Region tennis titles for Starr's Mill girls, McIntosh boys

The Region 5-AAAA Tournament was a very successful two days for the Starr’s Mill varsity girls and McIntosh boys tennis teams.

The girls began play on Wednesday, Apr. 15 with solid wins over Villa Rica High School and Douglas County in the first two rounds, and a nail-biter, four hour plus match, 3-2 win over McIntosh to win the region championship. The girls were led by Kourtney Kowal, Becca Ritchie, Carly Thamer, Danielle Davison and Erin Maguire at #1 doubles, and Alden Treadway and Rachel Skaggs at #2 doubles.

The Starr’s Mill boys followed the girls on Thursday, Apr. 16 with strong wins over Villa Rica High School and Douglas County. The finals pitted the Panthers against their rival, McIntosh. The Chiefs defeated Starr’s Mill 3-1 to win the boys’ region championship.

Both Starr’s Mill and McIntosh had their boys and girls tennis teams open the state playoffs on Tuesday.

McIntosh’s boys beat Forsyth Central 5-0, while the Starr’s Mill boys topped Chamblee 4-1. Whitewater, the third seed from region 5-AAAA, lost to Lakeside, DeKalb 3-0. McIntosh will host Murray County next Wednesday, while the Panthers will play at Hillgrove.

Starr’s Mill’s girls defeated Lakeside, Dekalb and will host the winner of Dalton and Habersham Central next Wednesday. The Lady Chiefs beat Forsyth Central and will play at Hillgrove next Wednesday. Sandy Creek, the fourth seed from 5-AAAA, fell to Marist 3-0.