Box Score By Jacob Norling
April 25, 2023
 
(SURPRISE, Ariz.) After being named the Golden State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Westmont's Mark Basham enjoyed the perfect ending to a special day when the Warriors (9-9) defeated OUAZ 4-1 in the GSAC Tournament Quarterfinals.
 
For Basham, in his final season, the 14-year coach earned the honor for the fourth time. Westmont's victory gave Basham his 136th win, the second-most in program history behind only Chris Elwood (140).
 
"It's a wonderful way to go out," smiled Basham. "Westmont has meant a lot to me. I've been very well supported by a great administration, and most of all, by wonderful players. I am honored to coach these guys and I love the fight that they have.
 
"This is a special way to end my tenure at Westmont."
 
The Warriors set the tone on Tuesday by dominating in doubles, as Westmont never trailed in any of the three matches. The clinchers came on two and three, where Westmont posted identical 6-2 victories. On three, Benny Saito and Santiago Tintore Ramon gave Westmont the advantage, and on two, Cody Ray Emery and Owen Vander Ark clinched the doubles point.
 
"I was very happy overall with doubles," noted Basham. "Ethan and Logan, even though they couldn't finish, were dominating in their match. Then I was super happy with our two's and three's really picking it up and bringing it home."
 
Basham was not the only Warrior to receive GSAC honors on Tuesday, as both Logan Thompson and Cody Ray Emery were named to the All-GSAC team. In singles, both men showed exactly why.
 
While most matches were still nearing the end of their first sets, Thompson could be heard proclaiming, "match win on one Westmont," after defeating Goor Adiv 6-0, 6-0. In Emery's case, the All-GSAC star dropped his first set to Gianmarco Pitotti 6-1, then stormed back to take the next two sets 6-2, 6-1, putting Westmont up 3-0.
 
"Who wins 6-0, 6-0 in college tennis?" asked an amazed Basham. "In a match as big as this, that's unheard of. Logan almost looked flawless. He beat his opponent last time we saw them, but it was 6-4, 7-6. Today, he made a gigantic leap forward.
 
"Then for Cody Ray, I was really happy to see him turn around his focus and his attitude. He got really dialed in."
 
The lone match OUAZ could steal was on six, where Saul Bautista bested Saito 6-4, 7-6 (4). From there, in a 3-1 match, the Warriors were competing in a trio of three-set matches, needing one to clinch the victory.
 
With the official honors, Ethan Ha outlasted Sean Milshteen 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, sending Westmont to the GSAC Semifinals. Giving the Warriors extra confidence heading into tomorrow's match, both Vander Ark and Preston Hastings were also leading in their third sets.
 
"I'm always happy when Ethan can clinch it for us," reflected Basham. "I love his energy, I love his fight, and I love the passion he brings for us. It was fitting for him to be the one to clinch this for us. There were also some great fights from Owen and Preston as well.
 
"I'm honored just to see these guys fight, and it's even more of an honor to be their coach."
 
On Wednesday, two-seeded Westmont will play three-seeded Arizona Christian in the GSAC Semifinals. If the Warriors come out victorious, they will advance to their first GSAC Championship since 2018.