From July 24 through July 26, Lakewood Tennis Center hosted the Boys’ & Girls’ 18s Level 4 Intersectional Showdown, bringing together top junior talent from SoCal, Texas, Southern, and Eastern.

The Intersectional format turned individual tournament play into a high-energy team atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and camaraderie. Guided by coach Brandon Fallon, Team SoCal showed remarkable grit in deciding tiebreakers to claim the championship. 

Following the event, we sat down with Coach Fallon to discuss the weekend: 

> Q: What set this team apart on and off the court during the tournament?
> A: “Like all the teams at the event, we had a strong lineup of top players, but everyone contributed to our win. At some point, everyone came up with a big win or fought through a close doubles or singles match. Having everyone show up to compete each round gave us a shot against any team. Off the court, everyone was hanging out together between matches, even if they weren’t the best of friends before the event. They made it a priority to walk around, watch each other’s matches together, and eat lunch as a group.” 

> Q: Was there a specific moment, match, or act of sportsmanship that really showcased the team’s resilience?
> A: “There were multiple comebacks when players were down 3-9, 4-9, and even 2-9 in a 10-point tiebreaker, and the players came back to win. If we lost even one of those matches, it would have cost us the championship. But each time, the players fought back. On court, I feel like the players felt the support of their other teammates, which kept them fighting even when they were down in the tiebreakers.”

> Q: How did you get players to rally around each other as a team?
> A: “The team had a couple of leaders on the boys’ and girls’ sides who rallied the other kids. They were inclusive and made sure everyone came out and supported each other. The players who were playing close matches were always watched and got the team’s support. Leadership is critical to any team, and that was a huge part of our success over the weekend.” 

> Q: What makes Southern California tennis so special?
> A: “There’s no place as great as SoCal to train and compete. The depth here is comparable to Europe. Players who never play a tournament outside of SoCal go on to play top six at schools like UCLA, Pepperdine, SDSU, or Cal Poly. It’s because they have been challenged and pushed by the players that are ranked number 10, number 20, and even number 30 in SoCal weekly.” 

> Q: What advice do you give junior players?
> A: “Don’t wait to act like a professional: Being a professional starts young, usually around 11, 12, 13, or 14 years old. The habits you develop at that age carry over throughout your tennis career and really throughout your life.” 

> A: “Don’t compare yourself to others: You have a unique path and a unique growth process as a tennis player. Set goals, work at them, and outwork people. You can catch up to anybody if you’re willing to put in the work.”

> A: “Find the right coach and stick with them: The best players I’ve known didn’t move coaches a bunch of times. They found the right coach, built a connection, and stuck with them through the highs and the lows. That creates a real relationship, and the coaches feel it, too.