The Brantley County boys’ and girls’ tennis teams once again had a pair of impressive seasons in 2016. The Lady Herons finished the 2015 season with a 16-7 overall record. They also finished the region in third place, going 8-3 in region play and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs. The Herons ended their 2015 campaign with an 18-5 overall record and won the Region 1-AAA Championship, going 11-0 in region play. The Herons also advanced to the second round of the state playoffs. Last year’s high achievements are a part of even higher standards that the Brantley players sought to achieve entering this tennis season.
The Lady Herons did not disappoint in 2016. After winning eight of their first 12 matches, the girls from Brantley played in the Coastal Empire Tennis Classic in Savannah, beating Savannah Country Day and Richmond Hill before losing in the championship to Savannah Arts Academy. Brantley’s girls would take another loss to Savannah Arts Academy in their Region 1-AAA Championship Match. Due to their region runner-up finish, the Lady Herons hosted and defeated Decatur High School in the first round of the state playoffs before falling the Central Carroll in the second round. Overall, the Lady Herons finished their season 15-8 (8-3 in region play).
“Our girls had a great season,” head coach Matt Thrift said. “Three of our eight losses were to Savannah Arts; they were the eventual state champions. We actually were a few points away from beating them once, so we feel as if we know what it takes to get to the next level. We also didn’t have a senior on the girls’ team, so we definitely are raising our expectations for next year”.
The Herons once again had a stellar tennis season, going 19-5 overall and 11-0 in region play. Brantley’s boys won their seventh region title in the past eleven years. The Herons also advanced to the state’s Final Four for the fifth time in nine years. They defeated Washington High and Cedartown in the first two rounds before squaring off against last year’s state runner-up, Calhoun. With the overall match tied 2-2, Brantley took the last match in a third set to upset Calhoun and advance to the state semifinals vs Westminster. In the semis, Westminster ended Brantley’s quest for a state championship, 0-3.
“The boys did their best all season,” Thrift said. “I can’t ask for a better effort from any of them. Westminster is probably one of the best high school teams in the country, and we knew that going in. We gave them a battle, but came up a bit short. Despite this loss, I am so excited to see where this tennis program is going for both the boys and girls.”
Southeast Georiga/ May 2016
Written By Matt Thrift
Photos by Brantley County High School
Brantley Tennis Has Another Impressive Season
