Crazy Cats
In what come as a huge surprise to area tennis fans, the only top seed in any state sectional bracket is Whippany Park, which received the top nod in North 2, Group I, where only three teams qualified. The Wildcats, who have never won a sectional title, received a bye into the May 24 final and will likely play No. 2 Bernards, a team they have already beaten twice this season.
“Both of those matches were very tight so we’re not taking anything for granted,” said Whippany Park coach John Brennan. “We realize that there are only three teams in our section but the kids have never been in a sectional final before and they are excited.. It’s a great opportunity for them.”
The Wildcats, who own a 10-9 record in the Colonial Hills Conference, have been led by the play of its first doubles team of Rich Kao and Jerry Chiu, which has lost only once (to Pingry) in 14 outings this spring. Senior Kevin Fan and sophomore Carlo Pardo have also been solid at the top two singles positions.
With the long break before the sectional final, the Wildcats will play a makeup match against Verona and may also schedule sister school Hanover Park. A sectional title would also mean a first-ever trip to Mercer County Park to compete in the all-group championships.
“We’re understand that nothing here is a given and that we’re going to have to work very hard over the next week,” Brennan said. | 
