Barrington nets win over Glenbrook North
Reigning Mid-Suburban League boys tennis champion Barrington kept its record perfect this spring following a 5-3 victory Wednesday afternoon over visiting Glenbrook North in a nonconference dual on the Broncos’ courts.
Barrington entered the day 3-0 after defeating Ottawa, Downers Grove North and most recently, Lake Zurich.
The Broncos’ swept all four doubles for the second consecutive match. Senior Ben Nuckles, a doubles state qualifier last season, led the way with sophomore partner Ben Adams. They defeated the Spartans’ No. 1 team of Bill Angel and Josh Sawyer in three sets.
Adams held serve to put the Broncos up 5-3 in the first set before Sawyer, who missed all of last season to an injury, held as well to make it 5-4. Then Nuckles finished things off with a solid game of service.
“So far so good for our No. 1 team,” said Barrington coach John Roncone, who has watched this duo open the season 4-0. “Ben brings a lot of size at the net, and a very dangerous serve. And if these two can continue to progress and improve, then maybe some very good things will come to both of them when the postseason comes around.”
Roncone’s top two singles players went 1-1, with junior George Coll having an easy time against his opponent at No. 2, Michael Osher, in a 6-0, 6-1 win. Barrington sophomore Varun Parekh fought back from a 6-2 first-set defeat to win the second set 6-2 before dropping the final set 6-4 against state qualifier Brian Levitas.
“Varun cannot go down 0-3 in the first set, but to his credit, he came back and played very well to make this an interesting 3-setter,” said Roncone.
On Tuesday, Parekh, who along with Coll was a state qualifier last May, defeated Lake Zurich sophomore sensation Grant Thompson in three sets 1-6, 6-2, 7-5.
“This was a nice team win for us, against an always quality program in Glenbrook North,” said Roncone. “We made the shots at the right times and came through when we needed to, but today will be a real test for us when we meet Deerfield, one of the top teams in the state this season.”
The Spartans, who compete against state powers Deerfield, Highland Park and defending state champ New Trier in the Central Suburban League each week, look to be a little closer to the pack this season with the return of four state qualifiers — Levitas, Angel, Tommy Snape and Osher, as well a healthy Sawyer.
“The good news is we have some very good players (back) with experience as well,’ said Glenbrook North coach Jeff Jordan. “The bad news is we have one great team after another on our schedule, which should be a challenge all season.”