Morton Settles Down and Starts Winning

Basketball players call it poor shot selection. To baseball players, it’s trying to hit a home run on every pitch. Tennis players commonly refer to it as going for too much.

Corona del Mar’s Brian Morton used more harsh terminology to describe what was often his undoing on the tennis court--”stupid shots.”

“I would try to rip winners from five feet behind the baseline when I had little chance to pull it off,” Morton said. “It wasn’t very smart.”

And usually, it wasn’t very effective. Last year, Morton hit rock bottom with his go-for-broke strategy. His Southern California Tennis Assn. ranking dropped from a high of 15 to 22 in the boys’ 16 division and his confidence fell to an all-time low.

“I kind of got sick of tennis,” he said. “I wasn’t having any fun. I decided to play less and not take it so seriously.”

When he returned to the court full time, Morton decided to start listening to his father, Glenn, who has been his coach since he took up the game.

“I began setting up my points by hitting a top-spin approach and then coming in and ripping the ball from the middle of the court,” Morton said. “My dad’s been telling me that stuff for 10 years. I guess it finally got to me.”

Morton’s sudden willingness to play a patient, yet aggressive brand of tennis paid off last month, when he upset nationally ranked Ryan Redondo of Fallbrook in the second round of the Fullerton designated tournament, 6-4, 6-2.

“That was by far the biggest win of my life,” Morton said. “I went out there with nothing to lose. But I played smart. I didn’t give him anything. I finally figured out I need to keep the ball in the court.”

Morton’s victory vaulted him to eighth in the SCTA’s boys’ 18 rankings and his recent play has given Corona del Mar Coach Tim Mang a reason to smile. Mang lost his top three singles players off last year’s Southern Section Division I title team, so he needed a new No. 1--someone he could could count on for three points almost every match.

In stepped Morton, who played No. 1 doubles last year with Randy Myers but played sparingly in the singles lineup.

“I don’t think Brian had the patience for singles last year,” Mang said. “I think he liked playing doubles. He could go for those winners because he had more court to work with. But now, he’s starting to learn he doesn’t have to hit an [Andre] Agassi shot from the baseline. He can work his way in and hit his big shot from midcourt.”

Occasionally, Mang said, Morton still imagines he’s Agassi.

“Sometimes, he tries the superman shot, the impossible drop shot or the ultimate shot from behind the baseline,” Mang said. “But you definitely don’t see it as often.”

In case any of Morton’s opponents think his new approach means he will be less aggressive, Morton has something to tell them.

“I think I’m more of an all-around player now,” he said. “I can stay back if I have to and I can come in and volley when the situation calls for it.”

He can also hit an overhead when the situation arises.

“He used to run away from his overhead,” Mang said. “Now, it’s one of his strengths.”

When the Sea Kings play Pacific Coast League rival University, Morton will need his entire arsenal of shots. University’s singles lineup of Aaron Yovan, Henry Mak and Jack Li might be equal to Corona del Mar’s. A year ago, Mang said Morton might not have been ready for that kind of challenge.

*

Other players to watch:

Joseph Kao, Sunny Hills--A legitimate threat to win the Southern Section individual title, Kao reached the round of 16 in last year’s tournament, losing in three sets to San Marino’s Zoran Korac, now playing at UC Irvine. Kao, whose powerful forehand sets up his points, reached the finals of the Southern California Sectionals in the boys’ 16 division and finished the year ranked seventh.

Cameron Ball, Corona del Mar--Ball, whose father is former touring professional Syd Ball, played doubles last year for the Sea Kings, but he pushed Morton for the No. 1 singles spot. Ball, a sophomore, finished last year ranked 30th in Southern California in the boys’ 16 division.

Aaron Yovan, University--An Ojai champion as a 14-year-old, Yovan might be the county’s most improved player. He has added a big serve to his already strong baseline game. “I think he could play five or six for some Pac-10 teams as well as he’s playing,” University Coach Jeff Hammond said. Yovan, a sophomore who was ranked 14th in the Southern California boys’ 16, lost in the second round of the section individuals to Los Alamitos senior Cody Jackson.

Henry Mak, University--His textbook ground strokes and his steady baseline play give him an advantage over most junior players. Mak, ranked 12th in the boys’ 16s, lost to Dana Hills senior Javier Carrillo last year in the second round of the section individual tournament.

Jack Li, University--A grinder with incredible quickness, Li is probably the county’s top freshman. He was the fourth-ranked 14-year-old in Southern California last year, but he will probably play No. 3 singles behind Yovan and Mak.

Michael Nguyen, Capistrano Valley--Ranked 29th in Southern California in the boys’ 18, Nguyen appears ready for a breakout season. He is favored to win the league singles title.