Brantley County High School’s tennis programs began defense of their Class A DI state titles with first round victories.
The 14th-seed two-time defending state champion Lady Herons (11-11) blanked 19thseed Swainsboro (9-8) 3-0 at Ware County High School for their 13th consecutive first round win dating back to 2011. The match was moved with conditions in Brantley County not conducive for outside activities because of the smoke from the Hwy. 82 fire.
BCHS, winners of 11 consecutive playoff matches, is 17-1 alltime in the first round dating back to their first state berth in 2003. The lone loss came against Dodge County in 2010. BCHS is 37-16 in GHSA postseason play.
The Lady Herons put their second round, eight-match winning streak (11-5 all-time) on the line Tuesday, April 28 with a date against third-seed Lamar County (11-4) in Barnesville. The Lady Trojans ousted 30thseed Jasper County.
The top-seed Herons (20-2) stretched their first round winning streak to 15 straight victories blanking 32nd-seed Coosa (1-12) 4-0 at home to improve to 18-1 all-time going back to 2005’s first appearance. BCHS opened last year’s tournament with a 3-0 win over the Eagles.
The lone first round loss was in 2010 to Vidala.
Brantley County, 44-18 alltime in the post-season, hosted 17th-seed Bremen (13-8) Monday, April 27 in a second round matchup. The Blue Devils eliminated 16th-seed Berrien in the first round.
The Herons, who are 14-4 alltime in the second round matches, have won nine consecutive “Sweet 16” matchups.
The Lady Herons were one of five Region 1 schools to advance with two ousted. Top-seed Jeff Davis knocked off 32nd-seed Worth County. The Lady Yellow Jackets host 16th-seed Rabun County.
Fifth-seed Bacon County beat 28th-seed Toombs County. The Lady Red Raiders host 12thseed Bremen. Berrien, a 10th seed, eased past 23rd-seed Social Circle. The Lady Rebels travel to seventh-seed Bleckley County.
Thomasville, seeded 15th, escaped 18th-seed Heard County. The Lady Bulldogs go to second- seed ACE Charter.
Fitzgerald, a 20th seed, fell at 13th-seed Vidalia.
On the boys’ side, fifth-seed Jeff Davis and 12th-seed Thomasville join BCHS in the second round. The Yellow Jackets ousted 28th-seed Barrow with the Bulldogs knocking off 21st seed Commerce.
Thomasville travels to Jeff Davis in a second round matchup.
Fitzgerald, seeded 15th, lost to 18th-seed Pepperell. Bacon County, the No. 22 seed, lost to 11th-seed Vidalia. Worth County, seeded 24th, fell to ninth-seed Social Circle.
No. 14 Lady Herons ........3 No. 19 Swainsboro ..........0
WAYCROSS — The Lady Herons won twice in singles, one by forfeit, and one doubles match to eliminate Swainsboro.
Haley Smith posted a 6-0, 61 victory over Lilly Hudson at No. 1 singles. Mary Drury won via forfeit at No. 3. Adalyn Latanzie was leading 5-4 in the first set when the match was pulled.
The No. 2 doules team of Bri Crews and Sara Kate Rentz posted a 6-4, 6-1 decision over Lexsy Brown and Stella Marsh. The No. 1 tandem of Emersyn Payne and Kynli Flower split the first two sets with Kyleight Hostilo and Kaybreigh Hostilo 6-3, 3-6 when the match was stopped.
No. 1 Herons ...................4 No. 32 Coosa...................0
CANEY BAY — Up quickly by virtue of two forfeits, the Herons closed out the match with a sweep of the doubles action.
The Floreys, Jett and Miles, blanked Austin Reece and Gunner Shenkel 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles. Evan Payne and Alex Keen won by the same scores at No. 2 over Trey Floyd and Gavin Greene.
Ashton Tyler led Jackson Fowler 6-1, 5-1 at No. 1 singles when the match was stopped. Owen Spradley and Jayce Chapman picked up forfeit wins at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.
