Cherry Hill East falls to defending champion
In a marathon match delayed often by rain, the Cougars lost, 3-2, in the Group 4 final.
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - It was the last match of a long day, and the best.
Cherry Hill East pushed defending champion Westfield to the limit yesterday, but fell, 3-2, in the state Group 4 boys' tennis championship match at Mercer County Park.
"We did everything we could," Cherry Hill East coach Ralph Ipri said. "They were just a little bit better."
First singles Ravi Yegya-Raman and the first doubles team of Max Rubin and David Bernstein scored victories for Cherry Hill East in a grueling match that lasted more than three hours, and included three rain delays and several court changes.
Second singles Ross Silverberg played his match against Westfield's Dean Thompson on three courts, as slick footing and the pending start of adult-league play forced the athletes to pack their gear and move on two occasions.
Silverberg fought off a match point in the third set, but Thompson eventually scored a 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3) victory.
"I think we played in three different weather conditions in three different countries," Silverberg said. "It was like playing in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. I was nervous at the end and I guess he was too, but he did a better job of controlling his nerves."
Rubin and Bernstein scored an impressive 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Westfield's Justin Snyder and Graeme Stahl, who are regarded as one of the best doubles teams in the state.
"David really stepped it up today," Rubin said of his partner. "He played great."
Ipri said he was proud of the Cougars' effort.
"That's the defending Tournament of Champions winner and they had everybody back," Ipri said. "We had our eyes on it. We just fell a little bit short."
Group 3.
Moorestown advanced to the finals with a 4-1 semifinal victory over Northern Highlands.
Because of rain and limited court availability, the Quakers' state-final match against Millburn was postponed to 10 a.m. today.
Non-Public A.
St. Augustine lost, 5-0, to Delbarton.
"We played as well as we could; they were just a better team," St. Augustine coach Sam Miles said. "That was the best team we've played. But I'm very proud of what we did this year."
Non-Public B.
Sacred Heart lost to Dwight Englewood, 5-0.
Group 2.
Haddonfield bowed out in the semifinals, losing, 41/2 to 1/2 to Pascack Hills.
The first doubles team of Matt Chalkley and Brian Oatway scored the only points for Haddonfield (30-4), splitting its match with Zack Sude and Lee Marcus, 3-6, 7-6.
The Results
GROUP 4
Finals
Westfield 3, Cherry Hill East 2
Ravi Yegya-Raman, CHE, def. Kevin Shallcross, 6-2, 6-3; Dean Thompson, W, def. Ross Silverberg, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3); Ravi Netravaili, W, def. Nikhil Yegya-Raman, 6-2, 6-4; Max Rubin and David Bernstein, CHE, def. Justin Snyder and Graeme Stahl, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3; Evan Eisenberg and James Chu, W, def. Dan Kim and Jon Chalik, 6-2, 6-3.
Semifinals
Cherry Hill East 4, Ridgewood 1
Ravi Yegya-Raman, CHE, def. Adriel Borshansky, 6-1, 6-0; Ross Silverberg, CHE, halved Chris Hu, 7-5, 1-1; Nikhil Yegya-Raman, CHE, halved Camerson Rudd, 6-2, 1-3; Max Rubin and David Bernstein, CHE, def. Walter Green and Quentin Sangin, 6-4, 6-0; Dan Kim and Jon Chalik, CHE, def. Marus Lutterbach and Charlie Grundeck, 6-4, 6-0.
GROUP 3
Semifinals
Moorestown 4, Northern Highlands 1
Luke Granger, NH, halved Gabe Allen, 7-6; TJ Riley, M, def. Justin Gersch, 6-1, 6-1; Brent Rosebluth, NH, halved Drew Shreter, 0-6, 6-2, 2-0; Mike DeAngelis and John Pontillo, M, def. David Reyneke and Alex Ade, 6-4, 7-5; Mike Bass and Brandon Greenwood, M, def. Jake Walpert and Alex Chin, 6-2, 7-5.
GROUP 2
Semifinals
Pascack Hills 41/2, Haddonfield 1/2
Edgar Shanoyan, PH, def. Tim McMahon, 6-3, 6-0; Gideon Drucker, PH, def. Aaron Taylor, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2; Justin Winikoff, PH, def. Mike Steinberger, 6-0, 6-2; Matt Chalkley and Brian Oatway, H, halved Zack Sude and Lee Marcus, 3-6, 7-6; Dan Rosen and Andrew Eisbranch, PH, def. Ronnie Prassas and Will Lawlor, 6-3, 6-3.
NON-PUBLIC A
Finals
Delbarton 5, St. Augustine 0
Henry Steer def. Chas Berenato, 5-1, injury default; Noah Jaochaim def. Bill Horace, 6-2, 6-2; Tim France def. Taylor Santoro, 6-2, 6-1; Theo Patace-Fox and Graham Kirby def. Brandon Lawrence and Noah Gadrimac, 6-3, 6-1; Evan Zak and Mike DeFeo def. Aidan Kaye and Mike Halldorson, 6-0, 6-0.
NON-PUBLIC B
Finals
Dwight Englewood 5, Sacred Heat 0
Dan Shutov def. Adrian Avena, 6-2, 6-0; Jason Stone def. David Connelly, 6-0, 6-1; Francis Loh def. Melvin Monte, 6-1, 6-0; Chad Stark and Max Stacks def. David Krawzcyk and Eric Ciancaglini, 6-0, 6-1; Jason Rosenberg and Alex Hersenns def. Luke Bencie and Mike Torres, 6-1, 6-1.