- April 17, 2026
Seabreeze’s JJ Martin and Hunter Shuler came close to qualifying for the Class 3A state boys tennis championships last year. This year they did it.
Martin won the District 6-3A championship at No. 1 singles and then teamed with Shuler to win the title at No. 1 doubles on Thursday, April 16, at Red Bug Lake Park in Casselberry.
They also helped the Sandcrabs win the district team championship, gaining 20 out of a possible 21 points. They advanced to all seven district finals and won six of them.
Seabreeze will host Gainesville High in the Region 3-3A semifinals at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s tennis courts. The winner will play in the regional final on April 23 for a spot in the state team tournament.
Martin and Shuler will compete at the Class 3A state championships April 29-May 1 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs in the individual bracket with all of the other district champs at No. 1 singles and doubles. They felt short last year, losing in both finals at district.
“They’re very happy to get over this hump and play with the very elite players in the state,” coach Tom Kelly said.
Martin played the district tournament with a jammed thumb, Kelly said. He rebounded from a set down in the singles final to win 2-6, 7-5 and 10-6 in the tiebreak.
“He lost the first set but figured things out and came back to win,” Kelly said.
Martin and Hunter breezed to a 6-2, 6-2 victory in the No. 1 doubles final.
Kelly said he challenged the pair last season to improve their doubles game.
“I told both of them they can be a lot better in doubles, and I think they didn’t expect me to tell them that. These are two great athletes, and they have improved. JJ is attacking the net, which he should be doing. And Hunter is attacking the net and got a lot better. They deserve to play in the state championships.”
Seabreze’s other district titles were won by Shuler at No. 2 singles, Tej Patel at No. 3 singles, Ben Upchurch at No. 5 singles and Patel and Jordan Anthony at No. 2 doubles. They all won in straight sets. Anthony advanced to the No. 4 singles final, falling in the third-set tiebreak, 10-8.
In the girls district tournament, Seabreeze’s Leena Harmon advanced to the No. 1 singles final, falling in the third-set tiebreak 10-8. Harmon and Maci Lekan also advanced to finals in No. 1 singles, losing 6-1, 6-1.
