All-Hillsborough girls golf

By JOEY KNIGHT, JOE SMITH and KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writers
Published November 22, 2007

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Player of the year

Shena Yang, Jr., Wharton

Why we picked her: Subtract her hiccup at districts, and Yang was clearly Hillsborough County's top golfer, by several club lengths. She rebounded from her third-place showing at the Class 2A, District 11 tournament with a personal-best 67 at Heritage Isles to win the Region 4 title. A week later, she fought off a nagging cold to finish in a four-way tie for sixth (74-75 149) at the 2A state tournament in Polk County.

Most impressive accomplishment: The 67 at regionals, during which Yang birdied five of nine holes at one point and had no bogeys. Before that round, Yang never had broken 70. "I didn't even think that my score could get that low this year," Yang said. "I was thinking low 70s, but then I surprised myself with that 67."

College plans: Yang still clings to the hope of bypassing college for a pro career.

Did you know?: Yang first played golf on her 7th birthday, when she got a set of clubs for a gift. Nine years later, she plays daily with her father, John, a handyman by trade and the only coach Shena has ever had.

First Team

Kelsey Gibson, So., King: Averaged 38 in regular season; beat Yang at districts

Alex Milan, Fr., Sickles: District champ very solid in regular season

Julie Rolfe, Sr., East Bay: Top player for Indians' district title team

Amy West, Jr., Durant: Beat Yang by five strokes to capture district title

Shena Yang, Jr., Wharton: Placed sixth at Class 2A tourney, while ill

Second Team

Jessica Alexander, Jr., Newsome

Bryce Alley, Sr., Plant

Kim Carpenter, Jr., Berkeley Prep

Amanda Bair, Sr., Sickles

Gen King, Jr., Plant

Coach of the Year

Tom Shea, Berkeley Prep. Shea, who doubles as Buccaneers boys coach, led the girls to a 10th-place finish at the Class A tournament.

Honorable Mention

Berkeley Prep: Kyleen Carpenter, East Bay: Abbie Rolfe, Gaither: Francesca Pierre, Plant: MacKenzie Puryear, Tampa Prep: Taylor Richardson, Wharton: Kate Demick