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KINGSTON — There’s not much more Eamon Gibbons could accomplish in the Wyoming Valley Conference.
With a laundry list of accolades against WVC foes, the Wyoming Seminary junior still has sights on three hurdles – team, singles and doubles district titles.
Gibbons was chosen as the Times Leader Boys Tennis Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He finished with an undefeated regular season in singles and doubles play, and led the Blue Knights to their fourth-straight District 2 runner-up award.
“I did well this season,” Gibbons said. “I would have liked to have gone further. It was certainly an improvement from last year. And I think as long as I keep working my game will go up.”
He and Sam Desai partnered together to notch the No. 2 seed in the district doubles tournament. They won their first three matches against Holy Redeemer, Holy Cross and Dallas. Ultimately, Gibbons and Desai fell to Scranton Prep’s Tarquinn McGurrrin and Jack Habeeb 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinal.
“It was really fun; there is a lot to learn from a player like him,” Desai said. “It forced me to play better myself. Eamon is an all-around player who is strong both at the net and in his serves.”
District champion Scranton Prep proved to be his nemesis once again. As a No. 4 seed in the singles bracket, Gibbons outlasted Holy Cross’ Jim Tressler in three sets of the quarterfinal. The Clarks Summit resident dropped 6-3, 6-4 to Prep’s top-ranked Peter Kazmierczak in the semi.
Both of Gibbons’ top-flighted singles matches against Tressler and Kazmierczak in the team semis and finals tournament were halted. Wyoming Seminary defeated Holy Cross in straight sets to reach Scranton Prep in the district team championship.
“This year staged Wyoming Seminary tennis to progress well for next year,” Desai said. “Next year we are set up very well for our goal that is a district championship. Eamon’s return for his senior year gives the team a lot of hope and promise to achieve it.”
Approaching his senior year, Gibbons said he’s considering playing tennis collegiately if he attends a smaller university. His top choices include Hamilton and Georgetown, and he’s leaning towards a science-based major.
Until then, Gibbons will spend his summer playing friends and taking lessons at the Birchwood Tennis Club. He said he hopes to improve his game to reach finals or win a district championship in singles or doubles.
“I know I can play at a higher level. This year made me realize that I have the potential to play with the best in the district,” he said. “I’m confident if my offseason goes well I can improve some aspects of my game.”
First Team
Sam Desai
Sr., Wyoming Seminary
Desai teamed with Gibbons for a No. 2 doubles seed. The Blue Knights’ duo qualified the district semifinals with wins over Holy Redeemer, Holy Cross and Dallas. The Harvard-bound Desai helped Wyoming Seminary in its fourth-straight district runner-up appearance with a No 2 singles victory during semis.
Wister Yuhas
Sr., Hazleton Area
Yuhas was the lone WVC player to make it past the Class 3A second round at districts. The fourth-seeded Yuhas blanked the fifth-seeded Michael Felins, of North Pocono, in quarterfinals before bowing down to the district champion (6-2, 6-3) in semis. He and teammate Adam Grula reached the semis as a No. 3 doubles seed.
Anthony DeLuca
Sr., Dallas
As a No. 8 singles seed, DeLuca overtook MMI’s Jonathan Smith in three sets (4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1)) to reach Class 2A quarterfinals. He and Frank Bevevino triumphed over Smith and Ethan Spear, and fell to the Wyoming Seminary duo of Eamon Gibbons and Sam Desai in doubles quarterfinals.
Josh Wychock
Sr., Holy Redeemer
Wychock led the Royals as a No. 6 seed in the Class 2A singles bracket. He shut out his opponent in the first round and overcame an early set loss to nab a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Dallas’ Anthony Brominski to reach quarterfinals. He and Chris Kocon won over Western Wayne and Dallas to advance to doubles quarterfinals.
