A storybook season for Palmetto Christian's Bruner

Don Bruner couldn't have dreamed up a better spring for his junior season of high school tennis.

Most players would have been happy with any one of his major accomplishments. And they certainly were of major significance.

Winning the SCISA individual title was quite special for the Palmetto Christian Academy junior, just as it was to be named SCISA's player of the year. For a player from a Class A school to win such recognition is special within itself since SCISA's top level is Class AAA.

Then came a state championship — the third straight state title for the Bruner/ Palmetto Christian combination.

And now? The icing on the cake: The Post and Courier Lowcountry boys' tennis player of the year award for Bruner.

Meanwhile, Skip ReVille led Bishop England to a 13-3 record and a berth in the SCHSL Class AA/A state semifinals in his first year of coaching to earn the Lowcountry boys' coach of the year award.

Wade Spees
The Post and Courier

Palmetto Christian's Don Bruner did not lose a single match all season.

Junior John Karle, a former teammate of Bruner's at Palmetto Christian, and sophomore Randall Heffron represented Bishop England on the All-Lowcountry team, which was led by Bruner. Porter-Gaud's Richard Pearce and Berkeley's Dirk Bair are the only seniors on the all-star team. Pinewood Prep sophomore Josh Klingenberg rounded out the six-player first team.

"I'm pretty happy about all of the awards . . . the team thing and the individual ones too," Bruner said.

And what about going the entire season without losing a match? Yes, Don Bruner had quite a year.

"He's just a coach's delight," was the way Palmetto Christian coach Dewey Caulder sized up his star player.

"He has great court demeanor, and he's very much a team player."

Bruner never lost focus, even while playing on a team that included girls. "I don't think having girls on the team was even an issue for Don," Caulder said.

"He's a player I never have to worry about. He's always ready to play … he wants to play every match. He enjoys the comraderie of the team experience."

Caulder believes Bruner's success will have a significant impact on his program. "He's had success, and the award will encourage others to play for Palmetto Christian," the coach said about his third-year program that has produced six state championships in girls' and boys' tennis.

Bruner, 17, apparently has just hit his peak in tennis, although he has been playing since he was 8. "I've improved a lot in the last year. I've been practicing harder," the Isle of Palms resident said. "My forehand is the best part of my game, but my backhand and serve have improved the most in the last year."

Bruner (6-0, 155 pounds) has trained with many of the area's top pros, but doesn't use one particular coach after leaving the Players Club in the spring. He has trained with Charleston Southern coach Mike Baker, Family Circle Tennis Center pro Greg Harkins, I'On Club pro Joey Eskridge and others.

ALL-LOWCOUNTRY TENNIS TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Don Bruner, Palmetto Christian, Junior

John Karle, Bishop England, Junior

Randall Heffron, Bishop England, Sophomore

Josh Klingenberg, Pinewood Prep, Sophomore

Richard Pearce, Porter-Gaud, Senior

Dirk Bair, Berkeley, Senior

SECOND TEAM

Zac Dye, Berkeley, 7th grade

Adam Elliget, Pinewood Prep, 6th grade

Payne Hoy, Porter-Gaud, 7th grade

Austin Heinz, Palmetto Christian, 6th grade

Andrew Thebes, Bishop England, Sr.

Ladson Fishburne, Pinewood Prep, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Elliott Sperr, Porter-Gaud

Charlie Baker, Porter-Gaud

Conner Hoy, Porter-Gaud

Leigh Colyer, Bishop England

Walker Heffron, Bishop England

Scott Hughes, Pinewood Prep

Jacob Cumbie, Pinewood Prep

JT Elliott, Pinewood Prep

Zack Timmerman, Wando

Robert McManus, Wando

Jake Engle, Academic Magnet

Joey Holoubek, Summerville

Bryan Mayeux, Summerville

Joel Roberts, Summerville

Will Farmer, Berkeley

Brian Gottshalk, James Island

Justin Cook, Stratford

Reach James Beck at jdbeck@postandcourier.com