D-B girls, Science Hill boys win region titles

BRISTOL — The Science Hill boys and Dobyns-Bennett girls took home the Region 1-AA championships Friday from The Golf Club of Bristol. Dobyns-Bennett had a pair of 80 rounds from Brentley Marsh and Kennedy Burton to win 160-161 over Science Hill. Host school Tennessee High was third at 163. All three Tri-Cities schools won a postseason title with Science Hill the conference champions and Tennessee High the district champs. But, it was the Lady Indians, which also included Emma Hammons, who advanced to the state tournament. "We have the youngest team in our conference with a freshman and sophomore," D-B coach Reid Burton said. "I told them, 'We don't have the pressure on us.' It was big for me not only to win, but my daughter is on the team. It came down to the last hole, and then the girls birdied the last hole. Today was our day." The Hilltoppers had a 79 from individual medalist Cassidy Mullins and an 82 from Rebekah Bowman to come up just one stroke short. Ava Blevins ended with an 80 and Isla Searcy posted an 83 for Tennessee High. "It was a great season on both sides. Our goal was to get both teams to the state tournament, but came up one stroke short with the girls," Vannoy said. "I'm really proud of Cassidy and the day she had." Daniel Boone's Kara Cretsinger, who wad the conference imedalist weeks ago, shot an 81 to join Blevins and Mullins as individual state qualifiers. BOYS COMPETITION For the Science Hill boys, it meant a sweep of Big 6 Conference, district and region titles. The Hilltoppers won 304-317 over runner-up Morristown West. Sevier County was third at 321 on the par-71 course. In what Science Hill coach Kevin Vannoy describes as team golf, the Hilltoppers had four players score in the 70s. Will Sanders led the way with a 1-over 72. Ben Vandergriff and Avery Watts each finished 6-over 77 with Crockett Mullins a stroke behind at 78. Max Brian had an 80 which didn't count among the team total. It was Science Hill's 11th region title in 12 years. "Any time you give yourself a chance to win a state championship, it's an honor," Vannoy said. "We have the 11 trips in 12 years and you can't do that if you're not a team. Everybody has one or two players who can really go, but you saw the back half come through for us again. The kids have bought into the team concept and I hope it never stops." Tennessee High's Declan McSheehy was the individual medalist with an even-par 71. He was one of three individual qualifiers along with Jake Fowler from Dobyns-Bennett and Jayden Foster from West Ridge who both posted a round of 72. Region 1-AA Championships Friday At The Golf Club of Bristol i—individual medalist s—other state qualifiers (Winning teams and top 3 individuals qualify for state) BOYS SCIENCE HILL (304) Will Sanders 72, Ben Vandergriff 77, Avery Watts 77, Crockett Mullins 78, Max Brian 80 SEVIER COUNTY (321) Grady Smelcer 78, Beau Brannon 80, Boston Gillespie 84, Cale Garrett 79, Sawyer Townsend 102 DOBYNS-BENNETT (329) s-Jake Fowler 72, Camden Cheshier 87, Peyton Robinson 83, Beckley Davis 87, Austin Proffitt 91 WEST RIDGE (323) s-Jayden Foster 72, Fletcher Henritze 80, Bo McGee 88. Kale Creech 83, Cooper Maness 91 MORRISTOWN WEST (317) Carson Kragel 75, James Patrick 82, Preston Clowney 80, Jake Bunch 82, 80Sutton Smith JEFFERSON COUNTY (339) Sonner Harkleroad 86, Kip Seals 96, Sullivan Jones 85, Jack Vannatter 83, William Richards 85 Individuals i-Declan McSheehy, Tennessee High 71 Cole Shankle, Daniel Boone 77 Ryan Phillips, Daniel Boone 82 Rider Finchum, Cocke County 83 James Rader, Morristown East 85 John Odom, Tennessee High 87 Russell Blevins, Tennessee High 88 Bryson Walker, Morristown East 88 Brett Carden, Morristown East 90 Brodie Martin, Morristown East 95 GIRLS DOBYNS-BENNETT (160) Brentley Marsh 80, Kennedy Burton 80, Emma Hammons 94 SCIENCE HILL (161) i-Cassidy Mullins 79, Rebekah Bowman 82, Addison Smith 89 TENNESSEE HIGH (163) Isla Searcy 83, Bella Branson 88, s-Ava Blevins 80 SEVIER COUNTY (188) Lucy Cowart 88, Anellia Brown 104, Linley Huskey 100 MORRISTOWN WEST (197) Harrison Blanchard 88, Emma Dabe-Arebaugh 111, Audrey Noe 109 MORRISTOWN EAST (218) McKinlee Hamilton 112, Mary Helton 106 Individuals s-Kara Cretsinger, Daniel Boone 81 Daisy Kizer, West Ridge 87 Ava Harris, West Ridge 95 Carmelia Kelly, Daniel Boone 101 Sophia Dixon, David Crockett 109 Jeslyn Suwardika, Cocke County 92 Brylee Jarnigan, Jefferson County 138 Caroline Simpson, Jefferson County 143