Kings of the Court: Millburn Boys Tennis Honored for Stellar Season

The state champion Millburn High School boys tennis team was recognized last week by the Essex County Freeholders.

The Millers captured the Group 4 title and the Tournament of Champions for the third straight season.

"You guys are here so often that this must feel like your home away from home, and it’s great to welcome you back," Freeholder Leonard Luciano said. "Gentlemen, we’ve pretty much run out of superlatives to describe your accomplishments. The only thing left for us to say is, ‘Wow!’ and ‘Congratulations!’ and that it is our honor to present you with these commendations.”

“Here we are again”, said Head Coach Bill Wickenheisser, “and I want to thank you for having us back."

The coach thanked the administration at Millburn High School “for supporting us and always giving us what we need to excel both on and off the court” and congratulated his players for all they’ve achieved. 

He also spoke about the individual accomplishments of two players, Evan Imegwu and Tyler Schick. Imegwu, a senior, was named the Essex County Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Schick, a junior, was named a National High School Tennis All-American, The Star-Ledger’s Essex County Tennis Player and the Outstanding Tennis Athlete of the Year. He won his second consecutive Essex County singles title, and was a state championship singles finalist.

Senior team captain Evan Imegwu thanked the freeholders, saying “It’s really an honor to be back."  He also spoke about his belief that “unity, on and off the court, supporting each other day-in and day-out, is one of the things that propelled us to victory. I’m just extremely proud of every member of this team. They’ve been great friends.”

Prior to the state tournament competition, the Millers won the Millburn Tennis Challenge and completed an undefeated (12-0) season in the American Division of the Super Essex Conference.  In state tournament play, the team first defeated Linden (5-0), Columbia (5-0), Ridge (4-1) and then Westfield (5-0) to win the North 2, Group 4 Sectional Championship on May 19, before going on to defeat West Windsor Plainsboro South (3-2) and then Montclair High School (5-0) to capture the Group 4 State Championship on May 21.  In the Tournament of Champions they first defeated Summit (5-0) and then Haddonfield (3-2) to capture the 2014 TOC title on Friday, May 30.

The team finished its season with an overall 29-2 record, continuing the program’s unparalleled record of success that has seen 29 consecutive state sectional championships (39 overall), six consecutive state group championships (23 overall), and three consecutive Tournaments of Champions titles (7 overall).

The team is comprised of: senior captains Jonathan Duan, Jason Ginsburg, Evan Imegwu and Keith Knopp; juniors Jake Aronskind, Jonathan Atwater, Will Besen, Tyler Schick and Alex Shedlin; sophomores Jeremy Atwater, Jordan Beacham, Austin Jia and Darren Ting; and freshmen Jeremy Bader and Charlie Shanker.  The team was coached by Bill Wickenheisser and Lee Robinson.