By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Jeffersonville singled out Bedford North Lawrence to escape with a first-round victory in the Hoosier Hills Conference tournament.
The Red Devils swept the singles courts while clipping the Stars 3-2, advancing to the semifinal round against rival New Albany. BNL (7-9 with four straight losses) fell into the consolation bracket.
Jeffersonville dropped only six games on the three singles courts, while BNL won a tight three-set battle at No.2 doubles to sweep those courts.
”It was a great first round,” BNL coach Ian Dillman said. “Their singles dominated us, but our doubles were able to squeeze out wins on their courts. Their wins may not have gotten us a team win, but it does help our case when we do HHC awards at the end of season.”
At No.1 doubles, Micah Carter and Orion Hill worked the lob game to perfection while topping Tyler Braitling and Jonah Romine 6-2, 6-4.
:Micah and Orion were on fire with their lobs,” Dillman said. “Their team was solid, but our guys took full advantage of the net and baseline lobs. I think it was the last four games that Orion hit six lob winners. Great playing.”
Neal Patel and Braxton Fugate dropped their first set at No.2 doubles before rallying to stop Jared Garcia and Ethan Moran 4-6, 6-4, 10-4.
“They came back,” Dillman said. “I was proud of them. They had a few mishits in the first set that hurt them, but they didn’t let that stop them. They dealt with time delays and loud opponents. Jeff’s 2 doubles might have been the shortest players out there, but they were definitely the loudest. I wish our guys were that loud.”
In singles, Jeffersonville’s Teddy Burnette handled Jackson Corey, 6-2, 6-1 at No.1, Austin Gazaway fought off Asher Thompson 6-1, 6-1 at No.2, and K.J. Westbay stopped Aden Ralston 6-1, 6-0 at No.3.
BNL will visit Columbus East in the consolation round on Thursday.
HHC TOURNAMENT
First round
Jeffersonville 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Teddy Burnette, J d. Jackson Corey 6-2, 6-1
2 Austin Gazaway, J d. Asher Thompson 6-1, 6-1
3 K.J. Westbay, J d. Aden Ralston 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
1 Orion Hill and Micah Carter, BNL d. Tyler Braitling and Jonah Romine 6-2, 6-4
2 Neal Patel and Braxton Fugate, BNL d. Jared Garcia and Ethan Moran 4-6, 6-4, 10-4
