DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
(Photos by Kris Everett)
Waiting all the way until Thursday to get the sectional started due to rain in the area the previous two days, the Adams Central Jets made a big statement by dominating the Bellmont Braves in a 5-0 decision to set themselves up as contenders for their first sectional title since 2018.
“It’s a tough end to the season, especially having to wait to play,” said Bellmont head coach Kyle Arnold.
Ean Brown and Logan Heiman scored easy victories at No. 1 and No. 3 singles, respectively, dropping just one game combined.
The most competitive match was between Ethan Gentis and Bellmont’s Bryson Ball. Gentis was the lone loser in the regular season meeting between the two teams, falling in straight sets to Ball. He reversed that fortune Thursday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Adams Central used their experience to beat both of the young Bellmont doubles teams.
The Braves recorded just one win in 2023, beating North Side.
“You have to look back at this season in a rough light,” said Arnold, “but I was happy about how we played against some of our competition.”
Arnold pointed out that the team was competitive in the NE8 despite an 0-7 record. Three of those losses came by a 3-2 scoreline.
“The moral victory for the season was the growth in our team size,” said the coach, who went from six players in his first year to ten this year. Five of those players are freshmen.
“Losing only one senior this year,” he continued, “we should return nine guys next year with incoming freshmen upping that total as well. I am very excited about the future of the program.”
The Jets will face Bluffton Friday afternoon in one semifinal while South Adams and Norwell clash on the opposite side of the Norwell tennis complex.
Adams Central 5 Bellmont 0
No. 1-Ean Brown (AC) d. Hayden Huss, 6-0, 6-1
No. 2-Ethan Gentis (AC) d. Bryson Ball, 6-4, 6-4
No. 3-Logan Heiman (AC) d. Layne LeMaster, 6-0, 6-0
No. 1-Krew Clark/Cody Ausland (AC) d. Kaden Ramsey/James Miller, 6-3, 6-2
No. 2-Mason Fruechte/Tyler Ausland (AC) d. Larry Knous/Ben Mendoza, 6-4, 6-4