Platte County senior Gavin Nichols helped the Pirates win their second consecutive Class 2 District 8 Championship with a 5-0 win over Grain Valley on May 8.
PLATTE CITY – In the first 12 years of having a boys’ tennis program, Platte County had never won a district championship and has now clinched back-to-back district titles.
Coming into the year off a Class 2 State Quarterfinal appearance, Platte County had high hopes despite losing two-thirds of its lineup from 2023. The team looked slightly different this spring, albeit having a strikingly similar season.
Platte County sat at a 15-3 record in the aftermath of winning the 2023 Class 2 District 8 Championship and one year later, its record is 14-3 following another title in the same district. The Pirates were supposed to take on Warrensburg (15-0) at home on May 12 needing the one victory to reach the Class 2 Final Four, but the rain delay pushed the matchup to May 13.
Senior Gavin Nichols and junior Jack Bralley have been crucial parts of the Platte County tennis program, being the only returners from last year’s lineup. Nichols has made a name for himself with a state singles appearance in each of his first seasons of his high school career and that was no different in his senior campaign.
Prior to the Pirates’ lucrative postseason run to the quarterfinals, the Class 2 District 8 Singles/Doubles Tournament concluded a week prior to team districts. Nichols captured his fourth consecutive singles title – having a chance to become a three-time state medalist – and Bralley is headed back to state in the doubles bracket alongside classmate Hayden Cook.
The success translated in team play when Platte County defeated Raytown (5-7-1) and Grain Valley (11-10-2) in a pair of postseason shutouts on May 6 and May 8 at home, which was the host site of districts. Since they were the top seed, the Pirates received a first-round bye before winning 6-0 and 5-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Having four players graduate last year, Platte County has relied on five different players to fill their void in a special way. Nichols stayed at No. 1 and Bralley moved up to No. 2 as Cook took on the No. 3 spot.
Seniors Aaron Vaughn and Daniel Bunge followed along with junior Paul Havemeier taking the final spot in singles play throughout the year. Senior Quinton Miller teamed up with Bunge in doubles play.
Nichols still has individual state ahead to add more to his prestigious resume. He will join the doubles team of Cook and Bralley in Springfield for Class 2 State at Cooper Tennis Complex from May 16 to 18.