By Richard Smith
By Richard Smith
West Valley Preps
At Carlos Hassey’s level of tennis, divisions do not matter. There are one or two players that can challenge him whether it was Division II the last two years or Division I this season.
The star from the otherwise unknown Shadow Ridge program had no issues at the state tournament in April with the jump to the big school division. He blitzed through the first four rounds, dropping only three games total.
And waiting for him in the April 29 final was the one player that could beat him — Cameron Krimbill. The Scottsdale Desert Mountain senior, who Hassey said he has played regularly since age 12, proved it by taking the first set 6-4.
Shadow Ridge's Carlos Hassey reacts after winning a point during a Division 1 singles final match April 29 at Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale. (Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps)
“The first set was rough for me. He was playing well and I was playing defensive,” Hassey said. “In the second and third sets I was more aggressive and coming to the net more.”
That translated to 6-2, 6-2 wins in the final two sets and a second state title.
Hassey won Division II as a sophomore by knocking off two higher seeded Tucson players, Yash Parikh and Mike Lee. A year later, Parikh knocked off Hassey in the finals and provided him with motivation for his senior year.
“It humbled me to focus on learning and playing better in my senior year,” Hassey said.
Coach Scott Bergeron said most people did not know that Carlos played in the state tournament last year with a broken foot.
“From day one this year we made a pact to make this year count and to go out as champions. Carlos sure did that and I am so proud of him,” Coach Bergeron said. “Having a state champion is great for any program. This is the ultimate goal for any dedicated athlete. It definitely put tennis on the map for the West Valley. “
While it is a new experience for Shadow Ridge, Hassey’s success hardly came as a surprise. He is the son of Carlos Hassey Sr., tennis pro and director at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park — as well as the former coach of Tracey Austin.
Older sister Mariely also won a state title as a sophomore at Centennial. She just finished her senior season playing for Liberty University in Virginia.
The younger Carlos was considered one of the top 100 high school seniors in the country this year. He will continue the family tradition by playing for the University of Arizona next year.
“To end the four years with two state titles, it gives you more confidence and that’s something I can take to U of A,” Hassey said.
He said he enjoyed putting tennis from his school and district on the map instead of going to one of the schools’ with more of a pedigree in the sports on the other side of the Valley.
“You come along great athletes as a coach, but when you come along one like Carlos who is so determined, but not arrogant it is so heartwarming.,” Coach Bergeron said. “I would say the biggest thing that stands out for Carlos is his character. He never treats anyone beneath him and is always the first one to congratulate someone who made a great shot.”
