GHS tennis team celebrates season

The Gaffney High tennis team finished second in the region this year with a 13-4 record. Pictured are front row: Lee Sanders, Matt Earls, Matthew Lovingood and Tyler West. Back row: Coach Greg Lawson, Joey Ledbetter, Derek Phillips, William James, Sean McElrath, Matt Hamrick, and Drew McIntosh. After finishing one of its best seasons, it was only fitting the Gaffney High tennis team celebrated a little bit last week.

Tennis players held a banquet May 8 at Ryan's Steakhouse to recognize players for their role in helping the tennis team to a 13-4 overall record and second place region finish. It was the team's first season under tennis coach Greg Lawson.

Drew McIntosh and William James were named to the All-Region team. James received the team's Outstanding Academic Achievement award with a 4.5 grade point average.

Chris Hopping received an award for best sportsmanship. Tyler West was named most improved.

Lawson presented each team member with a participation award. He hopes to get the returning tennis players involved in summer tennis camps and is tossing around the idea of the Gaffney High tennis team holding a clinic to work with younger players.

The Gaffney High tennis team will have to replace Drew McIntosh, one of the top tennis players in the region and state. McIntosh will be inducted into the school's Hall of Fame for tennis.

While McIntosh is graduating, Lawson said he will return most of the tennis team and will look towards offseason tennis camps to help the players improve their skills.

"I've enjoyed it. This was a really good team," Lawson said. "We were in every match. We had a chance for it to go any way in the end."