Boys’ Tennis Preview: Burbank, Burroughs have share of returners
There wasn’t a lot in common for the Burbank High and Burroughs boys’ teams during the 2017 season.
While the Bulldogs placed third in the Pacific League and notched a win in the CIF Southern Section playoffs, the Indians placed last in league, won just one league contest and didn’t qualify for the postseason.
This season, the squads do have something in common: a strong core of returning players.
“We have most of our team back from last year, which is good,” Burbank coach Loi Phan said. “We did lose a couple of players, but we have some guys who have been with us for a couple of years and hopefully their experience will help us. I have a lot of seniors this year who have been with me a few years.”
Said Burroughs coach Roy Bernhardt: “We have some of the same guys as we had last year. We do have a freshman who could help us and we have some players up from the [junior varsity].”
BURBANK
The Bulldogs (10-6) finished third in league a year ago behind champion Arcadia and runner-up Crescenta Valley. Burbank won its Division II wild-card match against Rio Mesa, 14-4, before falling in the first round against Etiwanda, 15-3.
Junior James Lee was the Bulldogs’ top player a year ago. In singles, he finished 38-10 and 28-8 in Pacific League and advanced to the league tournament semifinals. In the playoffs, Lee, an All-Area selection, won five sets in two matches.
“He will be a key for us in singles,” Phan said. “He is just a good, solid player and he’s improved.”
Another player Phan said has improved is senior Luciano Depuetto.
“I was going to put him in doubles, but he has improved so much I might have him play singles,” Phan said. “We are still trying to move guys around and see where they work best. We won’t get a good idea of that until we start playing.”
Also returning are senior Nathan Soria, who will play singles, and senior doubles player Ethan Lee.
In league, Phan said he expects Arcadia to again be the best team.
“We are just playing for the second, third and fourth spots behind Arcadia,” he said. “It really doesn’t matter what we have because they always seem to get a great group of players.
“I just look for us to hopefully be able to be up there for one of the other three spots so we can make the playoffs again.”
BURROUGHS
The Indians struggled last season in the Pacific League, finishing seventh with a 1-11 record.
“We didn’t have a very good season at all last year,” Bernhardt said. “I guess for us there’s no way to go but up after we finished last.”
Returning to anchor Burroughs is four-year contributor Kendric Marcy, a senior singles player. Last season, the All-Area selection had a 26-7 record and went 23-7 in Pacific League play, advancing to the league tournament quarterfinals.
“We will look for Kendric to again be up there for us in singles this year,” Bernhardt said. “He has been with us since he was a freshman and he has become a good player.”
A newcomer Bernhardt hopes will bolster the singles corps is freshman Sam Bernardy.
Also returning are Kiet Hoang, a senior, and Cameron Flores, a junior.
“We just have to figure out where everybody fits in in singles and doubles,” Bernhardt said. “I know that Kendric and Sam will be playing No. 1-2 singles. I just have to figure out who our No. 3 singles is and put together our doubles.”
Like Phan, Bernhardt said Arcadia should be the team to beat in league.
“They are always tough,” he said. “Their [junior varsity] could probably beat our varsity and probably everyone else in league.”
Twitter: @jefftsports
