Cape Central boys tennis team falls just short of final four

ST. LOUIS -- The Central boys tennis team fell just short in its attempt to make history Saturday.

The Tigers won their Class 2 team sectional match against Ladue 5-2 in the morning at Ladue Middle School, but their season ended one match short of making to the final four in Springfield when they lost to Eureka 5-2 at St. Joseph's Academy.

Central was attempting to become the first tennis team in school history to make it to the final four.

"We pushed a great team to the breaking point," Tigers coach Bud Craven said. "We had a great win in the morning against Ladue, and we knew we needed to win at Nos. 1, 5 and 6 singles this afternoon. We got the wins at 1 and 5 but came up just a little short at 6. I felt if we could have split the singles that we had a chance to win at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles."

Eureka, which is undefeated in 20 matches this season, had a 4-2 lead after singles and clinched it with a win at No. 2 doubles.

Central finished its season with a 16-4 record, and two of the losses came to Eureka. The Tigers dropped the other meeting 8-1. Central also fell to defending Class 2 champion Rock Bridge and Parkway West.

"We had a lot of seniors on the team [four in the starting six]," Craven said. "We have been together for four years and had some great times and played a lot of great tennis."

The Tigers played well in the 5-2 win over the Rams. Junior Pablo Jaramillo was dominant at No. 1 singles. He defeated Eric Peters 6-1, 6-1. Central also got a straight set win at No. 5 by Austin Shupert, who also won his singles match against Eureka. Jake Wright and Ryan Watts won three-set matches at Nos. 4 and 6 singles respectively to help the Tigers lead 4-2 after singles. They clinched it with a win at No. 1 doubles by Jaramillo and Sam Stahly.

The highlight in the loss to Eureka was a win at No. 1 singles by Jaramillo. He defeated James Huang 6-1, 2-6, 7-6. That sent the match to doubles and avenged one of only three losses in the season for the junior.

"I felt like I was going to die in those second and third sets," Jaramillo said about the heat during the match. "This win gives me a lot of confidence. I feel that I am ready for state now."

Jaramillo is the first Tigers singles player to qualify for state in Craven's 18 years of coaching.

"Pablo loves the game, and he is a very gifted player," Craven said. "He plays a smart game and has a variety of shots, which he places well."

Jaramillo, who lost in the sectional round with Stahly in doubles last year, is looking forward to his weekend in Springfield, Mo.

"It is an honor to be there, and I just want to go as far as I can," he said. "I will be training hard in preparation and will do my best and see what happens."

The individual portion of the state tournament will be played Friday and Saturday at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield. There will be a draw of 16 players in Class 2 singles.