Winter Park Wildcats face deja vu start

The Winter Park boys are already making a mark on the basketball court as they ready for the Winter Park Rotary Tip Off this Thursday. With two wins under their belts, the Wildcats (2-0) are on a streak to start the season.

But that’s just what happened last year, just before the Wildcats took what may be their biggest season-to-season nosedive in school history. The 2010-11 Wildcats won 28 games and a state championship. The 2011-12 Wildcats started the season off with two wins, but went on to win only four more, losing every district game in the process.

With their offense powered by seeming newcomers to the court this season, with Jay Wimbley, Elijah Farley, Nils Lehman and Kyle Brown leading the way at the basket, the Wildcats have a new face compared to last season. While a few of them saw minimal time on the court, none were stars last year.

Now they’re all having breakout years at once. Those four sank double digit points each (led by Wimbley’s 15) in the Wildcats’ most recent win, edging East Ridge 60-56 Nov. 23.

Thursday night, they’ll find out whether they can break last year’s curse, and get some revenge on Lake Brantley (2-1) in the process. And they’ll see if Wildcats’ star turned college phenom turned NBA player Austin Rivers’ younger brother Spencer can have his own breakout year.

Game one for Winter Park tips off at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29.