Hurricane Tennis Teams Advance

The Jasper County High School (JCHS) Hurricane boys and girls tennis teams have both advanced into the second round of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) by virtue of winning in the first round played on Tuesday, April 18.

Both teams placed fourth in the 8-AA region tournament last week which was played to determine ranking for the state tournament.

In first round action Tuesday the boys played South Atlanta High School, the region 6-AA number one seeded team. The girls played Coretta Scott King Academy, also the number one seeded team from region 6-AA.

Coaches Patty Cole, Kevin Crabb, and Steven Hopper were optimistic about both teams chances of progressing through the first round. Coach Cole has seen her young players develop a competitive spirit and Coach Crabb has seen the boys match play improve steadily throughout the season.

Coach Hopper has been increasing the players’ endurance by lots of extra running in the afternoon heat in preparation for state.

The team includes Colton Braswell, Noah Hanson, Bill Elliott, Joseph Johnson, Alex Bowen, Ryan Nelson, Bailey Cook, and Jordan Wolf, Coach Patty Cole, Kirsten Pettis, Jessi Caron, Zoe Arena, Rylee Huff, Kalyn McMichael, Caela Cook, Tyler Phillips, Kinshaza Norris, Brooklyn Jefferson, Taylor Wages, Coach Kevin Crabb, and Coach Stephen Hopper.

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Five players from the 2016-2017 Hurricane tennis team were recognized for their outstanding play and sportsmanship at the conclusion of the 8-AA region tournament.

The players include Joseph Johnson, first team all region; Kirsten Pettis, second team all region; Colton Braswell, honorable mention all region; Zoe Arena, honorable mention all region; and Jessie Caron, honorable mention all region.