While the tennis team tournament won’t begin for a couple weeks, local singles standouts began competing for top honors Saturday.

In Region 5 boys’ action, Cape Elizabeth’s Matt Gilman, the No. 2 seed, advanced with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Falmouth’s Aiden McGrory. Teammate Satchel McCarthy advanced as well, downing Freeport’s Chris West, 8-0, in the first round and Deering’s Noah Finberg, 4-6, 6-4, 4-0 (retired) in the qualifying round. Scarborough’s Alex Henny also moved on, 8-1, over Cape Elizabeth’s Sam Sherman and 6-0, 6-0 over South Portland’s Joey Hendricks (who beat Greely’s Philip Hodgkins, 8-5, in the first round).

Scarborough’s Jeffrey Sirocki won his first round match, 8-0, over Nathaniel Skillin of Kennebunk, then lost, 4-6, 1-6, to No. 12 Burke Paxton of North Yarmouth Academy. South Portland’s Eric Berry-Sandilen dropped a 1-6, 0-6 decision to No. 3 Justin Brogan of Falmouth in the qualifying round.

Scarborough’s Joseph Corbeau (1-8 to McGrory) and South Portland’s Dylan Esposito (4-8 to Kyle Lagasse of Biddeford) lost first round matches.

In the girls’ competition, several players reached the qualifying round, but all failed to move on.

Cape Elizabeth’s Madeline Ciraldo was an 8-1 first round winner over Windham’s Evelyn Gross, but lost to top-seed Annie Criscione of Falmouth in the qualifying round, 0-6, 0-6. Kera Snyder of South Portland defeated Sanford’s Kayla Cote, 8-4, then lost to No. 2 Analise Kump of Falmouth, 1-6, 0-6. Cape Elizabeth’s Catherine Macdonald downed Scarborough’s Ella Mahoney, 8-6, then was ousted by No. 8 Sarah Jordan of NYA, 2-6, 2-6. Allie Briggs, also of Cape Elizabeth, was an 8-0 winner over Bonny Eagle’s Katie Quinn before falling, 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, to Cheverus’ Abby Harrison. South Portland’s Brianna Woodward defeated Waynflete’s Phoebe Suva, 8-4, then was eliminated, 3-6, 3-6, by No. 16 Lindsey Robinson. Scarborough’s Raechel Webber beat Bonny Eagle’s Hannah Katch, 8-0, then fell, 3-6, 1-6, to Cheverus’ Caty Galligan.

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Scarborough’s Mikaela Gove (1-8 to No. 10 Hannah Potter of Yarmouth) and South Portland’s Jenna Susi (0-8 to Gorham’s Rachel Eaton) fell in the first round.

Teams hit stretch run

Both Scarborough tennis teams are hoping to defend their regional championships and both are in the thick of it as the regular season winds down.

The Red Storm boys were second to Deering in the Western A Heals at 8-2 following a 4-1 win at Windham Tuesday. Scarborough finishes the regular season Monday at home versus South Portland. The Red Riots were were clinging to the 10th and final playoff spot with a 3-4 mark. In Western B, Cape Elizabeth’s 5-0 win over York Tuesday lifted it to 6-2 and fourth in the Heals. The Capers are home with reigning Class C champion Waynflete Monday.

On the girls’ side, Scarborough is 7-2 and second to McAuley in Western A after a 5-0 victory over Windham Tuesday. The Red Storm ends the regular season Monday at No. 10 South Portland, which is 5-5 after Tuesday’s 5-0 loss to Portland. In Western B, Cape Elizabeth took a 6-3 mark and the No. 5 spot in the Heals into Wednesday’s match at Greely. The Capers host Class C champion Waynflete Monday.

The team tennis playoffs begin with the preliminary round May 29.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.


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