PIAA boys tennis season preview 2024-25: Meet the Top 5 players to watch in Butler County
Not all high school sports teams have clear leaders entering the season, but don’t count the boys tennis teams at Mars and North Catholic among them.
The Planets and Trojans both return a number of players who could play deep into the spring.
Mars returns two starting singles players from a year ago in Cal Johnson and Ethan Palmer, along with Lucas Crawford and Evan Palmiero, who are currently slotted at No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles.
“There could be some switching with who’s playing where as the season goes on,” Planets coach Chris Knauff said. “We have a strong core, and they need to be strong for us to succeed. We play in a very tough section.”
Mars resides in WPIAL Section 2, Class 3A with defending district team champion North Allegheny and Sewickley Academy, which won the last two WPIAL crowns in Class 2A.
North Catholic’s optimism is centered largely on the team’s top singles players, juniors Justin Garvey and Alex Weber. They reached the WPIAL Class 2A singles and doubles tournament last year, respectively.
“We also have a senior, Alex Foubert-Lopez, who is starting in doubles for the third year,” North coach Sean Malone said. “He’s a team captain and is really positive with the other players. He’s a phenomenal kid to have on the team.”
The following are Butler County’s top boys tennis players to watch as the season heats up:
He is the Golden Tornado’s top singles player for the fourth straight year.
Bocci has combined a strong serve with consistent ground strokes, both forehand and backhand. He’s looking to improve on his trip to the quarterfinals of the Section 2-3A singles tournament last year.
Butler coach Conlan Walsh said: “His dedication is impressive. Even on days when we have a practice or match, he gets in work on his own. He has strengthened his game through his involvement in clinics and tournaments.”
Garvey returns as North’s No. 1 singles player from a year ago, when he advanced to the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 2A singles bracket.
He has high velocity on his serves, and his athleticism allows him to cover the entire court.
“Even as a freshman, he had obvious potential,” North coach Sean Malone said. “He plays aggressively and is able to get every (type of) shot back.”
A returning No. 1 for the Planets who takes the court with a well-rounded game, Johnson’s able to detect flaws in opponents and exploit them.
“He’s got no clear weaknesses, which makes him a tough player to face,” Mars coach Chris Knauff said. “He shows a lot of focus and determination.”
Palmer switched back and forth between No. 2 and 3 singles for Mars as a junior.
“He’s a tall kid with a long reach, so he’s able to make some surprising returns and extend points. That’s his biggest strength,” Knauff said. “And the shots he hits are often difficult to return.”
He moves into the Trojans’ No. 2 singles spot after playing on the team’s top doubles duo in 2024.
Weber provides teammate Garvey with a stiff challenge in practice. This will be his third season in North’s starting lineup.
“In the past, he’d double-fault a lot with his serve and has become more consistent avoiding that,” Malone said. “We lost our second and third singles players from last year, and Alex has earned this opportunity.”
