Preps

Hernando: District golf preview

By DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writer
Published October 11, 2007

The top three teams in Pasco County this year - River Ridge, Ridgewood and Mitchell - happen to be in one of the toughest districts, putting plenty of pressure on the schools heading into the start of postseason play next week.

The top two teams in Hernando County - Central and Nature Coast - have it a little easier, but not much.

Six district tournaments - three in boys, three in girls - take place Monday and Tuesday.

The top three teams, plus the top three unattached individuals, advance to regionals the following week.

Class 2A, District 12

Teams: River Ridge, Ridgewood, Mitchell, Gulf, Hudson, Tarpon Springs, East Lake, Clearwater, Countryside, Dunedin, Palm Harbor University

Boys' match: 11 a.m. Monday, Wentworth Golf Club, hosted by East Lake

Last year's finish: 1. Palm Harbor U. 2. Countryside 3. East Lake

This year's outlook: River Ridge, Mitchell and Ridgewood have had tremendous seasons and were the top three teams at the Sunshine Athletic Conference tournament, but they'll have to be perfect to win the district. East Lake, Palm Harbor U. and Countryside should contend, but Dunedin might be the best of them all. If their teams fail to advance, Mitchell's Kenny Cavender, River Ridge's Kiel Jackson and Ridgewood's Jordan Padova have a shot at qualifying for regionals.

Girls' match: 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dunedin Country Club

Last year's order of finish: 1. Mitchell 2. Palm Harbor U. 3. East Lake

This year's outlook:East Lake is probably the favorite, though Mitchell will have a shot at defending its title. The Mustangs' Megan Van Etten has had a solid season, as has Victoria Kinney. Gulf's Bailey Logan is another player to watch.

Class 2A, District 6

Teams: Central, Land O'Lakes, Springstead, Wesley Chapel, Ocala Forest, Ocala Lake Weir, Lecanto, Leesburg, Ocala Vanguard, Ocala Belleview

Boys' match: 9:30 a.m. Monday, at Lexington Oaks, hosted by Wesley Chapel

Last year's order of finish: 1. Central 2. Ocala Forest 3. Wesley Chapel

This year's outlook: The Ocala schools are generally tough to beat, but Central did it last year and could do it again. The Bears have five golfers who could compete, including Matt Osborn, Cody Grey, Tommy Bastien and Cliff Osborn. Land O'Lakes will have a shot at advancing to regionals, led by Wes Parrish and Josh Barnett.

Girls' match: 8 a.m. Monday, Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Del Webb Spruce Creek, hosted by Belleview

Last year's order of finish: 1. Vanguard 2. Lecanto 3. Wesley Chapel

This year's outlook: Wesley Chapel returns its top two scorers from last year's region team, T.J. Adipietro and Samantha Friese, making the Wildcats a strong contender. Wesley Chapel enters today's conference tournament - and next week's district tournament - with a ton of momentum after recently knocking off previously undefeated Mitchell. It will face some stiff competition from Vanguard and Lecanto.

Class A, District 9

Teams: Academy at the Lakes (boys only), Citrus, Zephyrhills, Saddlebrook, Hernando, Nature Coast, Pasco, Crystal River, Bishop McLaughlin, Hernando Christian, Seven Rivers Christian, South Sumter, Sunlake, Wiregrass Ranch

Girls match: noon Monday at Plantation Inn, hosted by Crystal River

Last year's order of finish: 1. Saddlebrook 2. Citrus 3. Zephyrhills

This year's outlook: Zephyrhills should again compete for a spot in regionals, led by No. 1 golfer Lauren McLeod, but Saddlebrook and Citrus are again far and away the top teams. Hernando's Lauren Shuford could contend for an individual spot at regionals.

Boys match: 9 a.m. Tuesday at Saddlebrook Resort, hosted by Saddlebrook

Last year's order of finish: 1. Saddlebrook 2. Citrus 3. Nature Coast

[Last modified October 10, 2007, 20:34:50]