Player Handbook

Cherry Creek High School
Boys’ Tennis

2025-26 
Student Handbook

We honor this Brotherhood of Bruins with Integrity, Respect, and Dedication!

ACADEMICS

Academic performance comes before athletic performance!  Each player must meet academic standards and eligibility requirements. Players experiencing academic difficulty resulting in any weekly eligibility report including two Fs are ineligible. No one will be placed on the official ladder or be assigned matches until the day after he has been declared eligible by the athletic office. We will follow the academic disciplinary guidelines printed in the Bear Facts Handbook, meaning specifically, 3 strikes and you are out of ineligible.

P.E. Waiver eligibility: The criteria for a P.E. waiver have gotten stricter. Only players competing on one of the three Varsity Teams, and those with Ladder Rank #60 and above at the end of Challenge Season (ranking at time End of Season tournament draw is made), will be eligible for the P.E. Waiver. Coaches’ discretion may be used in these matters.

THE LADDER

An important tool that we use to make our program work is the ladder. This is the program ranking for every active Cherry Creek tennis player. Last year we had 150 players active on the ladder. We begin each season with returning players ranked based on their previous year’s performance. (See the tennis ladder on the website). For incoming freshmen, you will be placed at the bottom of the ladder, alphabetically.  In cases of ranked incoming players, the head coach will determine the initial placement in clusters.    

CHALLENGE MATCHES

Beginning Tuesday, August 12th, ladder players ranked below the cluster level will have one assigned challenge match to play every day, and one or more assigned matches weekly thereafter. These matches are played at any mutually agreed upon site and time, and the balls are supplied by the lower ranked player.  Match scores must be reported immediately after the conclusion of the match.  This will allow for efficient ladder player movement.  If a lower ranked player defeats a higher ranked player, he will take over the higher ranked player’s spot.  If you wish to move up the ladder it is important that all assigned and arranged matches are played.  After the first two weeks of challenge matches, we will assign 1 match per week, moving forward, for the rest of the season. The exception will be the three varsity teams. Once the varsity teams are determined they cannot be challenged.  Matches will be assigned and posted by Sunday evening, or at the latest, Monday morning, by 8am. These matches MUST be played during the week and the results recorded by the following Saturday of each week.

CLUSTER MATCHES

This year, varsity selection and cluster procedures will be similar to last year, with some changes.  The cluster level indicates players that are in a position to make one of our three varsity teams.  Sixteen players will be selected by the coaches to play in singles matches on day 1, Monday August 11^th, at 9am and 3pm.  These players will be chosen using the following criteria: Ladder Rank, Summer Tournament Play, Intermountain Rankings, State Rankings, UTR, Player Profile, and Coaches’ Discretion.  These will be best two out of three full-set matches with regular ad-scoring.  Once we have reached the final singles matches a lockout will be reached if one player has beaten another player twice. This means the player who has won is required to play this player again unless special circumstances occur.  10-point tiebreakers may be used, in lieu of a 3rd set, for time considerations up until lockout matches.  However, all lockout matches will be 2 out of 3 full sets.  Beginning the second day, Tuesday, August 12th, we will continue doubles clusters and continue singles cluster challenges at 2 pm. The second round of doubles clusters will begin at 4:30 pm. Beginning Wednesday, August 13th, we will move to playing matches immediately after school at 3:45 pm followed by matches at 5:45 pm.  This schedule will continue through the rest of the week, including Saturday if needed.  If matches do occur on Saturday, the time of play will be given to the players during the previous week.    

For the second week, cluster rounds will continue with match play after school until varsity selections have been made by Thursday, August 21st.  

As players are eliminated from competition for these positions they will be inserted into the double clusters.  Doubles clusters will consist of 4 players.  A full cluster consists of each player playing one no-ad set with every other player in the cluster (order of no consequence). When completed, each player will have a total number of games won. The 2 players with the highest number of games won will move up a cluster, and the 2 players with the least number of games will move down a cluster. If there is a tie between the second place and third place finisher of a cluster, a 10-point tiebreaker will be used to determine which player moves up a cluster and which player moves down.  The results should be posted immediately after the match is done. 

Each day two players will be dropped from the bottom cluster on the ladder and two added based off performance, participation and coaches' discretion.

HOW TO REPORT MATCH RESULTS

1. You will need to login with your username and password at the following website address: https://creekboystennis.com/player-login. Your username is in the format of firstname.lastname and the password for your account will be either emailed or sent by text message. If you haven’t received a login, please contact one of the coaches.
2. Once logged in, you will see a list of matches that are assigned to you. For the match you want to enter scores for, click the “Enter Scores” link.
3. On the Score Entry page, ensure you record the scores accurately. Ensure you select the correct winners and losers in each of these fields. When entering scores for a doubles cluster, please be sure to enter the names of place finishes in the order they actually finished. Also please note that with a doubles cluster match, if first place is decided by a tie-break, you will need to enter the tie-break scores.
4. Once a match score has been submitted, it will be locked and cannot be modified. If you want to dispute the results of a match you have been a part of, you can click the “Report Score Issue” link for the match and enter the information for why you think the scores are incorrect. Once you submit this form, a coach will review and make corrections if necessary.
5. If you are arranging your own challenge or ladder match and you need to create the match in order to enter the result, click on the “Create Match” button and complete the form, entering the type of match, the players, the date and time, and location of the match. Once you have created a match, you will be able to enter results for it.

REQUIRED MEETINGS

Wednesday August 6^th @ 4:30 pm - 1^st All Player Meeting @ Shillinglaw

Wednesday August 6^th @ 6:30 pm – Parent Meeting @ Shillinglaw

Monday August 11^th @ 9:00 am – Tryouts Begin @ CCHS Tennis Courts

Thursday August 21^st @ 4:30 pm – 2^nd All Player Meeting @ Shillinglaw

Saturday August 23^rd @ 11:00 AM – Player Social & Uniform Distribution @ CCHS Tennis Courts.  PLAYERS MUST PICK UP THEIR UNIFORMS AT THIS TIME OR ARRANGE SOMEONE TO GET IT.

1ST WEEK OF TENNIS 2025

All players must be cleared by the Athletic office by 3:00pm, August 1^st, in order to be placed on the ladder or in clusters. If you turn in your forms after Friday, August 1^st, you may not be on the ladder until the day after you turn it in. 

IF YOU DO NOT TURN IN YOUR FORMS BY AUGUST 8th, YOU MAY NOT BE PLACED IN CLUSTERS AT YOUR APPROPRIATE POSITION. IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, PLEASE CONTACT COACH QUINN AT 720-298-8195 BY TEXT OR PHONE.

PRACTICE

Varsity 1 and Varsity 2 (the top 24 players) will practice daily at the Creek Courts.

Varsity 3 practice is TBD. 

Varsity 1 practice: 3:45-5:45

Varsity 2 practice: 3:45-5:45

Varsity 3 practice 4:00-6:00

Any announcements and schedule changes may be implemented after the first weeks of the season. Please stay posted to ‘Team Announcements’ for any changes to the schedule.  

Ladder players outside of varsity level must play a minimum of two challenge matches per week in lieu of practice, one of which will be assigned. 

PRIVATE LESSONS & ORGANIZED PRACTICES: All players who are taking private or group tennis lessons and wish to continue your lessons have permission from the Head Coach & Athletic Director. Please don't schedule in any way that conflicts with the program requirements.

VARSITY DETERMINATION

The top 3 Varsity 1(V1) singles players and 4 doubles teams will be determined by the outcome of cluster play.  The number of players making a varsity team will be a total of 40. 

VARSITY 1 / VARSITY 2 / VARSITY 3

Due to the large number of talented players at CCHS, our program carries three varsity teams. Each varsity will play Varsity teams from other schools.  Varsity 1 consists of the top eleven players on the ladder, plus potential alternates.  These positions are frozen by the coaches in early September after clusters and ladder matches are completed. The varsity players are unchallengeable. Therefore, open challenges are allowed up to the last player below Varsity 3, for the remainder of the season.

VARSITY DOUBLES TEAMS

Varsity players’ doubles partners will be assigned by the coaches.  Unfortunately, there is insufficient time to play matches of every conceivable pairing of players.  Players will not necessarily be assigned to play with the partner he would most prefer, but rather with that player, who, in the opinion of the coaches, best compliments his game or it is in the best interests of the team.  The criteria used by the coaches to match up doubles partners are the following (in this order):

1. Complimentary style of play
2. Psychological or personality match
3. Historical success together
4. Overall individual strength of play
5. Seniority (player with the most varsity experience gets the preferential assignment)
6. Personal preferences of the player

JV TEAMS – RED / WHITE / BLUE

There will be three junior varsity teams each carrying 20+ boys. The boys included on these teams will be the players ranked below the varsities on the ladder. These teams will be a mix of rankings.  For example, JV Red will not consist of the top twenty players falling below Varsity 3, but instead, it will be composed of a mixed-ranked group of twenty of the sixty players falling below Varsity 3. With this composition of teams, our three JV teams will all have competitive inter-scholastic matches. The active rosters for the JV teams will be posted every Monday on the website and will be determined by the combined rank of you and your partner. (See Doubles Teams below).

JV DOUBLES TEAMS

JV players will have the opportunity at the August 21st meeting to indicate which players they would like to team with and the players they would like to be paired with for doubles play during the season (players list three choices).  It is strongly encouraged that players select partners who are close to them in ladder ranking (within 10-15 spots).  If you have a particular player you want as a partner, to assure that player is assigned as your doubles partner, you both must choose each other as your 1^st  choice.  The JV teams will consist of the combined rankingof the partners. For example, the number one doubles team for JV Red might consist of a player ranked 44 and a player ranked 50.  If their combined score of 94 is the highest ranking on JV Red, they will be the number one doubles team and will play against the top team from the opposing JV team during interscholastic matches.  Remember, however, that rankings will change as challenge matches are continually played during the season.  (Note: once partners are determined, partners are not allowed to challenge one another for a ladder match during the course of the season.)

If you are unable to attend the August 21^st meeting, you must get the partner request form in advance from the tennis shed or the back of this handbook, fill it out and immediately bring it to the shed. If you miss the meeting, the only way to be rostered on a JV team will be with the coach’s approval.  In addition, coaches will drop teams from the roster for NO SHOW at matches.

INTERSCHOLASTIC MATCHES

• Varsity 1 competes in the Centennial League and plays a schedule of dual meets and two tournaments.
• Varsity 2 will play a full schedule of varsity matches and two tournaments. 
• Varsity 3 will play a full schedule of varsity matches and two tournaments. 

Players will be expected to be at the courts, in uniform and ready to play before every match.  It is the responsibility of the player to find transportation for all away matches.  Buses will not be available for any matches throughout the season.  Team parents are assigned to each JV team and will assist in facilitating player transportation.  Players may be excused from interscholastic matches only with the permission of their varsity or JV Coach with as much notice as possible. Players repeatedly not appearing for interscholastic matches without being excused beforehand will be dropped from the interscholastic team.

CONDUCT

We expect our players to display the highest level of behavior and sportsmanship in representing their team, their school, their family and their community wherever they play or wherever they go as student-athletes.  On the court, inappropriate language (words deemed inappropriate by the USTA), racquet throwing, temper tantrums, or arguing with officials will not be tolerated.  Off the court, we expect our players to be at their very best, morally and ethically, in how they conduct themselves.  If the high standards of Cherry Creek etiquette are not being met, your coaches will take appropriate disciplinary action including, but not limited to, removal from a court, removal from around a court, removal from a public setting or being sent home.

OUTSIDE COMPETITION

All tournament (club or sanctioned) players must be aware of the high school rules which prohibit any competition other than high school matches after practicing with the team.  Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the high school principal, athletic director, and head coach. Therefore, all varsity candidates are not to enter a tournament taking place after August 11 unless you have cleared it with the Coach Quinn and have submitted in writing your intention by filling out the form at the end of this book and giving it to Coach Quinn. Please notify us individually if there are any questions or concerns regarding this matter. These will be considered on a case by case, and tournament by tournament, basis. This permission is not a blanket form for all tournaments during the Season. Each tournament the player must receive Coach Quinn’s permission. Our season is short, please do your best to manage your time and interests to stay fully committed to your team.

DRESS

When practicing with the team, acceptable shorts and t-shirts, or polos with tennis socks and tennis shoes (tennis attire and safety does not permit shorts below the knees or running shoes) MUST be worn.  When playing in an interscholastic match, red, white, or blue appropriate colored shorts that coordinates with the team, along with the team shirt are expected.  Additional shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, and hats are for sale on the website for additional purchase opportunities.

Saturday August 23^rd @ 11:00 AM – Player Social & Uniform Distribution @ CCHS Tennis Courts. PLAYERS MUST PICK UP THEIR UNIFORMS AT THIS TIME OR ARRANGE SOMEONE TO GET IT.

LETTERING

Because of the large number of quality players, the coaches award more letters than a typical tennis program.To obtain a varsity letter, you must:  

1. Be a member of a varsity team and attend all practices.  More than one unexcused absence will result in the forfeit of the letter - excuses are granted only by the coaches.
2. Be a member of a varsity team and play in seven matches against varsity competitions (tournaments count as only one match). 
3. Any senior who has been in the program and participated in JV play in good standing throughout his years at Cherry Creek, may also receive a letter.  
4. Coaches’ discretion is occasionally used in awarding letters in addition to the above criteria.

ALCOHOL & DRUGS

Any violation of the school and district alcohol and drug policy will result in punishment.  All violators will be subject to normal school and state disciplinary measures. 

CONDITIONING

Each practice will include conditioning. If and when your matches go to three sets, you will need to be ready! Limited participation in all team activities, including conditioning, could result in limited participation in matches. If you have a physical condition which prohibits your full participation in team conditioning activities, please discuss it with the coaches. Perhaps we can arrange your participation in tennis at a level where conditioning is not as crucial as at the top levels. 

Please have a water container filled for all challenge matches, scheduled practices and hydrate prior to play.

INJURIES

If you are injured and it requires medical treatment you will be seen by a school trainer if they are available. If they are not available, your coach will determine what steps need to be taken including reaching out to your family. School trainers are professionals trained to deal with athletic injuries and your coaches are certified in CPR/1st aid. 1st aid kits will also be on hand at any home match/practice and should be available at any school location and otherwise.

THE CREEK COURT CLUB

Thank you for your support of the Creek Court Club through membership dues, merchandise purchases, volunteering duties, and being the players’ biggest fans! We greatly appreciate your assistance in continuing to help us build and maintain this prestigious tennis program. The Creek tennis community has proven its success with 47 State Championships. As a program, we wish to provide the players with an experience that will help enrich their lives and those around them. For any questions or concerns please contact Creek Court Club President, Kirsten Washer at ktwasher@gmail.com.

The Creek Court Club (Booster Club) for the Cherry Creek High School Boys Tennis Team is looking forward to another amazing season continuing the tradition of being nationally recognized as one of the best programs in the country. It takes hard work not only from the coaches and players, but also from the parents to make the team successful.

Many parents may not realize that none of the $90 athletic fee we pay for the Cherry Creek Athletic Registration goes into the boys’ tennis program. We depend on your contributions to benefit all Varsity and JV players in the following ways:

• Banquet player awards and banquet slideshow
• Court improvements
• Player uniforms / Coaches’ uniforms
• Brotherhood of the Bruins t-shirts
• JV clinics
• Ladder Specialist
• Website hosting/maintenance
• Tennis balls
• Windscreens
• Maintenance of windscreens
• Court benches
• Tennis nets
• Net straps
• Power washing courts
• Booster Club administration costs
• Accounting Fees, maintaining 501C3 Status and Tax-Exempt Status
• Tennis socials
• Publication of the Red Train Express (tennis yearbook)

As we incur continual cuts in the athletic budget for our district, we must rely more and more on our Booster Club to supplement the program. 

GUIDELINES FOR LADDER MATCHES

1. A player may challenge anyone on the ladder, except for the varsities, throughout the season.
2. Assigned challenge matches by the coaches will take priority over other challenge matches.  A player who is unable to play an assigned challenge by the required date for any reason must default the match. That match should be recorded on the results sheet for that day as a ‘win by default’ for the player who is willing and able to play.
3. A challenge match may be played at any site which is acceptable to both players. The high school courts will rarely be available for challenge matches during the beginning of challenge season, except sometimes after 6pm on weekdays and throughout the day on weekends.
4. A player is expected to accept challenge matches on weekdays unless he has a valid reason for being unavailable (i.e. doctor’s appointment, sickness, tests, etc.).  Defaults for dodging matches may occasionally be given by the coaches, if it is determined that a player indeed was available for a match for a legitimate reason and did not play.
5. Players are not obligated to accept challenge matches on weekends but are encouraged to do so when possible.
6. It is recommended that when you call to arrange a challenge that you be prepared to offer 3 possible dates for the match.  If none of those dates are acceptable to the person being challenged, ask for 3 possible dates that he could suggest.  If he is unable to identify 3 possible times that he could play and cannot identify at least 2 challenge matches he already has scheduled for that week, he may be defaulted with the coach’s final determination.  If you cannot play any of the times in his proposal, then you agree not to play and call someone else.
7. Once a match has been set up, a player must notify his opponent 2 hours in advance if he is unable to play the match.  Failure to do so could lead to a default at the discretion of the coaches. Notify means some sort of personal contact with the player by phone, text or with a parent. Players who repeatedly dodge matches may be dropped from the ladder entirely at the discretion of the coaches.
8. Players are expected to only play one challenge match per day, during the first weeks of the season, until the teams are set in September. But they are encouraged to play more than one match each day on weekends.
9. It is recommended that a match scheduled more than a few days in advance be confirmed the day before the match.
10. Matches must be recorded on the internet site by 6:30pm the evening they are played and entered in the order they have been played.  The coaches will post by 10pm that evening the results and the new assigned matches. This includes results from arranged, assigned, cluster or end-of-season tournament matches. 
11. You must play an average of two (2) challenges per week (1 assigned, 1 arranged) to remain on the team.
12. Play as many challenge matches as possible.  The coaches are most aware of the players who are most active in playing matches, not necessarily those who are winning them. You will also improve more rapidly by playing challenge matches. If you cannot get a match with someone above you, get one with someone below you.  It is by playing that you get better.
13. Check creekboystennis.com on a regular basis.  It will keep you updated on what’s going on.  
14. Team practice will occur, as we finish challenges and set the teams. Take advantage of the time offered the first two weeks of the season to play as many challenge matches as possible.  Check the website for meetings or for practice once teams are set.  If you are not scheduled to practice, set up challenge matches.  If the JV coach does hold a practice, it is advised you attend.  Missing these could affect your playing order on your team.  Check creekboystennis.com to see posts created by the coaches.  
15. You must be persistent when contacting opponents to challenge.  Get a hold of as many players as needed to get your match.  There are boys on the ladder who want to play just as much as you do.  Look closely at who is playing and contact them.
16. If you have a problem or a dispute, communicate with the coaches.  However, please learn to talk with the coaches when they have time to discuss the matter with you.  For instance, five minutes before practice or a match is always a very intense time, and the coaches will not be able to listen to you carefully.  Go see the coaches before or after practice when they have time to sit down and talk.
17. Challenge match disputes are very difficult for the coaches to solve because they rarely witness the problem.  However, if a serious problem arises during a match, stop play immediately and talk to one of the coaches for a resolution.  Play must be resumed again at the same point in the match at a future date, usually in a coach’s presence.
18. Go into the program determined that it is going to work for you and make you a better player. Our program is admittedly dependent upon the self-motivation and the self-discipline of the players themselves. It will work for you, as it's worked for thousands before you.

END OF SEASON SINGLES TOURNAMENT

In early October, the intra-team singles tournament is played. The tournament is held for all players outside the top twelve and is a single elimination tournament.  All non-senior players must participate.  The matches are to be played by the designated dates at a site and time agreeable to both players. There will be an assigned tournament match virtually every evening until you lose a match. If the matches are not played there will be a double default. If one player tries to schedule the match and is unsuccessful due to the unavailability of his opponent, the coaches must be contacted, and a default may be given. This tournament is extremely important to the ladder positions for the following year and must be played. If you commit to the tournament and default a match to a lower player, it is possible this could negatively impact your ladder rank downwards.  These matches will be posted online. The results determine the beginning ladder positions for the following year. The completion of the tournament marks the end of the season for all non-Varsity 1 players.  In addition, challenge matches cannot be played after the tournament begins.  All Varsity 2 & Varsity 3 players (non-seniors) must play in this tournament (no defaults), or you will not begin in the clusters in 2026.  All Tournament matches should be entered on the website the same day the match is played by 8pm.

PLAYER, PARENT AND SUPPORTER ETHICS

1. Players are to abide by the USTA Player Code. Consequences of violation of this code should be enforced by both coaches and/or officials: point, game, match being the progression of consequences for violation of The Code.
2. Parents/Supporters are expected to support their athlete in a positive manner, being a role model of good sportsmanship and fair play
3. Parent/Supporters are expected to abide by the classic tennis sportsmanship rules. These would include:
   • Staying back from the fence at least 4 feet.
   • Cheering /applauding only when your athlete hits a winner or plays a great point. Also, applauding good play by the opponent is encouraged.
   • Not making exaggerated audible noises, negative body language, or any other reaction to a suspected poor call, opponent behavior, missed shot by your own athlete, or behavior by an opponent's coach, parent, or supporter.
   • No cheering for poor shots by an opponent (ex. double faults).
   • Congratulating your player's opponent and parent(s), win or lose, on a match well played.
   • Do not converse with the players or otherwise distract the players' attention from the match.
   • Do not try to coach or give advice during a match. Only the coach may do this.
   • Do not criticize or try to influence line calls made by the opponents or contradict scores or rule interpretations.  All of this must stay on the court with the players.  Only coaches or tournament officials may intervene during a match.
4. Parents and Supporters are expected to treat the coaching staff, school administrative teams, and tournament directors with respect. Please do not ask tournament directors when your player is going to play, or levy complaints about a tournament. That is the coach's job.  Please refer to the coaching staff regarding such issues.

PARENT ROLE

Parents are an integral part of our program and tradition. Without your support and contribution, our program would not be as successful as it is.  As it relates to the activities of the season we ask your support in the following specific areas:

1. Parents can help by not scheduling personal Saturday events for players during our very short two-month season.  At times, the schedule is so full of makeup matches that we are forced to play on Saturdays.  Please try to limit weekend commitments during the tennis season.
2. While we are very thankful for all your attendance throughout the season, we strongly discourage PARENT attendance at tryout matches/challenge matches/end-of-season tournament.  It is difficult for our players to concentrate with an opponent’s friends and relatives cheering or advising him during the match.  Parents must refrain from coaching or any involvement during match play.
3. We also ask the parents to support the district’s alcohol and drug policy. Parents can help to foster a good team relationship by doing whatever possible to reinforce the coach/player relationship. Parents are asked to encourage their son to resolve issues directly with their coaches. 
4. Parents must be a role model for sportsmanship and team spirit.
5. Any family member (or alumni) that is proficient in doubles and would be interested in assisting as a volunteer coach at the JV level, please call Coach Quinn to find out what you would have to do to get certified as a coach.        

If not united,
we are lost...

You can download the Player Partner Request form here.

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