High school boys tennis season preview

The balance of postseason success in boys tennis leans heavily in the direction of Center Grove, a sectional champion 18 times this century alone.

Whiteland and Greenwood are primed to demonstrate stern resistance this season.

The Warriors, who dropped a 3-2 decision to the Trojans in last year’s sectional final, bring back, among others, senior Quinten Gillespie, the team’s top singles player the entirety of his four-year career.

Greenwood’s situation is similar.

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Senior Ethan Gray, the reigning Daily Journal Player of the Year, is a fixture at No. 1 singles for the Woodmen. Gillespie and Gray, who posted respective records of 21-4 and 17-5 last fall, are viewed as the elite of the Mid-State Conference now that Sajin Smith of Perry Meridian has exhausted his eligibility.

Both are the closest thing there is to an automatic point.

“The fact both Whiteland and Greenwood have high-level No. 1 players, that’s always pretty helpful,” said Ivan Smith, Center Grove’s coach since 1978. “We’ll have to find out if we have that. It gives you something you can count on.”

Added Whiteland coach Mike Gillespie: “All three (teams) have pretty strong singles lineups. About the only player that really gives Quinten and Ethan trouble is the other.”

The Warriors and Woodmen hope the rest of their lineups are suited to potentially overtake the Trojans, a senior-dominated squad led by veterans Luke Embrey and Dhrumil Patel.

Embrey was All-County as a junior, finishing with an 18-5 record at No. 2 singles. In all, eight of Center Grove’s players won at least one varsity match in 2019.

For Whiteland, sophomore Ty McCullars went 14-4 at the third singles spot last fall and could move to the No. 2 slot. Otherwise, junior Dylan Gross, who was previously an All-County doubles for the Warriors, appears ready for singles competition.

Another possibility for the singles portion of Whiteland’s lineup is junior Ariss Mardanzai. Senior Travis Robinson, who played No. 2 doubles for Whiteland, was second team all-conference.

Meanwhile, Greenwood brings back seniors Nick Belovic and Charlie Brooks, who played No. 2 and No. 3 singles last year, respectively. Doubles experience returns in the form of Aidan Luttrell, Sam Fenner and Thomas Burtt.

Fourth-year Woodmen coach Jeremy Runge, who is trying to bring Greenwood its first sectional championship since 2005, can’t help but be optimistic.

“On any given day it could go any (direction), but I would give us the edge,” Runge said. “I’m more confident in this group than any since I’ve been here. The strength at doubles really could push a team over the edge, but whoever wins our sectional has a good shot to go on to semistate.”

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Center Grove Trojans

Coach: Ivan Smith

Last season: Won Johnson County, sectional and regional titles; lost to Zionsville at semistate

Key returnees: Carson Contos, Luke Embrey, Landen Finlinson, Jhrumil Patel, Ethan Stone, Glen Swaney, Reece Whitney and Ryan Wiseman, seniors

Top newcomers: Connor Smith and Dennis Strain, juniors; Max Williams, freshman

Outlook: The Trojans return the majority of players from last season’s semistate qualifier, led by seniors Embrey and Patel, who figure to be among the three singles starters. Smith, who traditionally uses the summer months to gauge the progress of his players, knows nothing is assured at this point. “We had high expectations, and when (the pandemic) came about and things shut down. … I haven’t seen anyone play a meaningful match, so I honestly have no clue,” Smith said. “We’ll see if our seniors can lead us and help fill in the holes created by the lack of court time.”

Edinburgh Lancers

Coach: Pete Khensouri

Last season: Lost to host Columbus North in sectional championship match

Key returnees: Chase Littlejohn, Trevor Moon and Preston Smith, seniors; Cash Cunningham and Travis Jones, juniors; Max Blandford, sophomore

Outlook: Former No. 2 singles player Blandford is expected to move to the top spot, while Jones, last season’s No. 3, should also be ready for a promotion of sorts. “The goal is to improve our record from last year” said Khensouri, now in his 22nd season. “But we want to improve individually as well.”

Franklin Grizzly Cubs

Coach: Rusty Hughes

Last season: Lost to Whiteland in sectional semifinal

Key returnees: Jackson Klem, Jackson Hedges and Luke Rockey, seniors; Sam Auger, Zion Parkhurst and Silas Smith, juniors

Top newcomers: Dylan Funkhouser, Price Rucker and Devin Tyler, sophomores

Outlook: The Grizzly Cubs bring back experienced singles players Auger and Hedges, who held down the second and third spots last fall. Klem (No. 1 doubles) and Parkhurst (No. 2 doubles) also gained valuable court time at the varsity level. “Our goal is to improve upon that record,” Hughes said of his team. “We’re excited to be able to go out and play and take another step forward as a program.”

Greenwood Woodmen

Coach: Jeremy Runge

Last season: Lost to Center Grove in opening round of sectional

Key returnees: Nick Belovic, Charlie Brooks, Thomas Burtt and Ethan Gray, seniors; Garrett Appleget, Sam Fenner, Garrett Lipinski and Aidan Luttrell, juniors

Top newcomers: Will Davidson and Noah Paswater, freshmen

Outlook: With Gray once again leading the way, the Woodmen appear to be a serious threat for Johnson County, Mid-State Conference and sectional supremacy. Belovic and Brooks will be the other singles players, while the coach continues to look for the best combinations in doubles. “I’m incredibly excited,” Runge said. “We’ve worked harder than at any time since I’ve been here. I’ve recharged more than I have in the past and the players have, too.”

Indian Creek Braves

Coach: Mike Perry

Last season: Lost to Center Grove in sectional semifinal

Key returnees: Jake Mitchell and Jaden Scrogham, seniors; Cole Allison, Jathan Bray, Cass Mitchell and Colin Roberson, juniors; Brendan Conner and Aiden Pemberton, sophomores

Outlook: Jake and Cass Mitchell played first and third singles, respectively, last season; Scrogham, Conner and Pemberton are experienced in varsity doubles competition. "We’re really expecting Jake and Jaden to be our leaders this season," Perry said. "It’s hard to say right now whether Jaden will play singles or doubles, but our top five spots will be pretty solid."

Whiteland Warriors

Coach: Mike Gillespie

Last season: Second at Mid-State Conference tournament and runner-up at Center Grove Sectional

Key returnees: Caidyn Baumann, Christian Felker, Quinten Gillespie, Josh Pitts and Travis Robinson, seniors; Corbin Grantam, Dylan Gross and Ariss Mardanzai, juniors; Ty McCullars, sophomore.

Outlook: Quinten Gillespie, who has recorded a 58-12 mark over his first three seasons at No. 1 singles, is back for his final year with the Warriors. Gross, McCullars and Mardanzai give the coach options when it comes to the other two singles spots. “I think we have a chance. I do,” coach Gillespie said, referring to the possibility of winning the program’s second sectional. “We’re not as deep as we were last year, but we’re still pretty good. We haven’t lost a conference dual match in two years.”

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