By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Buchanan's theme for Friday's Division IV Regional tournament was 'show up for the show down' and the Bucks did just that.
Competing in the most competitive regional in awhile, Buchanan still pounded its way to another regional crown, scoring 84 points to claim the top spot. There was a three-way tie for second place, with Dowagiac, Bridgman and Paw Paw all scoring 14 points.
The Chieftains made school history on Friday as it qualified for its first ever trip to the state finals, which take place Friday and Saturday, June 1-2 at Stowe Stadium on the campus of Kalamazoo College.
The top two teams, plus any team that scores 18 or more points, advances to the state finals.
Berrien Springs was fifth with 12 points and Edwardsburg sixth with nine points.
Rounding out the field were Coloma (5), Brandywine (4), Lake Michigan Catholic (3) and Eau Claire (0).
"Our claim to fame has always been team depth and we showed that again today," Buchanan coach Steve Bender said. "I am extrememly proud of how hard we competed today in every flight."
Winning singles championships for the Bucks were Eric Lentz at No. 3 and Brad Burns at No. 4.
Bender stated that Burns had a huge fan base from Paw Paw and Bridgman in his final set, as his win over Dowagiac's Andre Porto allowed the three teams to head to the state finals.
Taking doubles titles for Buchanan were Harpier Sulier and Taylor Oake at No. 1, Dillon Bailey and Andrew Frederick at No. 2 and Sean Thornton and Gabriel Meirelles at No. 3.
"I am proud of them," Dowagiac coach Curtis Partee said. "They gave us all they had. They were super excited about it."
Division 4 Boys'
Tennis Regional
At Leeper Park,
South Bend, Ind.
Team Scores
Buchanan 28, Dowagiac 14, Bridgman 14, Paw Paw 14, Berrien Springs 12, Edwardsburg 9, Coloma 5, Brandywine 4, Lake Michigan Catholic 3, Eau Claire 0
Championship Flights
Singles
1. David Moskala (BS) d. Nate Harness (E) 7-5, 6-4; 2. Mario Bonardi (BU) d. James Yoon (BS) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1; 3. Eric Lentz (BU) d. Joe Stonebraker (C) 6-2, 6-3; 4. Brad Burns (BU) d. Andre Porto (D) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
1. Harper Sulier/Taylor Oake (BU) d. Tyler Fisher/Blake Barker (BRID) 6-1, 6-2; 2. Dillon Bailey/Andrew Frederick (BU) d. Robby Clark/Dave Englund (BRID) 7-6, 6-3; 3. Sean Thornton/Gabriel Meirelles (BU) d. Mike Russell/Ethan Wegeler (PP) 6-3, 6-3; 4. Pat Beach/Tyler Allen (BRID) d. Eric Bain-Nick Maxwell (PP) 6-1, 6-2