Boys tennis sectional capsules

Updated: September 26, 2011 10:16PM

Crown Point

Schedule: Wednesday — Kankakee Valley vs. Lake Central, 4:15 p.m.; Thursday — Rensselaer vs. Lowell, 4:15 p.m.; Crown Point vs. Winner of the first match, 4:15 p.m.; Thursday — Championship, 6:30 p.m.

Players to watch: Crown Point — Daniel Smith; Kankakee Valley — Luke Sanderson; Lake Central — Thomas Lozanoski; Lowell — Harris Rosenbalm

The Skinny: Although the host Bulldogs enter with an obvious advantage, winning the last four consecutive crowns, this year sees a whole new twist. Thanks to the realignment of the tournament, rival DAC squad Lake Central now joins in the competition. With both in the same location, this is one of the most difficult region crowns to take. Lake Central posted back-to-back 5-0 tallies in its duals against Crown Point, before losing 4-1 to the Bulldogs this fall.

Next: Winner faces the River Forest Sectional champ in the Munster Regional on Oct. 4.

LaPorte

Schedule: Wednesday — Michigan vs. LaPorte, 4:30 p.m.; New Prarie vs. Marquette, 4:30 p.m.; Thursday — Championship, 4:30 p.m.

Players to watch: LaPorte — Carter Perry, Michael Varda; Marquette — Quinn Porter; Michigan City — Brad Sebert.

The Skinny: This is one of two local sectionals that didn’t get refaced by IHSAA alignment. That being said, this specific tournament also happens to have been dominated by LaPorte for four consecutive years. Unlike last season, though, Marquette (under the leadership of former college coach Jay Adams) heads in with a winning record. LaPorte’s again the team to beat, especially after finishing third in the Duneland Conference (with just two losses in one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory for the DAC).

Next: Winner faces the SB Clay Sectional winner in the Portage Regional on Oct. 4.

Merrillville

Schedule: Wednesday — Andrean vs. Calumet, 4:00 p.m.; Thursday — Hobart vs. Merrillville, 4:00 p.m.; Griffith vs. Winner of the first match, 4:00 p.m.; Thursday — Championship, 6:00 p.m.

Players to watch: Merrillville — Leonard Mathews II; Andrean — Jake McCoy; Griffith — Garrett Litke; Hobart — Bobby Eberle; Calumet — Josh Borst

The Skinny: This year’s incarnation of the Merrillville section is drastically different. First the number of opponents jumps up, with two more (thanks to IHSAA realignment). Then there’s the fact that Hobart (the two time defending champion) isn’t quite to the level they were (because of many graduation losses). And, seemingly, now the tourney becomes wide open. Merrillville’s and Griffith’s chances to pull away are strong, given no. 1 singles players Mathews (a former P-T player of the year) and Litke.

Next: Winner faces the Munster Sectional Winner in the Munster Regional on Oct. 4.

Munster

Schedule: Wednesday — Munster vs. Bishop Noll, 4:00 p.m.; Thursday — Highland vs. Gavit, 4:00 p.m.; Clark vs. Winner of the first match, 4:00 p.m.; Friday — Championship, 4:00 p.m.

Players to watch: Munster — Jack Heiniger; Bishop Noll — Nick Skurka; Highland — Jarhett Adams; Clark — Chris Miller; Gavit — Christian Taylor

The Skinny: With the losses of Morton and Lake Central and the gains of Bishop Noll, Clark and Highland (thanks to realignment), the Munster Sectional jumps up to a six-team affair. That enhanced number still might not be enough to halt the Munster freight train. The Mustangs (who made it to the final four in 2010) have rattled out an array of titles (37). And locally, aside from an early season scare with Valparaiso, they remain undefeated since the 2004 Regionals.

Next: Winner faces the Merrillville Sectional Winner in the Munster Regional on Oct. 4.

Portage

Schedule: Wednesday — Wheeler vs. Valparaiso, 4:00 p.m.; Portage vs. Chesterton, 4:00 p.m.; Thursday — Championship, 4:00 p.m.

Players to watch: Valparaiso — Ben Kalisch, Marty Pochop; Wheeler — Jack Hibbard; Portage — Patrick Derr; Chesterton — Jack McCrum

The Skinny: This sectional avoided the IHSAA realignment and returns even stronger than last year. Not only are 24-time sectional champions Valparaiso (who made it to the final eight in 2010) back and rolling, but their opponents continue to elevate. Adding to the intrigue is the improved play of Wheeler, who has much more depth, punctuated by No. 3 player Hibbard (a freshman that went undefeated in regular season bouts). Not to mention the existence of clubs like Portage and Chesterton in the Duneland Conference. The Indians and Trojans faced the likes of Valparaiso (who only suffered one local loss) in the ultra-competitive conference.

Next: Winner faces the Penn Sectional Winner in the Portage Regional on Oct. 4.

River Forest

Schedule: Wednesday — River Forest vs. Morton, 4:00 p.m. (at River Forest); Lake Station vs. East Chicago, 4:00 p.m. (at Lake Station); Thursday — West Side will play the winner of the first match, 4:00 p.m. (at River Forest); Friday — Championship, 4:00 p.m. (River Forest)

Teams: East Chicago Central, Gary Roosevelt, Gary West Side, Hammond Morton, Lake Station Edison, River Forest

Players to watch: East Chicago — Armando Nunez; River Forest — Michael Bach; Morton — Ryan Robinson; Lake Station — Joe Dickerson; West Side — Derek Moody

The Skinny: Let the games begin. For sometime this has been one of the smallest sectionals in the area, including last year’s contest with just two clubs that showed. Now, due to realignment, three more schools were added. And, given the regular season outcomes, there is a multitude of ways this one could finish. There’s no doubt, however, that nine-time defending champ River Forest would like to extend into the double-digit category.

Next: Winner faces the Crown Point Sectional winner in the Munster Regional on Oct. 4.

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