Cartersville’s Tyler Hill serves Tuesday against Gilmer while doubles mate Will Garner prepares himself for a return. The Purple Hurricanes beat the Bobcats, 5-0 — the same winning margin for Cartersville’s girls. DAVID ROYAL/The Daily Tribune News
The two teams have a season-ending matchup set Thursday when they host Pickens County.
Head coach Julius Robberts said the sweep by Cartersville on Tuesday showed the teams are concentrating on doing the little things needed to win and he is proud of that effort.
"Overall, our players took care of business today," coach Robberts said Tuesday evening. "They did what they had to do to make points. There was no letup. That's what you want."
For the boys, Trevor Gotkowski won 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 1 singles position while Mitchell Scott won 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 2 slot. Brock Hufstetler won by forfeit. Will Garner and Tyler Hill crushed Gilmer in the No. 1 doubles position, 6-2, 6-1, and Jonathan McMurdo and Jordan Eckert turned in an equally impressive performance, 6-0, 6-1.
For the girls, Maggie Dowling won 6-0, 6-0; Adrienne Green, 6-0, 6-1; Maddie McGinnis, 6-1, 6-0; Megan Patton and Logan Bolen, 6-1, 6-0; and Sarah Vaughan and Mallory Walker, 6-4, 6-2.
The victory improves the boys record to 6-3, 4-0 in Region 7-AAA. The girls record is 6-2, 3-1.
The wins should help the two teams hold their current top 10 state rankings. The Lady Hurricanes are ranked No. 7 and the boys No. 9 in the GACA state coaches poll.
Coach Robberts said the recognition is appreciated. "Obviously we are very excited about them. Being ranked is one of the things that shows how much hard work they've put in. It's nice to get the recognition for our players from the coaches.
"I think it also helps the confidence of our players and I always welcome it."
He said the rankings notwithstanding, both teams have a lot of work ahead of them. "We have to give 100 percent at practices and keep doing the basics. We can't let up at this point in the season. Our goal is to win a couple of matches in the playoffs and you have to do the little things to do that."
He said he has asked both teams to practice next week during spring break.
"There will be no organized practices," he said, "but I've asked them to organize and practice as much as they can. After spring break we [only] have Monday and Tuesday before the tournament to prepare for play in Dalton."