Catholic, St. Joseph’s, St. Thomas More, Neville with leads at LHSAA tennis championships

It appears that the New Orleans area will have a tough time winning a team tennis state title in Monroe.

After one day, defending state champion Catholic High and St. Thomas More sit atop the boys standings in Division I and Division I while defending state champion St. Joseph’s Academy and Neville lead in the girls team competition at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

Catholic has 11 points to lead in Division I with both Brother Martin and Jesuit close behind with nine points. The Bears have a huge edge with defending singles state titlist Nick Watson in the final, where he will face Armand Godard of Hahnville while the Catholic doubles team of Chassaignac and Guglielmo is also through to the final, where they will face the duo of Edney and Shiell of St. Paul’s.

St. Thomas More leads in Division II with eight points while Ben Franklin is in contention with six points, tied for second with E.D. White Catholic.

On the girls side. St. Joseph’s Academy is ahead with 10 points with Mount Carmel Academy in contention in second place with eight points. Mandeville is third with six points. The Cubs have a shot with Taylor Garcia through to the singles semifinals but the Redstickers have both of their doubles team alive in the final with a chance to score huge points.

In Division II, host Neville is in control with 12 points while Ben Franklin is in good position in second place with nine points. Caroline Graham of Neville is through to the singles final. The Lady Falcons have their doubles team of Blaise and Mince through to the final.

The tournament concludes today in both divisions of boys and girls competition with champions to be crowned.