By JASON DILL
Special to The Herald
EAST MANATEE — A verbal exchange ensued over “unspoken” tennis rules. And when it was over, Tampa Jesuit walked off the Braden River court. The Pirates’ boys team advanced to Thursday’s Class 2A-Region 3 final after Jesuit forfeited both doubles matches.
Braden River earned the 5-2 win on Tuesday afternoon.
“We switched sides, he didn’t pick up the balls. I asked him to pick up the balls on the switch, and he started freaking out on me and screaming at me,” Pirates coach John Wheeler said. “I just asked him to pick up the balls for my team — that’s what you do and it’s courtesy.”
Jesuit coach Joe Curtis declined comment on the unsportsmanlike conduct incident involving Chase Merlin and J.M. Snyder.
The Pirates avenged last year’s first-round region loss to the Tigers.
Braden River had won the district for the second consecutive season — a year removed from its first tennis crown in school history.
That title meant the Pirates hosted Jesuit.
No. 1 singles senior Shagen Babayan and No. 2 Mitchell Margolis launched Braden River into an early 2-0 lead with their straight set victories.
They triumphed despite different strategies.
Babayan displayed a rounded game featuring a spinning serve and power ground strokes.
“I hit a good slice out-wide,” said Babayan, who mixed a flat and spin serve depending on the situation.
Meanwhile, Margolis showcased his unorthodox style when he arrived just before his match eating an Airhead from 7-Eleven.
“We’re kind of a loose group,” Margolis said.
Margolis’ tactics caught Jesuit’s Nick LaFleche off guard. The Braden River junior used the gusting winds to his advantage. He hit swerving lobs past a charging LaFleche each time the Tiger’s No. 2 went for the serve and volley play.
“I usually don’t hit it too hard,” Margolis said. “I just try to play it slow, especially if the other player can hit hard, so he can’t generate speed and has trouble controlling the shots.”
Pirates’ junior Stephen Desch defeated Chris Salup 6-4, 6-4 to catapult Braden River on the verge of adding another chapter to its newly written history.
Then the doubles forfeits took place with Braden River’s state qualifying team ahead 5-2.
The boys continue their quest to earn a team spot at the state tourney. They will host Sarasota Booker winner on Thursday.
The Pirates’ girls team wasn’t as fortunate as the boys. Tampa Catholic swept all five singles matches in straight sets.
But, it isn’t over for Lauren Bock or Aly Delrose. Both are state qualifiers as doubles representatives.
Bock also made next week’s state tournament on the singles side with her district performance. Bock lost 1-6, 0-6 to Kelly Sullivan, who she said is ranked No. 5 in Florida.
“She’s a better player ... but I could have given her a good match,” said Bock if she wasn’t nervous playing Sullivan.
@z-BR Agatehed:Class 2A-Region 3 Tournament
@z-BR Agate Bold Centered:BRADEN RIVER 5, TAMPA JESUIT 2
Boys
Singles
No. 1 — Shagen Babayan (BR) def. Chase Merlin (TJ), 6-3, 6-2; No. 2 — Mitchell Margolis (BR) def. Nick LaFleche (TJ), 6-1, 6-1; No. 3 — T.R. Bopp (TJ) def. Michael Esteban (BR), 1-6, 7-5, 6-3; No. 4 — Ryan Walden (TJ) def. Matt Boles (BR), 6-3, 6-4; No. 5 — Stephen Desch (BR) def. Chris Salup (TJ), 6-4, 6-4.
@z-BR Agate Bold Centered:Doubles
No. 1 — Babayan/Esteban (BR) win by forfeit; No. 2 — Margolis/Boles (BR) win by forfeit.
@z-BR Agate Bold Centered:TAMPA CATHOLIC 5, BRADEN RIVER 2
Girls
Singles
No. 1 — Kelly Sullivan (TC) def. Lauren Bock (BR), 6-1, 6-0; No. 2 — Meghan Sullivan (TC) def. Sam Glodde (BR), 6-1, 6-1; No. 3 — Ashley Ferrell (TC) def. Aly Delrose (BR), 6-2, 6-3; No. 4 — Taylor Neal (TC) def. Lauren Thomsen (BR), 7-6 (7-3), 6-0; No. 5 — Aracely O’Dell (TC) def. Krystal Martinez (BR), 6-0, 6-1.
@z-BR Agate Bold Centered:Doubles
No. 1 — Bock/Delrose (BR) win by forfeit; No. 2 — Glodde/Thomsen (BR) win by forfeit.
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@