After a shutout of District 5 rival McMinn County last Thursday, Bradley Central boys tennis traveled to Johnson City over the weekend to notch a pair of victories as well.
Playing in theHilltopper Classic, the Bears handed Bearden its first defeat of the season in a 5-4 final, plus downed The King's Academy 6-3.
Bradley will travel across county to rival Walker Valley today (Tuesday) for a big match up before making the trek to Soddy-Daisy Friday.
Against McMinn, the Bears got singles wins from Britton Carter 8-2, Preston Henderson 8-6, Parker White 8-3, Hunter Fields 8-2, Micah Lee 8-1 and Bryson Stinnett 8-3.
In doubles, Henderson/Fields 8-2, Carter/White 8-1 and Lee/Stinnett 8-3 completed the shutout.
"Good win heading into Hilltopper Classic for the boys," commented Bradley head coach Franklin Elrod. "We played good tennis today."
Against Bearden, the Bear mentor stated, "Started a little slow in this one, but bounced back in singles with Preston (Henderson) mounting a incredible comeback being down 3-7 and winning 6 straight games to take the match.
"Britton (Carter) sealed the victory while the match was tied at 4-4 with an impressive performance at the No. 1 spot winning 8-2.
"Bearden was previously undefeated. We also got wins from Hunter (Fields) 9-7, Bryson (Stinnett) 8-5, and a doubles victory from Preston and Hunter 8-3."
In their final match Elrod said they Bears "were much sharper winning all three doubles matches — Preston/Hunter 8-4, Britton/Parker 9-7, Micah/Bryson 8-2.
"In singles we got wins from Preston 8-1, Parker 8-3, and Hunter 8-2.
"Preston and Hunter played their best doubles of the season in this match with a win over a very good No. 1 doubles team from TKA," he assessed. "They were just on in this match, running balls down communicating, just 100% locked in.
"Parker played a great singles match notching a 8-3 win when we really needed it. He has been playing well all year.
"Preston and Hunter finished the weekend undefeated winning both their singles and doubles matches," Coach Elrod praised.
