Since the state began conducting a boys state tennis championship in 1978, no metro Atlanta school south of I-20 has won a title in the state’s largest classification.
Westlake is looking to become the first.
Located in south Fulton County, Westlake is 16-2 after shutting out Kennesaw Mountain (4-0) and Lowndes (5-0) in the first two rounds of the playoffs and will host Harrison in the quarterfinals Tuesday. The Lions, who advanced to last year’s quarterfinal round, are a young but talented squad led by sophomore Zachary Kennedy, considered one of the top players in Georgia, along with freshmen Samuel Kennedy, Justin and Jason Byrd and Chris Eubanks, junior Kenta Posey and senior Ryan Jarvis.
More boys tennis
In other quarterfinal matches Tuesday, top-ranked Walton is still in contention to win the Class AAAAA title for the first time since 2002. The Raiders will travel to 2009 champion Northview. Defending champion Alpharetta hosts Brookwood. ... In AAAA, 2010 champion Starr’s Mill will face Northside-Warner Robins. The two main challengers to the Panthers, 2010 AAA champion Johns Creek and undefeated McIntosh (19-0), will host Pope and Northside-Columbus, respectively. ... In AAA, four-time champion Woodward Academy will host LaGrange, while two of the state’s top-rated teams, Carrollton and St. Pius, will square off at Carrollton. ... In AA, Westminster, which had its run of nine consecutive titles (2001-08 in AAA, 2009 in AA) snapped last year by Blessed Trinity, will host 2008 champion Greater Atlanta Christian. Blessed Trinity hosts Lovett, which is looking for its first state title since 1997. ... Defending A champion Walker was knocked out Wednesday by Wesleyan, which will now face top-ranked Whitefield Academy, who defeated perennial favorite Athens Academy on Wednesday. The Spartans had won 11 of the past 15 state titles.
Girls tennis
In AAAAA, Walton, which has won nine of the past 10 state titles, including the past seven, travels to Peachtree Ridge on Tuesday. Both teams are undefeated. ... Marist, winners of eight of the past 10 titles and undefeated this season (21-0), will host Johns Creek. Marist is 88-4 this season. On the other side of the bracket, Lambert, also undefeated (20-0) hosts Pope. ... In AAA, defending champion Woodward Academy travels to Carrollton, while 2009 champion St. Pius goes on the road to Cartersville. ... In AA, Blessed Trinity still has its hopes of a “three-peat” alive and will host North Oconee. Westminster, which knocked out previously unbeaten Calhoun on Monday, will host rival Lovett. ... Defending Class A champ Athens Academy was sent packing Monday by Wesleyan, which travels to Pace Academy for the quarterfinals. Undefeated Mt. Pisgah Christian (16-0) will play at Providence Christian.
Boys lacrosse
The Lambert and Northview boys are in a virtual tie for the top spot in Georgia, according to laxpower.com. Lambert (17-1), the No. 1 team from Region 3AAAA-A, will face either Greenbrier or Lakeside-Evans in the first round of the state playoffs Tuesday. Northview (15-3), the Region 3-AAAAA champs, will host Collins Hill… In other first-round contests, in AAAA-A, Region 1 champ Lovett will host Sprayberry, Region 2 winner Pope will host Northgate, and St. Pius, the Region 4 champ, will host Wesleyan. ... In AAAAA, the playoffs begin Wednesday. Region 1 top-seed Harrison will host Etowah, Region 2 champ Lassiter will host East Coweta and Region 4 champ Peachtree Ridge will host Roswell.
Girls lacrosse
Laxpower.com says Milton, the Region 3-AAAAA champs, is the state’s top team. The Eagles will host North Gwinnett on Tuesday. Other AAAAA matches are Region 1 champ Harrison hosting Kennesaw Mountain, Region 2 champ Lassiter will host Hillgrove and Region 4 champ Mill Creek will host Alpharetta… In AAAA-A, Westminster, laxpower.com’s No. 2 team in Georgia and the Region 2 champs, will host rival Lovett. Region 1 champ McIntosh will host Pope, Region 3 title winner Johns Creek will host Decatur and Marist, the top seed from Region 4, will host Lambert.
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