By R.G. Greene
rgreene@gtowntimes.com
The Waccamaw High boys tennis team fulfilled expectations on Saturday.
The favorite for the state championship entering the 2008 campaign, the Warriors (27-1) claimed their second consecutive Class AA title, defeating Christ Church 6-0 at the Richland County Tennis Center in Columbia.
"We set a lot of lofty goals before the season," Waccamaw coach James Brown said. "And our players came through.
"They had such great attitudes all year. They enjoyed being around each other and competing. It was a fun group to be around."
Waccamaw dominated in-state competition - regardless of classification - throughout the season. Clinton High, whom the Warriors did not play, was the only team playing in Columbia on Saturday the Warriors had not defeated. Waccamaw's lone loss came at the hands of University High (Calif.) during a tournament in California.
"We feel like we're the true state champions," Brown said. "It's the best team I've ever coached and one I think ranks with the best in state history. Our talent level was special." Waccamaw's top five seeds - Wesley Moran, Billy Kenny, Harrison Richmond, Thomas Ligon and Josh Richmond - are familiar names in state, Southeast Region and, in some cases, national rankings.
The group followed a familiar pattern on Saturday sweeping all singles matches while the combination of H.B. Marshall and Mike Moran took care of things in doubles play, shutting out Chris Church's Claibourne Hughes and Jeb Helmers 6-0, 6-0.
With graduation set to take only Moran, Ligon and Marshall, Waccamaw has more than enough talent returning to entertain thoughts of a three-peat.
"We have a great group of players returning," Brown said. "We certainly believe we'll have the ability to match up with anybody.
"But (Saturday) was all about our seniors and wanting to send them out with another state championship. What they were able to do during their careers benefited our entire program.
"For us to win in such convincing fashion, you couldn't have written a better script. It was the perfect way to end the season."
WACCAMAW 6, CHRIST CHURCH 0
Singles-Wesley Moran (W) def. Chris Lawdahl 6-0, 6-1; Billy Kenny (W) def. Dirk Pieper 6-0, 6-0; Harrison Richmond (W) def. Philip Canale 6-2, 6-3; Thomas Ligon (W) def. Hunter Sieber 6-2, 6-1; Josh Richmond (W) def. Alex Boota 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles- H.B. Marshall/Mike Moran (W) def. Claibourne Hughes/Jeb Helmers 6-0, 6-0.