Alberto Cutone
Alberto Cutone, Kennebunk sophomore: Seeded third in the state singles tournament, Cutone advanced to the semifinals before falling to No. 2 Matt Morneault of Falmouth in three sets, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. Cutone later avenged that defeat with a third-set tiebreaker victory in the Class A South final, a 3-2 loss to Falmouth that ended Kennebunk’s season at 13-2.
George Cutone
George Cutone, Kennebunk senior: For the third time in four years, Cutone won the state singles tournament, and he did so in dominant fashion. Over the final three rounds, he dropped only one game. Undefeated in team competition as well, he led Kennebunk to the Class A South final. He plans to continue playing tennis at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
Tianyi Ma
Tianyi Ma, Thornton Academy junior: Seeded sixth in the state singles tournament, Ma advanced to the quarterfinals for the second year in a row before falling 6-3, 6-2 to Alberto Cutone. In team competition, he was 12-1 and led Thornton to a berth in the Class A South semifinals. His only loss came against state singles champ George Cutone.
Will Meyer
Will Meyer, Camden Hills freshman: In his first year of high school competition, Meyer advanced to the semifinals of the state singles tournament before falling 6-0, 6-0 to top-seeded George Cutone. In team competition, Meyer went 13-0 to lead Camden Hills to the Class A North semifinals.
Matt Morneault
Matt Morneault, Falmouth freshman: Possessor of a powerful one-handed backhand, Morneault advanced to the finals of the state singles tournament. He persevered through three-set victories in both the quarterfinals and semifinals before falling to George Cutone in the final. Morneault also helped Falmouth (16-0) defend its Class A title.
Khang Nguyen
Khang Nguyen, Foxcroft Academy junior: A Vietnamese boarding student who is a two-time All-State honoree, Nguyen advanced to the quarterfinals of the state singles tournament this spring after reaching the semifinals as a sophomore. Seeded fifth, he was ousted by Will Meyer, 6-2, 6-2.
Charles Segal
Charles Segal, Greely senior: A two-time quarterfinalist in the state singles tournament, the seventh-seeded Segal came close to upsetting eventual finalist Matt Morneault before falling, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Segal led the Rangers to a 9-5 season and a Class B South semifinal berth. He plans to enroll at Emory University in Atlanta.
Sam Yoon
Sam Yoon, Falmouth junior: After reaching the finals of the state singles tournament a year ago and the semifinals as a freshman, Yoon missed this year’s competition in order to take the SAT. In team competition, Yoon led the Navigators (16-0) to a second straight Class A title, with his only losses coming against Kennebunk’s George Cutone.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Gabe Gordon, Yarmouth
An assistant coach with the Clippers since 2018, Gordon took over a team in transition following Bill Shardlow’s death in January. Despite losing five of seven starters, Gordon guided Yarmouth to another 16-0 season and a fifth consecutive Class B championship. Thirteen players saw action in at least one varsity match, thus earning their letter. Gordon said such success would not have been possible without the support of junior varsity coach Samierra MacMullen and volunteer assistants Chris Piasecki, Jim Glanville and John Sedgewick. “They all contribute,” Gordon said. “It’s a real team effort. And the guys, they believe. They have fun together. It’s about being a better person, learning how to compete on the court, and learning skills about tennis and life along the way.”
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