Becker’s opponent, Peru’s Collin Powers, had put the undefeated Blue Bomber senior on the ropes in a match that went on for nearly 90 minutes. Becker ultimately won the match 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). The rest of the Blue Bombers did not have as much success that day. The Nighthawks won the other four matches as Lake Placid boys tennis fell to 4-6 to cap off its regular season.

When the tiebreaker was deadlocked at 5-5, Becker took a risk and ripped a forehand down the line. The ball’s high speed and close placement to the line gave him little margin. Had the shot missed, Becker would have been down set point. His ball ultimately bounced in — inches from the line — and sailed through to hit the back fence as a clean winner.

With Becker now up one in the tiebreaker, he had a match point and caught a break, as Powers’ first serve missed. His second serve came in at a slower pace. Unlike the previous point, Becker hit a slower and more cautious shot and kept the rally going.

It went on a bit longer before Becker ultimately drew the error when Powers’ shot failed to clear the net. Becker won, and in so doing, improved to a 10-0 individual record to keep his undefeated season alive going into sectionals.

Peru's Caleb Powers rips a forehand as Lake Placid's Parker Scanio approaches the net during the No. 2 singles match at the Lake Placid tennis courts on Tuesday. Powers won the match 6-0, 7-5. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Throughout the match, Powers’ flat serve left little room for error. But that didn’t matter, as his serving rhythm was dialed in and fast. Often, the serve was so quick that there was little else Becker could do but block it back with little to no racket wind-up.

Becker’s defensive game in returning serves proved to be decisive. Throughout the match, the longer the points went on, the more likely Becker was to win them. His agile footwork, reliable topspin and prudent shot placement allowed him to neutralize Powers’ power and work his way back into the rally.

At No. 2 singles, Caleb Powers — Collin’s brother — got off to a fast start, winning a bagel 6-0 first set over Lake Placid’s Parker Scanio. Despite the lopsided score, Lake Placid boys tennis coach Tyler Chase remained optimistic upon conclusion of the first set. That’s because Scanio had become the team’s “marathon man” this season, with most of his matches going the distance and being decided in three sets.

For a time, it looked like Scanio was going to make good on his moniker. His game improved vastly in the second set and Scanio was serving up 5-4 with the chance to take it to the decider. Caleb Powers took his performance to the next level then, reeling off three games in a row to clinch the win 6-0, 7-5.

In No. 1 doubles, the Nighthawks’ Issac Hathaway and Camden Sweeny bested Lake Placid’s Porter Dominessey and Ian Munson 6-2, 6-2. It was a similar score at No. 2 doubles where Peru’s Evan Brubach and Connor Perrotte dispatched the Blue Bombers’ Levi Barney and Liam Gotham 6-2, 6-0. At No. 3 doubles, Peru was victorious as the Nighthawks’ Cogan St. Denis and Spencer Davies defeated Lake Placid’s Hayden Damour and Samir Dimuccio 6-3, 6-1.

Lake Placid No. 2 doubles players Levi Barney, left, and Liam Gotham look on between points during a match against Peru's Evan Brubach and Connor Perrotte at the Lake Placid tennis courts on Tuesday. Peru won 6-2, 6-0. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

For the boys, it was a quick jaunt into the postseason as the individual Sectionals Tournament began Wednesday, with semifinals and finals matches slated for today in Plattsburgh. The action is supposed to get underway at 3:30 p.m.

Lake Placid's No. 3 doubles players Samir Dimuccio, left, and Hayden Damour play a point against Peru's Cogan St. Denis and Spencer Davies at the Lake Placid tennis courts on Tuesday. Peru won the match 6-3, 6-1. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Lake Placid's Porter Dominesey serves while teammate Ian Munsen stands ready at the net during the No. 1 doubles match against Peru's Isaac Hathaway and Camden Sweeny at the Lake Placid tennis courts on Tuesday. Peru won the match 6-2, 6-2.(Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)