The Tribune

IT’S win or go home as the best junior tennis players in the country are all set to compete in the Junior Nationals Tennis Tournament at the National Tennis Center this weekend.

The tournament is slated to get started on Friday, June 28, with first round matches.

“This is the biggest event of the year for junior tennis players because it carries the highest amount of ranking points and it gives the young player the title of national champion in their age group. Many of the 2012 champions in their age group will be returning to defend their titles against challengers who are hungry for their quest to become National Champion,” according to a press release.

Some of the outstanding junior boys to watch for are Shannon Francis in boys 16s and 18s, Joshua Turnquest in boys 16s and 18s, defending champion O’Neil Mortimer in boys 14s and Jacobi Bain defending champion in boys 12s.

The girls will have to work for the titles as perennial champion Iesha Shepard will be challenged by Gabriella Donaldson and Shay-Tonya Missick in the girls 16s. And Donaldson will be challenged by Sydney Clarke and Lauryn Daxon in the girls 14s.

Competition runs through to July 3 and players are expected from Grand Bahama and Eleuthera to challenge for the top spot in all age categories.