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SYLVANIA – The law of average states that “anything that can happen, eventually will”.
That has to be some encouragement for the Screven County girls tennis team.
This morning, the Lady Gamecocks (22-3, 7-1 Region 3-AA) will participate in the semifinals of the GHSA state tournament for the 15th time in the past 16 seasons.
While that is an impressive accomplishment to say the least, Screven has seen its run end in the semifinals on all 15 occasions – an eternal bridesmaid when just two more victories would make it the star of the show.
Determined to make this the year that they finally break through, the Gamecocks are set to square off against Westminster today at Clayton County International Park.
With seven losses on the season, the record of the Lady Wildcats (No.2 seed, Region 6-AA) isn’t as impressive as Screven’s, but four of those defeats came at the hands of opponents from higher classifications, and two more came at the hands of region-rival Blessed Trinity – another participant in this season’s Final Four.
Trying to get things off to a good start for the Gamecocks will be their two doubles squads. The duos of Kelsey Forehand and Sydnee Weaver – Screven’s all-time leaders in wins as a team – and Lauren Bazemore and Lauren Thomas notched big wins in the Gamecocks’ quarterfinal matchup with Thomasville that shifted all the momentum to Screven.
If the doubles teams have success, one of Screven’s three senior singles players will have a chance to finally push the Gamecocks through to the championship round.
Evan Sheppard has served well at the No. 1 spot all season, while No. 2 Missy Zeagler has lost just once in the past month and No. 3 Katheryn Wells nailed down the decisive game against Thomasville earlier this week.
The winner of this morning’s match will advance to this afternoon’s final against either Bleckley County – which is responsible for two of Screven’s three losses – or Blessed Trinity.
Mike Anthony can be reached at (912) 489-9404.
