TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Boys Tennis: Wharton Shows Up Big, Sweep Match

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: March 27, 2009

VALRICO - Wharton coach Marcie Scholl was looking forward to seeing how her team responded to a challenge by the Newsome boys tennis team. The Wildcats definitely rose to the occasion.

Wharton (9-0), the defending Class 3A state champion, swept the singles and doubles matches without dropping a set en route to a 7-0 victory against Newsome (9-2) on Thursday at River Hills Country Club.

The Wildcats' top five - Michael Alford (No. 1), Ben Hwang (No. 2), Rohit Navelkar (No. 3), Bryant Fuller (No. 4) and Robby Bastian (No. 5) - defeated their Newsome opponents before the doubles teams of Alford/Navelkar and Hwang/Fuller completed the sweep with victories.

The two teams, leaders in their districts, likely will see each other again at the region tournament.

"We've been looking forward to this one for a couple of weeks," Alford said. "This should give us some confidence going into districts."

Benincasa Gives Armwood Boost

SEFFNER - The trouble for Brandon started in the first inning when it gave up five hits and a walk, committed an error and allowed three runs to Armwood.

The trouble didn't end until the top of the seventh when Armwood starter Robert Benincasa threw his last pitch - his 81st - completing his third shutout of the season, 4-0, on Thursday night.

"This was extremely satisfying," said Benincasa, who improved to 6-0. "Satisfying for a lot of reasons."

Including: It avenged a recent 10-7 loss to Brandon, one in which Armwood led 3-0 after the first inning; it was a nice bounce-back after Tuesday's disappointing loss to King; and it was one of Benincasa's most dominating performances against the Hawks' biggest rivals.

"I think it gives us a lot of confidence," said first baseman Tyler Alexander, who went 3-for-3. "But then you know, we have a lot of confidence when Benincasa is on the mound. When he's throwing we feel like we're going to win."

Especially after going up by three runs in the first inning.

"After giving up those runs, we were in for a struggle," Brandon coach Matt Stallbaumer said. "Benincasa is the real deal. We just couldn't afford to get behind against a guy like that."

The only real offensive noise for Brandon (10-3) came with two outs in the fourth inning when the Eagles' Aaron Estrada, with runners on first and third, hit a shot up the middle.

The ball, however, ended up in the glove of diving Armwood shortstop Zack Powers.

Armwood (11-3) has two games remaining (against Wharton and Tampa Bay Tech) before heading into the Saladino Tournament during spring break.

"Hopefully we'll keep up this momentum," Armwood coach Michael Wrenn said. "Tonight was a big win for us. A big confidence boost."

Scott Purks

Athletes, Teams Earn Honors

TAMPA - Bloomingdale senior Callum Townsend was among several Hillsborough County athletes honored by the school district Thursday during its winter sports awards ceremony.

Townsend received the Alston "Mac" McGahagin Boys Basketball Award, and Academy of the Holy Names senior Katie Davis was honored with the Dottie McGahagin Girls Basketball Award.

Brandon senior Eric Grajales was named the Tom Wells Outstanding Wrestler of the Year. Durant senior Tarin Moses received the Williamson-Sapp Outstanding Cheerleader Award.

Brandon wrestling coach Russ Cozart was named the Joel Medgebow Coach of the Year.

Also recognized were the top academic teams in each winter sport. Newsome was honored for girls basketball with an overall unweighted grade-point average of 3.557. Plant (3.320 GPA) earned the boys basketball award, and its girls soccer team (3.792) won for the second year in a row. Chamberlain's wrestling team (3.083) also earned its second consecutive academic award.

King's boys soccer team (3.399) had the highest GPA, and Newsome's cheerleading team won with a 3.480 GPA.

Tribune staff

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT