Central sweeps Southside in boys tennis sectional

Central boys tennis coach Don Wafer anticipated this season being a rebuilding campaign with a young team. And throughout the regular season, his Bearcats expectedly took their fair share of lumps.

But on Wednesday, Central delivered its own lumps in a 5-0 victory against Southside to start play in the Delta Sectional.

Central improved to 6-12 and advanced to face Burris (5-10) in a semifinal at 4:45 p.m. today. Delta takes on Yorktown at 4:45 p.m. today.

Two freshmen led the Bearcats at the top of the singles lineup. Andrew Fox picked up a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 1 singles, and Drake Clohessy earned a 6-1, 6-0 victory.

"I think they've done very well considering how much pressure there is there and being green," Wafer said. "They've taken their lumps but they've played quite well. I'm really pleased with their play."

Jordan Tighe won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles for Central. Nathan Fox and Jordan Smith romped to a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 doubles, and the duo of Colton Lyon and Bracken Petroviak won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles.

Central, which has won eight straight sectional titles, plays a Burris team that it defeated 4-1 on Sept. 21.

"I thought we matched up well," Wafer said. "Obviously it could have gone a little tighter in a couple spots. I think they played a little tight. We played a little loose last week. It'll be an interesting match (today). I'm kind of curious to see how it goes."