Perfect Finish to the Season for El Camino Real

El Camino Real High won 14 of 16 singles sets and seven of nine in doubles to defeat Granada Hills, 24 1/2-5, to clinch its second consecutive City Championship boys’ tennis title Thursday at Balboa Tennis Center.

“We were so determined,” said Matt Jones, El Camino Real’s No. 1 player. “In first period [at school] today we were all talking about winning.”

Jones clinched the match with a 6-0 victory over Phil Weisburd that gave El Camino Real 15 of a possible 29 1/2 points. It also completed an undefeated season for the Conquistadores (17-0).

James Magsino, El Camino Real’s No. 2 player, lost only three games in four sets. After Magsino’s 6-2 victory over Nima Roshan, Roshan threw his racket into the net in frustration.

The Conquistadores , who defeated Granada Hills, 17-12 1/2, in last season’s final, took command early, winning seven of the first eight matches in round robin play.

At No. 1 doubles, El Camino Real’s Shaun Flynn and Nick Kogan trailed, 6-1, in a tiebreaker before defeating Anand Murthy and Brad Steinberg, 10-8.

Murthy and Steinberg twice defeated Flynn and Kogan in West Valley League play.

“We tried to stay mentally tough when we were down and make them hit winners,” Kogan said. “Everybody thought we were weak in doubles and strong in singles. But we were out to prove that our doubles are the best in the City.”

Granada Hills (14-3) has reached the finals five of the last six years but has yet to win.

“We’ve been there every year and we’ve done it with new players each time,” Coach Ron Wood said. “We pride ourselves on consistency. We still had a great year. El Camino was the only team to beat us. But it sure would be nice to win it once.”

El Camino Real’s victory was especially satisfying for Jones and Magsino, best friends playing their last high school match.

“We’ve both played varsity all four years and it’s gone by so fast,” Magsino said. “But we still have individuals.”

Ananya Sreepathi, part of Granada Hill’s No. 3 doubles team, summed up the Highlanders’ disappointment succinctly.

“I think I should be shot,” Sreepathi said. “That’s how heartbroken I am right now.”

Ninth-seeded Taft (8-9) won seven of nine doubles sets to upset third-seeded Cleveland, 17 1/2-12, in the Invitational final.