Adairsville is perfect in its high school tennis season in the early going but head coach George Nelson said the real test is about to begin for his team.
Thanks to a 5-0 defeat of Coosa on Thursday, the Tigers have an unblemished 8-0 overall record, including an equally perfect 2-0 record in Region 7-AA.
Nelson said the team got a good effort in its single play, and its No. 2 doubles team also had to overcome a taxing effort by the Eagles.
"Kirtan Patel and Brandon Brugh won in a thriller for us," Nelson said. "They came through 10-8 and were really challenged."
D.J. Sattar (8-0) and Cray Spencer (8-1) also were challenged in their singles matches, he said. "They both did extremely well for us. Austin (Warwick) also did a fine job."
He said Adairsville got the other doubles win by forfeit.
The coach said the Tigers will be facing Model and Calhoun on Monday and Tuesday. "I believe they are the toughest teams in the region, and Monday and Tuesday will pretty much determine the seeding for the region tournament."
Those region matches will be played in mid-April.
Nelson said the Tigers have done well on the courts.
"I feel good about this team, but the level of competition is going to get a lot of steeper Monday," he said. "I think we'll be up to the task, but it will be a lot more challenging."
Lady Tigers 3, Coosa 2
The Adairsville girls team beat back a strong challenge to defeat Coosa, 3-2, and earn its fourth win of the season.
The Lady Tigers won the match on the strength of its performance in doubles, winning both of those contests and picking up the No. 1 singles win, too.
For Adairsville, Jessica Cochran won 6-1, 6-0; and the No. 1 doubles team of Elizabeth Davis and Macy Upshaw won 4-6, 7-6 and 6-2; while the No. 2 doubles of Britney Ikard and Katie Doyle won 6-2, 7-6.
"Our doubles teams carried the day for us," head coach Brett Tolbert said. "They played well and fought through some tough times and both had to win tiebreakers."
He said Cochran also came through: "Jessica was steady for us."
Tolbert said the team is realizing one important goal. "The goal is to get better each week, and we've been improving each week."
Adairsville 10, Sonoraville 3
The Adairsville Tigers took an easy 10-3 victory over Sonoraville Thursday night on the baseball diamond.
Powering the Tigers were Brandon Blome, who had a double and one RBI; Michael Gwin, three hits with two doubles; Cody Beemilller, a 2-run homer; Cody Kremer, one RBI; Caleb McCreary, two hits, one double; Trey Gulledge, three hits; Logan Tant, a double and two RBIs.
Winning pitcher was McCreary, who pitched two and a third innings and gave up one walk, recorded one strikeout, allowed one hit and gave up no earned runs.
The win raises Adairsville's overall record to 7-2. The Tigers next play tonight at Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe.
Cedartown 6, Lady Tigers 1
Adairsville took an early lead but could not follow through in its girls high school soccer match against Cedartown Thursday.
The Lady Tigers scored in the 10th minute of the contest when Brooke Chagnon found the net after an assist from Nisa Ayers, giving them a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Bulldogs responded with goals in the 22nd, 30th and 39th minute on their way to a 3-1 lead at the break. Cedartown scored three more goals in the second half as it claimed a 6-1 victory.
"We played fairly well but Cedartown has some really good players and we just couldn't find the answer for them," assistant coach Lance Hall said.
The loss drops the Lady Tigers' overall record to 4-6 on the year.
Adairsville visits Trion on Monday for a "friendly" match.