MOULTRIE — The Colquitt Court Hawgs Boys High School team tennis squad advanced to the upcoming State tournament with a strong showing at the central Georgia regional tournament held over the weekend at the John Drew Smith Tennis Center in Macon.
Playing in the Red flight, the Court Hawgs lost a tough first-round match against the Houston Netters 2-3.
Playing at No. 1 singles Andrew Harvin, ranked No. 28 in boys 16s, played a solid match but was defeated by Jess Jones 6-3, 7-5. Jones is ranked No. 2 in boys 14s).
At No. 2 singles, Jacob Tompkins was defeated by Peter Bauer 6-2, 6-4. Blake Jenkins won easily at No. 3 singles over Zack Kinsley 6-0, 6-0.
At No. 1 doubles, the reliable duo of Bo Blalock and Brandon Oaks defeated Drew Bloser and John Akridge 6-1, 6-1. At No. 2 doubles, Ricky Patel and Paul Leonard played well in their first high school team tennis event, but lost a hard-fought match to Elijah Jordan and Frank Masicotte 2-6, 7-6(7-4) and 10-7.
In round 2, the Court Hawgs defeated the Mt. de Sales Tweeners 4-1. Harvin again played well but lost a tough match to Carson Jones, ranked 18 in the boys 16s, 3-6, 1-6.
Tompkins made the comeback of the weekend and clinched the red flight championship by defeating Kenneth Cazort (ranked No. 62 in boys 16s) 2-6, 6-3, 10-2.
Jenkins again won with ease over Fred Burton 6-3, 6-1. Blalock and Oaks continued their solid play with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Robert Watson and Stefan Riley.
John Barber and David Forehand, also playing in their first high school team tennis match, won convincingly at No. 2 doubles over Ben Burton and Kelech Iteogu 6-2, 6-1.
The Court Hawgs won the red flight as a result of having won 59 percent of their total sets to Houston’s 54.5 percent.
Their match on Sunday against the Valdosta Thundercats, who won the white flight, was cancelled due to the rain, but both teams, as well as Houston, advance to the state tournament in Macon on December 5-6.
Valdosta was named overall tournament champion as they won a higher percentage of sets than the Court Hawgs, who claimed the second place trophy. Other teams advancing to the state tournament are the North Cobb Orange Crush, Walton Baseliners, Walton Killer Bees, McIntosh and Starr’s Mill Line Painters.
Coach Chip Blalock said he was proud of all of the boys for their sportsmanship, effort and great play.
“The strength of this team is our quality depth throughout the roster,” he said. “I was especially proud of our young kids playing for the first time. This experience at such a high level of competition will pay great dividends at the state tournament and in the upcoming season.
