Powell lifts JC over Braves (10/02/03)

PORTLAND — Bring on the Bruins. Jay County is ready.

The Patriot tennis team defeated a tough Bellmont Braves squad Wednesday 3-2 in their final regular season match.

Jay County heads directly into sectional play at Marion today against the rival Blackford Bruins at 4 p.m.

“We had a winning season,” said Derek Powell as the victory pushed the Patriots to 8-7. “I thought we played pretty well, and I hope we keep this up during sectional.”

Coach Barry Weaver said he believes his team is ready to try to win back-to-back sectional titles and its third in four seasons.

“We’re ready for October madness,” he said. “We’ve only played one match in the last 10 days, so we were a little rusty (tonight). Having Blackford first — who we’ve already beaten 5-0 — should give us a little confidence.”

Jay County rolled over the Bruins 5-0 Sept. 15, and also scored a 3-2 win in the season opener over potential second-round opponent Marion. Wednesday’s victory in the regular-season finale was clinched by Powell.

He trailed Brandon Grim 3-0 in a third-set tiebreaker, committing three unforced errors to fall behind. However, Grim returned the favor with three unforced errors of his own, and Powell would not allow him to regain the lead.

Powell won seven of the final eight points in the tiebreaker, hitting a winner down the left sideline to force game point. He took the match and gave the Patriots the 3-2 victory when a Grim shot sailed wide left.

“I started playing more offense instead of defense,” said Powell of what brought him back from the 3-0 deficit. “I started hitting the ball harder. After I got those first three points I got my confidence back.”

The senior co-captain looked great early on, trouncing Grim 6-1 in a ridiculously quick first set.

He had a hiccup in the first game of the second set when he broke a string on his racket. Grim jumped to a 40-30 lead in the game, but Powell scored the next three points for the 1-0 lead.

Then, everything unraveled.

Powell lost five of the next six games to trail 5-2 in the second set. He rallied, but still lost 6-4 as Grim forced a third set.

In the third set Powell went up 4-3, but lost the next two games to put himself on the brink of defeat. Again he pushed back, winning the next game on an overhead slam.

He grabbed a 6-5 lead with two of his more spectacular shots of the match in the next game. He hit a cross court missile of an overhead volley and followed it with a backhand volley the other way for the final two points.

Once more Grim rolled back to force the tiebreaker before Powell took the victory.

“That was an excellent tune-up for him,” said Weaver. “He’s been playing solidly, so to win a come-from-behind match is good.

“I’ve been happy with what he’s done all year. That just shows what kind of young man he is.”

Kurtis Hess had a slow start at No. 1 singles, trailing 3-2 in the first set. But, he lost just one of the final 11 games for a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Randy Ripley.

Kentaro Ohgo had no struggles to speak of at No. 2 singles. He chased Dan Martz all over the court in a 6-0, 6-0 win.

At No. 1 doubles Tyler Rigby and Randy Evans rallied to force a third set, but could not complete the comeback. They lost to Devin Sielschott and Kyle Hall 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Chip Feazell and Adam Paxson lost to Adam Arnold and Mason Gage 7-5, 6-1 at No. 2 doubles.

Junior varsity

Jay County fell to 8-6-1 in junior varsity action this season with a 4-1 loss to Bellmont Wednesday.

Wil Goodrich scored the lone Jay County win, surviving a tiebreaker by a 9-8 (7-4) score. Matt Peterson and Jason Crouch lost at No. 2 and 3 singles respectively with identical 8-5 scores.

Jeff Sims and Travis Smith dropped an 8-1 decision at No. 1 doubles, and Charlie Abbott and Chad Miller lost 8-4 at No. 2 doubles.[[In-content Ad]]