SPORTS AWARDS
Boys Tennis Player of the Year
Carlos Hassey School: Surprise Shadow Ridge
Senior Carlos Hassey had a new challenge awaiting him this spring: He was moving up to Division I in boys tennis, meaning there would be a new batch of challengers trying to deny him his second state championship in three years. No matter. Hassey dropped just three games in the first four rounds and then beat Scottsdale Desert Mountain’s Cameron Krimbill in the state final, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to end a spectacular high school career. Hassey won the Division II title as a sophomore and lost in the finals as a junior in part because he was playing with a broken bone in his foot.
“His career was completely awesome,” said Shadow Ridge coach Scott Bergeron. “To win the state championship in D1 and D2 is unexplainable … Carlos is a true champ.”
Hassey carries that pedigree with him off the court as well, Bergeron said.
“His attitude is what makes him such a special player,” Bergeron said “… Carlos has so much talent but you would never know because of how he acts on and off the court. Just an amazing athlete and someone with so much positive character.”
Hassey, the son of tennis pro Carlos Hassey Sr., will continue his career at the University of Arizona.
“My dad has been my coach my whole life, he’s been through everything; blood sweat and tears,” Hassey said. “My mom has been through everything with me, too.”
Bergeron can’t wait to see how Hassey does in college.
“I would say this is the start of his career. A new chapter I would imagine filled with all the possibilities,” Bergeron said.
Boys Tennis Coach of the Year
Allan McRae School: Phoenix Greenway Season recap: Greenway finished 14-0 in regular season play, which was a school record, and went 15-1 overall. Its doubles team of Jose Laura and Trevor Swartz reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament. McRae said his top three players – Laura, Tanner Kloostra and Swartz – “battled hard in every match and never gave up.” Coach’s comments: “I have had more talented players in the past but somehow this team really gelled and played above and beyond expectations. Another factor I believe was the addition of a couple of freshmen who physically and mentally pushed the more experienced players to perform at their best … Our season was an unbelievable journey.”