A boys region tennis roundup: Tampa Prep clicking at right time

Tampa Prep won four out of five singles matches to clinch a berth in the region second round over Santa Fe Catholic on Tuesday.

No. 2 singles player Alan Williams (6-1, 6-0), No. 4 Wes Merritt (6-0, 6-0) and No. 5 Dan Palmer (6-0, 6-0) won in straight sets, while No. 3 Ralph Grauer needed a little extra for a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 win.

“Three weeks ago we really came together as a team,” Terrapins coach Mark Hoekstra said. “I really don’t why, but this is the neatest team I’ve had in years. Everybody is picking each other up. We’re just riding the wave.”

Berkeley Prep can't find footing

Berkeley Prep couldn’t repeat last year’s success in regionals against All Saints’, falling 4-1 in a Class A regional.

“Last year Berkeley wiped us out 5-0, and it was a long trip back from Tampa,” All Saints’ coach Helge Duemmel said. “So we had a score to settle.”

In the No. 1 matchup, the Bucs’ Zach Asayers was overmatched 6-0, 6-0 against Tyler Pate.

Adam Slakter nearly pulled out a win against No. 3 Steven Pike, falling 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.

The Ledger

Shorecrest swept all five singles matches in a Class A region match to beat Community School of Naples at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center.

The Chargers winners were: Garrett Betsarakis No. 1), Alex Saltiel (No. 2), Nick Litsky (No. 3), Brendan East (No. 4) and Logan Elder (No. 5). The doubles matches were defaulted.

The win was a tuneup for Shorecrest, which hosts Bradenton Christian on Thursday.

Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

CCC falls

Bradenton Christian defeated Clearwater Central Catholic 6-1 in Bradenton.

Teams in post

• Berkeley Preparatory School
• Clearwater Central Catholic High School
• Shorecrest Preparatory School
• Tampa Prep