Eagles building strong tennis foundation

Monday, September 4, 2017
Johnny Briones enjoys coaching tennis, and his players enjoy playing for him.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

Wins, roster size both on increase at South Putnam

Not a lot of schools South Putnam’s size are able to field boys’ tennis teams, and those who do often battle issues with numbers and skill level due to inexperience.

The Eagles, however, are different than the norm in those respects.

South Putnam has posted a 3-2 record this year in dual matches, losing 3-2 to a Greencastle squad (that is 7-1 itself) and dropping a 4-1 decision to West Vigo a few days after winning the Viking Invitational.

The Eagles boast a roster of 20 players, which allows for good depth and competition in a sport where only seven participate in varsity matches.

Coach Johnny Briones credits a strong junior class at the school for being one of the biggest reasons for the improved fortunes in the program, which was just resurrected a few years ago after being eliminated.

The Eagles took some lumps last year as a young team with few underclassmen, but Briones had a feeling this season would go better.

“We returned all of my varsity players, so I knew we would be better than last year,” he said. “We are more competitive, and the guys have worked hard and definitely improved their games. They seem more confident this year.”

Briones knows there are a lot of sets yet to play this season, but is excited about the optimism that his team’s good start has created.

“I have a lot of freshmen this year [six], and we will only have three seniors out of 20 players,” he said. “There’s a lot of optimism for the future. It’s exciting.”

While Briones credits the players and their dedication, many of them point to a different reason for the program’s success.

“I thought we would be all right this year,” said No. 1 singles player Thomas Fanning, a junior. “Coach Briones has been helping guys every practice we have. He really works on the things we need to work on and getting it all done. He makes it fun for us, and he’s great.”

Ty VanSickle (left) and Thomas Fanning congratulate each other during practice last week.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

Fanning is an all-county basketball player for the Eagles, and took up golf last spring. He admittedly put up some very high numbers, but enjoys the sport for something it has in common with tennis.

“Golf is much harder,” he said. “Both golf and tennis are lifetime sports, and that’s why I play them. I started playing golf. I like to have fun with them.”

Ty VanSickle is also a junior, and also credits Briones with providing a fun atmosphere.

“He talks to us when we switch, and he puts us in the correct places to win,” he said. “I need to work on my backhand, definitely. Coach usually takes ‘hoppers’ and tosses them to my backhand side.”

VanSickle thinks Briones also does a good job with helping the team with the mental aspect of the game.

“He is very good with that,” VanSickle said. “It’s an important part of the game.”

Noah Emmerich, who plays doubles with fellow senior Jared Seidler, thinks Briones does a good job of inspiring the players to be their best.

“He’s good at just getting us inspired to want to work to win,” he said.

Seidler just started playing tennis last year.

“It’s about teamwork and fun,” he said. “I was hoping it would go this well this year, but I can’t say I was expecting it. It’s been a fun season.”

The Eagles will have several dual matches yet to play, plus the Western Indiana Conference crossover match, to get ready for the sectional that will be played Sept. 27-28 at Northview.

South Putnam defeated the host Knights 4-1 earlier this year, besides losing to Greencastle, and will play Owen Valley — the final school in the four-team sectional field — next week.

“That sectional is wide open,” Briones said. “Whoever shows up to play is going to take that thing. I feel really good about it, but you have to show and get it done.”

Whatever happens sectional-wise, Briones loves the time he gets to spend with his players.

He played “very little” tennis in high school, and his introduction into becoming South Putnam’s girls’ head coach was unexpected.

“Kieth Puckett was the athletic director at the time, and he called me in and said ‘you’re our tennis coach’,” Briones recalled. “I was helping coach [Debbie] Steffy with girls’ basketball, and they needed a tennis coach. I said OK, and it’s been fun ever since.”

Briones was only the girls’ coach for a few years, then took over the boys’ program last fall when Zack Love moved into an administrative position.

“Coaching is one of the most rewarding jobs there is,” he said. “The friendships you forge, they last a lifetime. The one big thing with me is that you have to have fun doing what you’re doing. If you’re not, then you’re not giving 100 percent.

“My main goal is to make it fun, and I always preach to them that tennis is a life sport,” he said. “Once you pick it up you can enjoy it the rest of your life.”

Evan Steffy (back) and Brady Robinson share a laugh during practice last week.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT
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