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By Brian Pitts
Enterprise Record

After a major hiccup in 2024 – the first losing season in 19 years – happy days could be here again for Davie’s boys tennis team.
With three seniors likely anchoring the 1-3 spots in the singles lineup, Davie has a chance to make noise in the CPC.
“Zach Hill, Grayson Busse and Barrett Taylor all return from the top six and each spent time in the offseason working on their game,” 11th-year coach Shane Nixon said. “They are our captains; they are our leaders. All three are much better than they were last year. Their leadership, with such a young squad, will be essential.”
Another reason for excitement: The freshman class is filled with promise. Three freshmen could hold the 3-5 spots.
“Five freshmen have been exactly as advertised – on the ones I knew about and a pleasant surprise on the couple I didn’t know much about,” Nixon said of Luke Cranfill, Riley Mallory, Chris Samet, Avery Vanlente and Luke Whitton. “This is the deepest class we’ve had come in our program in a while. I was aware that some talent was coming from the middle schools, but man I did not imagine three starters coming in as freshmen. These guys are good.”
There will be no cakewalks in nonconference play, which is just fine with Nixon.
“(The) nonconference schedule includes reigning two-time 1-A state champion Elkin, and one of only three teams to beat them in that run, Mt. Airy,” he said. “We also play a North Iredell team that beat us at their place last year. We’ll be battle tested for sure.”
After going 7-8 overall and 6-6 in the league last year, the War Eagles are seeking their first CPC championship since 2021.
“The CPC is a tough place to play, with teams like West Forsyth and Reagan having been on incredible runs the last couple years and other teams like Reynolds and Mt. Tabor are consistently good as well,” Nixon said. “East Forsyth has been getting better and better, so there really aren’t many days off in the league. I think we can compete with everybody on the slate, but we’ll have to mature quickly and get some good senior leadership to have a chance to win the CPC.”
The roster includes juniors Jonah Almond and Owen Tomlinson and sophomores Brady Carter and Isaac Martinez.