Welcome Back Students!

To the dismay of many young, summer-loving high school students, school is back in session today.

As the school opens its doors to new and returning students, the countdown to the highly anticipated 2010-2011 season is now officially underway.

Be sure to check back in the upcoming weeks continuing coverage of the Wharton Wildcats basketball program including player and coach interviews, the unveiling of the new 2010-2011 Wildcat poster and much more!

Is it November yet?

Go Wildcats!

School Year Lurking: Owens, Astroth Ready For Senior Year

As the calendar continues its slow trek toward the month of November, basketball fans are stuck with counting down the days until their team finally kicks off their season.

More notably, high school kids around the state are gearing up for the start of school. Many private schools are already in session.

While most high schoolers are running around and checking items off their school supplies list, others are at the local malls trying on some new threads in hopes to impress their fellow students.

In all the back to school madness, two seniors are ready for more than just a memorable year.

"I'm looking forward to another chance to do what's never been done before," Astroth said. "To leave our names as the team that got it done as well a chance to lead that team during my last year."

Owens feels the same way.

"A state championship is like the only thing on my mind," said Owens. "Of course it's all just one step at a time."

For a team that was without its point guard and swing man, the Wildcats fell to Tampa Catholic in the summer league final with a fraction of the team that will be unveiled in the season opener in late November. Not only will the Wildcats be rocking a new-look squad, the returning seniors will play their final season on a newly renovated hardwood floor.

In other news, Damian Dixon will begin his trek to 815 West Market Street Greensboro, North Carolina today.

Dixon will be playing basketball for the Pride this year as he looks to continue his basketball career as a freshman at Greensboro College both athletically and academically.

Dixon Signs; Owens Getting Ink

Dixon Signs

Wharton Wildcat graduate Damian Dixon signed with Greensboro College in North Carolina. Damian Dixon was the team MVP and captain of Wharton's 27-2 team last year.

Dixon's ability to get it done in every aspect of the game will be greatly utilized at the next level. He averaged just over 10 points per game and lead the Wildcats in a few other statistical categories.

"I'm just happy the wait is finally over," Dixon said. "I'm ready to move on to the next level."

Owens Getting Ink

Senior Xavier Owens is starting to turn heads all around the county. Last week, the St. Petersburg Times and tampabay.com ran an article entitled "Players on the bring of a breakthrough" and highlighted the X-man's ability on the basketball court.

Owens was the only boys basketball player mentioned in the article about players on the rise in all of the different high school sports:

Xavier Owens, F, Wharton (boys basketball)
A 6-foot-4 rising senior, Owens has been nothing short of dominant this summer. Before helping guide the Wildcats to the finals of the 22-team SEBA summer league tournament, he led all local players with 21 points in a junior-senior state all-star game at Ocala Vanguard. With complementary players such as rangy swingman A.J. Astroth and point guard C.J. McGill, Owens could flourish for a team projected to contend for a state tournament berth.

- Eduardo A. Encina and Joey Knight, Times staff writers, tampabay.com

JV Wildcats Capture Summer League Crown

The Wharton Wildcats junior varsity team defeated the Jesuit Tigers to capture the Berkeley Prep Summer League championship in a thrilling overtime performance.

They were lead by returning players Virgil Crump, Jaken Grier, Solomon Bey, Nick Rogers and Brian Acken as well as newcomers JC Ulbrich, Sai Gude and Thomas Tonelli.

Coach Comer Copeland's leadership and outstanding coaching skills helped guide the team to their 12-2 record on the way to winning the championship.

On the final night of the playoffs, Wharton gutted out three wins including the overtime game against the Tigers. Fatigue plagued Wharton and some players suffered from muscle cramps but in true Wildcat fashion they found the "Wharton Way" to pull out the dramatic victory.

The Wharton Wildcats junior varsity program's winning tradition has always been a reflection on how successful the varsity program has been throughout Wharton's history.

Congratulations to Coach Comer Copeland and his team on their tremendous effort and the well deserved championship.

Wharton Defeated By Tampa Catholic In Final

The Wharton Wildcats fell to the Tampa Catholic Crusaders 37-36 in the SEBA Summer League championship game.

Wharton trailed Tampa Catholic by as many as nine points early in the fourth quarter. However, DaVonte Lamar's 3-point play sparked a Wildcat run that would eventually cut the Crusaders' lead to just one point heading into the final minute of play.

Tampa Catholic would miss an uncontested layup giving the ball back to the Wildcats with a chance to take the lead.

After a Wharton timeout with 43.6 seconds remaining, chaos ensued.

In the final seconds, Wharton had four chances to take the lead. Xavier Owens' shot was too strong and the rebound found its way into green hands. However, a Wildcat defender managed to poke the ball away giving Wharton another shot at the win.

CJ McGill recovered the loose ball and quickly pushed the ball up to Owens. Owens' shot rattled off of the rim into the hand of freshman Chase Litton. Litton's put back rolled off the front of the rim and Tampa Catholic finally salvaged the rebound before being fouled with 6.1 to play.

With the chance to extend the lead at the line, the Crusader free throw came up short and Wharton chances to pull off the win still had a pulse.

Sir Patrick Reynolds received the Owens pass just as he crossed half court but had his desperation heave blocked as the buzzer sounded, ending Wharton's comeback and championship hopes.

Photos of tonight's contest can be found HERE.