Boys tennis state preview

When: Today through Saturday

Where: First two days at 11 area sites in Northwest suburbs; Saturday's championship round at Hersey

Singles top seeds: Nos. 1-2 Michael Moore (Glenbrook South, 30-1) and Blake Bazarnik (Stevenson, 22-1); Nos. 3-4 Denis Bogatov (Warren, 19-3) and Robert Stineman (New Trier, 25-5); Nos. 5-8 Ben Hoogland (Glenbrook South, 25-3), Augie Bloom (Hinsdale Central, 26-3), Krishna Ravella (Hindale Central, 30-2), Andrew Scholnick (New Trier, 15-5).

If Moore is No. 1, Bazarnik is right there as the three-time state qualifier is with his lone loss to Stineman in the final at the Pitchford 32. Committee made the correct move in assigning Bogatov 3-4 seed, as his appearance any lower could have thrown entire bracket upside down, thus leading to second round match with higher seed. The defending champ has battled back problems all season-long and appears ready to go this weekend. Matt Goralka (Payton), a 2008 medalist, is a no-show this weekend after earning 5-8 seed at the 32.

Doubles top seeds: Nos. 1-2 Hinsdale Central (Dan Ballantine-Ian Tesmond, 31-1), Stevenson (David Packowitz-Ross Putterman, 26-1); Nos. 3-4 Glenbrook South (Tommy McNichols-Michael Selitto, 24-3), Belleville East (Drew Feder-Cory Stumne, 16-0); Nos. 5-8: Downers Grove South (Rahul Kamath-Brian Sorich, 26-1), Oak Park-River Forest (Alexander Gebert-Jacob Wilson, 26-5), Rockford Guilford (Austin Roos-Danny Parks, 24-4), New Trier (John Beam-Brantner Jones, 29-4).

Local singles flavor: Etham Frenkel (Stevenson, 23-6, 9-16 seed), Alex Golovin (Mundelein, 25-6, 9-16), Michael Redlicki (Lake Zurich, 25-4, 9-16), Kenta Shimizu (Fremd, 25-6, 17-32), George Coll (Barrington).

Local doubles flavor: Barrington (David Martin-Cam McClelland, 26-6, 17-32 seed), Stevenson (Nick Stephan-Alec Tunner 20-8, 17-32), St. Viator (Dean Tanglis-Taylor Blaney, 5-1, 17-32), Barrington (Jim Deroche-Doug Nordli, 24-8), Lakes (Andrew Yopp-Randall Haylock), Palatine (Rafael Robles-Mikey Woolf, 10-5), Warren (Eric Teeman-Paul Schlais Warren, 18-10).

Late-season surprises: Destined to early elimination in the singles race at the rugged Stevenson sectional, St. Viator's top two of Taylor Blaney and Dean Taglis (5-1) got together in the final week of the regular season and then shocked a pair of 3-4 seeds to qualify into the state tournament and parlay the victories into a 17-32 seed. "I don't think either one of us ever imagined the success we would have here at the end of the season," said Blaney.

Team chase: In his 51st and possibly final season, Hinsdale Central coach Jay Kramer will look to lead his club to its third consecutive team title and his 16th overall. The Red Devils will need to fend off a New Trier club which is its equal in depth and talent, while keeping an eye out for Stevenson and sleeper Glenbrook South.

- Compiled by Mike Garofola