BCHS seeded first in boys’ bracket, Lady Herons are seeded 14th
The defending Class A DI champion Brantley County's Herons captured the programs sixth consecutive region tennis title downing Berrien and Jeff Davis Thursday afternoon.
BCHS (19-2) posted 3-0 victories over Berrien (semifinals) and Jeff Davis (finals) in the Region 1-A tournament for its 13 region title over the past 15 years, excluding the COVID 2020 cancellation of spring sports.
“With four returning starters from last year’s team, it was evident that big-match experience was on our side throughout the day,” said head coach Patrick Stieve. “This is an unbelievable accomplishment and a true testament to the consistency, effort and pride of Brantley Tennis. This championship is extra special for our seniors, who have now been part of four region championships in high school and two conference titles in middle school. I am so proud of this team and all they have accomplished.”
Brantley County has lost only three region matches dating back to the 2010 season. Since 2010, the Herons have reached the “Sweet 16” 17 times, the “Elite 8” 10 times, the “Final Four” seven times, and the state championship match twice, finally breaking through with the 2025 state title over Bleckley County.
The Herons, who open with 32nd-seed Coosa (no date set), are joined by the other six region members in the state tournament. Jeff Davis is seeded fifth, Thomasville is 12th, Fitzgerald is 15th, Berrien is 16th, Bacon County is 22nd and Worth County is 24th.
The two-time defending state champion Lady Herons (10-11), who entered as the second seed, dropped both of their Wednesday, April 15 matches falling 3-2 to Bacon County in the semifinals and 3-1 to Berrien in the consolation match to finish fourth.
Brantley County enters the state tournament as the 14th-seed. The Lady Herons hosted 19th-seed Swainsboro Tuesday, April 21 at 2 p.m., in a first round pairing.
“We are still thrilled about this girls' team and where they are as we enter the state playoffs,” Stieve said. “We (coaches) are excited about where both teams stand in the playoff brackets and cannot wait to begin our road to Rome to the state finals.”
The Lady Herons are one of six region members receiving bids. Jeff Davis is seeded first, Bacon County fifth, Berrien 10th, BCHS 14th, Thomasville 15th and Worth County 32nd.
Championship Herons .....................3 Jeff Davis .................0
Brantley County posted two wins in singles action and one in doubles to clinch the title over the Yellow Jackets.
Ashton Tyler posted a 62, 6-2 decision over Daniel Mims in the match at No. 1 singles. Jayce Chapman knocked off Bentley Poe 61, 6-2 at No. 3 singles. Owen Spradley led Caidon Diaz 6-1, 5-4 when the math was pulled.
Miles and Jett Florey teamed up at No. 1 doubles notching a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Asher Mims and Brock Howard. The No. 2 duo of Evan Payne and Alex Keen split the first two sets and were tied in the third set at 6-1, 2-6, 1-1 with Kenny Newton and Christian Dunn when their match was pulled. The second set loss was the only setback for BCHS in the tournament.
Semifinals Herons .....................3 Berrien.....................0
The Herons also won two singles matches and a doubles match against Berrien losing one game.
Spradley blanked Eli Soeffner 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 with Chapman posting a 61, 6-0 victory at No. 3 over Kaleb Farris. Tyler led Brody Soeffner 6-0, 4-2 when the match was pulled.
Payne and Keen picked up the doubles win rolling 6-0, 6-0 over Josh Black Josh Moody at No. 2. The Floreys led 6-1, 4-1 over Cayden Echols and Levi Watson when play was halted.
Semifinals Bacon County ...........3 Lady Herons.............2
Bacon County captured two of the three three-set matches in downing the Lady Herons.
Haley Jane Smith recored Brantley County's lone singles victory blanking Bailey Palmer 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 1 spot. Adalyn Lattanzie fell 6-3, 6-4 at No. 2 to Annalynne Sears. Mary Drury fell 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-3 to Morgan Lee at No. 3.
The No. 2 doubles tandem of Bri Crews and Brenna Gilder outlasted Ally Grace Dial and Zoe Metts 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. The No. 1 duo of Kynli Flowers and Emersyn Payne fell 6-7 (68), 6-0, 6-4 to Braelyn King and Johni Lynn Tyre.
Consolation Berrien .....................3 Lady Herons .............1
The Lady Rebels swept the doubles competition and posted a victory in singles to turn back Brantley County.
Smith rolled to a 6-0, 60 victory at No. 1 over Joci Holbrook for the lone win. Ellie Morgan fell 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3 to Sarah Nugent. Lattanzie was tied with Emmi Warren after splitting two sets at 6-2, 4-6 when the match was stopped.
Flowers and Payne dropped a 6-4, 7-6 (11-9) decision to Emery Lane and Callie Nix at No. 1 doubles. The No. 2 team of Crews and Gilder lost 6-4, 6-4 to Sadie Webber and Braelyn Cersey.
