H.S. Tennis: Indians prepare to battle Kent Denver once again

Cheyenne Mountain and Kent Denver have finished first or second at the 4A state boys tennis tournament every year since at least 1999. This fall, starting today at Pueblo City Park, it will likely be no different.

Cheyenne Mountain will try to defend its state title and win its 15th title in 17 years.

Kent Denver has good reason to be confident after beating Cheyenne Mountain in a dual meet, 7-0, earlier this season. Kent Denver's Jack Reynolds is a state title contender at No. 1 singles but then so is Cheyenne Mountain's John Adams. Judging by the brackets, they could meet in the state final Saturday.

Cheyenne Mountain has improved in the couple of weeks since the loss to Kent Denver.

Wins over 5A Regis and 4A Mullen added to their confidence.

"Winning regionals is important," Adams said. "If you can't win regionals, how can you expect to win state? We'll have to step up our play at state."

Colorado Springs School's Justin King is another area entrant in No. 1 singles. He faces a tough draw with Fossil Ridge junior Joseph Aragon in the first round. If he performs up to his capabilities he could meet Reynolds in the semifinals Friday.

"I have a lot of work to do in the next week," King said after the regional final. "John is good. Hopefully we'll meet again at state."

Cheyenne Mountain, Kent Denver and Mullen qualified entire teams.

While the focus may be on Cheyenne Mountain and Kent Denver, Mullen's entrants could shake things up. Palmer Ridge sends its No. 1 doubles team while Lewis-Palmer has No. 1 singles player JD Dace and No. 2 Duy Pham. Fountain Valley has five.

A semifinal win for Mullen or any other team's individual would take away 11 points and give Kent Denver or Cheyenne Mountain a chance to pull away headed into the finals. A few of those and Mullen could challenge for the team title as well.

"They're a top-three team to be sure," coach Dave Adams said.

The duals and regular season tournaments set the stage for what should be a competitive state tournament, perhaps like the 2006 meet when the Indians edged Kent Denver 64-63.

"It was tough to lose to Kent but we learned a lot about them and us," said Indians No. 2 singles player Jon Moore.

In 5A, it's only a matter of whether Cherry Creek clinches its 35th title in 37 years at the Gates Tennis Center in Denver. The team's depth was tested by the departure of top singles player Chris Cooprider, who moved to California to attend a tennis academy.

As a result, no one qualified in No. 1 singles for the Bruins, opening the door for Rocky Mountain's Casey McMasters. The area No. 1 singles players hoping to contend are juniors Miles Peterson of Doherty and Andrew Pack of Pine Creek.

Pine Creek sends all three singles players and its No. 2 doubles. Air Academy sends all four doubles teams including the No. 1 duo of Seth Groteleuschen and Slater White.