Timpview, East lead 4A tennis tournament

In last year's 4-A tennis tournament, the top three teams were separated by only two points. With no clear favorite this year, coaches say a similar result could prevail again.

"Things are extremely close," Timpview coach Nate Warner said. "There are a few teams who will divide up most of the points. Every single point is crucial."

Two of those teams appear to be Timpview and East. After two rounds of play, Warner's T-Birds find themselves tied for the lead with the Leopards.

The two teams have earned eight points apiece.

East had several upsets on Friday to bring themselves to the front of the pack. The Leopards James Robbins capped off the afternoon for East by upsetting Timpview's Jason Johnson in No. 3 singles to bring his team into the tie for first place.

"There isn"t one team that is dominating," East coach Peachy Quinton said. "I feel good about where we are."

As has been the case all season long, Timpview propelled themselves into contention behind the strength of their singles play. The T-Birds No. 1 singles player Bradley Ferguson, who was the No. 2 singles champion last year, coasted through the first two rounds of play. Ferguson will take on Bountiful's Quinn Allred in today's semifinal matchup. Ferguson is undefeated for the season in high school play.

Saturday morning's other No. 1 singles match-up could prove to be one of the tournament's best. Region 5's No. 5 seed Phillip Badger of East will be looking for the upset against Region 5 rival and defending champion Sky Jensen of West.

"I feel good about my chances," Badger said. "I'll try to keep him away from the net, so he can"t slam it down my throat."

In No. 2 singles, Timpvie's Kevin Stanworth appears to have the inside track for the championship. Stanworth won the No. 3 singles championship last year. With the demise of their No. 3 single's player Friday, Timpview is hoping their No. Doubles team of Chase Evans and Rob Stephsenson can make up the difference. They will take on No. 1 seed West this morning.

"We"ll do the best we can do," Warner said. "If we get enough points to win at the end of the tournament to win the championship we"ll be happy."

Olympus is in third place with 6 points.

Bountiful and Pleasant Grove each have 5 points.

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