Hammond Tennis Team's Epic Comeback Wins State Title

0:00On May 2nd, Hammond School's boys tennis team just snagged the SCI-SA Class 4, a state championship, beating Ben Lippen 5 matches to 3 in A, grueling almost 5-hour battle at the KC Tennis Center. This marks their ninth title overall, and the first since 1989, when Trent Gillespie starred as the top singles player. Fast forward 27 years, and his son William helped deliver the win, turning it into a full-family legacy moment. The match had all the drama, with momentum swinging back and forth in this third clash of the season between the Columbia rivals. Hammond trailed three-to-two heading into the final singles, but their player, Sharav Padinti, stased a huge comeback against Ben Lippen's Tiger Zhao, who cramped up bad and had to retire in the tiebreaker. Trent couldn't hold back his pride, walking up during William's post-match interview to hand over the trophy and pass the torch. William shouted out his dad for always showing up, pushing him through tough seasons, and now going out as a senior, with a state ring.

1:00Coach Ellis Reese called Padinti his anchor for those clutch comebacks. Hammond locked it down in doubles without Zhao for Ben Lippen, who also dealt with cramps in another spot. Their number three duel of why Queen and Luke Howe took straight sets to grab a 4-3 lead, then the top pair sealed it. Both Queen and Howe also won singles. While Ben Lippen got wins from Roger By, Landon Boyer, and Caleb Church. What a week for Hammond. They followed up Tuesday's boys golf stay title with this tennis gym, proving it's been an epic run all around.