Hinkle wins tennis tourney in Asheville

The boys draw consisted of 48 competitors divided into six flights of eight players. Each flight was then subdivided into two pools, A and B, with four boys in each pool set to play in round-robin format.

Hinkle was the winner of Flight 1 Pool A, defeating Hank Walker (North Buncombe) 8-5, Kelson Rymer (Erwin) 8-4, and Garrett Swaney (Roberson) 8-4.

With rain threatening to interrupt play, Hinkle was pitted against the winner of Flight 1 Pool B, Blake Bradley of Owen. Both had a similar style of play and the score was close most of the match before Hinkle pulled out a 10-5 win.

Hinkle said playing three matches back-to-back on Saturday was taxing but he enjoyed making new acquaintances and is looking forward to competing in the tournament again next year.