It was a day for seniors in the IHSAA Boys Tennis Singles and Doubles State Finals Oct. 25, 1997 at Racquets Four Sports Centre in Indianapolis. Senior Rick Phillipp capped an outstanding high school career with two victories to capture the singles championship, while seniors Chad Stone and Andy Baker won twice to claim the doubles title.

Phillipp finished the season 31-1 by defeating junior Chris Varga of South Bend St. Joseph’s 6-2, 6-1 to win the 18^th IHSAA Singles championship. Phillipp had advanced to the championship match earlier in the day with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over junior Jay Bowles of Southport. Varga, who finished the season 30-1, reached the final by ousting junior Andy Martin of Castle 7-5, 7-5.

In the consolation match, Martin defeated Bowles 6-0, 7-6.

Phillipp, who finished fourth in the 1996 singles competition, is the first Homestead player to win the singles championship. Phillipp also was honored last week at the IHSAA Boys Team Tennis State Finals when he was named the 1997 IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winner in boys tennis after helping the Spartans to a third-place finish.

In doubles play, Stone and Baker became the first Center Grove tandem to claim the championship. They defeated senior Nathan Felix and sophomore Brian Slack of Perry Meridian in a tight 6-3, 6-4 title match. Center Grove (27-3) reached the finals after a 6-1, 6-1 semifinals triumph over Clarksville, while Perry Meridian advanced 6-4, 6-0 over Penn.

In the consolation match, Clarksville defeated Penn 6-2, 6-3.

First-round bye: Rick Phillipp, senior, Homestead.

Jay Bowles, junior, Southport def. Mark Cullnane, sophomore, Carroll (Fort Wayne) 6-1, 6-3.

Andy Martin, junior, Castle def. Aaron Myers, junior, Lakeland 6-0, 6-2.

Chris Varga, junior, South Bend St. Joseph’s def. Cody Conley, junior, Floyd Central 6-2, 7-5.

Chris Varga, junior, South Bend St. Joseph’s def. Andy Martin, junior, Castle, 7-5, 7-5.

Martin def. Bowles 6-0, 7-6.

Phillipp def. Varga 6-2, 6-1.

First-round bye: Chad Stone, senior/Andy Baker, senior, Center Grove.

Kelly Allen, senior/Brandon Lawrence, senior, Clarksville def. Travis Steele, senior/Jason Hawkins, senior, Peru 6-4, 6-4.

Scott McCool, senior/Nate Cummins, senior, Penn def. Jeff Cox, senior/Kyle South, sophomore, Rushville 6-2, 6-2.

First-round bye: Nathan Felix, senior/Brian Slack, sophomore, Perry Meridian.

Chad Stone, senior/Andy Baker, senior, Center Grove def. Nathan Felix, senior/Brian Slack, sophomore, Perry Meridian, 6-2, 6-3.