Cope, Icardo hoping to return to state
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER Pictured back row, from left to right: Coach Jeff Emmer, Niko Icardo, Jensen Heisel, Lucas Pothoven, Veronica Dake and Rose Levy. Front row: Lily Simko, Grace Shelton and Hunter Sutton.
CLARK FORK — The senior doubles team of James Cope and Niko Icardo will lead the Clark Fork tennis team as the 2016 season gets underway.
Last year the pair qualified for state, but lost a pair of pro sets as rain put a damper on the 1A/2A/3A state meet. The two are hoping to make it back down to Boise, and maybe notch a win or two in the process.
“They got to see what the state level is, that was the main thing,” said head coach Jeff Emmer of last season. “They're very athletic, and when they're on, they play pretty well.”
Lucas Pothoven, a student at Elk Mountain Academy, is probably the team's top player. He will play for Clark Fork during the season, but per district rules, will not be eligible for districts and state. Nonetheless, Pothoven has a strong top spin offensive game, and will help improve the team in practice.
“It's nice to have somebody that plays well to push them forward,” said Emmer, noting pretty much everyone else on the team is a beginner. “Everybody else is brand new, they haven't played a match yet. They're coming along pretty well, I'm pretty happy with them.”
Freshman Lily Simko will probably play No. 1 for the girls team
• Wampus Cats fall to Panthers in season opener
COEUR d'ALENE — Senior Lucas Pothoven swept the top three singles players from Coeur d'Alene Charter in straight sets, leading the Clark Fork tennis team in a season opening dual on Tuesday at the Cherry Hill Courts in Coeur d'Alene.
Clark Fork is at Troy on Friday.
BOYS SINGLES — No. 1, Lucas Pothoven, CF, d. Rob Gaines, 6-0. No. 2, Lucas Pothaven, CF, d. Andrew Challinor, 8-2. No. 3, Lucas Pothaven, CF, d. Dom Zapeda, 6-3.
BOYS DOUBLES — No. 1, Jake Alderink/Jackson Ricks, Cd'A Charter, d. James Cope/Niko Icardo, 8-4. No. 2, Jeff Hansen/Trevor Griffin, Cd'A Charter, d. James Cope/Niko Icardo, 9-8 (7-5). No. 3, Jeffrey Kersh/Morgan Brockman, Cd'A Charter, d. Jensen Heisel/Hunter Sutton, 8-2.
GIRLS DOUBLES — No. 1, Brittany Davis/Alexus Mata, Cd'A Charter, d. Grace Shelton/Rose Levy, 6-1.
MIXED DOUBLES — No. 1, Sabrina Collier/Logan Kimball, Cd'A Charter, d. Lily Simko/Jensen Heisel, 6-1. No. 2, Noah Lewis/Cassie Williams, Cd'A Charter, d. Lily Simko/Grace Shelton, 6-2. No. 3, Noah Lewis/Cassie Williams, Cd'A Charter, d. Veronica Dake/Hunter Sutton, 6-2.