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Sophomore player is leading Citrus

By RICHARD BURTON
Published September 14, 2005

Citrus coach Chris Richardson has seen his team go through a tremendous youth movement at the right time.

Led by sophomore Nick Brothers , the Hurricanes have been able to defeat area rival Lecanto in a dual meet and a tri that included South Sumter. Brothers has averaged 41 in two matches against the Panthers.

"He's played well almost every match, and he's not a surprise anymore," Richardson said.

Citrus (6-1) also received strong rounds from freshman Bobby Bang (43) and sophomore Alex Stanley (44) in the dual with Lecanto (3-2).

"I was thrilled with our younger guys," Richardson said.

Still, the coach knows his squad isn't where it needs to be.

"We just didn't outstink the rest of them," he said about the tri meet.

Lecanto coach Chuck Holstein was disappointed in the Panthers' performance.

"We played horrible," Holstein said. "We are like Jekyll and Hyde, and I really thought we'd play better. It is a mental thing right now for us. We have got to get stronger in that aspect."

Lecanto's Nick Kane and Jakob Adolfsson averaged 39 in the first three matches but shot 43 and 46, respectively, against Citrus.

"We shouldn't have been as far off as we were," Holstein said. "We've got to get better as we get deeper into the season."

Richardson thinks the area hasn't seen the best of the Panthers.

"We can only dodge so many bullets," the 'Canes coach said. "I know they can play."

The biggest regular-season meeting between the teams comes Oct.3 in the county match at Southern Woods.

GOOD TESTS: With its only loss coming to Gainesville Eastside, Citrus has been able to get the job done when it needs to. The Hurricanes haven't had the individual consistency they'd like and will need to get it resolved before meeting Gainesville Oak Hall and Gainesville.

"Those matches will tell us where we are and what we need to work on," Richardson said. "Those are good programs."

LOOKING TO REBOUND: Crystal River has had its ups and downs. The Pirates are 3-2 and have been sparked by junior Russell Smith 's 41.8 average.

The Pirates entered the week with three matches on their schedule. "We are not playing very well," coach Jim Gabbard said. "Hopefully, we will play better."

GROWING IN NUMBERS: Seven Rivers Christian started the season with just three players but has seen seniors Travis Lampinen , Craig Bellamy and Aaron Whitchurch join the team. "We are making progress," coach Aimee Kelso said. "The key has been keeping a positive attitude."

The Warriors (1-3) have been led by Matt Rees and Andrew Gage . "I have two guys that are playing their hearts out, close to double par per match," Kelso said. "The other four are getting really close to making their games more consistent match to match."

[Last modified September 14, 2005, 02:15:34]