SPORTS

Reasons ready to play for USJ this coming season

Michael Odom

University School of Jackson’s Cade Reasons is one of the top young tennis players in West Tennessee.

But during his freshman year of high school, Reasons was forced to sit on the sidelines after transferring from Jackson Christian to USJ and while sitting out a year after playing as an eighth-grader at Jackson Christian.

‘It was extremely hard to not play this year,” Reasons said. “But I loved watching the team play and being there to support them.

“The state semifinal against USN [University School of Nashville] with Graham Taylor bringing us back was a good one. I would have much rather been out there though helping my team.”

Reasons worked hard at staying in playing shape and staying fit.

“I thought it would be hard to stay in shape, but I practiced with the team, did off-court conditioning and helped the team warm up before every match,” Reasons said.

Reasons also played USTA tournaments about once a month to keep his competitive edge.

This week Reasons will be participating in three tournaments in the Roberts-Muse Cup.

He opened up the Roberts Cup, the men’s open tournament, on Monday night with a 6-0, 6-1 win to advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Reasons opens the 18-and-under tournament on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. with a semifinal match, and joins forces with his step-father/tennis coach Ted Measley for doubles on Thursday at 7 p.m.

“It is an awesome experience,” Reasons said. “I love to play in this tournament each year, even though I might have to play against my step-dad later. It is just a blessing to be out there.”

But once the spring semester at USJ starts in January, Reasons will be focused on helping lead the Bruins to a third-straight Division II-A title match, but also to the championship.

“I feel like if we can get our back players to progress, that we can win the state title,” Reasons said.

George Markos, The Jackson Sun’s 2014 Male Tennis Player of the Year, was USJ’s No. 1 single all year, but Reasons hopes to battle Markos for that spot next year.

“George is a good friend and our skill-level is close, so we battle back and forth,” Reasons said. “Next year there will be a competition for No. 1, but either way, I feel like we will have a solid 1 and 2.”

Michael Odom, 425-9754