FRIENDS' CENTRAL SCHOOL 2024 FRIENDS SCHOOL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
By John Knebels
PHILADELPHIA – More than two months later, Friends’ Central boys’ tennis coach Tony Patarino still thoroughly enjoys reminiscing about the genesis and execution of an historic season.
Looking back at the Phoenix’s 3-2 victory over six-time defending champ Germantown Friends in the Friends Schools League final May 11 at Germantown Friends School the championship gauntlet was forged even before the first practice back in early March.
“We had four captains this year,” said fifth-year mentor Patarino. “They came to the coaching staff the first day of practice and said, ‘We're going to do whatever it takes to win an FSL championship and bring it home to Friends' Central.’ And they backed up their words with their actions. This team practiced and played harder than any other team I have ever had.”
The formula for seizing the school’s 23rd title since 1982 could not have been more obvious. But Germantown Friends had not lost an FSL match in two years heading into the season, so defeating the Tigers posed as a daunting challenge.
In a regular-season meeting on April 25, GFS upended the visiting Phoenix, 3-2. Those who witnessed the contest might have noticed that despite losing, Friends’ Central emerged emotionally balanced, steadfast, and confident.
“There really wasn't a sense of urgency after that match,” said Patarino. “More of a sense of determination. Since the preseason, we kept saying every single regular season match is just practice. It's practice for the FSL playoffs. So after we lost that regular-season match, the guys showed up to practice the very next day more determined. They knew they had what it was going to take to get the job done when it really counted.
FCS First Doubles Championship Clinching Match of Wes Bozman and Charlie Freedman 6-3, 6-4 - Video Courtesy of Ezra Raphael
FCS sophomore, Kalyan Satti, went undefeated on the season for the Phoenix in third singles - PSD Photo by Chelby Elam
“It was a very young team. We only graduated one senior, but this team was so mature in how they handled every situation. Our coaching staff couldn't have asked for a better group of players, or more supportive parents.”
In the championship, the Phoenix needed to flip-flop at least one of the GFS matches. That’s precisely what occurred in second singles.
After losing in three sets back in April, junior Ezra Raphael notched an absolute clutch 6-2, 6-0 domination. Combined with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 win in third singles by undefeated sophomore Kalyan Satti, and a 6-3, 6-4 victory in first doubles by senior Wes Bozman and freshman Charlie Freedman, the Phoenix cemented the program’s first league title since 2015, which at that time celebrated FC’s seventh straight championship.
“In the (regular-season) match, I went into it with the wrong game plan by trying to out-muscle him with ground strokes,” said Raphael. “My coaches and I worked on consistency and a game plan to get the shots I wanted. Going into the (championship) match, I stayed focused and stuck to that game plan.
FCS Second Singles, Ezra Raphael, 6-2, 6-0 match score during FSL Championship. - Photo Courtesy of Friends' Central Athletics
“For Wes, this was his last year to win the title. I felt I had to give my all to win for my teammates, but especially Wes, knowing how hard he worked this season and the sacrifices he made just so we could be in that final.”
Regardless of Germantown Friends’ league domination, Patarino tried his best to limit any anxiety.
“Interestingly enough, we didn't really think about trying to dethrone GFS,” said Patarino. “We just concentrated on ourselves. We wanted to be on our own journey. We wanted the team to get a little better every day. With each and every player, starter and non-starter, we just wanted our guys to improve technically and tactically. To compete harder, to manage their emotions, and to approach each match with integrity. It is the Friends League, after all.
“But most importantly, we wanted the guys to support each other, cheer for each other, and care for each other. We knew if we could have our squad do those things, we would win a championship, regardless of who won it in the past. And that's exactly what happened. This team deserved it . . . they earned it . . . they were special.”
FCS first singles player, junior, Luke Cilli - Photo courtesy of Friends' Central Athletics
Bozman will not be playing collegiate tennis at the University of Southern California, where he will major in music. Instead, he will enjoy participating in pressure-less club tennis.
As for his favorite high school memory, that’s pretty obvious.
“Winning the championship,” said Bozman, who clinched the league title while on serve. “When I joined as a freshman, we consistently placed in the semifinals and finals of the championship but never won, so it was really satisfying when we brought it home. It was a very special way to leave as a senior.
“And as for losing in the regular season, I think it helped us prepare and be ready for what to expect from our opponents. I definitely think that it helped us take them down in the final.”
A reminder of that accomplishment will forever stand tall in the school’s trophy case. A long time coming, but for this year’s crew, well worth the wait.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.)