Published: May 21, 2008 11:33 am         

French Camp tennis duo wins MHSAA Championship

French Camp Academy’s Josh Newman and Brooks Turner were crowned MHSAA 1A No. 1 Boys Doubles State Tennis Champions on May 7 at the Parham Bridges Tennis Center in Jackson.

After falling behind 0-2 and Love-40 to the South Divisional Champion team from Resurrection High School in Pascagoula, Turner and Newman battled back to win the third game of the first set. They proceeded to win five out of the next seven games to claim the first set 6-4.

The FCA team dominated the second set 6-1. Serving at 40-30 for match point, Turner elected to down the middle with his kick served and the return floated long for the victory.

“This is the first ever boys doubles championship for the FCA tennis program,” said coach Eddie Robinson.

Newman and Turner completed the regular season undefeated at 6-0 without dropping a set. Newman was able to complete the season without losing a single service game.

On April 16 in Tupelo Newman and Turner defeated the Greenville St. Joe duo 6-4, 7-5 for the 1A North Division Championship. It was their closest match of the season.

Turner, a senior, has been to the State Tennis Championship each of the last four years, but this is his first time to win it all. Newman, a junior, will attempt to repeat next season. Turner and Newman were named MVPs for the tennis program at the FCA Sports Banquet.

The 2008 FCA tennis team also competed in the 1A Team Tennis Championship as the No. 2 seed from the North before losing to Sacred Heart in Hattiesburg, the eventual 1A State Champion.