Published: May 15, 2008 11:52 pm            

Bush gets gift to remember

Ashland — David Bush gave himself a 12th birthday gift to remember.

The 6th-grader at Rose Hill Christian School beat top-seeded East Carter senior Spencer Johnson 6-2, 6-4 Thursday night in the 16th Region Tennis Tournament semifinals.

Bush is believed to be the youngest player to reach the boys singles title match.

“That’s a good birthday present,’’ said Bush, who is Kentucky’s top-ranked age 12-under player.

Bush’s semifinal victory wasn’t a shocker. He defeated Johnson in their second regular-season match and carried the momentum into the regional tournament. Bush, seeded fourth, rolled past Russell eighth-grader Evan White — seeded fifth — 6-0, 6-1 in the quarterfinals on Monday.

Players moved inside for the semifinals due to rain and Bush became the first Rose Hill player ever to advance to the regional finals.

A smart player with a dangerous forehand, Bush broke Johnson’s serve for 5-4 lead in the second set and then served out the match.

“I felt really, really excited that last point,’’ Bush said. “Spencer hits a lot harder than most everybody. It was tougher to keep the ball to his backhand side.’’

Bush, who will meet Ashland’s Stephen Metcalf for the championship on Saturday, credited his junior travel schedule for preparing him to meet older players in high school competition.

Three weeks ago, he finished in the top eight out of 64 players in a Bullfrog tournament at Hilton Head, S.C. Bush made it to the finals of a Southern Level 3 event during spring break.

“It helps a lot to get that experience,’’ he said.

Metcalf, seeded No. 2 in boys singles, turned back Russell’s Chase Bates 6-4, 6-3 in the other semifinal.

Russell’s boys hold a 12-11 edge on Ashland heading to the final round. Russell’s Alex and Austin Christie got past the Tomcats’ Josh Nestor and Rob Porter 6-1, 6-7 (11-9), 6-4 in one doubles semifinal. The other went to Ashland’s top-seeded Greg Geremia and Jeff Nelson, who stopped the Red Devils’ Miles Mussetter and Paul Spradlin 7-5, 6-1.

On the girls’ side, Russell picked up two more points and leads with 12. Boyd County also won two matches and surged into a second-place tie with Ashland. Boyd County would need a sweep of the singles and doubles finals to force a playoff for the team championship.

Boyd County junior Brooke Helms moved a step closer to her second consecutive regional singles title by beating Russell’s Kelsey Hensley 6-1, 6-2. Helms’ next opponent will be No. 2 Claire Spradlin of Russell. Spradlin downed Ashland’s Emily Krick 6-2, 6-1.

Russell’s Tori Powell and Andrea Wise, the top-seeded doubles team, cruised past Alex Billups and Danielle McDavid of Rose Hill 6-2, 6-0.

Boyd County’s Hannah Cooksey and Holly Jude earned their first trip to the State Tournament with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Sarah Barnett and Emily Griffith of Ashland.

“We were on tonight and worked well together,’’ said Cooksey, a senior. “We’ve been taking lessons off B.J. (Lehosit) here at the tennis center and really worked on trying to mix up our shots.’’

For Cooksey and Jude, a sophomore, the vast majority of their athletic careers have been spent on a different court — basketball. Both have been key members of the Boyd County High School team. Jude scored a high of 25 points last season and Cooksey came close to the 20-point mark.

Every spring, however, they pick up their tennis racquets and for a couple of months give it their best.

“We play basketball most of the year, including summer camps,’’ Cooksey said. “We don’t get to play (tennis) all-year round like some of these girls. So we just have to work extra hard.’’

Cooksey and Jude use teamwork on the tennis court in much the same way they do in basketball.

“We read each other well,’’ Cooksey said. “I know what Holly is doing behind me in tennis even if I can’t see her.’’

Boyd County coach Sharla Freeman said she is thrilled about the two players advancing to Lexington for the first time.

“They are great athletes and know how to compete,’’ Freeman said. “In the past, we’ve actually had seasons where they played their first match without having been to a tennis practice because of just finishing basketball. Both of them are so coachable.’’

Last year, Cooksey and Jude missed out on a chance to advance to the State Tournament by dropping a regional playoff match to teammates Julie and Lauren Phelps.

“I’m happy we made it this year before Hannah graduated,’’ Jude said. “We’ve always been best friends and told each other we were going to stick with tennis. It’s really exciting.’’

Jude, who is a diabetic, said she has to make sure to check her sugar before going on the court.

“It hasn’t been a problem,’’ she said. “I keep a Powerade or something with me in case it goes low.’’

        

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