Tigers earn share of sectional championship, clinch state bid
By Staff
Mike Self FCT Sports Editor
FLORENCE – The Red Bay High School boys tennis team won a share of the Class 1A-2A-3A, Section 5 championship on Tuesday, earning a berth in the state tournament for the third consecutive season.
The Tigers won sectional titles at No. 1 singles, No. 4 singles, No. 5 singles, No. 6 singles and No. 1 doubles, tying Lauderdale County for first place with a total of 37 points.
"The boys played really well today," Red Bay coach Sonny Glasgow said. "I just tried to stay out of their way and let them handle it.
"I didn't do too much coaching, and the strategy seemed to work out pretty well."
Each team in the sectional tournament was awarded three points for winning a doubles match and two points for winning a singles match.
Red Bay's Wesley Jarnigan won the sectional championship at No. 1 singles, defeating Daniel Borden of Rogers 6-3, 6-1.
Anthony Horton brought home the sectional title at No. 4 singles, rallying to defeat Lauderdale County's Dillon Birdwell 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Red Bay's Toby Gray prevailed in the finals at No. 5 singles, defeating Lauderale County's Anthony Reed 6-1, 6-4.
At No. 6 singles, Red Bay's John Thigpen won the sectional championship by defeating Lexington's Drew Springer 7-6, 6-3.
Matthew Young advanced to the finals for Red Bay at No. 2 singles before falling 4-6, 1-6 to Dusty Eady of Lauderdale County.
Young and Jarnigan won the sectional championship at No. 1 doubles, rallying to defeat Lauderdale County 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Red Bay trailed Lauderdale County 32-26 in the overall points standings after Monday's action before coming from behind to tie for first in Tuesday's finals.
The top two teams in the sectional tournament advance to the state tournament.
Red Bay is making its 14th appearance at state under Glasgow.
"We're excited about going back to the state tournament," Glasgow said. "Hopefully, our guys will continue to perform well."
The state tournament will begin next Thursday, May 4, in Montgomery.
