East wins ECIC Division II title

Williamsville East's boys tennis team went 10-0 in league play to win the ECIC Division II title. The Flames finished 11-0 overall.

East finished off its season by defeating Hamburg, 4-1, West Seneca West, 5-0, Sweet Home, 5-0, and Lake Shore 4-1, 4-1.

For the season, junior Alex Masson finished 8-1 at first and second singles. His only loss was to Matt Kane of Hamburg in an unfinished match due to weather.

Masson competed in the ECICs singles tournament this week, which ended on Tuesday.

Freshman Winston Lin also went 8-1 at first and second singles with his only loss also to Kane, the No. 1 one seed of the ECIC singles tournament.

East coach Randy Ball said Lin will not be participating at ECICs because he will be out of town competing in a national tournament.

Eighth-grader Jonah Epstein finished 10-0 playing third and second singles. He also played in the ECIC tournament.

The East first doubles of seniors Joe Buran and Matt Kweller went 10-0 and will be appearing in the ECIC doubles tournament on Thursday and Friday at Lancaster High School.

Senior Taylor Deer and junior Jerome Luo went 10-0 at second doubles and will also be playing in the doubles tournament.

"It is hard to predict how well the doubles teams will do because so many singles players pair up to play in the doubles tournament but all four of these players have been there for several years and have an excellent chance of going far," said Ball.

Ball felt it has been a great season.

"We really didn't have a weak spot in the lineup and even when we were missing two or more starters other players stepped in and did a nice job for us," said Ball. "This was by far the strongest team I have ever coached and I look forward to seeing how far the boys go in the tournament."