32 | NOVEMBER 24 • 2022 

SPORTS

T

he Bloomfield Hills High 
School boys tennis team ran 
away with the Division 1 state 
championship.
The Black Hawks scored 35 points 
on a cold, windy weekend last month 
at Hope College’s Etheridge Tennis 
Complex, winning five of the eight 
flights and finishing second in two 
flights in the two-day tournament.
Runner-up Northville and third-place 
Troy were far behind Bloomfield Hills 
with 25 and 24 points.
Among those at the front of the pack 
for the Black Hawks were two sets of 
brothers: Merrick and Jonah Chernett, 
and twins Ryan and Aaron Rose.
Here’s what the brothers did at the 
regional tournament at Clarkston 
(Bloomfield Hills won the team title 
there, too) and the state tournament, 

along with comments from Black Hawks 
coach Greg Burks:
— Junior Ryan Rose combined with 
junior Michael Dillon to win regional 
and state championships at No. 2 
doubles. They were 27-1 for the season 
in their second year as a doubles team.
“Ryan and Michael have great 
chemistry,” Burks said.
— Junior Aaron Rose was 25-3 for 
the season at No. 3 singles. He was a 
regional champion and state runner-up.
“Aaron won the state championship 
at No. 4 singles last year, and his game 
improved this year,” Burks said.
— Junior Merrick Chernett joined 
sophomore Pierce Shaya to win regional 
and state championships at No. 1 
doubles. They were 26-1 for the season.
“I put Merrick and Pierce together 
because I thought they would be 

successful with their mix of styles. They 
were very successful,” Burks said.
— Freshman Jonah Chernett was 21-5 
for the season at No. 1 singles. He was a 
regional finalist and state quarterfinalist.
“I had no problem playing Jonah 
at No. 1 singles even though he’s 
a freshman,” Burks said. “He’s a 
seasoned veteran because he’s played 
so many UTSA (United States Tennis 
Association” matches. There’s a lot of 
gamesmanship at No. 1 singles, but that 
didn’t bother Jonah because he’s seen all 
kinds of stuff.”
Winning a state championship in high 
school is a remarkable and memorable 
experience. It’s especially remarkable and 
memorable to do it with your brother.
That fact isn’t lost on the Rose and 
Chernett brothers.
“It’s really cool that my brother and 

Two sets of brothers help Bloomfield Hills High School’s 
boys tennis team win a state championship.
Special, Cool and Amazing

STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Aaron and 
Ryan Rose

CAROL DAVIS

Merrick 
and Jonah 
Chernett

JOREY CHERNETT

