EAST MANATEE — Two years ago, Braden River was the laughingstock of boys tennis. Then, last year, the Pirates captured the Class 2A-District 9 championship.
This year, the Pirates have taken it one step further.
On Thursday, the Pirates thumped Sarasota Booker 5-0 in the Class 2A-Region 5 championship.
“All five of my guys are going to state,” Pirates coach John Wheeler said. “This is a big deal for the team and the school.”
The opening round of the state tournament is Tuesday in Orlando.
Wheeler said he didn’t expect to make it to state, but with the way his team plays, qualifying for state was a reality.
“Everybody stepped up,” Wheeler said of his Pirates, who went undefeated in districts this season. “With this team, I never know what to expect. They put it on the court every time and play hard. They wanted it more than ever this year, I think.”
Senior Shagen Babayan is a four-year player for the Pirates who thought his dream of making it to state was shattered when he fell to Booker’s Cody Gusto in the district final’s No. 1 singles match, but Braden River made it to regionals as a team. Babayan made up for his district loss Thursday with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Gusto.
“He was devastated after losing in districts,” Wheeler said. “This avenged that loss, and he still has a dream to win the title as a singles players.”
@z-BR Agate Bold Centered:Class 2A-Region 5 Tournament
Braden River 5, Sarasota Booker 0
Boys
Singles No. 1 — Shagan Babayan (BR) def. Cody Gusto (BH) 6-0, 6-1; No. 2 — Mitchell Margolis (BR) def. Sean Squire (BH) 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 — Michael Esteban (BR) def. Aldo Castro (BH) 7-5, 6-1; No. 4 — Matt Boles (BR) def. Bryce Allman (BH) def. 6-1, 6-2; No. 5 — Stephen Desch (BR) def. Brandon Gusto (BH) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@