Luke LeFevre, Braxton Burkett reflect on state tournament run

Oct. 18—JAMESTOWN — At the beginning of the 2025 tennis season Luke LeFevre’s original plan was to play singles in the postseason.

“The idea of doubles was appealing but I had been set on making a run at singles,” said LeFevre, a senior at Jamestown High School. “It was only in the last two or so weeks of the season that Brax(ton) (Burkett) and I decided on doubles. We knew that by playing doubles we’d have a better shot at a state championship so we dropped the idea of playing singles and chose doubles.”

Based on last week’s results, it would seem as though LeFevre made the right choice.

On Saturday, Oct. 11, LeFevre and Burkett defeated Arnav Panwalkar and Drew Burris of Fargo North in the NDHSAA 2025 State Boys Tennis Doubles Championships semifinals to clinch a spot in the state championship match.

In the championship match, the Jamestown duo gave Grand Forks Central’s Jason Ling and Rylan Spicer all they could handle but ended up falling 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. It was the first match the duo had lost all season.

“It’s a complicated feeling because on one hand I’m glad that we were able to make it so far, but on the other it hurts because I know how close we were to winning that last match,” LeFevre said. “At the end of the day I couldn’t be more proud of how we handled ourselves through the tournament. Being down a set in our quarterfinal, semifinal and championship matches and forcing all of them to three sets and winning two of them, it really showed how determined we were.”

Burkett and LeFevre were the No. 1 team out of the West Region. The pair earned WDA Doubles Championship on Oct. 4.

“When I arrived at State this year I was feeling confident,” LeFevre said. “It was different from past years because I knew how far we could make it and have a possible chance at a championship. This year there weren’t many nerves for me either, I was comfortable throughout all our matches.”

Entering the first round of the tournament, LeFevre said he and Burkett wanted a decisive win.

They got one.

LeFevre and Burkett topped Fargo Davies’ Duncan Metcalf and Grayden Schultz 6-0, 6-0. In the second round, the pair defeated Alex Comings Garnett Anderson of Wahpeton 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The quarterfinal win was the first of three 3-set matches LeFevre and Burkett would play.

“We already proved ourselves as the best in the West (but) the East has a funny thing of being better than most west teams so me and Luke still had a lot of doubters,” Burkett said. “I think that helped us to keep our heads down and dig in during our three 3-setters.”

Having a bit of a vendetta against one of the teams also helped the duo dig in.

“The Fargo North match was personal for me and Luke,” Burkett said. “We lost to both North teams last year. That match was more than just to play in the ‘ship. That was a year in the making and I’m glad we came out with the win.”

Going into the semis LeFevre said he was definitely more determined than anything.

“There were definitely some nerves but I never focused on them,” LeFevre said. “I knew that match was going to be tough but that’s what made it a good match. It was exciting knowing that we were just one win away from being in the championship and I think that’s what pushed me to keep playing well.”

LeFevre and Burkett won the semifinals by a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, positioning them in the championship against Ling and Spicer.

LeFevre said Central was more aggressive at the net than any other team he and Burkett had played against.

“Returning against them was very difficult because to keep the ball away from the net guy I’d have to hit a short and sharp angle return and risk it going wide or take my chances and rip one down the line,” LeFevre said. “They really forced us to have to hit good shots and take chances.

“Forcing a third set definitely made me feel like we deserved to be in the championship,” he said. “After dropping the first set 1-6 it was hard to find the confidence to claw back, but I’m very proud that we were able to forget about the first set and grind for the second. … I want to thank Braxton for being a great partner and for putting up with me through so many matches. I couldn’t have had this great season without his help.”

LeFevre will not be continuing his competitive tennis career after graduation. The senior will be attending the University of North Dakota to study aerospace engineering.

“There’s nothing I won’t say to Luke,” Burkett said. “He’s my best friend, my day one, there’s no one I’d rather share a court with. I’m proud of him, all his hard work, countless hours on court didn’t go unnoticed.”

LeFevre has been involved with the Jamestown High School tennis team for the past six seasons. He qualified for the state tournament three times.

“I want to thank Blue Jay tennis for giving me six years of memories, friends and countless inside jokes … and of course none of this would have been possible without all the coaches I’ve had to help me throughout my high school tennis career,” LeFevre said. “Thanks to them I’ve always had tremendous support in all that I do.”