By Rand Fisher, Staff Writer
When Brad Fisher accepted the athletic director job at Reynolds High School this year, he had to relinquish his duties as varsity tennis coach. He did not have to look far to find a replacement to lead the three-time defending NCHSAA 4-A champions.
“I was shocked at first, then I was honored and then it was a no-brainer,” said A.J. Highsmith of being offered the job. “The expectations are to win a state championship. Hands down, the expectation left behind is to win.”
Highsmith, who starred on the basketball court at Reynolds before returning to teach, also guided the women’s tennis team in the fall. Highsmith said there are two different coaching styles involved: “With girls you’re coaching emotion and with guys you’re coaching ego,” Highsmith said.
Of course, there’s plenty to boast about for the men’s team. The Demons have won three straight state championships and hope to add one more this year. The top six in singles are led by junior Jack Riazzi and senior Paul Yamane, along with juniors Nick McDaniel and John Kretzschmar, sophomore Nate Rowell, and senior Jimmy O’Brien. Adding depth to the varsity lineup are seniors Thomas Edmundson, Leroy Anderson and Chris Healy and sophomores Carter Lievens and Seth Morton.
Since the Demons have won three straight state championships, there is a big target on their backs.
“We enjoy having that target,” Highsmith said. “We earned that target and are capable of winning. It’s my job as a coach to help them realize that and to prepare the same for every game.”
The Demons traveled to Wilmington during the first weekend of March to play in the Port City Invitational and were derailed by East Chapel Hill and Laney. Those were the only two losses Reynolds suffered before starting play in the Central Piedmont Conference: “As a coach, I’m glad it happened,” Highsmith said. “We faced adversity and we grew up.”
In conference play, the Demons expect to be challenged by West Forsyth, Reagan and Davie County, which all have good players at No. 1. Regionally, Page and Grimsley pose threats in the West, while state-wide foes such as Wakefield, Middlebrook and Broughton have solid tennis programs in the East and could challenge the Demons this May.