So far the plan is working to perfection for Beaumont High’s boys’ tennis team.
The Cougars wanted to work their way through a tough non-league schedule in order to prepare for a possible run in the postseason.
And that is exactly what the Cougars are getting. Beaumont is off to a 5-2 start and on Wednesday registered yet another impressive win in the form of a 13-5 win over visiting Yucaipa.
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It was the first win over the Thunderbirds in recent memory, much like Beaumont’s first ever wins over Indio and Palm Springs.
The early success make pay off in the postseason.
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“We should be able to make a dent in the playoffs,” Beaumont coach Chet James said. “We have a goal of taking a deeper run in the playoffs. If we do that, we will be happy with it.”
If anything these non-league performances are proving the Cougars are stronger than previous teams.
“It isn’t so much about the wins,” James said. “It’s about competing.”
Beaumont had never defeated Yucaipa, a member of the competitive Citrus Belt League.
Beaumont opened the season with wins over Redlands Citrus Valley, Indio and Palm Springs. A much anticipated match against defending CIF champion Arlington was rained out, which led to a pair of tough losses to Temecula Valley and Oxnard Pacifica.
The Cougars, who were ranked No. 10 in the latest team poll, responded with a win over No. 5 San Gorgonio and this week’s win over Yucaipa.
Beaumont caps the week by hosting Cathedral City and then opens league play against Tahquitz on Monday.
“We had never beat Yucaipa in our history,” James said. “It was a real good match.”
The Cougars were up 5-1 after one round and led 9-3 after the second.
“The one thing our kids have learned is not to take anyone lightly,” James said. “We knew this would be a tough match. These guys played Palm Springs tough.”
A 6-0 win by Andrew Khong in the third round made if official.
“He can do what he wants on the court,” James said of Khong, the team’s No. 1 singles player. “There is nobody in the division he can’t play with.”
Ty Hopp also pulled off a singles sweep and Jake Jones won one match. In doubles play, the teams of A.D. Chatigny and Bob Mahan and Kyle Poulter and Cam Sammons won two of three.
Khong, who pulled off a sweep against the Thunderbirds, improved to 17-4 on the season.
“I think so far this is the best team we have had since I’ve been here,” Khong said. “Everyone is out here working real hard.”
