Three things to watch for…

Posted by
on May 8, 2008M at 8:49 pm

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com 

Well, girls are done, time for the boys. Here are some of the things I’ll be looking for.

3A

Storyline: Can OCS catch up to Cascia Hall? The Saints are the only team within striking distance of the Commandos. Cascia has won six straight team titles and for the second year in a row has someone gunning to be a four-time state champion.

Team: McGuinness. How do you possibly follow up a girls team that went 122-0 and didn’t lose a set at the state tournament? That’s what the Irish boys are facing. A solid regional outing coupled with the addition of some basketball players has added depth to the squad.

Player: Chris Gordon, Cascia Hall. Last year, Patrick Collins of Cascia won to become a four-time state champion. Gordon is following in his footsteps. The senior has already won three titles at No. 2 singles.

4A

Storyline: Who can challenge Tulsa Kelley? The Comets aren’t invincible, but the defending champions are solid from top to bottom. Comets received good wake up call from Tulsa Washington at regionals.

Team: Carl Albert. The Titans have quietly gone about their business and nearly swept their regional Monday. The addition of point guard Steven Johnson to the club has made a good team into a state-contending squad.

Player: Reider Hunt, Tulsa Kelley. Hunt won the No. 2 singles title last year and nothing from his play this year says he’s not on track to do it again. Hunt was the only champion on last year’s team.

5A

Storyline: Will Jenks finally overtake Tulsa Union? The two teams shared for the state title last year, and it’s been a two-team race this year. The Redskins have dominated, but Jenks has slowly been creeping up. No better time to make a statement.

Team: Edmond Memorial. Moving No. 1 singles player Duncan Fugitt to No. 1 doubles has been a good move for the Bulldogs as Fugitt is an imposing presence at net, standing at 6-foot-4.

Player(s): Eric West, Tulsa Union; Travis Fillmore, Tahlequah; Omar Aly, Jenks. Whoever wins the boys No. 1 singles will have earned it. It’s been a fun season seeing the three beat up on each other, and the trend should continue. West and Fillmore are both seniors while Aly is a sophomore. West has won two state titles.

And some predictions. Cascia Hall will win 3A. Tulsa Kelley will win 4A. Jenks will upset Union in 5A. Some random individual title thoughts: Omar Aly of Jenks is going to win the 5A No. 1 singles. Chris Gordon will get title No. 4 with the Commandos. Caleb Villaflor is going to end his career in style for Heritage Hall with a doubles crown. One of the Copeland brothers from Shawnee are going home with hardware. And the one thing you can bank on, I will get incredibly sunburned for the second weekend in a row. Hope to see you out at the OKC Tennis Center.

Categorized under:
Tennis

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