The Jamestown boys tennis team appears to have all the pieces in place for a special season.
Program linchpin Grayson Deberry is back for his senior season after reaching the Group 4A East semifinals in singles each of the past two seasons in addition to comprising half of a state tournament doubles team the last two campaigns. And the guy that pushed Deberry along the way last year, his doubles partner, Albon Yowell, is back on the second singles line as a junior.
They represent a dynamic duo, two members of a group of 12 upperclassmen including senior Phillip Song, their fellow co-captain.
“I have a mature team, so most of these guys know how to go to work,” Jamestown coach Bob Artis said. “We know that we really have to peak at the end of the season, so I would say right now that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
The Eagles (4-1) have steadily progressed with Bay Rivers District action about to heat up when spring break ends. Jamestown’s only loss was a 5-4 defeat last week to perennial independent power Norfolk Academy, when Deberry and Yowell earned some respect out of the gate with a doubles win to start the afternoon.
The Eagles, who beat Poquoson 8-1 Thursday, still have a couple of out-of-district tests on the docket with Collegiate School of Richmond and Cape Henry Collegiate.
“That’s the kind of ball that gets you ready for regional and state competition,” Artis said. “You have to see a superior level, or you’re just not ready for postseason.”
Deberry, who netted his 101st career win against Poquoson, could have an opportunity for a postseason Artis can’t recall another player in program history having: representing the Eagles at states on the singles, doubles and team level.
The focus for Jamestown will be advancing to the 4A East Regional and winning it for the first time in three years. The usual suspects, Hanover and Midlothian, are expected to stand in the way.
Lehman Montgomery, who notched his 50th career win on Thursday, slots in at line four behind Song while Artis has the enviable position of monitoring the fifth and sixth slots for fluctuation. The Eagles have a ton of depth that should soon be on display on district competition.
Jamestown’s first district match following next week’s spring break will come against Lafayette, which returned only one singles starter from last year, sophomore Davis Hatcher.
Hatcher filed in at No. 6 singles last year, but is on the top line this year.
“We’re real young,” Lafayette coach Archie Jefferson said. “I have two seniors that are playing at No. 2 and 6 right now. But other than that, we’re ninth and 10th graders.”
Warhill, which was bested 8-1 Wednesday by Lafayette, lost five total starters and is still looking for its first team win of the season.
Cooper Gravel moved up from line three to the top seed for the Lions and Boheng Mu is the No. 2.
“All remaining players are inexperienced first-year tennis players,” Warhill coach Bob Hyatt said. “My (outlook) is to have this season as a rebuilding season, where my inexperienced squad will learn and progress in order that they will come back next year with much more tennis savvy.”
In the private school ranks, Walsingham Academy lost five starters, but has a blend of experience and a more-than-full roster of 18.
So far, the Trojans have a win over Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and losses to Portsmouth Christian, Norfolk Academy and Steward School.
Returning starters for Walsingham include Greg Peterson and Rene Dahdah.
“We are hopeful that this year’s team will finish with a better overall record than last year and be able to qualify in every position for the TCIS championship,” said Will Gibson, who co-coaches the team with Kim Davenport. “We are looking forward to growing as tennis players and are hopeful for the future of the program with a number of talented and committed younger players. This year’s team includes two underclassmen in the top six, No. 2 Dominick Yacono and No. 3 Sam Jones.”
Holtzman can be reached by phone at 757-298-5830.
