by B.B. Branton
posted May 21, 2008
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Division I AAA Boys: McMinn County (16-0) vs. Science Hill (15-1). It's new territory for unbeaten McMinn County against a state final savvy Science Hill team in today's championship at Old Fort Park at 11 a.m. CDT.
This is the first time in the 46-year history of the program that the Cherokees have reached the state final four, must less the finals. Defending state champion Science Hill has reached the final four the past three years (losing in the semis in 2006) and also was state champs in 2002.
"We set this as our goal at the start of the season to reach the state final four and here were are in the finals," said a happy Michael Hewgley, after his team had defeated White Station (14-2), 4-2 in the semifinals.
He and his doubles partner, Neal Baldwin, clinched the win with an 8-3 win at No. 1 doubles.
"This is our best boys' team ever and all the guys have done their part to make this a successful season," said McMinn County coach Susan Ray.
Fire & Ice: Coach Ray calls her No. 1 doubles team fire (Baldwin) and ice (Hewgley), due to their personalities and the way they play on the court.
"Neal is intense and aggressive, while Michael is smooth and calm," said Ray, now in her 21st season as boys and girls coach at McMinn County.
Hewgley is a co-valedictorian headed to Lee University on an academic scholarship, while Baldwin has accepted a tennis scholarship to play at Tennessee Wesleyan next season.
Hewgley, who gives his valedictory speech at Saturday's graduation, teams with Baldwin in the state doubles competition beginning Thursday morning. The writing of the speech has been put on hold.
"Being valedictorian is very important, but playing in the state tournament is a real big deal as well," stated Hewgley. "Writing the speech can wait a few more days."
Division I AAA Notes: Science Hill is 15-1 this season (only loss to D-II McCallie, 9-0) and was 13-1 in 2007 (only loss to D-II Knox. Webb).
Division I A-AA Girls: Chattanooga Christian (15-2) vs. Christian Academy of Knoxville. The Chargers go for their fourth state title in a row today (9 a.m., MTSU). CCS also won four in a row from 1999 through 2002.
In the semis, CCS defeated Ezell-Harding, 4-0, as senior Ashley Bolton posted a win at No. 1 singles. CAK defeated University School of Jackson, 4-2.
Division II A Girls: University School of Nashville vs. St. Andrew's Sewanee (15-2).
The SAS Lady Mountain Lions hope that the third time is the charm as today's final (9 a.m., MTSU) is the third meeting this season between these two teams. USN won by identical 6-3 scores in the previous two meetings.
SAS is led in singles by sisters Sadie Shackelford (No. 1) and Avery Shackelford (No. 2).
In the semis, SAS defeated St. George’s, 4-1, while USN defeated Harding Academy, 4-1. An SAS win would give the school its first state team title in any sport.
Division II AA Girls: GPS (14-0) vs. Hutchison. The undefeated and two-time defending state champion Bruisers are heavy favorites to win a third straight title at 11 a.m. today at MTSU.
In the semis, GPS defeated longtime rival Baylor, 4-0, while Hutchison slipped past Webb (Knoxville), 4-3.
GPS is led by Claire Bartlett at No. 1 and Sarah Evans at No. 2. GPS has won a TSSAA record eight state titles, while Hutchison has never won a tennis championship.
Division II AA Boys: McCallie (14-0) vs. Memphis University School. A longtime tennis rival is renewed at 1 p.m. today on the MTSU courts.
This is a re-match of the 2007 state semis, as McCallie won 4-2 before defeating Webb, 4-1, in the championship match.
In Tuesday's semis, McCallie stopped MBA, 4-0, and MUS defeated Webb, 4-2.
"MBA is a young, talented team and our advantage is our experience and depth," said McCallie coach Eric Voges. "The state semis are always tough no matter who you play, so it is good to get this one under our belts."
The unbeaten and two-time defending state champion Blue Tornado defeated MUS by 15.5 points (36 to 20.5) in the Fred Carter Invitational earlier in the season.
Notes: McCallie has won six TSSAA tennis crowns ... MUS is second all-time behind Baylor (15) with 13 ... Last team title for MUS was 2005 with a 4-0 win against McCallie in the semis.
In D-I A/AA boys action, two-time defending state champion Univ. School of Jackson defeated Chattanooga Christian, 4-0, in the semis.
Chattanooga Christian Girls 4, Ezell-Harding 0
Singles: Ashlyn Bolton (Chatt. Chr.) def. Melynda Simmons (EH) 2-6, 6-1, 6-3; Holly School (Chatt. Chr.) def. Katie Huff (EH) 6-1, 6-2; Gretchen Rowe (Chatt. Chr.) def. Katie Bogle (EH) 6-4, 6-3; Stephanie Sizemore (Chatt. Chr.) def. Keeley Weatherly (EH) 6-2, 6-2.
University School of Jackson Boys 4, Chattanooga Christian 0
Singles: Ben Gaines (USJ) def. Jonny Herberick (Chatt. Chr.) 6-1, 6-3; Hunt Magee (USJ) def. Andy Driggans (Chatt. Chr.) 6-2, 6-1; Jordan Preckit (USJ) def. Max Styermer (Chatt. Chr.) 6-1, 6-1; Grant Hurdern (USJ) def. Tyler Roden (Chatt. Chr.) 6-3, 6-0.
McMinn County Boys 4, White Station 2
Singles: Zeke Sansing (WS) def. Michael Hewgley (MC) 6-4, 6-1; Neal Baldwin (MC) def. Anuj Shukla (WS) 6-2, 6-4; George Pannell (MC) def. Barry Underberg (WS) 7-6 (4), 7-5; Trey Royal (MC) def. Zach Sakaan (WS) 6-3, 6-3; Ryan Snider (WS) def. Ram Patel (MC) 6-2, 6-0.
Doubles: Michael Hewgley/Neal Baldwin (MC) def. Zeke Sansing/Zach Sakaan (WS) 8-4.
St. Andrew's-Sewanee Girls 4; St. George's 1
Singles: Sadie Shackelford (SAS) def. Benay Weintraub (SG) 6-2, 6-2; Avery Schackelford (SAS) def. Ellie Paul (SG) 6-0, 6-2; Friderike Greiwe (SAS) def. Sabrina Blum (SG) 6-3, 6-0; Mary Ashley Seabrook (SG) def. Zoe Petropoulas (SAS) 7-5, 6-1; Marie Bowi (SAS) def. Brooks Boucek (SG) 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (4).
McCallie 4, Montgomery Bell Academy 0
Singles: David Henry (Mc) def. Naveen Chadalavada (MBA) 6-1, 6-1; J.P. McLemore (Mc) def. Russel Anderson (MBA) 6-2, 6-2; Chris Schlabach (Mc) def. Palmer Campbell (MBA) 6-3, 6-2; Roger Briggs (Mc) def. Jim Shawb (MBA) 6-0, 6-0.
Girls Preparatory School 4, Baylor 0
Singles: Claire Bartlett (GPS) def. Currant Scruggs (Bay) 6-1, 6-1; Sarah Evans (GPS) def. Kate Thorton (Bay) 6-0, 6-0; Cady Jones (GPS) def. Erica Marschall (Bay) 7-5, 6-1; Ann Holley (GPS) def. Kelly Scruggs (Bay) 6-1, 6-3.
Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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