Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Tommy Brown, Havre Tennis Camp

The fall sports season may be just around the corner, but in the final days of July, tennis, a spring sport at the high school level, is taking center stage.

That’s because the long-time head coach of the Blue Pony tennis team, George Ferguson is hosting his annual Havre Tennis Camp this week, which features players from grades 1 to 12.

The camp started Monday and finished up Tuesday, with each day lasting four hours. One of the camp’s participants, is three-year Pony tennis player Tommy Brown.

Brown, who started playing tennis seriously during his freshman year of high school, has developed into one of Havre’s best singles players. Last season, he finished third at the Central A Divisional tournament and earned his way to the Class A state tournament.Now, his focus is on improving for next season, which is why he said he was out at tennis camp.

“We just like to get together every summer and get some of the rust off and have some fun,” Brown said. “We get to be outside on a nice, summer day in Havre, Montana. I enjoy it a lot. We start off with some drills to warm up and get our form back together. We also compete after that with a lot of games and different drills. We are just competing but also getting better at the same time.”

"Tennis camp is a lot of fun for all the kids," Ferguson said. "I do take a little more relaxed approach to the camp because we want to expose kids of all ages and all skill levels to our sport. We want to teach them tennis, in a fun environment where there isn't any type of pressure."

Brown said working on his game in the offseason has been part of his improvement as a tennis player the last few seasons. For the second straight camp, Brown won the boys MVP.

"Tommy's development has been a lot of fun to watch," Ferguson said. "He's actually been involved in the sport for a long time, and he made varsity as a freshman, so he has a lot of experience. And he's really playing well. He had a good junior season as our top singles player, and I know he wants to do even more as a senior. So it's fun to see him, and all of our kids returning to our team out here these last two days taking advantage of camp, and working on getting better. Our kids really do a great job of embracing camp, and Tommy is one who has been doing that for a long time. So as a coach, you really appreciate that kind of dedication."

However, tennis isn’t the only sport Brown dedicates himself to, as he is also a varsity basketball player for the Ponies. Brown saw the floor in all 20 games for the Ponies last season and averaged 3.5 points per game and 2.2 rebounds.

Basketball season is closer in proximity than tennis season is for Brown, but when the winter weather rolls around and hoops season gets closer, Brown said roundball will become his focus, before making tennis the center of his attention again next spring.

“I just try to devote myself to whatever sport I am playing at the time,” Brown said. “During basketball season, I don’t do any tennis stuff at all. I just try to focus on doing one at a time.”

Right now, Brown and a bunch of other Havre High tennis players are focused on improving their tennis skills, while plenty of future Ponies are getting introduced to the game for what could be the first time and following the first day of camp, the Havre Daily News caught up with Brown for five questions.

HDN: So what is the difference between tennis camp and tennis practice?

Brown: “During tennis practice, you are a lot more locked in and focused on getting better. The focus is really intense every day. Here, you are getting better but it's more laid back, and you are getting to know people, too.”

HDN: You made it to state last season, how do you think that experience will help you as a senior?

Brown: “At state, I thought I played as well as I did all season. The tougher competition brought out the best in me. I definitely need to put in a lot more work and work on some things. I want to progress more in the tournament. That’s all I want really, is to go as far as I can.”

HDN: How did it feel for you to make it to state?

Brown: “It felt great, honestly. Polson was a beautiful place to play, it was on the lake. It was just a great experience.”

HDN: What has the rest of your summer been like?

Brown: “I haven’t done a whole lot. I have been playing sports mostly. I have also been out enjoying the nice weather. I like going to the lake and fishing.”

HDN: So you are a fan of tennis and basketball, are those both sports you watch?

Brown: “I watch tennis a little bit but if I am being honest, I watch a lot of basketball. There is just so much on. Even when the NBA and college is off, there is still so much on and I watch it all.”