Steady ascent continues for Antioch's Ward
Moving up the ladder is nothing new for Antioch junior Braden Ward.
He's already worked his way into the boys tennis state tournament twice, and now he's closing in on the elite levels in the North Suburban Conference after a third-place singles finish on Monday in Lake Villa in the league tournament.
Ward defeated Wauconda's Brian Hackman 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 by rallying back under very windy conditions.
"The wind was definitely was a big factor," Ward said. "It's something that you have to play through and adjust to. Taking third in this conference is very good. It's nice to do that.
"Between sophomore and junior year has been the biggest leap. I would like to make it to state again."
Lake Forest won the meet for the second straight year with 38 points. Stevenson was second at 28.5, followed by Libertyville (27) and (23).
The meet was postponed on Saturday due to rain in the morning and was finished Monday.
"It's always going to be tough competing against Lake Forest," Stevenson coach Tom Stanhope said. "Both teams are good, and playing in these conditions, it was good competition.
"We look forward to playing them again, and hopefully we will see them in state tournament."
Accounting for the wind was a main consideration for all of Monday's competitors.
"You had to get them in the moment, more than the outcome," Stanhope said. "I just tell the guys to play within 2 points rather than thinking about winning a game or breaking their serves - just to stay in that particular moment."
The NSC's top two teams will not see each other this weekend, as Stevenson hosts its own sectional and Lake Forest will be at the Antioch sectional.
Brice Polender of Lake Forest defeated Libertyville's Ben VanDixhorn by default for the No. 1 title.
The Scouts' Alex Bancila got past Brian Weisberg of Stevenson 6-4, 6-3 for the No. 2 singles title, and Kevin Kim of Lake Zurich beat Oliver Gallego 7-5, 6-2 for third place.
In doubles, Lake Forest duo of Greg Franenhein/Jordon O'Kelly topped Stevenson's Matt Harvey/Adam Maryniuk 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) for the No. 1 title. Warren's Samuel Gudeman/Scott Seiler earned third with a win over Liberrtyville's Scott Daluga/Ken Herrmann 6-3, 7-6.
The Patriots earned top honors at No. 2 doubles, as Don Bush/Josh Cheng defeated Ben Kasbeer/Colton England of Lake Forest 6-3, 6-2. For third place, Libertyville's Julian Janczak/Mike Gasick handled Josh Ashley/Tyler Cash of Warren 6-0, 7-5.
At No. 3 doubles, Lake Forest's Craig Cambell/Jack Armstrong won by default against Stevenson's Sam Koomis/Ryan Yoo and Warren's Daniel Nystrom/Cameron Haevers defeated Libertyville's Hao Chan/Nihar Phadken 6-4, 6-4 for thid place.