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Monday
March 15, 2010 Since 1922 |
Young Eagles set for regional tennis
By Nathan Hague
The Baytown Sun Published October 30, 2009 MONT BELVIEU -- Barbers Hill coach Tyler Thames likes the team he’ll take into today’s Region III-4A team tennis tournament.
The veteran of 10 seasons as Eagles coach says this year’s District 19-4A runnerup squad is one of the best teams he’s ever coached.
“ We have a young team that has made great accomplishments,” he said “I’ve got six seniors and one-third of the team is made up of freshmen. A total of 21 kids are going to regionals.”
The Eagles open play at 9 a.m. today against Lamar Consolidated at Cinco Ranch High School. A win in that match would then pit Barbers Hill in a 1:30 p.m. match at the same site against regional No. 3 seed San Marcos.
Thames said his seniors have tremendous leadership and have taken the younger kids under their wings.
“When I think of how all our seniors have to bring along seven freshmen, it is pretty impressive,” he said. “And they knew they needed them to help them and drug them along.”
Thames believes in the team he has and has confidence that the younger kids will gain the experience needed to help wherever needed.
“Our two top boys, Tyler Clayton and Joseph Lovinggood, have really been outstanding,” he said. “They’ve had phenomenal years and won singles match. That’s quite impressive.
When we play GCM, we won all nine (boys) matches. Lovinggood does extremely well at leading the charge”
Freshmen Kyle Meuth and Jacob Simpson have gained a lot of experience and Thames said he thinks they will be a crucial part of the team next year.
“Kyle Meuth and J Simpson have played in about four matches this year will be ready to step up with experience,” he said. “I’ve never had seven freshman on varsity before now. It really is unheard of.”
As for the girls’ side, Thames said he is just as impressed with how things have un-folded.
“The girls leadership is a learning role,” he said. The older girls have helped drag the kids along. I’m really pleased with willingness of the entire team. As far as being competitive, we have the top bunches of athletes. They’re always impressive to teach kids to learn to compete.”
The freshman girls Thames believes will step up are Kailey Kana, Morgan McManus and Shelby Hill.
Thames said it won’t be easy to fill the shoes of this year’s seniors.
“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “It’s going to be a rebuilding year. There are going to be big holes to fill. We’ll just play with whoever shows up and develop them.”
Barbers Hill is in its fourth year as a Class 4A school. Prior to the move, it was a 3A school where Thames said they experienced a lot of success.
“We’ve had a lot of good 3A teams in the past,” he said.
Thames attributes a lot of the success the program has had to the middle school.
“The middle school tennis program helps out a lot by giving the kids experience,” he said. “By the time they show up here, they are armed with tools. So kudos to them for seeing that and filling the holes.”
The Baytown Sun Published October 30, 2009 MONT BELVIEU -- Barbers Hill coach Tyler Thames likes the team he’ll take into today’s Region III-4A team tennis tournament.
The veteran of 10 seasons as Eagles coach says this year’s District 19-4A runnerup squad is one of the best teams he’s ever coached.
“ We have a young team that has made great accomplishments,” he said “I’ve got six seniors and one-third of the team is made up of freshmen. A total of 21 kids are going to regionals.”
The Eagles open play at 9 a.m. today against Lamar Consolidated at Cinco Ranch High School. A win in that match would then pit Barbers Hill in a 1:30 p.m. match at the same site against regional No. 3 seed San Marcos.
Thames said his seniors have tremendous leadership and have taken the younger kids under their wings.
“When I think of how all our seniors have to bring along seven freshmen, it is pretty impressive,” he said. “And they knew they needed them to help them and drug them along.”
Thames believes in the team he has and has confidence that the younger kids will gain the experience needed to help wherever needed.
“Our two top boys, Tyler Clayton and Joseph Lovinggood, have really been outstanding,” he said. “They’ve had phenomenal years and won singles match. That’s quite impressive.
When we play GCM, we won all nine (boys) matches. Lovinggood does extremely well at leading the charge”
Freshmen Kyle Meuth and Jacob Simpson have gained a lot of experience and Thames said he thinks they will be a crucial part of the team next year.
“Kyle Meuth and J Simpson have played in about four matches this year will be ready to step up with experience,” he said. “I’ve never had seven freshman on varsity before now. It really is unheard of.”
As for the girls’ side, Thames said he is just as impressed with how things have un-folded.
“The girls leadership is a learning role,” he said. The older girls have helped drag the kids along. I’m really pleased with willingness of the entire team. As far as being competitive, we have the top bunches of athletes. They’re always impressive to teach kids to learn to compete.”
The freshman girls Thames believes will step up are Kailey Kana, Morgan McManus and Shelby Hill.
Thames said it won’t be easy to fill the shoes of this year’s seniors.
“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “It’s going to be a rebuilding year. There are going to be big holes to fill. We’ll just play with whoever shows up and develop them.”
Barbers Hill is in its fourth year as a Class 4A school. Prior to the move, it was a 3A school where Thames said they experienced a lot of success.
“We’ve had a lot of good 3A teams in the past,” he said.
Thames attributes a lot of the success the program has had to the middle school.
“The middle school tennis program helps out a lot by giving the kids experience,” he said. “By the time they show up here, they are armed with tools. So kudos to them for seeing that and filling the holes.”