Tiger tennis opens season at Independence

INDEPENDENCE -- Fort Scott High School's boys' tennis team started its season here Tuesday with matches at the Independence Invitational against tough competition.

"We have work to do, but with work, we can improve on these areas that are hurting us," FSHS head coach Lynn Barr said.

Alex Gorman and Micah Self tied for second place in No. 1 doubles after going 1-3. They defeated Jon Miller/Brett Plumlee of Iola, 8-6. Will Schabel/Sam Hilger of Independence defeated Gorman and Self, 8-1. Caleb Dial/James Richey of Pittsburg won, 8-6. Alvaro Rivas/Trey Kasten of Chanute prevailed in a tie-breaker, 8-7 (2).

Jacob Bailey was 1-3 in No. 2 singles, finishing fourth. He lost to Rhett Allen of Iola, 8-3, then fell in a tie-breaker to Cortlan Cox of Independence, 8-7 (3). He defeated Jake Russian of Pittsburg, 8-3, and lost to Braden Robinson of Chanute, 8-7 (0).

Elijah Wright was 0-4 in No. 1 singles. He lost 8-1 decision to Isaiah Fawson of Iola, Luke Bass of Independence, and Devan McAfee of Pittsburg, and an 8-6 verdict to Fisher Lund of Chanute.

Nick Patton and Xavier Watkins were 0-4 in No. 2 doubles. They lost their first match to Elijah Fawson/Eason Cheung of Iola, 8-6. They fell to Logan Payne/Sawyer Hayward of Independence, 8-1, then to Pat Sullivan/Noah Kangas of Pittsburg, 8-3, and finally to Scout Lee/Brayden Frederick of Chanute, 8-0.

Independence was the tournament champion with 15 points. Chanute was second with 9 follwed by Pittsburg with 8, Iola with 6 and Fort Scott with 2, one each by Bailey and Gorman/Self.

Fort Scott has about two weeks off before hosting its home invitational on March 28. Nevada, Pittsburg and Coffeyville will also be a part of the tournament, which will begin at 3 p.m. that day.

Junior Varsity Results

PITTSBURG -- Fort Scott High's junior varsity tennis squad opened the season at Pittsburg Thursday, finishing third as a team.

Allen Santana finished in third place in No. 1 singles. he defeated Kevin Carter of Pittsburg White, 6-4, and lost to Kolby Ussery of Chanute, 6-1, and Dakota Caudle of Pittsburg Purple, 6-0.

Nick Patton and Drew Rhoades paired up in No. 1 doubles and also placed third. They defeated Hayden Drake and Nathan Shriver of Pittsburg White, 6-0, and fell to A.J. Bolig/Ta Kitrungrat of Chanute, 6-4, and P.J. Monsour/David Green of Pittsburg Purple, 6-3.

Franklin Torres and Hollis Reeves placed third in No. 2 doubles. They won over Pittsburg White by default. They lost to Isaac Lewis/Angelo Andoyo of Chanute, 6-4, and Griffin Cooper/Paul Worsley of Pittsburg Purple, 6-0.

Fort Scott did not have an entrant in No. 2 singles.

The next scheduled tournament for the JV team is April 10 at Parsons.