Experience dooms Breakers

Editor’s note: This updates the previous version.

When the Laguna Beach High boys’ tennis team took on Viewpoint on Wednesday in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 championship match, Breakers Coach Peter Davidson knew going in that his Breakers were at a disadvantage in one department.

Patriots Coach Travis Kikugawa also knew that his team, the division’s defending champion, held an edge. It came in the form of experience.

Top-ranked Viewpoint of Calabasas relied on its seasoned lineup to repeat as division champion by defeating second-ranked Laguna, 11-7, at Claremont Club in Laguna.

A year ago, the Patriots defeated the Breakers in the semifinals, then went on to defeat Rowland for the crown.

Wednesday marked the second time in three years that Laguna has reached the title match. The Breakers were runner-up to Cerritos in 2009.

“They (Viewpoint) have seven seniors on their team and it shows you that if you have experience and can handle these high-pressure matches, then that’s tough to beat,” said Davidson, who took the Breakers to the finals in his first year as head coach.

“They did really well in doubles. They swept us at two and three doubles. They’re just a great team and are defending champions for a reason.”

The Breakers turned in a strong performance and their top two singles players, No. 1 Jake Michaels and No. 2 Teague Hamilton, led the charge. Hamilton, a sophomore, swept his three sets and finished postseason play with an undefeated record.

One of Hamilton’s wins came over Viewpoint’s top player, Bryce Beisswanger who is his team’s leader and whom Kikugawa said was “Mr. Everything” for the Patriots.

Kikugawa said Beisswanger, a senior, will play next year at Carnegie Mellon University.

[Updated: Michaels, a senior, won two sets as did the Breakers’ top doubles team, Hutton McKenna and Benito Romeo, the only other senior on the Laguna roster.]

Overall, Laguna won five of nine singles sets.

“I think we almost wanted it too much,” said Michaels, who will play tennis next year at Cornell University. “We gave it our all, but I don’t think we played the best that we could have.

“Overall, it was a great season and we really played some great tennis to get here. Everyone played with a lot of desire. It’s a great group of guys.”

[Updated:

Laguna singles

Jake Michaels (2-6, 7-5, 6-2)

Teague Hamilton (6-4, 6-2, 6-2)

Austin Loomis (0-6, 1-6, 2-6)

Laguna Doubles

Benito Romeo/Hutton McKenna (6-2, 6-2, 4-6)

Morgan Lebby/Owen Weber (1-6, 3-6, 4-6)

Taylor Davidson/Nick Le (1-6, 3-6, 1-6)]