By John Raffel
MM Sports Scene
Lansing Catholic Central couldn’t overpower Greenhills School, but it did well enough to finish as Division 4 state runner-up in boys tennis.
LCC was also runner-up in 2008 and 1999.
The accomplishment was pleasing to coach Ron Landfair, but not a major surprise.
“I thought we could be one of the best teams in our division,” he said. “We’re an annual contender for our conference, regional, and state titles. We’re where I thought we’d be, vying for a state championship on the last day. The worst we’ve finished in my 10 seasons is seventh at the state finals. We annually expect to be in the state finals. To be in the position the last day of fighting for [a state title], I’m honored by the players and parents to put us in that position.
“We were led all year by our No.1, 2, and 3 singles,” Landfair said. “Our No. 1 doubles repeat at state champs.”
Peter Murray won his third straight title, and he did it for the second year at No. 1 doubles. His first year, he won at No. 2 doubles. This year, he won it with Jake Johnson.
“Peter had a definite desire to win a third state title,” Landfair said. “Any doubles team has to have chemistry, first and foremost. What made them effective is they both had great serves.”
In singles for LCC, Paul Heeder was at No. 1, his brother Matthew at No. 2, and Anthony Davis at No. 3. Paul is a senior and Matthew a freshman. Paul was 23-5 for the season and Matthew was 26-2. Paul was a defending state champion.
The two Heeders “have a total all-around game, quite frankly,” Landfair said. “They’re complete players. They mirror each other in terms of their strengths.”
For Lansing Catholic, “we were a deep team this year,” Landfair said. “Next year, Greenhills will be favored beause of their returning players. We’ll probably be ranked in the top 4 or 5. As a coach, [it’s a pleasure that] we’ve been all-state academic four years. We’re one of two teams in the state, along with Greenhills, to win at least one flight every year [at state]. I’m proud of that.”