BEARVILLE — Pierce County’s top-seeded Lady Bears and Bears made quick work Wednesday of 32nd-seed Johnson-Augusta’s tennis teams in the opening round of the Class AA tournament.
The Lady Bears (20-1), playing in their 16th consecutive state tournament, knocked off the Lady Panthers, winning four matches by 6-0, 6-0 scores for a ninth-consecutive first round win. The 2021 spring sports were canceled.
The defending champion Bears (19-2) also beat the Panthers with four 60, 6-0 scores. They are making their 14th straight appearance in the postseason. The first round win was their eighth straight.
The Lady Bears hosted 16th-seed Sonoraville in the second round Monday, April 27. No date has been announced.
The Bears hosted 17thseed region foe Tattnall County Tuesday, April 28. Half of Region 3’s six girls’ teams advanced to the second round. Sixthseed Appling County beat 27th-seed Shaw and will host 11th-seed Sumter County. Cook, seeded 14th, beat 19th-seed Therrell and will travel to third-seed Columbus.
Savannah Arts Academy, seeded 12th, fell to 21st-seed Hart County. Tattnall County, seeded 18th, lost to 15th-seed Stephens County. Crisp County, a 20th seed, was ousted by 13th-seed Hart County.
Four of the five boys’ region teams advanced. Tattnall County clipped 16th-seed Stephens County. Seventh-seed Appling County knocked off 26th-seed North Murray.
Savannah Arts Academy, seeded 23rd, downed 10th-seed Pike County. The Panthers lost in the second round to regionmate Appling County, who awaits the winner of 15th-seed Therrell and 31st-seed Ringgold in the quarterfinals.
Cook, seeded 19th, was the lone region member to be eliminated, falling at 14th-seed Rockmart.
Lady Bears ..............4 Johnson-Aug...........0
PCHS breezed through the singles action and posted a victory in the only doubles match.
Marlee Kate Wetherington knocked off Ta’Mya Brown at No. 1, Mattie Lee turned back Lyn’nya Neloms at No. 2 and Jasmine Sergent beat Adamaris Garcia at No. 3. The No. 1 doubles tandem of Eva Horne and Abby Higginson breezed past Gabrielle Smith and Adrianna Dicks. The match at No. 2 doubles with Addie Brown and Riley Chambless vs. London Riles and Skyla Salone never started.
Bears.......................4 Johnson-Aug...........0
The Bears followed their sister program sweeping the singles action to seal the win and adding a doubles victory.
J.C. Nimmer downed LeJuan Kelly at No. 1, Jeb Bradley knocked off Trenton Rayl at No. 2 and Aaden Carlson had an easy time with Juls Depasucort at No. 3.
The No. 1 doubles team of Kellen Roberts and Colby Coasts rolled past Kendrick Thomas and David Geraldo-Vargas. Greyson Rodgers and Thomas Lucas did not play Chavez Kelly and Jaylen Terry at No. 2.
