As the Permian tennis team goes through the early portion of its 2021 season, some of its players are focused on making the most of their final seasons.
Patricio Rios and Paula Garcia were among the seniors competing for the Panthers at the Basin Brawl that began Friday at the Pat Wikse Tennis Center.
The pair had a productive showing Saturday against Midland Christian before their matches against Hobbs (N.M.) were canceled due to weather.
The Panthers defeated the Mustangs 14-5 in the morning session, aided by a mixed doubles and two singles wins from Rios and Garcia.
Rios defeated Midland Christian’s Nien Romero 6-2, 6-0 and Garcia swept Macy Nelson 6-3, 6-2.
Before they became senior leaders for the Panthers, Rios and Garcia took different routes to improve in the sport they love.
Rios started playing tennis when he was in the eighth grade after some friends convinced him to pick it up.
“I started liking it, so when I came to Permian and I met the coaches, they were encouraging me to stay,” Rios said. “The more they did, the more I liked it.”
Throughout his time at Permian, he made the mental aspect of his game one of his main areas of focus.
Both Rios and Garcia credit head coach Thomas Bonds for the emphasis he put on having a sound mind and how it’s helped develop their respective games throughout their high school careers.
“He has taught me a lot of life lessons, not just on the court but off the court,” Garcia said. “I use them on the court because it’s really good to have those resources.”
Bonds is in his first season as the Panthers’ head coach after spending the past three seasons as an assistant coach.
He’s had a chance to work with the current group of seniors since they first joined the program.
He knows his team has some things to work on but is excited to see the senior leadership take over.
The Panthers split a pair of matches to open the tournament Friday, an 18-1 victory over Seminole before falling 14-5 against Andrews in the afternoon session.
“They played really strong singles, (there’s) a lot of potential going forward,” Bonds said. “It’s still early in the year, so we’ve got some things to work on, but some things I saw really well.
“We’ve got a lot of seniors this year and I think we’re going to jump on that opportunity.”
Bonds believes the upperclassmen can give Permian a leg up when they have to enter District 2-6A play and that the group can set an example for the younger players.
Both Rios and Garcia hope to lead the Panthers to successful results before jumping into the next stage of their lives.
They would like to continue playing tennis throughout college but are focused on school and what the final high school tennis season has in store for both of them.
“They know that this is a special class, I’ve had them since they were freshmen so I’ve gotten to know them very well,” Bonds said. “They’re going to do great things and I tell them, ‘The world is open to you and you’re going to go out there and change it.’”
>> ODESSA HIGH RESULTS: The Odessa High tennis team also completed the Basin Brawl Saturday by defeating Hobbs (N.M.) 14-5 in their morning session at Bob Clark Tennis Center.
The Bronchos’ final matchup Midland Christian scheduled for the afternoon was also canceled due to weather.
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
Basin Brawl
Permian 14, Midland Christian 5
Saturday, Pat Wikse Tennis Center
Boys singles: Patricio Rios, Permian def. Nien Romero, Midland Christian, 6-2, 6-0; Ashton Schubert, Permian def. Dylan Smith, Midland Christian, 6-4, 7-6 (4); Druhv Patel, Permian def. Cross Burgeson, Midland Christian, 6-1, 6-4; Cayleb Medina, Permian def. Jacen Borden, Midland Christian, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (8); Samuel Soto, Permian def. Michael Emaneul, Midland Christian, 6-3, 7-5; Joshua Conant, Permian def. Nate Jobe, Midland Christian, 6-3, 6-1.
Girls singles: Paula Garcia def. Macy Nelson, 6-3, 6-2; Annabella Sanchez, Permian def. Raegan Branum, Midland Christian, 6-2, 6-2; Jaiden Fisher, Midland Christian, def. Ashlynn Nail, Permian, 6-3, 6-1; Lexie Torres, Midland Christian, def. Sophia Jones, Permian, 6-1, 6-4; Trinity Williams, Midland Christian, def. Jessica Hodgins, Permian, 7-6, 6-3; Jillian Rodriguez, Permian def. Roundtree, Midland Christian, 6-4, 6-2.
Boys doubles: Cayleb Medina-Dhruv Patel, Permian def. Nien Romero-Dylan Smith, Midland Christian, 8-6; Cayleb Medina-Ace Garcia, Permian def. Michael Emaneul-Cross Burgeson, Midland Christian, 8-4; Samuel Soto-Joshua Conant, Permian, def. Stasner-Jacen Borden, Midland Christian, 8-4.
Girls doubles: Macy Nelson-Raegan Branum, Midland Christian def. Jessica Hodgins-Annabella Sanchez, Permian, 8-5; Jillian Rodriguez-Sophia Jones, Permian def. Lexie Torres-Trinity Williams, Midland Christian, 8-0; Jaiden Fisher-Roundtree, Midland Christian def. Keira Turnbull-Hampton Johns, 8-6.
Mixed doubles: Patricio Rios-Paula Garcia, Permian def. Gleghorne-Davis, Midland Christian, 8-0.
Odessa High 14, Hobbs (N.M.) 5
Saturday, Bob Clark Tennis Center
Boys singles: Nithin Reddy, Odessa High def. Ethan Jimenez, Hobbs, 6-0, 6-0; Isaiah Mayas, Hobbs def. Matthew Thompson, Odessa High, 6-1, 6-3; Jimmy Evans, Hobbs def. Akshathn Mukkera, Odessa High, 6-1, 6-3; Harvey Daniels, Odessa High def. Alex Palomino, Hobbs, 6-2, 7-5; Carlos Ruiz, Hobbs def. Sammy Walters, Odessa High, 6-3, 6-3; Kanishk Yankarra, Odessa High def. Amoren Salgado, Hobbs, 6-3, 6-3.
Girls singles: Kayzsa Cox, Odessa High def. Isabella Armendariz, Hobbs, 6-0, 6-1; Olivia Cabral, Odessa High def. Lyndy Armstrong, Hobbs, 6-0, 6-0; Hannah Wilson, Odessa High def. Natalie Vega, 6-1, 6-0; Alexis Lampton, Odessa High def. Vesta Chamblin, Hobbs, 6-0, 6-1; Rhina Quinteros, Odessa High def. Darnie Perez, Hobbs, 6-0, 6-1; Jessica Fierro, Odessa High def. Clarissa Molina, Hobbs, 6-0, 6-0.
Boys doubles: Nithin Reddy-Matthew Thompson, Odessa High def. Ethan Jimenez-Alex Palomino, 8-3; Isaiah Mayas-Jimmy Evans, Hobbs def. Harvey Daniels-Kanishk Yankarra, Odessa High, 8-4; Akshathn Mukkera-Mallik, Odessa High def. Andrew Salgado-Gamboa, Hobbs, 8-3.
Girls doubles: Kayzsa Cos-Hannah Wilson, Odessa High def. Lyndy Armstrong-Natalie Vega, Hobbs, 8-0; Olivia Cabral-Alexis Lampton def. Dafina Perez-Clarissa Molina, Hobbs, 8-0; Jessica Fierro-Rhina Quinteros, Odessa High def. Vesta Chamblin-Lopez, Hobbs, 8-0.
Mixed doubles: Carlos Ruiz-Isabella Armendariz, Hobbs, def. Samuel Walters-Jazmine Ituarte, Odessa High, 9-7.
