The Boneman Tennis Invitational…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
This will never happen, but it’s been itchin’ at me lately how some of the best tennis players are in the wrong class, and we don’t get to see the epic showdowns we deserve to see at the state tournament.
Since I have so much “power,” I have devised my eight-girl singles tournament with the right to be called “The Boneman’s Champion.” It’s an extremely prestigious honor that would rank right up there with a state title. No, seriously, it would.
No. 1 seed Whitney Ritchie, McGuinness, vs. No. 8 seed Jennifer Buntz, Jenks
The Class 5A champ (Ritchie) vs. the 6A runner-up (Buntz). Because of weather and scheduling, McGuinness and Jenks never met this season, oddly enough.
No. 4 seed Mia Lancaster, McGuinness vs. No. 5 seed Meredith Burns, Bishop Kelley
A match so great at the state tournament (Lancaster won) that we get to see it again. Like and appreciate the game of both girls immensely.
No. 3 seed Andrea Lewis, Bishop Kelley vs. No. 6 seed Rachel Mitcham, Edmond North
Here we have the 5A runner-up (Lewis) vs. the 6A champion (Mitcham). How would Lewis respond to the constant high-ball game of Mitcham and how would Mitcham respond to the power of Lewis?
No. 2 seed Julie Labarthe, Heritage Hall vs. No. 7 seed Melanie Barnes, Duncan
And finally the 4A champ (Labarthe) vs. the third-place winner in 5A (Barnes). Since it’s my tournament, Barnes’ wrist is completely healthy, and we get to see her at her best. Labarthe’s arsenal is on full display every match, doesn’t matter who the opponent is. That makes her one of the favorites, easily.
One qualifying statement: the girls had to play singles this season at the state tournament. So as much as I would like to see Katelyn Connelly (McGuinness), Sarah Bowen (Heritage Hall) and Gaby Siegler (Jenks) compete in this “all-star tournament,” it wouldn’t happen.
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Comments
You get to see some of those matchups on the USTA MoValley level. I’ve watched most of those players play each other through the 12s, 14s, 16s, and 18s. Whitney and Mia have played each other in the finals of the Super Regionals. As fun as the high school championships are, the Supers and Sweet 16 often feature great matchups and tennis you can’t believe.
It does suck that competition gets messed up by classes in high school. Classes should only matter in team sports where you need a large number to play. Tennis where its just one on one doesn’t matter.