Indiana high school boys tennis sectionals: 5 things to know

If you ask North Central High School boys tennis coach Dan Brunette who the favorite to win the state title is this year, he acknowledges Carmel is now.

Ask Carmel coach Spencer Fields the same question, and he says the Panthers are the favorites.

So who’s right? It’s hard to argue with either coach.

With sectionals beginning Wednesday, the Greyhounds and Panthers, ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the state rankings are once again the heavy favorites to capture state titles. The powerhouse programs have combined to win the past five state team titles and 27 overall.

“It’s pretty wide open right now,” Brunette said. “It’s going to come down to three or four teams.”

North Central beat Carmel in the state finals in 2013 and 2014. This year’s tournament draw has them potentially meeting in the state quarterfinals Oct. 16 at Carmel.

The Greyhounds lost to North Central 3-2 earlier this season but beat the Panthers in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference championship last week — vaulting Carmel ahead of their rival in the state rankings.

“We’re working on improving and going match by match, but certainly the goal is to win a state championship,” Fields said. “We’re close this year.”

Boys tennis sectional pairings released

Carmel, Guerin possibly to meet

Before Carmel can look ahead to North Central, they have to navigate one of the area’s most competitive area sectionals. Three of the four teams in the Carmel Sectional are ranked in the top 20.

The Greyhounds face University, while fifth-ranked Guerin Catholic takes on 18th-ranked Westfield. Both matches are at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, with the championship at 4:15 p.m. Friday.

If Carmel and Guerin both win, it would set up a rematch of a meeting the Greyhounds won 4-1 earlier this season.

“They are a dangerous team; a very good team,” Fields says. “We’re definitely preparing ourselves right now for that match and only that match. We take them that seriously.”

Other competitive sectionals

Another sectional matchup between ranked opponents will occur between North Central and No. 16 Cathedral.

The Panthers beat the Irish 4-1 earlier this season, but Brunette expects a close match.

“They’re a tough team,” he said. “They’re going to be deep in three singles and doubles matches.”

In Sectional 24 at Hamilton Southeastern, No. 22 HSE could face No. 24 Fishers in the sectional finals at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The Royals beat the Tigers 3-2 on Aug. 27.

HSE faces Hamilton Heights, while the Tigers play Noblesville in Wednesday’s semifinals.

Brothers to face off

First-year Park Tudor coach Kevin Gill will face his brother in a sectional semifinal on Wednesday. The Panthers’ opponent, Brebeuf Jesuit, is coached by Brandon Gill.

Third-ranked Park Tudor beat 21st-ranked Brebeuf 4-1 earlier this season, but Kevin Gill is expecting a tighter outcome this time around.

“Brebeuf is dangerous,” he said. “Their one and two singles players are tough. That’s our weaker spot.”

Central Indiana well represented

As is often the case, Central Indiana tennis teams are well represented in the state poll this year.

North Central, Carmel and Park Tudor hold the top three spots, while Guerin is fifth. In all, 11 teams from the area are ranked in the top 24.

“We feel like it’s a three-team race,” Gill said. “We’ve got a good draw and have a shot to go all the way. If we hold seed, we could face Carmel or North Central, which will probably be the favorite. But we feel we have a shot against everybody.”