Both Fort Scott doubles teams qualify for Class 4A State Tournament.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. -- Both of Fort Scott High School's doubles teams will be going to the Kansas Class 4A State Tournament after finishing in the top four at the Independence Class 4A Regional Tournament here Friday.

Bryce Hart and Stephen Buntain finished in second place while Sam Johnson and Corey Chandra placed fourth.

"I'm really proud of what this team has done this year and excited for the four players who will advance on the State Tournament next week in Topeka," Barr said. "We have had a good season and this will be a great way to end the season."

The regional was held one day later than originally scheduled due to rain. The state tournament will be held Friday and Saturday.

Hart/Buntain defeated Kyle Dick and Austin Clift of Parsons in the first round, 6-2, 6-1. Next to fall was the Labette County team of Spence Allison and Dayne Riley, 6-4, 6-4.

Chandra/Johnson posted a first-round whitewashing of Chanute's Matt Willis and Matt Strut, 6-0, 6-0, then beat Bret Eckelberry and Jessee Muller of Labette County, 6-4, 7-5.

"Sam and Corey struggled again with the LC team," Barr said, "but made a great comeback from down 2-5 in the second set to win five straight games to take the set and the match.

"Bryce and Stephen also struggled at times in their match against LC, but again were able to win even though they were not playing their best."

The doubles semifinals saw Fort Scott duos taking on Independence pairs, all assured of a state berth. Chandra/Johnson drew the tougher matchup, facing the unbeaten team of Andrew Posch and Dan Porter. The Bulldog tandem took the match, 6-1, 6-0.

Hart/Buntain drew Sam Schroder and Adam Greenhaw and gave that team just its fourth loss of the season, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

"(Schroder/Greenhaw) came out very strong taking the first set, but Bryce and Stephen didn't panic," Barr said. "They settled in and kept the pressure on and took the next two sets in a very convincing fashion."

Chandra and Johnson faced Schroeder/Greenhaw in the third place match but fell, 6-0, 6-1.

Posch/Porter also proved too good in the championship match, defeating Hart/Buntain, 6-1, 6-0.

Fort Scott's singles players drew low seeds and were eliminated early. Bret Heiser beat Jess Stutt of Chanute, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. But he then drew Iola's Kent Toland, who would go on to finish third, and lost, 6-0, 6-3. Trent McDermed lost in his only match to David Warren of Labette County, 8-7 (7-1).

"We knew our singles players would have their work cut out for them in this tournament," Barr said. "And although they didn't advance, they have both done a great job for us this season."

Independence's Zach Willis won the singles title, beating Iola's Eric Sparks 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 in the finals. Toland beat Pittsburg's Cody Hamblin 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-2) in the third-place match.