pontotoc WarriorS tenniS

PONTOTOC

2022 WarriorS tenniS

2022 pontotoc WarriorS tenniS team

Members of the Pontotoc High School Tennis team include (front row, left to right) Heather Tedford, Molly Rackley, Caroline Howard, Holly Steward, Allison Floyd, Samantha McGregor, Anna Crane, Izzy Parks, Madison Clements and Coach Kevin Morrow, (middle row) Elijah Farris, Alaska Garcia, Emily Stegall, Brooke Stegall, Emma Claire Nichols, Aubrey Berry, Lila Kate Vandiver, Susie Park, Callie Kidd, Kiera Maxey, Piper McDonald, Jackson Wages and Matt Martin, (back row) Zaden Frierson, Cole Grisham, Shuntavious Thornton, Chambers Lane, Lorenzo Ramos, Sawyer Ritchie, Kyle Webb, Tristian Ferguson, David Metcalfe, Joseph Henry, Joshua Stegall, and Caleb Long.

Photo by David Helms

WARRIORS WELL-POSITIONED FOR ANOTHER SOLID SEASON

Jonathan Wise

Sports Writer

The Pontotoc Warriors have long been a 4A tennis contender, and with a solid nucleus returning, PHS is looking forward to the opportunity for more success this spring.

The boys’ side of the squad will be led by seniors Joseph Henry and David Metcalfe.

“They have played a lot and made it to the state tournament last year,” Pontotoc coach Kevin Morrow said. “They are kind of our anchors I guess you could say.”

Another key piece looks to be junior Shontavious Thornton.

“I’m not sure where exactly he is going to play, but he’s a real consistent player and is going to help us out,” Morrow said.

The boys do not have a ton of depth, but two players who have positioned themselves to make an impact are Sawyer Ritchie and Chambers Lane.

“They got a lot of JV playing time last year, and they are guys who we are really going to have to count on this year,” Morrow said. “They have both worked real hard.”

Pontotoc brings back a good deal of experience on the girls side, with a several players who have previously advanced to the state tournament. Key returners are seniors Caroline Howard and Holly Stewart, as well as Heather Tedford, Samantha McGregor and Mollie Rackley.

“Most of our girls are back, and hopefully they have all improved,” coach Morrow said. “Another good thing about the girls is that we are pretty deep, and we have several kids competing for starting jobs who didn’t start last year. Competition is always a good thing.

“We are looking forward to a good season.”

The Warriors are currently riding a streak of nine consecutive division championships, but they face a challenge keeping that going with threetime defending 4A state champion New Albany entering Division 2-4A, along with South Pontotoc, North Pontotoc, Ripley and Houston.

“With the division realignment we have our work cut out for us,” coach Morrow said. “We hope to advance to the (team) playoffs and see how far we can go.”

MARCH 21 @ Oxford

MARCH 24 Saltillo

2022 pontotoc WarriorS tenniS Schedule

MARCH 26 Pontotoc Invitational Hernando, Lewisburg and Saltillo

MARCH 30 Host Division Tournament

APRIL 1 @ Lafayette