Corbin shines in Eastern Tournament

 

By Les Dixon / Sports Editor

 

Curt Hart’s Corbin Redhounds picked up two impressive wins against Covington Catholic and Eastern High School to remain unbeaten on the season at 9-0.

 

The Redhounds knocked off the Colonels 3-2 in match play, and beat Eastern 3-2 in the Louisville Eastern Tournament.

 

Lance Freeman suffered a 6-3 setback to Covington Catholic’s Jimmy Roebker 6-3, 6-1 in singles action, but Taylor Jones (7-6, 7-6) and Nick Huff (4-6, 6-1, 6-3) picked up wins to give Corbin a 2-1 edge heading into doubles play.

 

The Redhounds sealed the win with Blake and Brody Freeman’s 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 doubles win.

 

Lee Crawford and Chris Goins lost 1-6, 1-6 in doubles action.

 

“Covington Catholic is the strongest team we have played this season,” Hart said. “Jimmy Roebker was an excellent player with all the strokes. His strengths were his consistency and the strategy that he used on the court. “Jimmy was seasoned coming into this match because Catholic had already faced three of the top teams in the state including No. 1 St. Xavier.

 

“Lance played well, but he made too many unforced errors,” he added. “Lance can play with any player in the state but he just need competitors like Eastern and Catholic singles players on a daily basis.”

 

Hart said he was pleased with the effort of Blake and Brody Freeman against Covington Catholic.

 

“Blake and Brody received their first real test of the season,” he said. “Catholic had played one match before ours so they were warm going into our match.

 

Blake and Brody had a slow start but warmed up quickly,” Hard added. “I was very proud of our duo because after dropping the first set they settled down and took control of the match. Even though Blake and Brody have different styles and compliment one another nicely. Blake serves hard and is very aggressive at the net. This victory was important for their confidence but more importantly this could help them get a seed in the state tournament if they advance out of the 13th Region Tournament.”

 

Another player Hart was impressed with was Huff, who rallied from one set down to win.

 

“His victory placed Corbin in a 2-2 tie with Covington Catholic leading into Taylor’s match,” he said. “Nick developed his tennis strokes at a young age and because he is fundamentally sound, he improves with every match that he plays even though this is his first year on the tennis team.”

 

 

 

• Second Match

 

Corbin 3, Eastern 2

 

Lance Freeman got back on track against Eastern’s Matt Coomer, winning 6-2, 6-2, along with Taylor Jones, who won 6-4, 5-7, 10-6 and won both of his matches.

 

“Taylor was the player of the day for both matches,” Hart said. “He is the smallest player on our varsity team but he is our toughest fighter on the court.

 

“Taylor will adjust his game to attack his opponents’ weaknesses,” he added. “And this is what he did this weekend to be able to win both matches.”

 

Nick Huff lost his singles match 4-6, 4-6, but Blake and Brody Freeman wrapped up the match play win by winning their doubles match, 6-0, 6-0.

 

Crawford and Goines lost, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6.

 

“We will be tested again when we play Henry Clay Saturday,” Hart said. “They are the strongest team in Lexington.”

Looks like Corbin will win the region again! They have a strong, deep team this year and I don't see any other team in the region who can beat them.