Aycock's Hooks-Best claim ECC 3A doubles crown

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 23, 2015 1:49 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- One title was decided.

The other remains on hold.

Charles B. Aycock's top-seeded duo of Chaz Hooks-Alan Best captured the doubles title during the season-ending 3-A portion of the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference men's tennis tournament Wednesday afternoon. Hooks-Best defeated teammates Stanton Head-Nick Coston 6-1, 6-2 in the finals.

All four advanced to the east regionals next week in Wilson.

"I was happy to see four of our seniors make it to regionals," CBA head coach RJ Allen said. "This being my first coaching tennis, I had a great time and enjoyed working with these young men. Each of them put in a great effort all year and it paid off today."

On the singles' side, Eastern Wayne teammates Le Solomon and Ethan Quinn will decide the ECC champion Friday. Each battled illness in breezy and cool conditions, and neither felt they could continue play after the semifinal round.

Solomon, the No. 1 seed, said he became ill during a morning class and battled hot and cold chills. After he eliminated the Golden Falcons' Matt Hare 6-0, 6-4, he walked off the court, found a shaded spot and laid down on top of his tennis bag.

Quinn, who continues to recover from bronchitis, rolled to a 6-0 opening-set win over Aycock's Brock Painter in their semifinal-round match. Painter held a late second-set lead before falling 7-5.

"I thought Le and Ethan both fought hard in their second sets today while battling illnesses," EW head coach Craig Hassell said."I told both not to go for big shots and stay calm. Both finished their matches mentally tough against gritty Aycock players."

Hare opened tournament play with an 8-0 victory over Southern Wayne's Logan Robinson. Painter eliminated the Saints' Christian Chase 8-1 in the other first-round singles match.

In doubles, Southern Wayne's Bobby Stocks-Pedro Gomez and Eastern Wayne's Gray Sasser-Walker Davis each prevailed. Stocks-Gomez lost to Hooks-Best, while Sasser-Davis fell to Head-Coston.