Braden Amey wins state tennis title for West Boca Raton

It was an All-Boca affair in the Class 4A state tennis finals at Sanlando Park in Sanford.

West Boca vs. Boca Raton. Both schools had never had a boys FHSAA state singles champion, so something had to give.

Give it up for West Boca as junior first singles Braden Amey completed an unbeaten season with a state-finals victory (7-5, 6-3) over Boca Raton High’s Enzo Carvalho on April 30.

Amey, the top seed, became West Boca’s first boys state singles champion and did it against a longtime rival. Meanwhile, Carvalho made history, too, as the first Boca High state boys finalist.

“It’s pretty cool,’’ Amey said. “I expected it coming into the tournament. It was pretty cool (playing him). I know his game pretty well and used to play with him years back. I knew it would be a great match. He’s playing really well now.’’

Amey needed four wins at states to cop the FHSAA’s first prize. As a sophomore last season, Amey never got to the 4A state tournament, losing in the regionals. But Amey’s serve has gotten bigger and he ripped 120 mph missiles to Carvalho in the finals.

West Boca Raton tennis player Brayden Amey

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“I’ve been going for bigger serves and it’s improved a lot," Amey said. “I usually grind it out from the baseline but I’ve been trying to come to the net when I can. I’ve been trying to finish it off much quicker."

Amey and Carvalho have an interesting high-school history Last season, Amey triumphed in a regular season 8-game pro-set match that went to 9-8.

But as freshmen, it was Carvalho pulling off the victory in a massive comeback. Amey led 7-1, 40-15 and had double-match point. Carvalho rallied to win 9-7. This was sweet revenge, especially since their regular-season match this year was rained out.