Meet the top 26 high school boys tennis players from the SouthCoast to watch in 2024
There is plenty of talent and experience this spring on SouthCoast boys tennis teams with the return of seven out of the area’s top eight players from 2023, including Standard-Times Boys Tennis Player of the Year Will Horton of Apponequet.
Six Super Teamers — Apponequet’s Nate Belmore and Ethan Clark, Dartmouth’s Luke Bloom-Glover, Charlie Camisa and Owen Nielson and Fairhaven’s Kole Pinto — are back and will look to lead their respective teams in contention for conference titles and playoff seeding.
Here’s a look at the top 26 SouthCoast boys tennis players to watch in 2024:
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APPONEQUET
With the return of their top three singles players and a first doubles player, the Lakers will look to defend their South Coast Conference championship and make another deep tournament run after reaching the Div. 3 Final 4 in 2023. “I think a goal of the team is to make it to the state tournament and try to go further than we ever have before,” said Apponequet head coach Nate Eleuterio. “We know that there is a lot of talent out there so although the goal will be challenging, I truly believe that it is attainable; everything just has to fall into place and everyone has to do their job and work hard all season long.” Leading the way will be No. 1 Will Horton, a junior, who was named the Standard-Times Boys Tennis Player of the Year last spring. “Will is like no other player that I've ever had coaching,” Eleuterio said. “He is extremely good at figuring out a way to beat his opponent no matter what it takes. He is very hard to play against because he adapts very well.” Nate Belmore, a senior, is back at second singles while junior Judson Cardinali returns at third singles. “Nate's desire and passion to win is unmatched. He is my most passionate player and has a great tennis IQ,” Eleuterio said. “Judson is the type of kid that never gets tired. His endurance, paired with his tennis ability, are a real problem for his opponents.” Senior Ethan Clark will lead the Lakers at first doubles. “Ethan is a fantastic doubles player and has been playing doubles for this team for many years,” Eleuterio said. “He also has a great tennis IQ and one of the best serves on the team.”
BISHOP STANG
With a solid core of returning players and the addition of two transfers, the Spartans should have a solid lineup that can contend in the Catholic Central League and beyond. “We have a strong 1-3 singles that should be able to clinch the wins that we need,” said Bishop Stang head coach Job Roach. “My goal and expectation is that we will return to the MIAA tournament and be able to get past our first round match.” Junior Tommy Clavell is back and should compete for the top single spot along with senior Brian Ward, a transfer from Bishop Connolly. Senior Nick Hutchens, a transfer from Portsmouth Abbey, should round out the singles spots. “(Brian) is a huge addition to the boys Stang tennis team,” Roach said. “He is a very strong player who hits with a ton of topspin and has an incredible kick serve. (Nick) will be another great addition to the team. What makes Nick standout is (his) no quit attitude, his grit, and love of the game.”
DARTMOUTH
Dartmouth features a deep and talented team that should be able to compete for the Southeast Conference crown and make a run in the MIAA tournament. “Team is deep this year,” said Dartmouth head coach Donald York. “We’ve got some good teams on the schedule so they will be tested. Looking forward to this year.” Leading the way for Dartmouth is Luke Bloom-Glover, the Southeast Conference MVP, and Shreyas Rathod, an SEC All-Star. Both are senior co-captains. Seniors Charlie Camisa and Owen Nielson are back at first doubles after being named to the Super Team last spring. “(They are a) formidable team that know each other very well after an amazing year last year,” York said.
FAIRHAVEN
The Blue Devils return six out of seven starters from last year as they look to win the South Coast Conference Gold Division and compete for the overall SCC crown as well as a top seed in the Div. 3 tournament. Leading the way are returning singles players No. 1 Kole Pinto, a junior, No. 2 Coby Yin, a senior, and No. 3 Alex Hu, a sophomore. “Kole has a strong skill set, specifically his powerful groundstrokes and variety and continues to grow and develop his game. He is improving his serve and net game and has a desire to learn,” said Fairhaven head coach Mike Gomes. “Coby is an experienced tennis player and is a team leader. He has a good forehand and a slice backhand. Alex has gotten bigger and stronger, has consistency with his shots and has shown more confidence in himself and his game. He is an ascending player.”
NEW BEDFORD
New Bedford head coach Mike Gryss said he’s got a group of players this year that is eager to learn and the future of the program looks promising with four freshmen and two sophomores added into the mix. “This season we are looking to improve on our record from last year, in which we did not win any matches,” Gryss said. “Most of these boys play other sports and are involved in other school groups — they are really invested in the school and work hard towards their individual and collective goals.” New Bedford will be led by juniors Hugo Jacob-Reig and Joao Desouza, sophomore Carlos Brito-Semedo and freshman Myles Ryckebusch. Jacob-Reig will play first singles. “He’s competing with some of the best tennis athletes in the area,” Grass said. “(He’s a) multi-sport athlete whose skills in soccer and swimming contribute to his athleticism.” Ryckebusch has shown potential early on and should have an impact in both singles and doubles action. “(He’s a) natural athlete and very competitive,” Grass said. “Myles has played singles as well and shows promise for becoming a strong tennis player.” Desouza and Brito-Semedo are a solid doubles pairing for New Bedford. “They have been great teammates working together and have great energy at practice,” Gryss said.
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OLD ROCHESTER
The Bulldogs have a solid core of returning players led by Jacob Hadley, a senior captain, playing first singles for the second straight year. Junior Peter LeGassick is back as well and will move from doubles to play No. 2 singles. “Our number 1 is Jacob and our number 2 is Peter LeGassick,” said Old Rochester head coach Filipe Miguel. “The rest of the players will have to earn spots in the lineup. I have a good core of guys returning. We are definitely in a feeling-it-out phase of our starting lineup.” Miguel is also expecting major contributions from senior Chase Besancon, junior Zack Mourao and sophomore Ethan Miguel.
WAREHAM
The Vikings are looking to make strides after last year’s winless season with the return of a trio of sophomore standouts in Boon Ouellette (No. 1 singles), Landon Stewart (No. 2 singles) and Ajani Rakotoarimanitra-Bunting (No. 1 doubles). “Boon Ouellette and Landon Stewart are in their third season of playing singles and have made strides in their overall game that will hopefully translate to some wins for them this season,” said Wareham head coach Evan Wilga. “Ajani Bunting will slide back into his first doubles role which he was very consistent in last season.”
OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Nick Connolly, Apponequet; Ryan Abreau, Apponequet; Patrick Murray, Bishop Stang; Stephen O’Neil, Bishop Stang; Nolan Woodward, Bishop Stang; Noah Yetman, Bishop Stang; Isaiah Beckwith, Dartmouth; Tyler DaSilva, Dartmouth; Will Harrington, Dartmouth; Lucas Waite, Dartmouth; Steven Wei, Dartmouth; Jesse Chen, Fairhaven; Chris Hu, Fairhaven; Noah Pachecho, Fairhaven; Noah Petruski, Fairhaven; Jack Harding, New Bedford; Guylens-Lie Mojar, New Bedford; Cairon Nunez, New Bedford; Lucas Hadley, Old Rochester; Luke Pierre, Old Rochester; Tomas doCanto, Wareham.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2024 SouthCoast high school boys tennis players to watch and outlooks
