King of the Courts: Meet the Herald News Boys Tennis All-Scholastics

FALL RIVER — The Herald News is proud to announce its All-Scholastics Boys Tennis All-Star selections, honoring the best players in the Greater Fall River area from the 2023 season.

These guys were simply the best on the courts for their respective teams in the spring.

Somerset Berkley's Joseph Ramos won his second consecutive Herald News Player of the Year honors after another great season.

Here's a look at The Herald News' first and second boys tennis all-star teams from the 2023 spring season.

Player of the Year

Joseph Ramos, SBR

It was another sensational spring campaign for Ramos in 2023. The Raider junior co-captain was once again the top player in the Greater Fall River area. He finished with a 13-4 record at first singles.

Ramos went 5-0 against Herald News opponents and helped lead SBR to an area-best 13-win season. He won the Raiders lone playoff match in straight sets against Walpole.

Ramos was named a South Coast Conference All-Star for the third straight year and the Herald News Player of the Year in 2022. One of the top players in the area. He returns for his final high school season next spring.

2022 REWIND: Aces on the court: Meet The 2022 Herald News' boys tennis all-star teams

First team

Evan Kidd, Connolly

Kidd ended his career strong for the Cougars this past spring … the senior captain was named the Mayflower Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player … finished with a record of 13-1 at first singles … helped lead Connolly to a league title … outstanding student athlete … will play tennis for Fairfield University in the fall.

Alex Krynicki, Connolly

Krynicki won many pivotal and deciding matches for the Cougars the last couple seasons in the spring at third singles … the Connolly sophomore was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star … finished the season with a 13-2 record … among the best in the league … helped the Cougars win a league title … picked up tennis for the first time last year … he will attend Dartmouth High next year.

Brian Ward, Connolly

Ward was a solid as they come at second singles for the Cougars this spring … the Connolly junior was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star … finished the year at 12-3 at second singles … was pivotal in leading the Cougars to a league title … won the deciding match against Durfee in the last-ever athletic contest between the Elsbree Street schools ... will play at Bishop Stang next year.

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Owen Borges, Case

As a freshman, Borges got his high school career off to a good start … was named a South Coast Conference honorable mention … finished with a team-high eight wins … had a 4-1 record at first singles and the best individual team record …this is Borges’ first Herald News All-Scholastics honors.

Connor Kennedy, Diman

Kennedy had himself an All-Star spring season for the Bengals in 2023 … the Diman junior was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star … was a team captain … has a strong serve and very good ground strokes … this is Kennedy’s first Herald News All-Scholastics.

Xavier Inacio, Durfee

Inacio was versatile when it came to doubles competition for the Hilltoppers in 2023 … the Durfee sophomore was named a Southeast Conference All-Star … led the Hilltoppers with an impressive 13-7 record going back and forth between both first and second doubles … voted Durfee’s Most Valuable Player for the season … played with several different partners throughout the season.

Chrispin Sokol, Durfee

Although an injury limited him to only 12 matches, Sokol made the most of his opportunity in the spring … the Hilltopper sophomore was named a Southeast Conference All-Star … finished with an 8-4 record alongside his doubles partner Xavier Inacio … will look for an even bigger season in 2024 … this Sokol’s second Herald News All-Scholastics first-team honors.

Matt Carlesi, SBR

Carlesi teamed up with Jackson Souza to form a nearly unbeatable first-team doubles duo for the Raiders this past spring ... the SBR senior was named a South Coast Conference All-Star ... ended with a record of 13-3 at first doubles ... a SCC tournament doubles champion ... 5-0 against Herald News opponents ... a co-captain in his final year ... helped the Raiders to an area-best 13 victories ... a first-time Herald News All-Scholastic.

Zach Costa, SBR

Costa had a sensation season at second singles for the Raiders in the spring … the SBR junior named a South Coast Conference All-Star … finished with a record of 12-5  and 4-0 against Herald News opponents … helped lead SBR to an area-best 13-win season … this is Costa’s first Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

Ian Jepson, SBR

Jepson teamed up with Ian Sullivan and were sensational all spring for the Raiders ... the SBR senior was named a South Coast Conference honorable mention ... finished with a 14-3 record, including 10-match winning streak ... was 14-1 between first and last matches ... a SCC tournament doubles runners up ... 5-0 against Herald News opponents ... helped the Raiders to an area-best 13 victories ... was named the league's Sportsmanship Award recipient.

Max Petit, SBR

Petit opened a lot of eyes for the Raiders this past spring … the SBR freshman was named a South Coast Conference All-Star … finished with a 14-3 record at third singles … had a 14-1 mark between the first and last matches of the season, including a 10-match winning streak … helped lead SBR to an area-best 13-win season ... first-time Herald News All-Scholastic honors.

Jackson Souza, SBR

Souza teamed up with Matt Carlesi and finished as the best doubles duo in the area for the Raiders in 2023 ... the Raider sophomore was named a South Coast Conference All-Star ... finished with a record of 13-3 at first doubles ... a SCC tournament doubles champion ...  5-0 against Herald News opponents ... helped the Raiders to an area-best 13 victories ... a first-time Herald News All-Scholastic.

Ian Sullivan, SBR

Sullivan teamed with teammate Ian Jepson and put together a fabulous first season together in 2023 ... the SBR senior was named a South Coast Conference honorable mention ...  finished with a 14-3 record, including 10-match winning streak ... was 14-1 between first and last matches ... a SCC tournament doubles runners up ... 5-0 against Herald News opponents ... helped the Raiders to an area-best 13 victories ... first season in tennis ... a multi-Herald News All-Scholastic.

Luke Coelho, Westport

Coelho was tough to handle combining with teammate Nick DosVais for the Wildcats this spring … the Westport junior was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star … finished with an 11-2 mark at first doubles … was named a co-captain for the 2024 season … a two-year starter and earned Most Improved Player Award in 2022 … understands the doubles game and is one of the rare high school players who likes to lob and uses it well … helped the Wildcats reach an area-best Round 16 appearance.

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Nick DosVais, Westport

DosVais had himself a great season at doubles for the Wildcats this past spring … the Westport senior captain was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star … finished with an 11-2 record while teaming up with Luke Coelho … filled in at third singles if needed … a three-year varsity player and three-sport athlete … brings athleticism to the court and can reach any shot … helped the Wildcats reach an area-best Round 16 appearance.

Second team

Rafael Infante, Diman

Juelz Soria, Diman

Michael Larivee, Diman

Christian Libertore, Case

Fotis Machairas, Westport

Evan Pagliaroni, Case

Will Rumsey, Durfee

Luke Santos, Westport

Jesse Tamba, Durfee

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Chezsports.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Herald News 2023 All-Scholastic Boys Tennis Team