Hank Lin
Two Bartholomew Couny schools will meet in Friday’s sectional final when fifth-ranked Columbus North faces off against Hauser.
The Bull Dogs defeated Greensburg 5-0, and Hauser defeated Edinburgh 5-0 in Thursday’s semifinals to advance. The sectional championship will take place at 4:30 p.m. Friday at North.
North’s Hank Lin was no wasted no time in defeating Greensburg’s Mason McNulty 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. Parth Shah topped Dan Fisse 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2 singles, and Sashu Sabapathy and Michael Crossman blanked Reece Chapman and Wade Schutte 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles.
The other two matches were closer. Teddy Littrell prevailed over Jacob Duerstock 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. Yoki Murabayashi and Vince Sasse defeated Jack McKinsey and Reece Beaver 6-3, 7-6 (3) at No. 1 doubles.
“Their No. 1 doubles was one of the stronger spots. They had big serves,” North coach Kendal Hammel said. “That was good for us to be pushed in that situation a little bit.”
In the other semifinal match, Hauser’s Hunter Pappano defeated Edinburgh’s Bailey Totten 7-5, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. Kam Blair defeated Matthew Burton 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 singles, and Colten Hatton beat Braden Cox 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.
Jentzen Bechtel and Joel Bechtel beat Rylan Londeree and Braylon Lenkner 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1 doubles, and Jayden Blair and RJ Foster topped Brinnyn Moss and Jayson Music 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2 doubles.
The Bull Dogs will be heavily favored to win their 13th straight sectional title.
“It’s one match at a time. You have one bad match now, your season is done,” Hammel said. “We’ve got to be ready. We can’t take anything for granted now, and hopefully that’s what we’ll keep doing.”
