Central eager to hit courts at districts

~ The Tigers' top doubles team earned a No. 1 seed for the districts.

Central boys tennis coach Bud Craven went into the district tournament last year pointing toward the future, with a young squad getting a taste of postseason play.

The improvement Craven mentioned has shown in the Tigers' play this season, and the top doubles team of David Berry and Patrick Duffy was rewarded with a top seed in doubles competition when the Class 2 District 1 tournament begins today at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center in St. Louis.

Berry and Duffy will look to end a three-year drought in which the Tigers have failed to qualify a player for the state tournament. The top two in singles and doubles qualify for the state tournament. The two-day tournament will conclude Friday.

"They really like playing together," Craven said of Berry and Duffy. "They're really excited. They want it really bad. Hopefully it will work out for them."

Brandon Gonzales and Josh Hubbard will also compete in doubles competition for the Tigers. Robert Weir drew the No. 5 seed in singles for Central, and Will LaFoe will also compete in singles. Weir and LaFoe both played in singles competition at the district tournament last year, dropping second-round matches.

The top four teams in the district advance to a regional round where the district winner plays the No. 4 team and the Nos. 2 and 3 teams play to determine the two sectional teams. Last year the Tigers finished seventh in the district.

Lindbergh and Webster Groves made it to the sectional round from District 1 last year. Central topped Lindbergh 11-0 earlier this year.

"From what I understand, Webster Groves has the strongest team and then Rockwood Summit," Craven said. "We played Eureka and did well against them. I feel optimistic we'll be at least in the top four."

Rain interrupted much of Central's late dual season, but it still managed to once again hit double digits in dual wins with 10. Central enhanced the strength of its schedule this season with a trip to the Columbia Rock Bridge Tournament.

"It's unfortunate we've had some rain take us out of a couple [chances]," Craven said. "I beefed the schedule up this year and we played Jefferson City, which is one of the better teams in the state."

Slattery earns conference honor

Central senior baseball player Blake Slattery was named SEMO Conference Player of the Year, marking the second straight year a Central player earned the honor.

Slattery leads the Tigers in nearly every offensive category, including batting average, home runs, doubles, triples and RBIs. The shortstop recently signed with Mineral Area College.

Last year's player of the year, Central senior Brad LaBruyere, joined Slattery on the first team. Fellow senior Matt Hester rounded out Central's first-team all-conference members.

Jackson seniors Rex Meyr, Luke Crader and Logan Lawson also made the first team. The Indians won the SEMO Conference tournament for the first time this year.

Chris Hanback and Josh Steger made the first team from Chaffee and Kelly's Dallas Tew also made the first team.

Sikeston and Dexter had four first-team members each. Sikeston coach Kevin Self was the coach of the year.

Scott-Mississippi all-conference softball

Oran, Scott City and Delta each had five all-conference members on the Scott-Mississippi all-conference list.

Oran juniors Jodi Urhahn, Ellen Sikes, Cassie Graviett and Callie Kielhofner and senior Wendy Eftink all made the first team.

Scott City juniors Emily Essner, Lauren Schaefer, Chelsi Bradley, Kim Klipfel and senior Jenni Heisserer made the first team for the Rams.

Kaci Menz, Sara Blattel, Jodi Menz, Kendra Burnett and Taylor Smith made the team from Delta.