Prep Notebook

By ROD GIPSON
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 10, 2002

Wharton golfers head to state tournament -- again

For the second year in a row, the Wharton boys golf team is heading to the state tournament.

After finishing the season with a flourish, winning four of their last six tournaments, the Wildcats' building momentum has carried them through the district and regional tournaments.

In winning the Class 2A, Region 5 tournament, Wharton dominated at Hunter's Green Golf Course (its home course). Wharton shot a team score of 290 to win the event by 25 strokes. Mike Giammaresi earned medalist honors after shooting a 2-under-par 70. Patrick Gibson was second overall with a 71 and David Tiffenberg was third at 72. Barrett White completed the scoring for the Wildcats, tying for 10th at 77.

Chamberlain narrowly missed qualifying for the state tournament by falling three strokes behind second-place Lakeland. The Chiefs were led by Jeff Mancinik's 75 and Brad Brunner's 76. Gaither finished seventh behind the strength of Shane Burda's 10th-place 77.

In the girls' regional, Gaither's Ashley Kemp placed fourth (78) in the Class 2A, District 5 event at Willowbrook Golf Club in Winter Haven to advance to the state tournament as an individual. The boys and girls state tournament will be played Tuesday & Wednesday at the PGA Golf Village in Port St. Lucie.

VOLLEYBALL: Sickles and Wharton both lost in state's regional volleyball tournament. In the Class 4A, Region 3 bracket, Sickles fell 16-14, 15-6 at Lake Gibson. The Gryphons end their season at 15-11. Wharton, meanwhile, had to face Durant, the state's defending Class 5A champions. Durant dominated the Wildcats to the tune of a 15-1, 15-2 loss in 5A-2 action. Wharton ends its year at 13-8.

FOOTBALL: Wharton and Jefferson continue to enjoy life on the polls and Chamberlain is still hanging around. For the last state poll of the regular season, Wharton earned a No. 10 listing on the 5A poll. Among others receiving votes Chamberlain was listed 12th, and Jefferson checked in at No. 7 on the Class 4A poll. Those three teams will all compete in the state playoffs, which begin Friday.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Chamberlain infielder Rocky Rocamora has verbally committed to play baseball for the University of Tampa. Rocamora batted .435 last season during his junior year, with two home runs and 15 steals. He also helped the Chiefs to the state tournament while earning third-team All-State honors. Also, Leto pitcher Sergio Perez has verbally committed to UT. Perez, a right-hander, has led the Falcons in wins the past two seasons.

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