Tyler Heckaman reaches for a shot during 1 doubles play in a meet with Knox in Bourbon Wednesday. (Photos by James Costello)

BOURBON — Triton’s boys tennis team started the season with a statement win over defending Hoosier North Athletic Conference champion Knox at home Wednesday night.

The young Trojans collected wins at all five varsity positions on their way to a clean sweep of the rival Redskins in Bourbon.

“We did really well tonight. We looked at Knox; last year they lost a couple players so we didn’t take anything for granted when they came. They’ve been a pretty decent team the last few years. They’ve been the defending champs of the conference, so I told our guys we need to stay focused and play well, and we did. We do have a few new guys, and they stepped up and did really well,” said Triton head coach Al Peckham.

John Gardner returns a shot in 1 singles play.

Not only did the Trojans earn the sweep, they did so in straight sets everywhere.

Tyler Heckaman and Jared Bules surrendered just one game en route to a 6-0, 6-1 defeat of Brock Taulbee and Josh Fletcher at 1 doubles, and varsity newcomers Cole McKenney and Chandler Westafer combined for a6-1, 6-2 victory over Carter Fornelli and Colin Bottorff at the 2 doubles spot. John Gardner’s 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Devan Himes started the Trojans’ singles sweep at the No. 1 spot, Gavin Greer topped Gabe Manning, 6-2, 6-3 at 3 singles, and Connor Large’s 6-4, 6-2 victory over Ethan Sanders in 2 singles play completed the whitewash.

“I didn’t know what to expect with a couple spots, like with the 2 doubles being in their first varsity match and the first time the’ve played doubles, really. They stepped up,” Peckham said. “Connor stepped up and played against a really nice guy, I thought. I felt like my 1s were strong. Just as long as they stay mentally strong — that’s a big key sometimes.”

Triton’s JV also won on two of three courts Wednesday.

The Trojans open at 1-0 both on the season and in HNAC play. They’ll return to action at home when they host Rochester at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

“It looks like we have a good start. Tomorrow we have Rochester, who is going to be a little bit better than them. So we’ll see our level after them, but I do see us better than I thought we were going to be, at least,” Peckham said.

Cole McKenney hits a forehand during 2 doubles play Wednesday.