Brookline Tennis Wins State Title

By Eliot Schickler

Turn back the clock to 1983.

Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States of America, Brookline resident Michael Dukakis began his second term as Massachusetts governor after a four-year hiatus, Larry Bird was playing for the Celtics, the Red Sox were still mired in a World Series drought, everyone was using landline phones and only a select few had cell phones, the Internet was just a developing concept, Michael Jackson had two No. 1 hits, Flashdance, What a Feeling, by Irena Cara was the No. 1 song for June and early July, Return of the Jedi was the No. 1 movie, current ESPN tennis broadcaster John McEnroe won the singles title at Wimbledon and was the No. 1 tennis player in the world, Howard Schwartz was a junior at Brookline High and played first singles for its tennis team, and younger brother Marc Schwarz played at second singles as a freshman.

The Brookline High boys tennis team won its last State title – until last month when the Warriors ended their 35-year title drought with a convincing 5-0 victory over Marlborough in the Division 1 State Finals. With the win, Brookline raised its record to 20-1. Marlborough ended its season at 18-2.

“It was a total result of the process that started last fall when we made the schedule,” Warriors Coach Nick Pero said. “It feels good that all that energy and hard work paid off at the end.”

Brookline had no trouble against the Panthers as all five matches were done in less than an hour. Beating Lexington 3-2 in the semifinals two days earlier prepared the Warriors for their championship match. In fact, the State Semifinals match, or the Eastern Massachusetts Finals, is considered to be the de facto championship match as both combatants on the eastern part of the state was projected to be the favorite in the finals. The win over Lexington avenged Brookline’s only loss of the season – a 3-2 road setback on May 1.

“After the Lexington loss, we were not deterred,” said Pero. “We persevered through by figuring out that puzzle. We worked hard to get here and then played our best match of the year.”

Freshman Sam Feldman was the Bay State Conference MVP and served bagels at first singles in the championship match. Feldman bageled his Marlborough opponent Matt Lee, 6-0, 6-0.

“I’ve been looking forward to it the past two years through seventh and eighth grade, [knowing] that I’d be ready to compete for the team,” Feldman said. “I’ve followed them through middle school, and I knew we were close so many times. I’m just really glad that I could be a difference this year, and finally get us through to a win.”

The Warrior captains, senior Nate Comerchero and junior Josh Fleishman, only needed 45 minutes to win their match at first doubles, 6-3, 6-2. Comerchero was selected to the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team for doubles.

Freshman Noah Schwartz is Marc Schwartz’s son and Howard Schwartz’s nephew. The younger Schwartz defeated Panther freshman Darren Hailey, 6-2, 6-1 at second singles and delivered the third point for the Warriors, clinching the title.

“It means a lot to me to be able to continue the [Schwartz family] tradition,” Noah Schwartz said. “I wanted to stay consistent and didn’t want to do anything fancy in our biggest match of the year. I wanted to play my game and play it responsibly.”

Sophomore Kei Ogawa also made the Globe’s All-Scholastic team in doubles. Ogawa was the State Individuals Doubles runnerup along with classmate Ben Moolman.

After the May 1 loss, Ogawa switching to singles in Brookline’s matches. Ogawa defeated Marlborough’s Alex Moran at third singles, 6-1, 6-2.

Junior Aaron Fleishman and Moolman also earned Globe All-Scholastic honors in doubles play. Aaron Fleishman and Moolman vanquished Aditya Khanna and Zach Manzali, 6-1, 6-1.

Racket notes: The four Warriors who were recognized by the Globe weren’t the only ones. Pero was recognized by the Boston Globe as its Division 1 Coach of the Year. In addition to the MVP Feldman, Noah Schwartz, Ogawa, Comerchero, Josh Fleishman, Aaron Fleishman and Moolman were selected as Bay State Conference All-Stars.

Photo captions: Contributed photos

In the top photo, the seven Brookline boys varsity tennis players and its coaches hold up the Division 1 State title banner.

Second photo, the whole Brookline tennis team (backups and JV players included) hold the Division 1 State championship banner.

Third photo, the scoreboard before all five matches begin.

Bottom photo, Brookline celebrates winning the Division 1 State title by giving Coach Nick Pero a bath.