Experience the key word for Miner netters

The 2009 Linton-Stockton High School boys tennis team includes (from left) Taylor Sloan, Seth Herndon, Garrett Hollingsworth, Chase Rhoten, Merrick McBride, Luke Knight, Kris Shipman, Ben Brown and Cody Kocher. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

"Being able to put out a entire line-up of kids that have lettered is not a bad place to start," said McKinney, who is in his 11th season in charge of the Miner netters. "I don't think I've ever had a team with this much experience.

"But the kids have to stay focused and keep working hard every day at practice. If we can do that, we should be able to be very competitive in the conference and sectional."

Senior Chase Rhoten will earn his fourth varsity letter in tennis this fall.

"Chase made the move from doubles to singles last year," said McKinney. "He will again anchor the singles line-up at No. 1.

"He will be a captain. Chase is a three-sport athlete. He has improved. He is better and stronger. We are expecting him to have a good senior season."

Seth Herndon and Kris Shipman is a pair of junior lettermen that are vying to fill the No. 2 and No. 3 singles positions.

"Seth and Kris have been with the program since the seventh grade," he said. "They push each other in practice every day.

"They both have gone through a huge maturation process. I am not sure who will play No. 2 and who will play three singles. It could flip-flop throughout the season. They will continue to make each other better."

McKinney said their experience has allowed him to take a different tact this fall.

"We have been working more on tactical play," he said. "Since they have higher skill levels, we have tried to add something different to their games.

"They have skills and experience and we are trying to make the most of them."

Senior Luke Knight will be one of the Miner captains.

"Luke is a three-year letterwinner," said McKinney. "He is a big, strong kid at almost 6-2.

"He is coming into his own. He will again play No. 1 doubles."

Knight will team with senior Merrick McBride, another letterman.

"They have played together a lot," McKinney. "They feel very comfortable with each other."

Ben Brown and Taylor Sloan, both sophomores, will again be in the line-up at two doubles.

"Ben and Taylor know what it is like to compete on the varsity. They were kind of thrown to the wolves last year as freshmen, but it was a good learning experience for them," said McKinney.

"As a coach, it is good to have seven lettermen to fill seven positions. Because of that, our expectations are higher. But we have to continue to work hard to achieve those expectations."

Senior Garrett Hollingsworth is in his second season in the program. Freshman Cody Kocher rounds out the roster.

"Cody played in junior high. He can be another kid that can be in our program for six years," said McKinney. "Mat (Johnson) has really done a nice job with our junior high program.

Garrett is working hard to find a spot. He is probably the most improved player overall since last year."

The Miners have not on the Southwestern Indiana Athletic Conference since back-to-back crowns in 2005-06. Their only sectional championship in boys tennis was in 2005.

"We want to get those back," McKinney said. "We know that we will have to go through an experienced, good Bloomfield team coached by Mike Canty, who just seems to reload not rebuild. Northview will be the team to beat at the sectional.

"If we want to bring home hardware, then we will have to go through them. It is going to be a challenge, but one that we are looking forward to. All summer long, I asked the kids, what have you done today to be better than Bloomfield and Northview. They are the defending champs until somebody beats them."

Linton-Stockton

Boys Tennis Roster

Player Gr.

Garrett Hollingsworth 12

Luke Knight 12

Merrick McBride 12

Chase Rhoten 12

Seth Herndon 11

Kris Shipman 11

Ben Brown 10

Taylor Sloan 10

Cody Kocher 9

Coach: Brad McKinney (11th season).

Assistant coach: Mat Johnson.