For Scheller, it’s just a business trip
North Catholic senior Nicolas Scheller has looked at this season as a series of business trips.
He has made the rounds in Section 3, competed in the WPIAL team tournament and rolled over Quaker Valley senior Mike Sirianni in the WPIAL Class 2A championship match for the second consecutive year to become the first Trojans singles player to capture back-to-back titles in 37 years.
But his final road trip, the one he has been waiting a year to take, is only two weeks away. That’s when Scheller will head back to Hershey Racquet Club in pursuit of closing out his high school career with a state title.
“Everything has improved and I don’t think there’s any way that I haven’t improved,” Scheller said. “Probably the biggest difference is my mental game. I’m in a different mindset this year after losing something last year and wanting to get it back.”
Scheller won the first set against Lancaster Country Day’s Nile Abadir in the 2021 state championship match, but the Belmont Abbey recruit dropped a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 decision that still haunts him.
“It’s definitely something I’ve been thinking about,” Scheller said. “To achieve something, you’ve got to work all hours of the day when nobody’s watching and that’s definitely what I’m doing.”
Abadir will be back in the mix when the PIAA Class 2A singles finals open on May 27 after again winning the District 3 title this season. He is the No. 5 junior in the state and the only way the two could meet in the tournament is in a finals rematch.
Scheller will open the tournament against Armaan Malik of Conrad Weiser, the third-place finisher from District 3. Sirianni will get the asyet-to-be-determined District 12 champion while third-place finisher Josh Dunham of Mars will take on the District 1 champion, sophomore Toby Frantz of Faith Christian.
Class 3A
Jacob Patterson is taking a relaxed approach at his second crack at the Class 3A state singles finals
“It will still be intense and everything, but being there last year will help,” Patterson said. “I feel I’ve been working on the things I need to work on for my game to do better this year.”
Patterson made it out of the first round but was handled by District 12 champion David Mamalat of Northeast, 6-3, 6-2, in the quarterfinals. This time, though, when he makes his return to Hershey, the South Fayette senior and
Denison recruit will do so as the No. 1-ranked player in his class in the state.
He will open his final high school tournament against Council Rock South’s Alex Sterin, who is the No. 3 junior in the state.
Patterson also has an advantage he didn’t have last year. Because of inclement weather, he was able to play the WPIAL finals inside instead of outside, which gave him an opportunity to see a faster court.
“It’s definitely a little bit helpful,” Patterson said. “The best tennis players know how to adjust and play their best tennis on any surface.”
While Patterson makes his second trip to the state finals, North Allegheny sophomore left-hander Trey Davidson will be playing at Hershey Racquet Club for the first time. Davidson, who didn’t play for the Tigers last year and is the No. 4 player in his class in the state, will take on the District 2 champion, who is yet to be determined.