Bison netters ready for state

Brett Burton

gets 7th seed

in No. 1 singles

LINCOLN -- McCook High School senior Brett Burton is the seventh seed in No. 1 singles at the Nebraska Class B boys state tennis tournament Thursday and Friday at the Woods Complex in Lincoln.

Burton (18-8) received a first-round bye and will play the winner of the first-round match between Kearney Catholic's Flavio Tatit and Ralston's Mark Kinney in the second round.

"I expect Brett to play well as he has done so all season," said McCook tennis coach Matt Wiemers.

"With Brett being a senior and all the experience he has going into the tournament, I really like his chances to advance to the third round and play Brian Polodna (30-6) from Omaha Skutt, the second seed."

McCook freshman Nate Crick will play No. 2 singles for the Bison.

Crick's first-round opponent is Waverly's Wyley Wondercheck at 8 a.m. Thursday.

"Nate drew Waverly in the opening round and played him early in the season," Wiemers said. "Even though Nate lost the match, he played Wonderchek close. Nate has made steady improvement this season and I expect a him to play a great match.

"To be successful, Nate will have to limit his errors and not let anything get past him. Nate is a competitor and has done well this season."

McCook's No. 1 singles team is Asher Brooks and Austin Larson. Their first-round opponents are Ralston's Paul Wees and Brett Pivovar.

"Asher and Austin will play Ralston in the first round," Wiemers said. "They have really picked up their play the last three weeks of the season and I feel good about their match.

"We need to have them advance in the tournament and pick up some crucial points. If they continue to play like they have they could create some trouble for teams they play."

McCook's No. 2 doubles team of Jack Latta and John Huffman will play Scottsbluff's Jose Rosas and Phillip Sulu in the first round.

"Jack and John have a tough first round opponent in Scottsbluff," Wiemers said. "They played them last week at Scottsbluff and had trouble with their aggressive play.

"We will work on some things to counter their aggressiveness which will slow down their attacks.

"Another big key to the match will be first serves. They will have to hit some big serves in order to keep Scottsbluff from coming to the net so often."