisle, who recently signed with the University of Central Florida in Orlando, made 150 saves and posted six clean sheets in 2016-17. She is on pace to break the school record for career shutouts.

“The psychology of having one of the top keepers in the state back there helps us,” Vukorep said. “Teams come into the game like we’re up 1-0 already.”

Senior forward Alisha Deschenes already has the school record for goals in a season, after scoring 23 last season. Deschenes is getting some attention from smaller schools to play at the next level, and Vukorep says she’s perfectly capable of playing at the Division I-A level.

Junior midfielder Sydney Hubbard (tied for team high with eight goals to go with seven assists) pairs well with Deschenes, who has eight goals and eight assist.

“Sydney is a center-mid that’s responsible for defense who can also be creative in the attack,” Vukorep said. “She has a way of putting herself in good positions.”

Vukorep is confident Hubbard will find a D-1 school to play for at some point. At center back, towering junior Callista Ferrin pushes the six-foot stratosphere.

“She’s an intimidating figure in the back,” Vukorep said.

The Wildcats’ biggest hurdle will once again be their schedule. Their district, Class 5A, District 7, is one of the toughest in the state and every team finished with a winning record last year.

What’s changed this season? Not much — heading into Thanksgiving break, the combined record of 5A-7’s six teams was an astounding 38-6-4, and most of those losses are against each other. 

The strength down the middle is the strength of the Wildcats this season; Deschenes, Hubbard, Ferrin (and DeLisle protecting  the goal) form a backbone of a team looking to win its first District title since the 2010-11 season.

“This year is probably our best chance,” Vukorep said.

SHOOTING FOR ANOTHER 20

No one has been more consistent than Tommy Tonelli’s Wharton boys basketball program over the past decade or so. Last year, the Wildcats finished 20-6, the ninth straight season under Tonelli dating back to 2006-07 that they have won 20 or more games.

The starting lineup for the 2017-18 Wharton boys basketball team includes: (back row, l.-r.): Nate Barnes, DJ Henderson & Ryan Anders; (front row, l.-r.) Darin Green Jr. & Carr Thiam

If Wharton is going to make it 10 straight, and make the playoffs again, the ‘Cats will have to do it with a brand new starting five.

Junior guard and captain Darin Green Jr. already has several Division 1 scholarship offers and, according to Tonelli, “is one of the top shooters in the state.”

Senior captain DJ Henderson is the projected starting point guard for the Wildcats. The third guard is sophomore Carr Thiam; Tonelli says that Thiam did a great job on JV last season and developed well over the summer.

Senior captain Ryan Anders and senior Nate Barnes are the two forwards. Barnes enters his fourth year with the program and third on varsity. Tonelli gives high marks to Anders’ strong off-season work.

The Wildcats will host the Class 8A-8 District playoffs, which may give them a needed edge.

“Seeding is going to be crucial for this year’s District tournament,” Tonelli says. “It’s definitely an advantage to be hosting it.”

Last season, Sickles hosted the tourney and cruised all the way to the State championship, handing Wharton three of its six losses last season. Former Wharton junior varsity coach Mike Weaving takes over as head coach at Sickles.

“To me, Sickles is still the team to beat,” Tonelli says. “They have three starters returning, experience, a good squad and a good coach.”

But Friday night, Wharton upset the Gryphons 44-38.

The Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association (TBBCA) hosts a summer tournament every year and this past summer, Plant defeated Tampa Catholic in the finals.

The Wildcats won all 10 of their summer league games and made the semifinals in the tournament.

“That summer league is a pretty good gauge of where you’re going to be in the winter season,” Tonelli said. 

The Wildcats are off to a 4-1 start.

STRONG DOWN THE MIDDLE:

The Wharton boys soccer team battled to a respectable 9-7-2 record last season, but will have to make do this season without its leading scorer.

Wharton will likely rely heavily on senior Jamal Farhoud, who had eight goals last season, and junior keeper Andy Ilken, who had five shutouts and a 2.24 goals-against-average as a sophomore.

Not too dissimilar to the girls squad, the Wharton boys have strength down the middle. It starts in the back with Ilken, who had 98 saves a year ago. In front of Ilken, center back Matthew Hartnell returns and senior midfielder Matthew Dookie lines up in front of Hartnell, while Farhoud returns at forward.

YOUTH TAKING CHARGE:

Head coach Chad Reed comes into his 10th year at the helm of the Wharton girls basketball team. The ‘Cats are searching for their first .500 season since 2013-14, and their first winning season since 21-5 in 2009-10.

To improve on their 6-19 mark from last season, the Wharton boys will have to overcome losing almost 50 percent of their offense to graduation. Senior guard Parker Onderko, who averaged 5 ppg last year, is expected to be a more significant factor.

The Wildcats were 3-3 heading into Friday’s game against Steinbrenner.

REBUILDING ON THE MAT:

It’s a rebuilding year for head coach David Mitchell in the wrestling room. According to Mitchell, the 2017-18 squad is the smallest group he’s ever had at the school, with eight or nine wrestlers from last season who didn’t return.

“It’s hard to get started after taking time off,” Mitchell said. “Wrestling is a year-round sport. You find you can beat a guy one year and then he’ll beat you the next year, because he didn’t take any time off.” Seniors Jonathan Gomez (195 lbs) and Gabriel Schroeder (160) will be two of the notable Wildcat grapplers this season.