DAVID COOK
Sports Scene
Paced by their No. 1 doubles team that brought home a state title, the Okemos boys tennis team wrapped up the season by finishing fifth in the state at the Division 2 tournament.
The Chieftains, who totaled 17 points, received a big effort from the No. 1 doubles team of Kyle Haak and Elan Dantus, who defeated a team from Birmingham Groves 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (5) in the championship match.
Okemos also received a strong effort from the No. 3 doubles team of Lucas Joncas and Agney Deshpande, who reached the quarterfinal round. Making it to the second round at the state meet were the No. 2 doubles team of Ashton Hoffman and Nathan Janick and the No. 4 doubles team of Ritwik Biswas and Prabhu Ragunathan.
In singles action, the Chieftains had a pair of players advance to the quarterfinals. At No. 1 singles Andy Struble lost to the eventual state champion, Davis Crocker of Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, in the semifinals. Karun Nair also reached the semifinals at No. 2 singles. At No. 3 singles, Herschel Ambekar advanced to the quarterfinals, while Ross Lazar made it to the second round at No. 4 singles.