Hamlet Nalbandyan
The La Canada High boys' tennis team could thank an individual for
their success this season.
Chances are if Scott Patterson wasn't in the Spartans' lineup, Will
Moravec's squad would not be playing in the CIF Southern Section Division
IV quarterfinals.
Patterson is La Canada's No. 1 singles player, and he's been
performing like a No. 1 in every way imaginable. The senior has been
dominating this season, especially in the playoffs.
Patterson has lost only one game in six sets so far in postseason
play. He will try to continue his stellar play today as the Spartans
visit Santa Barbara Dos Pueblos High for a quarterfinal match at 3:15
p.m.
"In high school tennis, success is going to be determined by depth or
a strong No. 1 player. Scott gives us that strong No. 1," Moravec said.
"For four years, he's always been there. There are a few guys that he
loses to and it's nice to get that quick start." Patterson's presence
was felt the most in La Canada's first-round match at South Hills May 16.
Against a previously unbeaten Huskies squad, Patterson went 6-1, 6-0,
6-0.
La Canada (14-5) won in games, 77-70, and if Patterson didn't dominate
like he did, the Spartans' season would be long gone.
In La Canada's second-round match Thursday, a 12-6 victory over Culver
City, Patterson cruised again, winning all three of his sets by 6-0
scores.
"I just go out and try to get as many points possible for the team,"
said the 18-year-old Patterson.
Patterson's play is just what La Canada needed. With No. 2 singles
player Han Kim struggling with a splint on his fractured left hand, the
Spartans have been forced to juggle their lineup.
With the exception of Patterson, who is a mainstay at No. 1 singles,
Moravec has been forced to spread his talent around in order to be
successful. Stacking up on doubles worked Thursday as La Canada won eight
of nine sets.
Patterson believes that kind of all-around play from the Spartans
gives them a good chance against Dos Pueblos, which advanced to the
quarterfinals with a 17-1 victory over Ridgecrest Burroughs High.
"We've got a good chance of moving on. Dos Pueblos is a strong school,
but if we play to our potential, we've got a chance. It will be a good
match," said Patterson.
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Winning is nothing new for Patterson. But competing in the Rio Hondo
League -- which has national-power San Marino High -- an individual
league title has been hard to come by, until this year.
With the 2000 campaign being Patterson's final in high school, Moravec
