TIGERS, BLUEJAYS EYE TENNIS SEASON

Cape Central and Charleston sport the only two boys tennis teams in the immediate area. And the two teams appear to be on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Central looks primed with some key returning players and a nice blend of underclassmen.

Charleston, meanwhile, is very inexperienced and is coming off its first sub-.500 season in coach Mitch Baker's 14-year tenure.

CAPE CENTRAL

Two key members of Central's swimming team, Ben Roeger and Nathan Skinner, will be the top two players for the Tigers.

Sean McGuire would've been the No. 2 player, but he is out for the season after having shoulder surgery.

Perhaps the surprise of the spring so far for Central coach Bud Craven is the quality of freshmen who are making an impact.

Freshman Trevor Blattner has already moved to the No. 8 spot.

"In a matter of a couple of weeks, that's pretty good. He's shocked some people, let me tell you," said Craven.

Another freshman, Andrew Eaton is following close behind.

No player qualified for state last year for Central, but "I'm optimistic that Ben will make it this year," Craven said.

Craven hinted that Roeger's and Skinner's swimming training will give them an advantage.

"They get in these long matches, and the (their opponent) doesn't know what he's in for," Craven said.

Behind Roeger and Skinner, junior Mick Metzger will fill in at No. 3, followed by senior Drew Seib, senior Andrew Skinner, junior Ed Roeger and sophomore Paul Miller.

"I'm optimistic that we'll have a better record this year even though we've got a tougher schedule," Craven said.

CHARLESTON

The Bluejays will seek leadership from three juniors and a sophomore, which scratches the surface of Charleston's inexperience.

Junior Boothe Dugan will probably be the No. 1 singles player followed by junior Ivan Hess, junior Kin Zhoa and sophomore Jonathan Holley.

"All four of those guys have experience," Baker said. "But they're all still young. Those are the four I'll count on to be the leaders of the team.

"I don't know who will round out the varsity. We've got a bunch fighting for those positions."

Charleston may not be blessed with eye-popping talent, but Baker has been pleased with the players' progress so far.

"My goals are pretty modest," he said. "I'd like to see the guys go out with a good attitude and go out planning to win every match. If they play with that attitude and improve every time they play, then I'm happy. So far, I've had that."