Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, Stone’s Lane Breland
For the first time this school year, we’re headed to the tennis courts to showcase a talented high school student athlete.
He’s been to the state championship three times now and is determined to end his season as a Tomcat on top. Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, Lane Breland.
During the summer before his 7th grade year, Stone High’s Lane Breland picked up a tennis racquet for the first time. Two short years later, he quickly knew that the courts are where he belonged. “Probably Freshman year. My other senior partner and I came up on varsity that year. It was a struggle, but it was enough where we really enjoyed it and made it to the State Championship and just fell short. We knew we were going to get it at some point so we kept playing.”
Not only did they keep playing, but they kept making it to the state championship. Even though they haven’t won it all yet, Breland said the most valuable lesson the sport has taught him is perseverance. “Never giving up because Tuesday we were losing pretty badly in the second set, but it’s never going to be over until the last point, so just playing out and staying focused you have more of a chance of coming back.”
Breland also said he enjoys competing in doubles because of its high intensity and increase in morale. “You have a little more competition knowing you have somebody else to rely on back there behind you and with you. Also, it helps keep the mojo in a sense keeping you pumped up which allows you to play better.”
Because of the team’s closeness and chemistry, Breland thinks the Tomcats will go far and finally hold up that championship banner. “Hopefully with this team we’ll have a strong enough team that can beat whoever we need to. I think we have a lot of younger players that have the drive to do it also.”
Breland is sad to leave this Tomcat team after this year, but he’s hopeful for the next one. After graduation, Breland will be continuing his tennis career at the next level with Co-Lin Community College.
“It’s a team atmosphere up there. I went on a school visit and all of their players were nice. I fit in with them and it felt like this, what we have here in Stone County as a tennis team. It felt basically the same, just at the next level with better tennis being played up there.”
