You know what I’ve been thinking? Despite Lynnfield’s boys tennis team falling to top-ranked Manchester-Essex, 3-2, in Sunday’s Division 4 state championship match, the Pioneers’ top player capped off a stellar career.
Shea McCarthy, who’s Methodist University-bound to continue his career, secured one of Lynnfield’s points with a first-singles victory against Jack Cummins (6-0, 6-0).
Accuracy. Emotion. A sense of calmness on the biggest stage – McCarthy played like the captain Coach Joe Dunn wanted.
“Shea’s unbelievable. He always picks up the team,” Dunn said. “Always top dog.”
McCarthy said the key to victory was “moving him (Cummins) around.” The two squared off in the regular season as well, with McCarthy prevailing.
“He was playing pretty well, but today, I took it away,” said McCarthy, Cape Ann League MVP in the Kinney Division.
A four-time Cape Ann League All-Star, the standout has also won Coaches’ and Rookie of the Year awards with the Pioneers.
“I enjoy my teammates and I enjoy playing the game,” McCarthy said. “It was bittersweet. It’s kind of sad leaving high school tennis, but I’m looking forward to playing in college, too.”
McCarthy, an honor roll student, plans to major in professional tennis management.
Shea, good week. Scratch that – career.
