Prep tennis players hit All-Star courts
By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
July 15, 2004
Several netters will be able to take to the court for one last high school tennis tournament Friday at the North/South All-Star Tennis Tournament at the Bridges Tennis Center.
The tournament will begin at 1 p.m. with players competing on teams in a format of six singles and three doubles matches in both boys' and girls' divisions.
A pair of athletes and a coach will represent the area in the competition.
Tyler Hardy of Neshoba Central will play for the North boys' team while Brook Bounds will represent West Lauderdale on the South girls' team.
The players were selected from nominations by coaches involved in the Mississippi Association of Coaches.
Neshoba Central coach Susan Fox-Smith will also be involved as a coach for the North team.
According to Fox-Smith, being able to coach in the all-star event is very special.
Fox-Smith's team, which has made three trips to the state tournament in her three years as coach, also had another player named to the roster. Katie Cunningham of Neshoba Central was also named to the roster but will not be able to compete in the event because of a prior commitment.
Hardy was also honored to be named to the all-star team.
Hardy played mixed doubles at Neshoba Central and made the state tournament this past season before being eliminated in the second round.
According to Hardy, the singles match will be a change of pace for him.
Bounds, who also played mixed doubles this year, will play for the South girls in the event.
Bounds and teammate Matthew Schanrock took home the 3A state title this season for West Lauderdale. According to Bounds, being on the all-star team is an honor.
Competing with Bounds on the South girls' team will be Samantha Porter (Brandon), Morgan Pennington (Pascagoula), Emily Lott (Petal), and Natalie LaHaye (Poplarville).
On the South boys' team will be Bryan Bankester (Madison Central), Doug Olson (Stone Co.), James Harris (Morton), John Harris (Morton), Andrew Brewer (Florence) and Chris Purdum (Laurel).
Joining Hardy on the North boys' team will be Sam Shields (Kosciusko), Kyle Davis (New Albany), Brian Palmer (Amory), Charles Cascio (Greenville St. Joe) and Mason Walker (Tupelo).
On the North girls' team will be Price Walt (Cleveland), Amber Carmack (Tishomingo Co.), Kirby Smith (Shannon), Sarah Spraberry (Southaven), Casey Vinson (Tupelo) and Jennifer Mallette (Shannon).
