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Ben Johns hits a pickleball overhead.
Ben Johns competing at the Veolia Houston Open. PPA Tour

B. Johns wins brother-vs-brother clash to make mixed quarters

ATASCOCITA, TX - Ben and Collin Johns are used to spending lots of time on the pickleball court together, but it’s not every day that they compete against each other.

Friday gave them that opportunity, though, and they faced off on Humana Championship Court in the mixed doubles Round of 16.

The matchup featured No. 2 seeds Etta Wright and B. Johns taking on No. 22 seeds Regina Goldberg and C. Johns.

The brothers certainly took advantage of the opportunity to have some fun, as they tried to outduel each other in several hands battles at the kitchen line.

“It’s one of the most enjoyable things about pickleball, and [Collin] is the easiest person to do that with because we’ve done it so much,” Ben said of the firefights during the match.

 

Wright and B. Johns went on to win 11-1, 11-2, and Ben was all smiles after beating his older brother.

“We’ve squared off a lot in various sports but he’s quite a bit older, so I’ve done a fair amount of losing,” he said. “I’m happy to have found the one sport I can win at.”

Wright and Johns will next face Callie Smith and Jay Devilliers in the quarterfinals.

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