TIGERS HOPE TO BUILD ON GREAT YEAR

With spring rapidly approaching, boys high school tennis teams in Southeast Missouri are working hard to prepare for the upcoming season.

The Cape Central Tigers are aiming for a repeat as Class 4A, District 1 champions after claiming their first title in 15 years.

Charleston, on the other hand, which has traditionally fielded strong teams, is hoping to rebound after a couple of mediocre seasons.

Cape Central

The Tigers, with most of their top players returning, are anticipating another solid season. But their hopes may have been deflated a bit with the loss of last year's No. 3 player, Paul Miller, who suffered a ruptured disk in his neck and is likely to miss the entire season.

Miller, who was injured in a church league basketball game, was slated to be No. 1 or 2 this year.

"It is tough losing Paul, but we're looking for some of our younger players to step up and fill the void," said coach Bud Craven. "Paul had been working really hard and was looking forward to a solid senior season."

Junior Trevor Blattner is expected to be the No. 1 singles player for the Tigers. Blattner teamed with the graduated Mick Metzger to capture an eighth place in doubles at the state meet in 2000. Their finish was the highest in school history.

Other returnees with varsity experience are juniors Andrew Eaton, Andrew Tansil, Eric Daume, Paul Hagler and Calvin Maginel.

Talented freshman James Russell could break into the top six.

Central hosts De Soto in the season opener Tuesday.

Charleston

"Charleston boys tennis is not dead, and these guys want to prove it," said Charleston coach Mitch Baker, starting his 16th season at the helm of the Bluejays.

The loss of the top two players from last season's third-place Class 1A-3A, District 1 team will hurt.

The Blue Jays will be young, but Baker is high on the team's athleticism, speed and work ethic.

"We want to work everyday to get better and hopefully peak at district time," said Baker. "Our goal is to win the district and that's a pretty lofty goal for such a young team, but I think it's possible."

Seniors Jonathan Holley, Ryan Moxley and Cole Richert return along with junior Michael Rodriquez and sophomore Kyle Kemp.

Freshmen Alec Peterson, Lee Hess, Jake Garrard, Chris Groves, Jason Groves, Josh Moxley and Steven Johnson are also battling for positions.

Peterson, one of the more intriguing young players on the local scene, had a great summer season winning the St. Louis Hard Court Championship for his age group, before suffering an injury to his right shoulder that required surgery.

While recovering, he taught himself to play left-handed and did so quite well.

Reportedly healthy now, Peterson, with excellent speed and court sense, could be a player to watch.

Charleston opens at Poplar Bluff Tuesday.