By Steve Bigham

I

t certainly doesn’t take a Harvard grad to see that this year’s boys’ tennis team has league championship potential. But first-year coach Martin Margulies is, in fact, a graduate of the Harvard Law School and he knows quite well what kind of squad he’s inherited.

Just about every key player from last year’s 12-2 team is back and Margulies, the team’s fourth coach in four years, has high expectations. In 2000, Newtown finished third at the South-West Conference tournament and second during the regular season.

“This is a very talented bunch. Even the ones who will not be in the starting lineups would be capable of playing for most other high schools, that’s how much depth we have,” Margulies said. “They’re also a very bright group of kids and very individualistic which tennis players tend to be. That has its ups and downs when it comes to coaching. They are very intelligent, so they understand what I’m telling them, but they also have minds of their own so sometimes they’re resistant.”

It all starts with senior Zack Miller, who returns to the number one spot after losing only once a year ago. Miller has only lost about a half dozen matches during his fine high school career.

“He’s excellent. Zack is consistent and a powerful hitter. He has excellent top spin,” Margulies said.

Miller will captain the team along with Peter Stephenson and Matt Beres, two players with plenty of talent and experience.

Stephenson, who was a standout at third singles a year ago, is looking to play doubles this year, which is fine with his coach, particularly since his height makes him a standout net player. Beres appears to have locked up the fourth singles spot after playing doubles a year ago. Beres uses a tricky topspin that opponents may find hard to handle.

Sophomore John Perachio returns to the number two position after winning the league title there as a freshman when he went 17-0.

“He’s very consistent. He hits hard and is a smart player. John is so well rounded,” Margulies said.

Newtown’s number three singles player is sophomore Sean O’Mahoney a powerful hitter, who put up impressive numbers in singles a year ago.

Newtown’s first double steam looks to be strong as Stepehenson and freshman Matt McFadden unite.

“Matt is simply one of the most talented athletes I’ve ever seen. He’s well taught and has the intensity of a pro,” Margulies said.

The second doubles team of freshman Jason Garbarino and sophomore Steve Danyew looks strong, while seniors Mike Burns, Aaron Johnson and Ben Nash, along with freshman Mark Stephenson, will all vie for the third doubles spots.

Other talented players on the team are freshmen Matt Lask, Patrick Dinicola and Tom Hunt.

The new coach has lived in town with his wife, Beth, since 1983. They have two children, 13 and 10. He is a full-time law professor at Quinnipiac Law School. Margulies also serves as a civil rights lawyer doing mostly pro-bono work for the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union where he specializes in free speech under the federal and state constitutions.

While never having played competitively, Margulies said he loves the game and feels he can be a positive force for the kids, helping them learn the physical and mental aspects of the game.

“This game requires you to be in absolute control over your body, feet and eyes, and any display of temper undermines that control,” he said.

SCHEDULE

 

Thursday, April 5 – at Staples, 3:45 pm; Monday, April 9 – at Bunnell, 3:45 pm; Tuesday, April 10 – versus Notre Dame, 3:45 pm; Wednesday, April 11 – versus New Fairfield, 3:45 pm; Wednesday, April 18 – at Weston, 3:45 pm; Friday, April 20 – at Strayford, 3:45 pm; Monday, April 23 – versus Bethel, 3:45 pm; Wednesday, April 25 – at Jonathan Law, 3:45 pm; Friday, April 27 – versus Masuk, 3:45 pm; Monday, April 30 – at Immaculate, 3:45 pm.

Wednesday, May 2 – versus New Milford, 3:45 pm; Friday, May 4 – versus Pomperaug, 3:45 pm; Wednesday, May 9 – versus Brookfield, 3:45 pm; Monday, May 14 – versus Joel Barlow, 3:45 pm; Wednesday, May 16 – at Foran, 3:45 pm.

Monday and Tuesday, May 21 and 22 – SWC Tournament at Bethel.