Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
Thanks to a large group of athletic seniors who also play a number of other sports, the Eaton Rapids boys tennis team enjoyed a solid season.
“It’s been excellent, it’s been a very good season,” coach Ryan Anderson said. “We had a lot of guys returning, and they were a great group of kids. You couldn’t ask for a nicer group of young men.”
The Greyhounds had a veteran squad this season, as seven seniors returned. Not only were the seniors veterans of the tennis team, but they also participate in various other sports throughout the school year, giving the team a good mix of athletes.
“Several of them are three- or four-year varsity athletes,” Anderson said. “At least five of them have three or four years under their belt. They are an outstanding, hard-working group of kids. I have a ton of swimmers, bowlers, baseball players, track runners. Most of them are national honor society members. Very active in class government. All around great group of kids.”
The Greyhounds have had a number of players turn in solid seasons.
“Our one singles player has been very strong,” Anderson said. “He finished second at our league meet, and he’s had a great season. He’s been performing very well, stepping up when he needs to, and he‘s been a great leader for our team.
Our number two doubles team is 16-2, senior Zach Laginess and junior Alex Arrington.
We have a very tight-knit group that plays baseball together, and they’ve known each other their whole lives.”
The Greyhounds also received strong efforts from Jake Crandell at No. 2 singles and Avery Ward and Jeremy West at No. 2 doubles.
“Jake is a senior and he fights very hard,” Anderson said. “Jeremy and Avery are fine young men. They work hard and are very competitive. Jeremy has been kind of our team leader in a lot of ways. He keeps everybody motivated all the way down. I have two guys who are new to the varsity this year, Zack Boulanger and Devin Platte, they are at fourth doubles. We have an outstanding group of young men, all the way across the board. They are the kind of kids you’d want to grow up and have in your neighborhood.”