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But a few moments later another one of Schaefer鈥檚 players came charging at him with an even larger cooler and nailed him squarely over the shoulders.

Schaefer thought he had escaped a celebratory drenching.

鈥淚鈥檓 still watching,鈥� he said afterward, chuckling.

Schaefer鈥檚 dousing came after yet another dominating performance by the North Cross boys tennis team on Saturday afternoon at Fishwick Tennis Center. The Raiders dismantled Seton 5-0 to claim their fourth straight VISAA Division II state championship.

鈥淣o one鈥檚 done it in any sport, so we wanted to make history,鈥� Schaefer said. 鈥淏ut the kids did it. It鈥檚 a super talented group of kids, the best team I鈥檝e ever had the last eight years.鈥�

Schaefer鈥檚 own son, Sam Schaefer, clinched the title for North Cross. After earning a match point in his No. 5 singles match, he broke a string on his racket. He walked over to his bench and took out a different racket, put on a dampener and converted championship point for an 8-2 victory on a brief three-point rally.

鈥淚 saw everyone else鈥檚 scorecards, I just realized it鈥檚 not relying on me,鈥� Sam Schaefer said. 鈥淭his is a team sport at the end of the day. What I do doesn鈥檛 really matter, so I just relaxed, focused up. I realized my (opponent) was getting pretty nervous, getting pretty tight, because it relied on him, so I switched up my mentality and just stayed in the point.鈥�

The state title was firmly in hand for the Raiders after sweeping their three doubles matches to start the day and gaining several leads in their ensuing singles contests. It was only a matter of who would earn the honor of finishing things off and getting engulfed by teammates.

North Cross has now won six state championships over the last 11 years.

鈥淎fter the second one, you鈥檝e got to go for three. Third time鈥檚 the charm. But after three, you鈥檙e just making history,鈥� Sam Schaefer said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to do it. It stays the same amount of hype every time. This is history, it鈥檚 history for the school, and when you realize that it makes it a really momentous occasion.鈥�

In his No. 3 doubles match with partner Anderson Ratliff, Sam Schaefer tossed in some big serves for a 7-6 advantage before picking up three match points at 0-40 on the duo鈥檚 ensuing return game. They surrendered the next three points before pulling through with back-to-back points at deuce to emerge victorious.

鈥淲e just focused on staying in the point and making them play the game,鈥� Sam Schaefer said. 鈥淕etting the ball back to them, being smart and most importantly being relaxed and being high energy. If you get down on yourself, get in your own head, they鈥檙e already winning.鈥�

Henry Lugar teamed up with Jacob Juneau and rolled to a win at No. 1 doubles in the first match of the afternoon to be completed. They traded service breaks through the first three games before Lugar overcame a 30-40 deficit on his serve in the fourth, with Juneau hitting a brilliant behind-the-back volley winner to claim it.

The duo did not surrender another game from that point, cruising to an 8-1 win.

Lugar鈥檚 brother, George Lugar, clobbered his opponent in the No. 1 singles match, winning 8-0 in less than 25 minutes.

鈥淚鈥檝e only been on this team for two years, but it鈥檚 so incredible to be part of that legacy,鈥� George Lugar said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just unreal. Seniors have been on this team, a lot of them since eighth grade, and it鈥檚 tough leaving such an amazing community.鈥�

Henry Lugar also took care of business at No. 2 doubles alongside Bloomfield. The pair rolled to an 8-1 victory.

鈥淎re you kidding? That鈥檚 a dream come true,鈥� Jim Schaefer said of having both Lugar boys. 鈥淭here鈥檚 four points right there.鈥�

North Cross flew past its competition throughout the state tournament, winning all three matches via 5-0 result en route to its four-peat. Jim Schaefer said a five-peat is even possible.

鈥淲e鈥檙e strong coming back,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 know the conference is still going to be down, so I鈥檓 looking forward to this (next year). I think we have a really good shot.鈥�