THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 16, 1995 TAG: 9504140177
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 120 lines
A LOT OF GOOD players, too many schools.
That seems to be the story of Beach District boys tennis, where shifting boundaries and the addition of new schools keeps rosters in a constant state of flux.
Yet none of this seems to affect Cox, which has one of its deepest teams in years.
Top player Hondo Fleischer, the district's most improved player a year ago, heads a solid cast that is gunning for its seventh league title since 1987.
``Talentwise, it will be hard for anyone to put six people on the court to match up with us,'' Cox coach Leon Hoots said.
Talent-rich Tallwood will challenge the Falcons, however. Both teams are currently undefeated and will meet to most likely decide the district title April 28.
Elsewhere in South Hampton Roads tennis, Maury lost a lot from last year but should still have enough to continue its dominance of the Eastern District. Great Bridge has already taken out perennial favorite Western Branch and has control of the Southeastern race.
And, once again, Norfolk Academy seems to have the best team, public or private, of all.
Beach District capsules:
COX
Key players: Hondo Fleischer, Latane Meade, Bobby Kalantar, Chris Emrick, Tom Lamoureux, Ted Yeschin.
Outlook: Exceptional depth - No. 6 Yeschin lost to No. 1 Fleischer, 6-4, in a challenge match - makes the Falcons not only the clear frontrunner for the district title, but also the favorite to pick up their first Eastern Region crown since 1992. Fleischer reached the district singles final last year.
SALEM
Key players: Nick Abad, Jo Jo Valdez, Abel Guzman, Anand Kapur, Scott Douglas.
Outlook: The loss of two of last year's top six players to academic ineligibility weakens a Sun Devil lineup that on paper would have rivaled Cox for depth. Still, another first division finish is likely, but Tuesday's 6-3 loss to Tallwood makes the Sun Devils' second-place chances remote.
TALLWOOD
Key players: Mike Bernardo, Ramel Bautista, Ryan Bautista, Marvin Sagun, Adam Heward.
Outlook: Bernado and Ramel Bautista, two flashy and exciting players, both reached the semifinals of the district tournament a year ago and teamed to win the district doubles title. The Lions should take an undefeated district record into spring break and should make their bid for a league title April 21 in a showdown against Cox.
KELLAM
Key players: Ian Bolling, Nathan Bolling, Patrick Hughes, Michael Leonard, Michael Meredith, Andy Secada, Marcus Domeij.
Outlook: A solid team with good strength at the top - the Bollings are district doubles finalists - and quality players throughout. A 7-2 loss Tuesday to Cox probably ended the Knights' title hopes, but the race for No. 2 could come down to Kellam's April 28 match against Tallwood.
OCEAN LAKES
Key players: Jason Mueller, Aaron Mueller, Don Cummings, Mike Tallmadge.
Outlook: Jason Mueller, formerly of Kellam, is the only starter with varsity team experience so the Dolphins will experience all the bumps and bruises that come with being a first-year team.
BAYSIDE
Key players: Mark Ferrera, Alex Burke, Albert Balingit, Arturo Gonzalez, Brendtdon Ruffy, Nathan Sanford.
Outlook: Ferrera and Burke retain their top two positions from a year ago, and every Marlin starter has varsity experience. But while the team has definitely improved, Bayside remains a step or two behind the district's best teams.
PRINCESS ANNE
Key players: Chris Miller, Doug Plante, Sebastian Gamard, Gregory Rock, Karl Kingery.
Outlook: The Cavaliers were ravaged by graduation, injuries and defections and will be facing an uphill battle.
KEMPSVILLE
Key players: Josh Childress, David Weiden, Peter Matsushige, Josh Barnes, Patrick Teague, Paul Hamilton.
Outlook: First-year coach Steve Mills likes his talent and numbers, but with eight freshmen and sophomores, concedes the Chiefs may be a year or two away from championship form. Childress, a senior, will be dangerous in the district singles tournament.
FIRST COLONIAL
Key players: George Kannarkat, Paul Schrader, Pete Litton, Collin Miller, Ryan Hines, Brad Salter, Jeff Fleischman.
Outlook: Two-time district champion Kannarkat provides virtually a guaranteed point in every match, and he and Scrader form one of the district's best doubles teams. But while the rest of the Patriots are solid, they've had trouble finishing matches this season. And a close loss is still a loss.
GREEN RUN
Key players: Lou Tufarelli, Mike Tiamzon.
Outlook: The Stallions have some pretty good players and will win their share of matches, but they lack the power at the top of the lineup to be contenders. ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo by MORT FRYMAN
George Kannarkat, the two-time district champion, provides First
Colonial virtually a guaranteed point in every match.
Tallwood's Mike Bernardo reached the semifinals of the district
tournament a year ago and teamed with Ramel Bautista to win the
district doubles title.
by CNB