BOYS TENNIS: SPSL NORTH AT A GLANCE

SPSL NORTH BOYS TENNIS: AT A GLANCE

• FAVORITE: Kentridge.

• CONTENDERS: Kentwood, Auburn.

• NOTABLE: Like girls swimming and golf, the South Puget Sound League has been divided into a third division for boys tennis, a sport that begins in the fall and wraps up in the spring. The North is comprised of the four Kent School District teams, along with Tahoma and Auburn. Despite the re-shuffling, which is in a one-year trial period, the SPSL North is still almost ridiculously loaded with top-heavy talent. Kentwood senior Max Manthou remains the toast of the league. A three-time state champion and a fearless competitor, Manthou will be aiming for his fourth straight state title in the spring. Only five players in state history have won four straight state titles, and none at the Class 4A level. Manthou has not lost a match at the state tournament in three years, going a perfect 12-for-12. Manthou, however, is hardly the lone standout senior in the league as Kentridge’s Matt Overland is nearly as tough. Overland gave Manthou a bit of a challenge during the state championship match last spring and hopes to better the feat this time around. A smart player with oodles of talent, Overland has accomplished everything but a state title in his four years with the Chargers. Of course, Overland is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Kentridge as the Chargers also return standouts Paul Yi (No. 2 singles), Vineeth Omkaram (No. 1 doubles) and Garrett Ballou (No. 2 doubles). … Like Kentridge, Kentwood — even behind Manthou — is heavy on upperclassmen as No. 2 doubles player Tucker Siegert, along with Adrian Tabaquin and Chris Rumer — both of whom shuffle in and out of No. 1 doubles — all are seniors. … Kent-Meridian, which posted an 0-16 league mark last year, picked up a 3-2 nonleague victory against Jefferson on Sept. 11. The Royals swept doubles play, getting victories from Rory Jens and Mack Snider (No. 1), John Nguyen and Thanh Pham (No. 2) and Kyle Engman and Reider Riveland (No. 3). … After opening the season with consecutive losses, Kentlake finally found the win column on Sept. 15, knocking off Tahoma, 4-1. Kentlake’s Kyle Thomas (No. 1 singles), Kyle Woo (No. 2 singles) and No. 1 doubles duo Taylor Welch and Jordan Amoth all pulled out wins in the match.

• NORTH OUTLOOK: Kentridge has won the last three SPSL North titles and, barring a natural disaster, will make it a fourth this fall. The toughest challenger on Kentridge’s revamped SPSL North schedule was Kentwood, which the Chargers disposed of 3-2 on Sept. 15. Kentwood will get another crack at Kentridge on Oct. 1 (3:30 p.m., Kentwood High), a match that could and likely will decide the SPSL North champion.

• BOOKMARK ON THE WEB: There isn’t a better tennis Web site around than www.teambuchan.com. The site is operated by Thomas Jefferson coach Andrew Buchan, who has been at the helm of the Raiders’ program for the past 18 years.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NAME/SCHOOL/YEAR

Max Manthou/Kentwood/Senior

Notable: UW-commit is hands down the best No. 1 singles player in the state.

Matt Overland/Kentridge/Senior

Notable: Charger standout has the ability to make it to state title match again this year.

Paul Yi/Kentridge/Senior

Notable: Moving from singles to doubles this year, winning should follow.

Tucker Siegert/Kentwood/Senior

Notable: As solid of No. 2 singles player as you’ll find in the North.

Vineeth Omkaram/Kentridge/Senior

Notable: Teamed up with Yi for state berth last year. Should advance again, this time with Ballou.

Rory Jens/Mack Snider/Kent-Meridian/Juniors

Notable: These Royals have played tough in No. 1 doubles during the early season.

Garrett Ballou/Kentridge /Senior

Notable: Slotted with Omkaram in No. 1 doubles, the duo should go far.