The Nation Ford boys’ tennis team opened their 2021 season with a victory over a North Carolina powerhouse.
Nation Ford beat Providence Day 4-2 to show just what they have this season in the early going. Providence Day is known as a very good program across the border as they have won three state titles since 2010 and was runner up in 2017. They have advanced to the state semi-finals every year since 2007 except one and have won or shared a conference title during the past 14 seasons.
The Falcons were led by No. 2 singles Juan Albanez, who won 6-3, 7-5. Also getting wins for Nation Ford were No. 3 singles Ian Drane 6-1, 6-2, No. 4 singles Gage Fenbert 6-0, 6-3 and No. 5 singles Ahkil Kanthamneni 6-3, 7-5.
Nation Ford doesn’t waste any time getting into Region 3-5A play this season as they are scheduled to travel next to Gaffney March 11. They will return home March 16 to face Gaffney again.
Baseball
All three local varsity baseball programs have jumped off to good starts. Fort Mill opened the 2021 season with getting two wins in the Battle at the Fort tournament it is hosting at Fort Mill High. The Jackets beat Indian Land and York by identical scores of 5-3. They will resume play in the tournament March 9.
Nation Ford is also 2-0 having beat Richland Northeast 12-0 and Dreher 14-4 at the Carolina Ale House pre-season tournament in Columbia.
Catawba Ridge opened the Comporium pre-season tournament at Buford with a 15-11 win over the Carolina Royals, but then fell to Buford 13-3. The Copperheads are 1-1 on the season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
