Boys tennis: Scouting conference tournaments, Northwest

Boys tennis: Scouting conference tournaments

Mid-Suburban LeagueHost: Hoffman Estates

When: Thursday through Saturday

Defending champion: Barrington

Nico Rosas admits he has a difficult time recounting some of the highlights of his prep tennis career thus far. That's understandable, as there are plenty to chose from for the humble Cougars captain.

The four-year veteran, who will attend Iowa next fall, is already a three-time state qualifier and 2017 sectional champion, in addition to several other honors the senior has garneered under coach Dave Koleno.

"Nico is a born leader, and from the first day he arrived here, that's the way he's been," begins Koleno. "He's the kind of young man who always puts his teammates and our program first and would play anywhere in the lineup if it meant helping his team."

Rosas and Kaahan Motwani have earned trips to the state tournament together twice. And in Rosas' rookie season, he paird with Nikhil Modak to join the 64-team field.

"I can't tell you how great it felt to make it to state with Nikhil, but these last two years, our expectations, but we've fallen a little short," said Rosas.

Koleno says Rosas has been a key figure in the Cougars' three consecutive sectional team titles. Both say that's a feat both are quite proud of, and they hope to extend it to four straight sectional titles in a couple of weeks.

"Being a part of Conant tennis has been one of the best things about high school," said Rosas. "I'll miss the weekend tournaments with the guys, duals during the week ... just everything about the program, my teammates and coach Koleno."

The MSL West runners-up figure to be in a fight for second place with division rival Fremd and MSL East champion Hersey, as six-time league champion Barrington is favored to make it seven in a row.

"Barrington is the clear the No. 1 in my opinion, and after beating Conant the other day, they are the team to beat," says Prospect coach Brad Rathe.

The Knights finished second in the East behind Hersey. A year ago, those positions were reversed.

"We're all chasing Barrington right now, so the hope is it's us and Conant going after the second-place trophy," said Hersey coach Andy Walton, who has a terrific 1-2 punch at singles in freshmen Max Sheldon (13-4) and Kevin Mi (10-3).

The Huskies' No. 1 doubles team, Jace Coffaro/Dom Antony (11-4), will be after Barrington's top team of Matt D'Amore/Aryan Sharma (13-6).

Rosas and Motwani (12-0) would have earned the top seed if not for Motwani and two other Cougars being out of town at the BPA (Business Professionals Assocation) national tournament.

Rosas will likely team with No. 3 singles player Roberto Macher.

Barrington's depth is what should be the diffference in the final tally. But their top performers, Bradley Yu (12-2) and freshman Ammar Wazir (15-2), are also exceptional for coach John Roncone's team.

"The boys have worked hard all season long, and we now have a lineup put together which should give us the best chance to compete at the highest level in order to end up as the top team in the conference on Saturday," Roncone said.

Dylan Er/Kyle Shuff, recently installed as the Broncos' No. 2 doubles team, has gotten off to a flying start and currently stands at 11-2.

Central Suburban North

Host: Glenbrook North

When: 3 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday

Defending champ: Glenbrook North

The CSL North is not quite at the same level it's achieved over the past decade or so after graduation fleeced the rosters of the usual powers: Deerfield, Glenbrook North and Highland Park.

Maine West, recent third-place trophy winners at the annual D88 Invite at Willowbrook, has a chance to earn several medal-winners by the end of the tournament. Kamil Kozerski/Jason Elangical earned first place at the D88.

Kozerski, a freshman, is a potential top three-seed at singles, while four-year veteran Elangical may pair up with another four-year player, Brett Patterson, at doubles.

Julio Diez/Daivek Patel were second overall at No. 2 at the D88.

Highland Park senior Jeremy Learner, a 3-4 seed a year ago at doubles in the 2A state tournament, is likely the top seed at singles this weekend.

East Suburban Catholic ConferenceHost: Benet Academy

When: 10 a.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. Saturday

Defending champ: Benet Academy

St. Viator coach Amy Ritchie says Benet Academy, winners of the last four ESCC tournaments and 23 overall since 1991, are the favorites to earn another triumph this weekend. But the Redwings are not necessarily an overwhelming favorite.

"They are strong, especially at doubles," Ritchie said. "But Nick Hebda (Notre Dame) will take points away at No. 1 singles because he's one of the best in the state, and there's a few of us that can grab points at singles, then make a big push at doubles."

Ritchie has done a terrific job since taking over the program three years ago, adding several new and more highly skilled opponents to the weekend schedule while bringing along her players to give the Lions newfound balance and depth.

"We did our best to put teams on our schedule who will be a part of our sectional this year, which gives all of my guys a look at what's ahead, and what each of them needs to work on in order to compete," Ritchie said. "Plus we've done our best to add some variety to that same schedule to help push the guys more this year."

- Mike Garofola