Gwinn's John Deatrick, waits for a serve during one of his high school boys tennis matches against Ishpeming at the Modeltowners' courts in Gwinn on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy Dan Turecky)

GWINN — With good weather on Tuesday, playing boys tennis was twice as nice for Gwinn and Ishpeming high schools.

The Modeltowners hosted the Hematites in a tennis doubleheader with Ishpeming emerging with a 7-1 victory in each.

Ishpeming won every match in two sets with a pair of exceptions — Gwinn No. 1 singles player John Deatrick won both his matches, while the Hematites’ No. 3 singles player Luke Laitinen went three sets in the second match before prevailing over the Modeltowners’ Matt Jenkins, 6-7, 6-2, 10-7, the third set a “pro” style tiebreaker.

Since Ishpeming coach Kaitlin Rich had a full team to play with, she moved around some of her players at the various flights between the meets.

But Gwinn coach Dan Turecky, who didn’t have enough players to field duos at Nos. 3 and 4 doubles, had to stick with the same lineup each match.

“John Deatrick was the shining star for Gwinn … in the doubleheader meet,” Turecky said. “(He) just played better and better as both matches progressed.”

He won 6-4, 6-3 in the opening match and 6-3, 6-2 in the second, both against the Hematites’ Ryan Maki.

“Ishpeming’s No. 3 singles players won hard-fought and close matches against Gwinn’s Matt Jenkins in tiebreakers.”

IHS’ Mason Bancroft took the first match against Jenkins 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).

Among the double winners in contested matches for the Hematites were Luke Laitinen and Mason Bancroft, who switched between Nos. 2 and 3 singles, and Logan Hurkmans and Ben Rubick, who remained partnered together while playing at No. 1 doubles one meet and No. 2 in the other.

Both teams are scheduled to be back in action on the road Tuesday, with Ishpeming at Westwood at 3:30 p.m. and the Modeltowners at Iron Mountain.

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Negaunee 8, West Iron County 0

On Tuesday at Iron River, the Miners lost just a dozen games over the eight matches to improve to 9-1 this season.

Despite the dominance, only one Negaunee player posted the “perfect” 6-0, 6-0 shutout — No. 4 singles player Mick Kumpula.

Losing one game each were No. 1 singles player Luke Syrjala, the No. 3 doubles tandem of Gavin Jacobson and Zack Brundage and the No. 4 doubles duo of Carter Piziali and Brandon Borlace.

Miners head coach Kyle Saari also mentioned No. 2 singles player Gavin Saunders and the No. 2 doubles pair of Bryce Storms and Gavin Downey for plaudits.

“We set a goal for each set and how we wanted to play to achieve it, and we did so throughout,” Saari said. “Luke and Gavin at the top of our singles lineup applied a lot of pressure and used their pace well.

“Bryce (Storms) and Gavin Downey were able to finish a lot of points at the net, too. When you’re able to do that, confidence rises a lot quicker.”

The Miners will host its own Negaunee Invitational at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The eight teams listed as participating are NHS, Marquette, Westwood, WIC, Kingsford, Escanaba, Gladstone and Menominee.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.