Until last spring, Salem product Patrick O’Keefe reigned over the Group AA singles championships.
For four straight years, O’Keefe, who went 15-4 at the sixth-slot for Radford University this year, won the state individual title.
His graduation opened the door for Western Albemarle’s Cam Scot and Thursday Scot took advantage.
“This was my chance,” Scot said. “I was like, if it’s going to be any year it’s this one.”
Scot bounced back from a loss at No. 1 singles in the state quarterfinals team competition against Jamestown and won Thursday by knocking off E.C. Glass’ Scottie Taylor in the semifinals and then Blacksburg’s Will Coffey in the final.
With the win over Coffey, Scot became the second individual boys state champion in Western Albemarle history. Rachid Benejelloun won for the Warriors back in 1990.
Scot rolled past Taylor in the first set 6-3 but struggled in the second set, falling 2-6.
“I was feeling good and hitting well and then I just had kind of mental lapse,” Scot said. “He took advantage of it and got an early break and then he kept it.”
Scot rallied back and got into gear with a 6-4 win.
“It was a new match right there,” Scot said. “Between the second and third set we have a 10 minute break and I talked to my coach and just regrouped.”
Despite going three sets, Scot wrapped up well ahead of his finals foe Coffey, who went three long sets in his semifinal. While Scot enjoyed a nearly hour and a half break, Coffey had to jump back on the court on short rest. Scot made sure he took advantage.
“I knew he’d had a long semifinal so at first I wanted to see what he had in the tank,” Scot said. “My plan was to keep the ball deep and grind it out and I figured out he was pretty tired. I knew if I just grind it out I’d win those points.”
Scot settled in and won in straight sets 6-3, 6-0 to wrap up the title. Besides just winning the individual title, Scot’s victory could be just the spark he and the Warriors needed going into the team semifinals Friday at noon when Western faces Coffey’s Blacksburg squad.
“I’ve got my confidence back,” Scot said. “I’m going to play (Coffey) again tomorrow and I’m going in with a win already under my belt.”
