By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — John Adams wasn't sure what sport was the right one for him.

As a rising eighth-grader, Adams had played soccer and ran cross country and track, but the passion, the drive, the desire — something was missing.

Adams' older brother, Rob, who at the time played tennis for Handley, encouraged him to pick up a racquet and give it a try.

"He helped me work on my game," Adams said. "I played in eighth grade for the first time. I was on the JV team and it was a lot of fun."

Three years later Adams, The Northern Virginia Daily's Boys Tennis Player of the Year, is still having fun and trying to carry on some of the Handley traditions that his brother helped build.

The Handley boys tennis program has a long line of individual champions in its storied past, which also included a Group AA record seven state titles as a team. So with former state singles champ Alex Funkhouser's graduation, Adams knew he would have to shoulder the load.

Adams played at No. 1 singles and doubles on a young squad, which had no seniors and little experience.

"John had a really good season," Handley coach Jim Robertson said. "He was a consistent performer for us. He had some pretty big shoes to fill and I thought he did a great job."

Adams won the Northwestern District tournament individual singles title, going undefeated in the district. He and teammate Kyle Stickley also won the district individual doubles crown. Adams advanced to regionals in singles where he beat a couple of his rivals — Potomac Falls' Andrew Morris and Briar Woods' Stephen Law — on his way to the final.

Adams lost in the Region II singles final to Western Albemarle's Joey Manilla, and he and Stickley lost in the Region II doubles semifinals.

While Adams had a very successful season he still felt like there was something missing — a trip to the Group AA state tournament. This season was the first time in 10 years the Handley boys team wasn't represented in some way.

"That just gives me something to shoot for next year," Adams said. "I was the first person from Handley not to make it to states in 10 years individually. That was a bit disappointing. I didn't want to be the one to break that tradition."

While his serve has improved, Adams said he wants to make it a bigger weapon for him in the next year. He should have plenty of help. Adams works with Jim Scott at the Winchester Country Club, and Jon Prenelle and John Dokken at Stonebrook Racquet and Fitness Club in Winchester.

As a team, the Judges won the Northwestern District regular-season title for the eighth time in the last nine years. The young team advanced to the Region II tournament for the 12th straight year before falling in the quarterfinals to Monticello.

"We're only going to get better," Adams said. "Teams from the region like Western Albemarle and Briar Woods have a lot of seniors. I know they're going to be weaker so hopefully we can take advantage. Everyone wants to work on their game and we have a lot of underclassmen who are very committed."

Adams is also committed to improving his game, not only for himself, but also for the storied program.

"I know coach Robertson is not going to be happy if he's not going back to states again in someway," Adams said. "Handley tennis has always been like a dynasty. We've had some amazing players coming through here. There's just a great history here.

"Definitely my goal is to make it to states and keep that tradition alive again."

R Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com

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