High School Sports
Reflecting on history: Tennis teams, Sanders, talk about semifinal wins.
By Dave Whitaker
May 3, 2017, 23:39

Less than 24 hours after a long, emotional, yet ultimately satisfying day and night of tennis in Thomasville, BCHS was practicing Wednesday afternoon. Though the stake are bigger this weekend when both teams will play for a state title, it was business as usual at the courts.

"Regular practice, " said head coach Brad Sanders. "Nothing different at this point."

Though practice Wednesday was normal, the day before was anything but. The boys had to play in Thomasville after losing the coin toss. Despite winning the coin toss with Berrien, the girls wound up playing a neutral site match against the Lady Rebels that Tuesday because of weather Monday and other logistical issues.

Abbey Sims won her match 6-0, 6-0. Though the other matches were close, the final two were pulled as the girls clinched a state championship berth 3-0. Sims said they were "kind of" worried about being on road adding "We didn't have the home advantage with all the fans."

She did say it was good they could be there to cheer on the boys team. In comparing Berrien to private schools BC had faced in the past, Sims said they had a strong #1 singles but not as much depth in comparission to private schools.

Bronson Sanders was the hero of the day for the boys, He played a three-hour match that began at 6:15 pm. Sanders, the #3 singles, got the win that broke a 2-2 tie and secured the boys championship match berth.

Sanders said "It was a hard match." But he also said it was fun. He added "I was glad to be in that position to work hard and win."

Brad Sanders said the victories were "well earned." On the girls, he was surprised at how quickly Sims won her match. He said he expected matches to be close, adding "We could've lost some of the ones we won."

On Bronson Sanders being the one in the clinching match, Brad Sanders said "It was a good choice." He added that there were several guys who could hit the ball in under pressure but added "If somebody had to choose for me and they chose him to play that match, I'd say, Well, that's a good choice."

The emotion of the three-hour match, Sanders said "It was something." He said he feels bad for players who didn't get to go to the finals but added "I feel good for this group. It's been a lot of fun coaching them."

BCHS will try to win the first state tennis titles Saturday at the Clayton County International Park Tennis Facility at 10:15 am. The girls take on Screven County, the boys Model High School. Admission is free.

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