By Scott Vanscoy (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Branson – Two familiar foes, Willard and Branson, faced off in the Class 2, District 6 tennis finals on Wednesday. This was a rematch of last year’s district final which lasted over four hours and resulted in a Branson victory. This year, the Pirates required only half that length of time to defeat the Tigers, 5-2. This victory brings their record to 20-0.
These COC powers battled it out in 91 degree heat. Both teams stayed hydrated as best they could as they fought the elements as well as each other. However, it is a rivalry that is rooted in respect and camaraderie. Branson had defeated Willard in their last three duals and they were confident going into today’s matchup.
“Willard really quickly became a rivalry and we play Willard all the time in the last three weeks of the season,” said Branson coach Sean Kembell. “This is two years in a row that we’ve played Willard at least five times in a two and a half week span. They are an outstanding team. We get along with them well. My hats are off to the parents and the players for understanding that it is a rivalry on the court but off the court we can all be friends. I think we have a lot more in common with Willard that we have differences with them.”
Kembell was proud of his team’s effort and a little bit surprised at how well they played.
“It feels amazing, I’m still in shock,” said Kembell. “They played so well; they are a very confident group of seniors who share an amazing bond and they support each other on and off the court.”
Senior Hayes Stark gave the Pirates the spark they needed when he defeated Willard’s Alex Crawford 6-4, 6-2.
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“I think I had a really good service game,” said Stark. “I was serving really well and I think that carried me through my match. It feels real good to be district champs two years in a row. We worked really hard for it and we are out here playing all the time because we love it. I think our whole varsity is solid but from here on out we are just playing one point at a time, one game at a time.”
Toward the end of the day the action had all moved to court 5 where Wyatt Carlson defeated Parker Solum, 6-1, 6-1.
“We knew at that point that if Wyatt won his second set that we were going to win the district,” said Kembell. “Wyatt pulled through and that was a great moment for the team.”
Kembell said that it is players like Stark setting the example that separate Branson from other teams.
“If we had a captain it would be Hayes Stark,” said Kembell. “He will be attending John Brown University next year. He is an exceptional tennis player and an exceptional competitor. What I think separates Branson from a lot of schools is when you come to play Branson, you’re going to see a team that supports each other more than almost any other team in the state.”
Branson will host the team sectionals, the equivalent of the Elite 8, on Monday at 4pm, where they will play the champion of District 8.
Singles:
Branson Willard
1 Nate Bartram — (W)Caden Lingenfelser (L 2-6, 2-6)
2 (W)Hayes Stark — Alex Crawford (W 6-4, 6-2)
3 Garrett Beckham — Dawson Amstutz
4 Jake Decker — Seth Miller
5 (W)Wyatt Carlson — Parker Solum (W 6-1, 6-1)
6 (W)Josh Bartram — Brigham Thedell (W 6-3, 6-0)
Doubles:
Branson Willard
1 Bartram/Beckham — (W) Lingenfelser/Miller (L 2-8)
2 (W) Stark/Decker — Crawford/Amstutz (W 8-2)
3 (W) Carlson/J.Bartram — Thesell/Solum (W 8-4)
