BMHS boys tennis coach has high hopes for weekend

Brick Memorial High School's boys tennis team is struggling through a 2- 8 season in the grueling Shore Conference A South Division.

But coach Don McCarrick remains optimistic for the Ocean County championships that will take place Saturday and Sunday at Bay Lea Park and Monsignor Donovan High School, both in Toms River.

"I think we're playing good tennis going in, so we could be going for some upsets," McCarrick said. "With all three Toms River teams and Jackson Memorial, A South is a very tough conference, but my players are not down on themselves."

Tom Przybylowski, a junior who moved up from first doubles to first singles this season, is joined in singles by the Mischin brothers, Frank at No. 2 and James at No. 3.

"Even just getting past the first round is tough because my players will be seeded way down and face some of the top seeds," McCarrick said. "But Przybylowski is improving as the season goes on. He's played some good matches and played well in tough losses. Frank Mischin is solid and plays his opponents tough. He doesn't have the record, but I have to think opponents respect him. And James puts up a tough fight, but he does not close matches."

Przybylowski and Frank Mischin each are 4-6.

"As a team, we're playing our best tennis,

that's the most important thing," Mc- Carrick said. "These guys are mostly seasonal players, not guys who play year-round, so they're just getting back into it."

Justin Jentilcore, a sophomore who played on the junior varsity last season, and Brian Bickel, a junior who saw spot action on varsity last season, play in first doubles. Senior Connor Hessan and junior Ryan Noonan, both up from the junior varsity, are in second doubles.