SHS falls short; Zhao, Matthews repeat as double champs

~Tennis: Class 1, District 1 Tournament

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldog tennis team saw its district dominance come to an end on Thursday as a newcomer to the district stepped forward.

Sikeston finished with 25.5 points, which qualified them for the regional round, but it was just behind first place Farmington with 27 points in Class 1, District 1 action at the Sikeston High School tennis courts.

Festus took third with 21.5 points and Dexter finished fourth with 14 points.

Heading into Thursday's tournament Sikeston had won district championships in five of the last seven years.

Sikeston's Charlie Jones hits a backhand in his match against Dexter's Gary Corse Thursday afternoon in the Class 1, District 1 tournament

Sikeston's Charlie Jones hits a backhand in his match against Dexter's Gary Corse Thursday afternoon in the Class 1, District 1 tournament

"We're a little disappointed not to win the whole thing," said Sikeston tennis coach Brian James. "We certainly had a chance but it didn't work out for us. I knew coming into the district that we had a new heavy player coming in that hasn't been there in the past in Farmington. But second place is nothing to be ashamed of. We had a district championship doubles team again this year."

In a playoff format shakeup this year, the top four teams in the district advance to the regional round.

As a team Sikeston will move on to the regional round where they will host third place Festus on Tuesday.

Individually, Sikeston's doubles team of Sam Zhao and Clayton Matthews repeated as district champions as they defeated Farmington's Reynolds and Fuemmeler, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2.

"They're very talented tennis players," said James. "They've got everything it takes to be a good doubles team. They've got big serves and they're good volleyers. They understand the game, it's just a matter of staying focused and taking care of business. They're 18-0 on the year and they've really gotten it done the last two years. They're something like 38-2 the last two years. They've really played well together."

Zhao and Matthews automatically qualify for the state tennis tournament May 24 in Springfield.

In other action, Sikeston's doubles team of Logan Hampton and Justin Deere advanced to the third round before falling to Charleston's Barnes and Holley, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

"Logan and Justin competed but couldn't quite get past Charleston in the quarterfinals," said James.

In singles, Sikeston's Stuart Strom reached the second round before falling to fourth seeded Thomas Fowler of Dexter, 6-2, 6-2.

"I felt bad for Stuart -- he really worked hard to get to this point but it was luck of the draw and he had a seeded player right off the bat," said James. "That's a tough way to start your day. He played well in that match."

Also, Sikeston's Charlie Jones, seeded third, made it to the semifinals but lost to Festus' Nik Boyer, the eventual district champion.

Jones settled for fourth after losing to Fowler 6-2, 7-6 (10-7).

"Charlie Jones had to battle all day -- he played well but ran into a good player in Nik Boyer in the semifinals," said James.

Barnes and Holley ended up taking third by beating Arcadia Valley's King and Lambert.