Cate’s Mackall defeated by state’s No. 1 player

Cate’s Blake Mackall gave state No. 1-ranked Gage Brymer a tough battle before falling in the Round of 16 at the CIF Individual Boys Tennis Tournament in Seal Beach on Friday.

Brymer, the defending CIF champion from University High in Irvine, beat Mackall 6-4, 6-1.

“Blake ended up losing the match but played every game with tremendous intelligence, tenacity and patience,” said coach Bob Bonning. “The match featured brilliant shot-making and great sportsmanship from both players.”

Mackall finished his Cate career with a better than 98 percent win average over four years, two consecutive Round of 32 appearances and three Condor League titles, Bonning noted. “An impressive and most daunting legacy.”