Buchanan’s band of brothers
Published 8:42 pm Wednesday, October 15, 2008
By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – It may take a village to raise a child, but in Buchanan, it takes a "band of brothers" to make its boys' tennis program go.
The Bucks will take a trio of siblings to this weekends' Division 4 State Tennis Championships in Jenison.
The Whitfields, Lindorfs and Henckels hope to help power the Bucks to another run at a state championship.
Senior Jamie and freshman Josh Whitfield play No. 2 singles and No. 4 doubles, while junior Tyler and sophomore Tanner Lindorf play No. 1 and No. 3 singles respectively.
Sophomore Ryan and freshman Nathan Henckel play No. 2 doubles and No. 4 singles.
"We are very proud of our tennis program at Buchanan," veteran Bucks' coach Steve Bender said. "The primarly reason for our success has always been our 'family atmosphere.' Our program is all about passing the torch from brother to brother. We have had many great dynamo brother combinations."
The other duos include:
Bryce (4-time All-State and state champion at No. 1 singles) and Ryan (4-time All-State at No. 1 singles) Coward
Justin (2-time All-State doubles player) and Jordan (All-State doubles) McGuire
Branden (2-time All-State doubles) and Dustin (All-State, state finals singles player) Collins
Jay (No. 7 all-time in wins), Sean (state finals singles player, No. 2 all-time in wins), Cullen and Tyler (No. 8 all-time in wins) Casey
Heath and Barrett Warmbein
True and Harper Sulier
Kyle and Nathan Ferrell
Buchanan has one other brother combination, however, they will not be able to compete together as Kris Underley is a senior, who plays No. 3 doubles for the Bucks; and Nick is a doubles player on the junior varsity.
"Our tight knit family atmosphere is why we are heading to the state finals for the 17th year in a row and 18th out of the last 19 years," Bender commented. "Sean Jesse is also achieving quite a milestone. Not only did he participate in the state finals all four years of his high school career, but now he will also be coaching a team in the finals.
Jesse, a member of the Bucks' 2003 state championship team, is an assistant coach for Buchanan, who is in charge of the singles players.
"Not too many people can claim that distinction," Bender said.