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Freedom, Wharton cagers: so close

Local wrestlers also made an impressive showing in the state high school tournament.

By TERRY JONES
Published March 6, 2005

Winter prep sports such as basketball and wrestling have come to a close. The finest local teams - the few who were still in the hunt until the end of the postseason - experienced a mix of success and heartbreak in their final games.

Freedom High School's girls basketball team and Wharton High School's boys basketball team didn't quite make it to their championship rounds, but the Freedom girls had the best season in their short history.

And some local wrestlers made an impressive showing in the state wrestling tournament.

On the flip side, spring prep seasons - including tennis, softball, baseball and track - already have started.

Chamberlain High School senior Ricardo Topham closed out his best season in four years of starting for the Chiefs by finishing second in the state in the 135-pound weight class.

Brandon High School's four-time state champion, Cesar Grajales, defeated Topham in the state finals last weekend. Out of Alonso High School, wrestler Chris "Powder" Allen also finished with his best season. The junior finished third in the 125-pound weight class.

Another junior, Jake Bolnick of Sickles High School, finished sixth at 112 pounds. Bolnick is one of four Sickles underclassmen who qualified for the state tournament, signaling the possibility of good things for the team next year.

"We have a good group of kids coming back," Sickles coach Terry Brockland said. "They will all work with the (Guardian Wrestling) club over the summer and hopefully come back for a run at the top three at state next year."

Freedom High School recorded the best season so far for the Patriots basketball team, wrapping up with a 76-42 loss to Winter Haven just one game short of the state Final Four tournament.

The Patriots had a great year, but Winter Haven's tall and quick girls were too much for them.

When Winter Haven's lead reached 35 points in the fourth quarter, officials kept the clock running to keep the score from getting even higher.

Winter Haven moved into the final four with a 26-1 record.

Freedom finished 28-2. Tandra Faulkner was the Patriots' high scorer in the final game with 12 points.

Wharton High School's notorious slow starts proved to be fatal Tuesday night in the regional semifinals. The Wharton Wildcats fell to Clermont East Ridge 58-51 to close out their season 26-3. Darryl Richardson scored 25 points to lead the Wildcats.

[Last modified March 5, 2005, 08:12:04]