Phil Anastasia: A few words with Kingsway's tennis ace

Kingsway senior tennis player Drew Laverty entered the season with 78 career victories.

Laverty and teammate Matt Carracino, a senior, are in position to become just the second and third players in Kingsway boys' tennis history to record 100 victories.

Question: What do you like best about tennis?

Answer: You can make mistakes and still come back. If you hit a bad shot, you just have to forget about it and move on.

Q: Is the mental part of the game as important as the physical?

A: It's more important. The best players, they break you down mentally more than physically. You have to try to stay strong.

Q: Are you a baseliner or do you like to charge the net?

A: I like to get to the net as much as possible. I play a lot of doubles outside of the school, and I love to play at the net. I like to be aggressive and try to win points that way.

Q: Who is your favorite professional tennis player?

A: Andy Roddick. He's got a huge serve and a huge forehand. I'm always pulling for him to beat [Roger] Federer. I like Federer, but he's like the Yankees of tennis. He's always winning. I love Roddick's style.

Q: What are your plans for next year?

A: I'm going to Rider. I want to try to play tennis up there and major in education.

Q: What are your hopes for the Kingsway team this season?

A: I think we can do OK. Cumberland is our big rival in Tri-County. If we continue to improve, we might be able to do some stuff in the Group 3 tournament, maybe make it to the finals and get to play Moorestown.

Three things about last week

1. The fastest individual start this spring belongs to Gloucester senior softball pitcher Taylor Chain: Two games, two no-hitters - including a perfect game Saturday against Woodstown -- with 21 strikeouts.

2. The fastest team start might have been made by the Clearview girls' lacrosse team: Three games, three victories, including a big 14-10 triumph Saturday over Gloucester County rival Washington Township.

3. Here's a tip of the hat to Shawnee senior baseball pitcher Anthony Montefusco, who struck out 16 in a two-hit victory over Cherry Hill West on Thursday.

Three things about this week:

1. No. 2 Shawnee at No. 6 Clearview in a big Olympic Patriot boys' lacrosse game, Thursday at 4 p.m.

2. St. Joseph's at Hammonton in an early-season softball showdown, also on Thursday at 4 p.m.

3. One of South Jersey's best rivalries takes the spotlight Saturday at 10 a.m. as Gloucester Catholic plays Bishop Eustace in a Grand Slam Classic baseball game at Cherokee.

Super Seven Power Rankings

1. Moorestown girls' lacrosse: Nine Tournament of Champions titles in a row count for something, even if the Quakers are rebuilding a bit.

2. Bishop Eustace baseball: The Crusaders will be tested early and often.

3. St. Augustine boys' lacrosse: The Hermits looked formidable in 10-2 victory over Eastern.

4. Moorestown boys' tennis: The defending Group 3 state champions have six of seven starters back.

5. Williamstown girls' softball: Senior Katie Trotter leads the way.

6. Gloucester Catholic baseball: The Rams get a shot at Bishop Eustace on Saturday.

7. Shawnee boys' lacrosse: A loss to Lawrenceville Prep doesn't hurt much.

Under consideration: Lenape girls' track, Timber Creek boys' track, Moorestown boys' lacrosse, Millville baseball, Lenape golf.