Boys tennis sectional preview

Boys tennis / sectional preview

On Thursday, May 28, the 73rd boys state tennis tournament will begin. Major tournaments have proved one thing - only New Trier, Hinsdale Central, Stevenson - and a late entrant, Glenbrook South - have a chance to lift the big trophy. Competitors will lock down state tournament spots this weekend at 32 sectional sites - including 5 area locations. Play begins this afternoon.

At Larkin

Field: Barrington, Jacobs, Streamwood, Elgin, Huntley, Dundee-Crown.

What to watch: Barrington will lean heavily on its MSL champion doubles teams as it goes after its sixth consecutive title. Seniors David Martin-Cam McClelland (23-6) arrive with the top seed, while Jim Deroche-Doug Nordli (21-8) appear on a collision course with their teammates in the finals. Four-time state qualifier Mike Williamson (Dundee-Crown) is gone and his departure creates an opening for Yuto Tsukido (Streamwood), who will use his victory over MSL runner-up Izzi Balase to state his case for the top seed at singles.

At Schaumburg

Field: Elk Grove, Conant, Glenbard North, Glenbard South, Hoffman Estates, Maine West, Rolling Meadows and the host Saxons.

Outlook: With a potential state singles champion (Michael Moore, Glenbard South) and top 4 doubles seed (Tom McNichols-Mike Sellito, Glenbard South) and likely 9-16 seeds Ben Hoogland (GBS) and Joo Ho Yu (GBN, 18-10) front and center, the race for the fourth and final spot in singles looks to be between Scahumburg sophomore Izzi Balase (31-5) and Brian Levitas (19-11) from Glenbard North. "I learned a lot from my experience at the state tournament last year as a freshmen, and I look forward to getting (back) and competing much better than I did last year," said Balase.

At Stevenson

Field: Stevenson, Fremd, Prospect, Hersey, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich, Palatine, St. Viator and Vernon Hills.

What to Watch: The host Patriots begin their quest for a state title here and should have no problem getting all four teams through with No. 1 Blake Bazarnik (18-1) and top doubles team (Ross Putterman-David Packowitz, 24-1) looking to make it easy for the state selection committeee to bestow both with top four seeds next weekend.

After Bazarnik, it's every man for himself in a loaded field which includes: Kenta Shimizu (24-4, Fremd), Etham Frankel (20-5, Stevenson), freshman phenom Michael Redlicki (Lake Zurich) as well as Ryan Kreis (24-4, Fremd), Eric Klawitter (23-4, Hersey) Taylor Blaney (St. Viator) and others. Shimuzu appears to be the solid No. 2 seed after his recent straight-set win over Redlicki and early season victory over Frankel.

At Highland Park

Field: Deerfield, Highland Park and six others, including Wheeling.

Outlook: The future looks bright at singles for Deerfield which boasts a terrific 1-2 freshman-sophomore punch in Ben Shklyar and Jason Brown as the pair will easily lead the pack here. The host Giants, always a leader in the post-season at doubles, will push for its No. 1 team Tyler Manci-Zach Brint (14-4) for a 5-8 seed if they secure the title, and its No. 2 Marcus Ampon-Jared Ruff (18-8) for 9-16 consideration if they advance into the final.

At Oak Park-River Forest

Field: Leyden is part of the field with Fenwick.

Outlook: The host Huskies have dominated their own sectional for what seems an eternity, and this season will be no different. The Leyden duo of Konrad Micum and Matt Dacaney with its 20-plus victories this season may have to get by Chicago Catholic League champions Rob Hickey-Tyler Kiefer of Fenwick to secure a berth in the state tournament.

- Mike Garofola