It will be tough matching the success of the 2025 Boothbay Region High School boys tennis season, but coach Mark Gorey said this year’s team, with all returning players, should continue its success in the Mountain Valley Conference, where the Seahawks have won three straight championships.

“Griffin said he wants to make the regional final before he graduates,” said Gorey, who is now in his 14th season as BRHS boys tennis coach, passing the 100-win mark last season.

Griffin is Griffin Yereance, a four-year starter and this year’s no. 2 singles player and co-captain along with fellow senior Harry Hinckley. Yereance was named the team’s most valuable player in 2025 and has committed to playing tennis at Susquehanna University in Selinsgove, Pennsylvania next season.

The 2025 team was 10-0 and no. 1 in Class C South. The Seahawks defeated Mountain Valley in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs but lost to perennial powerhouse Waynflete, 3-2, in the semifinal round. Two four-year starters on the team, Cleyton Splaine and Neal Baldwin, graduated last June.

As this season approached, Gorey didn’t know if he would even field a team – at least to start – as two players, Hinckley and sophomore Avery Fowlie, suffered arm injuries in other sports in the off-season. But both have healed and were on the court Thursday, April 16, the day before their first match at home on Friday, April 17 at 4 p.m. against Hall-Dale.

Also returning for the Seahawks are juniors Cole Hyson, who is the team’s no. 3 singles player, and Ronan Drage; and sophomores Alex Ross, the team’s no. 1 singles player, and Elijah Smith.

With only seven players (enough to compete in the three singles and both doubles matches without forfeits), Gorey said he is hoping everyone stays healthy. He said the team will be forfeiting a match when Hyson will be away during school vacation week.

Gorey said he is glad to see that the team will be competing in two out-of-conference matches this season – against North Yarmouth Academy and Morse High School. He has wanted to play these matches for a few years to give the team some more experienced competition in preparation for the playoffs … and Waynflete.