Hulbert-Darden claim 2-A doubles state title

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 23, 2004 2:03 AM

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CARY -- Another state title plaque is headed back to Snow Hill.

Greene Central's duo of Andrew Hulbert-Brent Darden earned their first-ever N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 2-A doubles championship with a 6-2, 6-1 decision against Charlotte Catholic's Paul Bartholomy-Brandon Lamoureaux Saturday morning.

It's the first championship of any sort for the Rams' boys program and the second doubles title overall in Greene Central. Allison Cobb and Amy Beaman won the doubles title in 2002.

Hulbert-Darden, unbeaten in 34 matches, started the morning with a 6-1, 6-1 rout of Wilkes Central's Phillip Compeau-Daniel Isom. Meanwhile, Bartholomy-Lamoureaux upended previously-unbeaten Wil Donegan-Chris Poe of Northwood 6-4, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

"I'm very happy and proud of them," fifth-year Rams coach Brad Sauls said.

Hulbert-Darden, the top seed, opened tournament play with a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Zach Henson-Steven Harenberg of Brevard. It was the first time the Rams duo had dropped a game after collecting four consecutive shutouts in last weekend's eastern regional.

They eliminated Catholic's Max Ohlhout-Alex Warnement 6-1, 6-0 in the quarterfinals.

Teammates Dustin Grant-Brian Sugg dropped their first-round match to Bartholomy-Lamoureaux 6-2, 6-1.

Lin Hall suffered his first defeat in 31 outings in 3-6, 6-3, 4-6 loss against Shelby's Tyler Holden. Holden retired in his next match. Chris Hardy fell 6-3, 6-4 to Scott Murray of West Henderson.

Greene Central (23-0) continues dual-team play at home next Tuesday against St. Pauls.