PREP TENNIS: Two contenders poised to dethrone E’town boys (5/12)

By GREG CREWS

gcrews@thenewsenterprise.com ELIZABETHTOWN — The boys’ 5th Region Tennis Tournament saw its first team playoff in 19 years last season, as reigning heavyweight, Elizabethtown, nearly lost its 11-year grip on the title to Central Hardin, before surging to claim No. 12. With nearly all of their key players back, the two teams appeared to be cut-and-dry favorites to once again battle for the crown this season. Enter LaRue County. Behind the addition of foreign exchange student and sophomore Prince Tantiwong, the Hawks have become the surprise team of the season; topping Elizabethtown and Central Hardin for the program’s first-ever conference title last month. Now, for possibly the first time in a dozen years, Elizabethtown is not the favorite. “LaRue is a big favorite in it,” Elizabethtown coach Andrea Atcher said. “I think Central and Elizabethtown are in a chasing position right now.” On paper, LaRue County coach Chris Estes knows his team may be a favorite — as it holds to top seed in singles and doubles — but he knows dethroning a king is not an easy task. “E’town had all four of its entries seeded (placed in the top eight from a field of 28-30), Central had all four and we had all four,” Estes said. “In the end it’s going to come down to winning key matches, and I would consider both Central and ourselves legit contenders, but I think E’town is still the champion for now.” Applying that same logic to boys’ singles means that Central Hardin senior Jacob Blevins is the player to beat. The reigning region champ drew the No. 2 seed for this year’s tournament and certainly has his work cut out for him if he is to pull off a repeat. Should the seeds hold true, Blevins will have to duel with Elizabethtown’s Tony Gambrell in the semifinals, in a matchup that always seems to be a war, before heading to the finals to face off with Tantiwong, who is 2-0 against Blevins this season. The road is no easier for Central Hardin junior Zach Thomas, last year’s second-place finisher. Thomas may have to meet Elizabethtown junior Marc Oropillia in the quarterfinals and Tantiwong in the semifinals, just to get back to the finals. “It’s a challenge for both of them, but Zach and Jacob thrive on challenges,” Central Hardin coach Jeff Crady said. GIRLS. Tiger Woods with a lead on Sunday, Lance Armstrong in the Tour De France and the Elizabethtown Lady Panthers in the region tournament. What are sure bets, Alex? Indeed, few programs have asserted the kind of dominance the Lady Panthers’ has in the region tournament over the past decade — and this year seems to be more of the same. Elizabethtown holds the top two seeds in singles — No. 1 Amanda Young, a senior, and No. 2 Jenna Sallee, a freshman — and the No. 1 seed in doubles, behind seniors Jessica Maxwell and Lydia Youngblood. “We did nicely on seeds,” Atcher said. “Now it’s just up to us to play up to the confidence that has been shown.” The only team that seems to have a legitimate shot of knocking off Elizabethtown is the only other team that has all four of its entries seeded – LaRue County.  “I thought the draw worked out well for us for the most part,” Estes said. “E’town is very solid in both singles and doubles. … Our girls will definitely have a challenge when they get to that point, if they get to that point.” Sports writer Nathaniel Bryan contributed to this story. Greg Crews can be reached at 505-1754