By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Central High Bulldogs, despite cold temperatures, gusty winds and snow flurries, marched through an eight team field to claim this year’s Kickapoo Invitational Championship on Friday, Apr. 8 at the Gillenwaters Park and Tennis Complex here in Springfield.
En route to this year’s tournament title, the Bulldogs defeated Ozark 5-0 in quarterfinal round play, Catholic 5-0 in the semis and Nixa 5-3 in the championship final.
Inclement weather or not Central High head coach Donita Cox was more than pleased with the effort she saw from her charges.
“We played very well considering the weather,” said the Bulldog coach. “It was very cold and windy, but we have a very talented group this year and they rose to the challenge.”
Leading the way for Central was Josh Kim and Raghav Bansal.
“Josh holds down the number one spot on our team. He’s a natural, very comfortable on the court and a USTA player,” said Cox. “He plays with a lot of confidence and gets to every ball. He’s just a really tough kid on the court.”
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“Raghav, our number two man, is also a USTA player. He’s very powerful, and like Josh, very confident on the court,” she said.
Although losing only three matches on the day, Pranav Mandava, the Bulldogs number three man, said that the tournament field was a good one.
“Getting today’s tournament title was really challenging,” he said. “And although it was very cold, it was a lot of fun. Mainly because the teams here today were pretty competitive.”
Rounding out this year’s Bulldog roster are Ian Rogers, Ethan Gravely, Saahil Verma, Cole Brodeur and John Park.
Nixa, in the Invitational final, gave Central their toughest test of the afternoon before finally falling 5-3. The Eagles fought their way into the championship round with wins over Logan-Rogersville 5-0 and Bolivar 5-3.
“Our kids played yesterday in similar weather so back to back days like this has been tough,” said Nixa head coach Slade Snowden. “But I felt like our guys played really well today. They played constant, kept the ball in play and fought their way to a second place finish. I’m very proud of them.”
This year’s Nixa squad is composed of: Alvaro Louro, Carson Palmer, Brody Ball, Mason Murray, Dallin Attwooll, Trey Hartwell and Cade Horning.
Springfield Catholic finished third in this year’s Kickapoo Invitational, Bolivar- fourth, Kickapoo- fifth, Republic- sixth, Ozark seventh and Logan-Rogersville eighth.
