McDonogh Ends Gilman Streak

By: Luke Jackson

The McDonogh tennis team ended Gilman's two-year run as Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference champions as the Eagles defeated the Greyhounds, 3-2, Friday, to clinch their 15th conference title in the last 22 years.

McDonogh finished 14-1 on the season. The Eagles' conference title marks the 21st time in 22 years that either McDonogh or Gilman has won the A Conference championship. This was McDonogh's 15th title in that span-- the Eagles also won both meetings against Gilman this season.

The Eagles' three victories in the final came from team captain Alexander Centenari at No. 1 singles, Alex Sidney at No. 2 singles, and Jake Lazer and Tommy Sinnott at No. 2 doubles. The Greyhounds' two victories came from Alec Hoblitzell at No. 3 singles and Tyler Hoblitzell and Brad Millison at No. 1 doubles.

Centenari defeated Gilman's Michael Katz, 6-4, 6-1, and Sidney beat the Greyhounds' James Weiler, 6-3, 6-3. Lazer and Sinnott defeated Gilman's Will Faison and Jay Barrett, 6-3, 6-4. Alec Hoblitzell beat McDonogh's Chris Bell, 6-3, 6-2, and Tyler Hoblitzell and Millison defeated the Eagles' Seth Cassel and Greg Miller, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.

The title was scheduled for Thursday at McDonogh but was moved indoors to Green Spring Racquet Club on Friday, due to weather and time constraints.

"The team worried about giving up home field advantage," said McDonogh coach Laddie Levy.

McDonogh began the 2008 tennis season with a 3-2 loss to Lawrenceville (N.J.) in what turned out to be its only defeat. The early part of the Eagles' schedule also included two difficult tournaments -- the Woodberry Forest Invitational and the NEMA Invitational. McDonogh came in fourth at Woodberry and finished third out of 16 teams at NEMA.

The Eagles would then go undefeated in conference play at 11-0 and finish 14-1 overall.

Centenari, McDonogh's No. 1 singles player all season, went 14-0 in league play and placed second at Woodberry in the No. 1 singles draw and finished third at NEMA. Sidney, a freshman and the team's No. 2 singles player, also went undefeated in the league. Sidney won the No. 2 singles draw at NEMA and placed third at Woodberry.

Bell filled the No. 3 singles spot for McDonogh and was solid all season.

Miller and Cassel played together as the Eagles' No. 1 doubles team this spring The pair were finalists in the No. 1 doubles draw at NEMA. Sinnott and Lazer played together at No. 2 doubles and got crucial victories in both of McDonogh's wins over Gilman.

Sid Sharma was the team's utility man, filling in when needed and winning some tough matches along the way.

Posted May 13, 2008