LAGRANGE — A year ago Buford tennis was preparing to head to a much-anticipated tournament when their world came to a screeching halt. The COVID-19 pandemic forced school, travel and sports to be canceled at this time in 2020.

Both Buford tennis teams would get their chance to participate at the Granger Invitational held in LaGrange this Friday and Saturday after not getting to go last year.

“The Buford tennis teams were preparing to travel to LaGrange to play in the 2020 Granger Invitational when the travel ban was put in place that shut everything down,” Sean Gilbert, Buford tennis head coach said. “Today everything came full circle with the completion of the 2021 tournament… and somewhat a sense of normalcy.”

The Buford boys tennis team would win the Granger Invitational – Division II Championship on Saturday after they defeated St. Pius 3-2.  James Troutt would get the win in the No. 2 singles spot over St. Pius’ Reid Bissell with set scores of 6-3, 6-3. Both Buford doubles teams would claim victory. Leyton Grothe, Nic Keller, Brent Sherman and Grayson Gilbert make up Buford’s doubles teams.

To get to the championship match with St. Pius, the Wolves defeated Roswell and LaGrange. The boys’ overall season record is now 8-4.

The Buford girls tennis team would take third place in the Granger Invitational. The Lady Wolves defeated Rome on Friday but fell to Roswell in their second game.  The girls had to battle St. Pius for the third-place spot and they were victorious with a score of 4-1.

Buford’s singles players of Taylor Aycock and Berkley Clark would win their matches against St. Pius.  The doubles teams consisting of Kennedy Deloach, Kylie McCammon, Taylor Ryczek and Sophie Brewer won their matches as well.

Buford’s overall season record is now 8-4.

Both Buford tennis teams will play Chamblee on Monday