Tony Russell: Player of the Year

By Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel correspondent 9:08 a.m. EDT, June 4, 2012

Tony Russell
Saint Andrew’s senior

Position: No. 1 singles

Record: 17-2 in singles; 13-3 in doubles

Season highlights: Won the Class 1A individual state singles championship by defeating Jeffrey Mackenzie 6-4, 7-6 (1) of Ransom Everglades.

Comment: Russell was a Sun Sentinel first-team selection last year. The Scots team captain helped Saint Andrew’s win its second state title in school history and first since 1990. “Tony was the difference between us winning the state championship or not winning the state championship,” said Saint Andrew’s coach Scott Williams. “He is the best team player I have seen at Saint Andrew’s in my 10 years here and the best player.”

“Winning a state championship as an individual and as a team player was unbelievable. I started in the sixth grade and that was my goal. This was my last year to do it, so for me to do it in my last year, I couldn’t ask for a better way to end varsity tennis for me. Winning an individual was more gratifying because I knew that I did my part to help the team win. Hopefully, it is not another 22 years and they can do it sooner than that. This was a team. We are friends and we go out to dinner together and won a championship together.”
– Tony Russell