Due to the Corona virus pandemic, The Grayson Heart of the Parks Tennis Classic Tournament was postponed in June. Ashland held the only other tournament as a part of the Appalachian Tennis Series of tournaments – all others were postponed and later canceled. After consulting with the tournament committee, the Carter County Health Department, and the Carter County Board of Education, COVID protocols were utilized and the tournament was held September 10 – 20. Although a low turn out was expected due to the pandemic, the tournament ended up having one the largest numbers of players in its history.
Rain delayed the matches on Saturday, September 12 for an hour and caused all Sunday matches (mostly finals), to be played throughout the next week. Here are results of the Finals:
Thursday, Sept. 10 & Friday, Sept. 11 Matches
- Men’s 50+ Singles Final: Doug Mcloney (Morehead) defeated Tony Dyer (Grayson) 6–3, 6-1
- Men’s 40+ Singles Final: Wes Whitley (Grayson) beat Chad Justice (Morehead) 6 – 4, 6 – 3
Saturday, Sept. 12 Matches
- “A” Men’s Singles Finals: Bobby Blanton (Portsmouth) beat Brian Delcotto (Huntington) 6 – 7(5), 6 – 3, Supertiebreaker (10 – 6)
- Women’s Singles (Round Robin): Aliya Lewis (Grayson) Champion; Shelly Litz (Portsmouth) Runner Up
- Girls 18 Under Singles: Mia Ferguson (Russell) Champion; Kaleigh Murphy (West Liberty) Runner Up
- Girls 16 Under Singles: Lakin Deerfield (Ashland) Champion; Andrea Ferguson (Grayson) Runner Up
- Boys Junior Singles: Chris Gray (Morehead) Champion; Bryson Hill (Greenup) Runner Up
Monday Sept. 14, Match
- “B” Men’s Doubles Finals Addison Whitt & James Bryant (West Liberty) defeated Cameron Pennington (Grayson) & Cameron Brown (Ashland) 6 – 3, 6 – 2
Thursday, Sept. 17 Match
- “A” Men’s Doubles Finals: Brian Delcotto (Huntington) & Josh Lawson (Ashland) beat Bobby Blanton & Darren Litz (Portsmouth) 6 – 4, 7 – 6(3)
Friday Sept. 18 Match
- “B” Mens Singles Finals Scott Adkins (Lucasville) defeated Josh Blanton (Ashland) 6 – 2, 6 – 2
Saturday, Sept. 19 Matches
- Women’s Doubles Makenzie & Maria Hayes (Grayson) defeated Delaynee & Bellamee Sparks (Ashland) 6 – 3, 6 – 2
- Parent-Child Doubles Finals Doug Mcloney & Chris Gray (Morehead) defeated Jeff & Emma Moudy(Grayson) 5 – 7, 6 – 1, Supertiebreaker 10 – 2
- “A” Mixed Doubles Final David & Rachel Bush (Ashland) defeated Eric Landrum (Oak Hill) & Anita Wamsley (Portsmouth) by default
- “B” Mixed Doubles Finals Elizabeth Davis (Fort Gay) & Cameron Brown (Ashland) beat Maria Hayes (Grayson) & Caden Cline (Portsmouth) 6 – 3, 6 – 3
Pictures are posted on the East Carter Tennis Team Facebook page.
For more information log on to http://www.atstennis.net
Special thanks to the 57 players who signed up for the tournament from all over the ATS region. Folks came from Portsmouth, Lucasville, Pikeville, Ashland, Huntington, Morehead, Greenup, West Liberty, Oak Hill, OH, Lexington, Raceland, and Fort Gay, WV
Many were happy to pick out their free newly designed t-shirts. Also thanks to the volunteers who made the tournament run as well as it always does: Assistant Coach Tony Dyer, Sue Tackett, Makenzie Hayes, Jeff Moudy, and Sonnie Hayes
A special thanks to our sponsors:
Malone’s Funeral Home, Envy, Lewis Transfer LLC, Ralph’s Food Fair, Grayson Tourism, Century 21, Big Sandy Furniture, State Farm Insurance, and KLM Electric
Fall activities at the East Carter Middle School Tennis Courts in Grayson:
Evening Cardio Tennis (2-ball and 3-ball) 6:00pm – ? (Check on the Team Facebook page for days and times) Cost: FREE All ages and abilities welcome.
Pictures are posted on the East Carter Tennis Team Facebook page.
For more information log on to http://www.atstennis.net.
The Facebook page for the Appalachian Tennis Series also has updated information.
