Sophomore Michael Argabright returns a shot in the No. 3 singles match against Buford High School on Feb. 26. Argabright lost this match but is optimistic about beating BHS in region playoffs. “I think we could’ve played better against Buford and we have been practicing more than ever to beat them,” Argabright said. “I think the team should work on basic skills and point construction so we can try to minimize unforced errors.” Photo by Colin Frick
The Clarke Central High School tennis teams have reached the midseason point with the boys posting an overall record of 6-1 and the girls’ record falling to 1-6.
Clarke Central High School’s tennis program has reached the midseason point, with the boys defeating Cedar Shoals High School 5 to 0 and improving to a 7-1 overall record. The girls team also defeated CSHS with a score of 5 to 0, and their record increased to 2-7 overall.
Head tennis coach Stephen Hinson believes the girls are improving while the boys are playing consistently well.
“(The girls team) has had some tough matches, but they are getting better every time they go out. The boys have played really well. The only match we lost was to Buford,” Hinson said. “There is just no way around (Buford), they are just really good. One thing I am really proud of is how all of my players fight to the end.”
According to Hinson, Buford’s tennis team has such a reputation that teams must prepare harder than ever to compete against them.
“My boys this year truly believe that they can beat Buford. It is gonna take every person doing his job, playing their match and playing every point to the max,” Hinson said. “It would be a hell of a win. In the past, I have had some really good girls teams that could not get over that mental block.”
According to Braden Delamater, a junior, the difference between this year and past years is the high competition level in practice. Delamater believes this change will help them better prepare for matches.
“This season, there are definitely more people to challenge us. (No. 1 singles player Elijah Gabriel) is here to practice with us, which really helps me because I will not face anyone better than him at No. 2 singles. Having a good well-rounded group really helps,” Delamater said. “This is definitely the best-skilled team we have had, and we all push each other at practice. We all push each other to do better, we expect to do good things and we expect to work hard.”
