For the Daily Journal
The weather was hot on Wednesday. So was Center Grove.
The fourth-ranked Trojans trounced previously unbeaten Whiteland, 5-0, in the semifinals of the Johnson County boys tennis tournament.
The defending champion Trojans will now host Greenwood, a 4-1 winner against Franklin, for the championship at 4:30 today.
While Center Grove’s win wasn’t as perfect as their win against Indian Creek Tuesday, when the Trojans (10-1) didn’t surrender a game, it was no less impressive, especially since the Warriors (10-1) were no pushover.
Trojan senior Trey Thixton had a duel with Whiteland sophomore Quinten Gillespie at No. 1 singles. Gillespie was up 4-3 at one point in the opening set before Thixton rallied to win 6-4, 6-3.
At No. 1 doubles, the Center Grove team of Grant Herron and Nic Ballesteros held off the Warriors’ combo of juniors Garrison Pelfree and Lane Stephenson, 6-2, 7-5.
Adding to the win were the Runkle Brothers, Mitch and Mason, at No. 2 and 3 singles. Mitch, a senior, won 6-1, 6-0, while junior Mason remained perfect in the tourney with a 6-0, 6-0 whitewash.
“I feel like the heat added to our toughness,” Mason Runkle said. “We stepped it up. We will need to do this (in the final) and focus just as hard.”
Greenwood will try pull off the upset against the Trojans — a tough proposition, but not impossible.
The Woodmen (9-2) played well themselves on Wednesday, dominating the Grizzly Cubs with some great play from the start.
Sophomore Nick Belovic, the No. 3 singles player, was the only Woodmen to win 6-0 in both sets, but sophomore No. 1 player Ethan Gray and senior No. 2 Jacob Rothaar also recorded straight-set victories, as did the No. 1 doubles team of Charlie Brooks and Ben Sobieray.
Greenwood coach Jeremy Runge was pleased with the play of the Woodmen.
“For us, it’s always nice to beat Franklin because they have beat us in the past,” said Runge. “There is some room for improvement for us, but overall we played solid, which is what we’re going to have to do against Center Grove.
“We also need to have a quick start. If we don’t it, could be a long afternoon.”
