April 19, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ - The Arthur L Johnson High School boys’ tennis team officially clinched a spot in their eighth straight NJSIAA state team tournament with a 5-0 victory over Union Catholic on Thursday afternoon. The victory improves Johnson’s overall record to 6-2, which assures that they will have a .500 or better record on the first of May, the state cut-off date. 

The key to Johnson’s streak of consecutive state tournament appearances has been strong April’s. Since 2003, Johnson is 34-13 in the month of April. The state tennis pairings will be announced by the NJSIAA on Tuesday, May 8 and the Crusaders first round game would take place either Thursday, May 10 or Tuesday, May 15.

Since the current streak began in 2000, Johnson has been eliminated by the eventual champion in four of the seven previous seasons. Johnson won a state playoff game in 2003, 3-2 over Madison, and has hosted a playoff game twice. Last season, Johnson received the number six seed and was ousted by the eventual Central, Group II champion, Rumson Fair Haven, in the quarterfinals for the second straight season.

Johnson will host Linden on Monday afternoon at the Johnson Tennis Courts and travel to New Providence on Tuesday in regular season action, before heading into the Union County Tournament April 26 and 27 at the Donald Van Blake Tennis Courts in Plainfield. 

RESULTS

Apr 19, 2007 at Scotch Plains, NJ

Arthur L Johnson 5, Union Catholic 0

 Singles competition

1. Chris Tylutki (ALJ) def. Tim Deegan (UC) 6-3, 6-2

2. Mike Keenan (ALJ) def. Kevin Cassidy (UC) 6-3, 6-3

3. Luke Ginocchio (ALJ) def. Trevor McPherson (UC) 6-2, 6-2

 Doubles competition

1. Eric Ginocchio/Brian Lutz (ALJ) def. Matt Flynn/Dereck Borge (UC) 6-4, 6-2

2. James Villari/Joe Broccoli (ALJ) def. Spencer Davis/Matt O'Donnell (UC) 6-3, 6-2

Arthur L Johnson 6-2, 3-0, Union Catholic 1-2

JOHNSON STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
(since current streak began in 2000)
NORTH II, GROUP II

2000: L at West Essex 5-0
2001: L vs. Chatham 4-1
2002: L at Chatham 4-1
2003: W vs. Madison 3-2
          L at Summit 3-0
CENTRAL, GROUP II

2004: L at Shore Regional 4-1
2005: L at Rumson Fair Haven 4-1 

2006: L at Rumson Fair Haven 5-0