The Rebels hudle up before last years state championship.
By Tom Higgins
As you walk into the Veteran’s Memorial Gymnasium, tucked away in the right hand corner is a banner that shows the most dominant sports team in the state of Rhode Island over the last decade.
This is not the basketball team, which has not won a division championship since 1994, it’s not the soccer team, which has not won a state championship since 1992, and it’s not even the baseball team, which last won a state title in 2002.
It’s the tennis team which has won the state championship 11 years in row.
The team’s dynasty started 11 years ago in 1999, when middle school physical education teacher Mr. Carr took the team to its first undefeated season. Since then, the team has never looked back.
The Rebels who have had a few close calls over the years had none closer than last year against Hendricken when they won by one point with Eric Troob and Ben Sevey coming through in the clutch for the Rebels.
“Last year was as hard and difficult as any year has been,” said the Rebels coach Mr. Carr who has been the Rebels coach for all of the 11 state championships.
The Rebels domination over the past few years, Carr says, can’t be attributed to just a few players.
“I always tell our guys that every point matters,” Carr said.
As the Rebels continue to make a historic run towards their twelfth state championships and try to catch some of the great state records such as 20 straight titles in hockey for Mt. St. Charles and 24 in swimming for Hendricken.
The Rebels start this year with a bunch of returning starters, but it will be hard to fill the void of three time state champion Kyle Burke.
“Obviously you’re going to miss Kyle,” Coach Carr said. “He was almost an automatic point against the top teams which was good to have.”
The Rebels new number one will likely be Senior Cliff DeMesquita, who played second singles last year for the Rebels and will have to step up and fill the void left by Kyle Burke.
“I practiced with him last year and played a lot over the summer so I think I’m ready,” DeMesquita said.
The Rebels have multiple spots up for grabs all over the board including the number two single spot which could go to a few people according to Carr.
“It could be multiple people,” said Coach Carr. “Mike Mulroy, Tim Puterio and Andrew Shumate have chances to play on singles.”
The usual suspects are standing in the way for the Rebels quest for a twelfth state championship. Barrington, Hendricken and Wheeler are all hoping to knock if the Rebels.
“Hendricken is always good,” DeMesquita said. “Barrington and Wheeler look like they are going to be good again.”
The Rebels goal is clear this year win another state championship.
“That’s always the goal,” Carr said.