Chandler squad honored for school’s first boys tennis team title

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Jeremy Sweet says he can’t give his team the day off.

“They won’t take it,” Sweet, the Hamilton High School boys tennis coach, said. “I suggest a match off here or there, and they won’t take it. They come to practice every day and work so hard. And they care about each other.”

Sweet was speaking at the June 10 Chandler Unified Governing Board meeting, where the Hamilton team was honored for bringing home the school’s first team trophy in boys tennis May 9.

That’s when the Huskies, ranked No. 1 in the Division I state tournament, defeated No. 2 seed Brophy Prep, 5-0, to clinch the state title and to wrap an 18-0 season.

Sweet said 16 of the wins were shutouts, with all five or all nine Hamilton entries winning in those duals.

Freshman Ethan Cooley played No. 2 singles in the championship dual against Brophy Prep in the match that ended up clinching the win for Hamilton. Facing Brendan Linstrom, Cooley dropped the first set 0-6, then won 6-3 to tie the match, at one set apiece.

In the tiebreaker pro set, Cooley rallied from a 6-2 deficit, winning eight points in a row. His ace serve clinched a 10-6 win and the match, allowing the Huskies to start celebrating.

Freshman Nirvaan Patel paired with senior Rishabh Bendre to win the Division I boys doubles title, outlasting a Chaparral duo, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Bendre, senior Jackson Sivley and freshman Alejandro Rivera couldn’t make it to the June 10 board meeting.

Sweet had praise for all the players, pointing out the Huskies will have Berry as their only senior in 2027.

Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.