The San Jacinto Christian Academy girls tennis team of coach David Cordes, from left, Ella Jaramillo, Katie Cockrell, Harlie Brabham, Blayne Robinson, Alayna Daniel, Kristi Gage, and head coach David Wells, won the TAPPS Class 3A state championship on Thursday. [Provided photo]San Jacinto Christian Academy came home with the first team title in school history at the TAPPS Class 3A state tournament at the Waco Regional Tennis Center on Wednesday and Thursday. Harlie Brabham and Blayne Robison capped a successful two days by taking out Trinity School of Midland, 6-3, 6-0, to also bring home the school’s first title in girls doubles. The young duo of the sophomore Brabham and freshman Robison cruised through the tournament only losing seven total games in four matches. The other girls doubles team of Ella Jaramillo and Katie Cockrell, both juniors, made it to the semifinals by beating the second seed from New Braunfels Christian School in the tournament before bowing out to the team Brabham and Robison beat from Trinity School of Midland. Freshman Alayna Daniel also made the tournament but lost her first-round match.
The San Jacinto Christian Academy boys tennis team of coach David Cortes, left, Derek Clark, Jase Love, Nick Prieto, Andy Miskimen, Jacob Whitener, Cody Wester, Chris Tyson, Zephan MOrgan and head coach James Wells, took home the TAPPS Class 3A state runner-up trophy on Thursday. [Provided photo]On the boys’ side, SJCA was also successful picking up a runner-up spot to the team champion New Braunfels Christian Academy. Leading the way was the impressive freshman duo of Zephan Morgan and Jacob Whitener who lost to Live Oak Classical Schools in a third-set tiebreak to narrowly miss a state title. Chris Tyson and Cody Wester, both juniors, lost in the first round on the other side of the bracket. On the singles side, two senior Patriots in Nick Prieto and Jase Love, competed in the boys singles draw but lost in the first round.
Head coach James Wells, who has led the Patriots tennis team over the last 17 years, and assistant coach David Cordes were thrilled with the results as the Patriots arguably fielded their best team in school history. With a large contingent of players returning next year, SJCA will be looked at as a top contender for a title again next year.
Co-host of The Press Pass Podcast and small school writer covering all sports including tennis for our coverage area. Craig provides play by play broadcasts for the Canadian Sports Network and Texas 1A Fan.
