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The 2017 USTA Girls 12s Clay Court Championship is memorable for both Tsehay Driscoll and Clervie Ngounoue not just because they each took home a singles USTA ball. For the finalists, the friendships they’ve made and the off-the-court camaraderie they enjoyed with fellow competitors at the luxurious Polo Club of Boca Raton will be as indelible.

Third-seed Driscoll, blue chip from La Canada, Calif., bested fourth-seed Ngounoue in a two-set slugfest, 7-6 (4), 6-2. At the end of the match, both athletes were just fun-loving, easy-going and giggling girls who just happen to be among the country’s top 12-year-olds.

Girls 12 Champion Tsehay Driscoll and mom Robin

Driscoll also won the gold ball in doubles, along with partner Ava Krug of Lakewood Ranch, Fla. They beat the unseeded Florida pair of Natalie Block and Lara Smejkal 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.

“I thought I had a good chance of winning one gold, but not both of them,” Driscoll said.