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Something special

JASON ELLIOTT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 12 years, 9 months AGO
by JASON ELLIOTT
Jason Elliott has worked at The Press for 14 years and covers both high school and North Idaho College athletics. Before that, he spent eight years covering sports at the Shoshone News-Press in Wallace, where he grew up. | April 24, 2012 9:15 PM

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<p>SHAWN GUST/Press Matt Finney connects his backhand with the ball.</p>

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<p>SHAWN GUST/Press Luke Ness returns the ball during a recent practice.</p>

COEUR d'ALENE - When Lake City High boys tennis coach Tim Scott first saw 6-foot-7 Luke Ness walking toward the tennis courts at the school last spring, he hoped that something special was on its way for the Timberwolves program.

"I saw this tall, lanky kid walking across the grass with bright tennis shoes and I hoped he was coming to play," Scott said. "I said, 'You comin' to play?' and he said 'Yeah.' I asked him what his name was and found out he was going to the school. Once I started to watch him hit - I knew he had a big game."

Add Matt Finney, a four-year veteran of the Lake City program, and the Lake City duo could have some golden aspirations at the state 5A tournament May 18-19 at Julia Davis Park in Boise.

Ness transferred to Lake City from Billings West High in Montana before his junior year, when his father was transferred here for work reasons. He plays No. 1 singles for the Timberwolves.

"He brought a spark to the team," Scott said. "There's a real confidence to the team that wasn't there before. Luke brings an attitude to the team that's necessary to bring the confidence of the other kids up. He's been a real example out there on the court."

Finney, a four-year player at the varsity level, plays at No. 2 singles.

"Matt has always been a willing learner," Scott said. "When I met him in eighth grade and talked him into coming out for the team and he said he would if I was the coach all four years. He's been an easy kid to coach and always willing to learn. Matt's just a real joy to have on the court and a fierce competitor."

Finney didn't begin playing until his older sister, Sarah, got him into the sport.

"She started as a freshman and I was a couple years younger," Finney said. "She enjoyed it and got me into playing. I had fun and started to pick it up right away."

Ness also started at forward on Lake City's boys basketball team this past winter. He was on the junior varsity as a junior.

"I've always thought basketball players make good tennis players - just like tennis players make good basketball players," Scott said. "There's lots of crossover steps, drop stepping and going from cross stepping to short sprints. I think it's a great crossover sport."

Both Ness and Finney won championships in their respective brackets in the inaugural Lake City Invitational April 13-14.

"When it comes to establishing your lineup, it's a real confidence booster for a coach to know there's two guys I don't have to worry about. Both of them work over the summer taking lessons and playing in tournaments working on their games."

Ness started his high school career playing doubles in Montana, placing fourth as a freshman and fifth as a sophomore.

In his first season in Idaho, Ness advanced to the 5A boys singles championship match, where he lost to Rafa Hewett-Steiger of Lewiston.

"It was awesome," Ness said. "I hadn't seen the competition in the Boise area yet. There were some great players and did my best to come out with second."

Both advanced after it was discovered that their opponents from the Boise area had played in a sanctioned club tournament, which put them over the 16 maximum matches by the state.

Hewett-Steiger won in straight sets for the state championship.

The two played for the first time this season last Saturday in Coeur d'Alene with Hewett-Steiger beating Ness 6-7 (15-13), 7-5, 6-2.

Ness and Finney are also entertaining the idea of joining forces and trying to qualify for state as a doubles team. Should they do that, neither could compete in singles.

"If we play our best, I think we probably could get into the championship," Ness said. "If we have a good match there - we could take state."

Finney is optimistic that this year will end with a state championship, whether in singles or doubles.

"I'm just hoping to play the best I can and see how far I can make it," Finney said.

Even if that's facing his Lake City teammate for a championship.

"It would be fun," said Finney of playing Ness. "I don't know how it would go - but it would be a lot of fun to watch."

Finney is leaning toward playing at the University of Idaho next year, while Ness will try to improve his game at the Gorin Tennis Academy in Granite Bay, Calif., near Sacramento, then try to land at a four-year school on the West Coast.

"I had a few colleges contact me earlier in the year," Ness said. "But there wasn't any offers that I really liked. I think by going to the tennis academy, I can improve my game and continue to get better."

"I'm going to miss them," Scott said of Ness and Finney. "Matt's been with me for four years. He's really close to me, both as a player and a friend. I really admire the tenacity that Luke has brought to the team. It's an element that had really been missing - and I'll miss them both dearly."

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