Published: August 07, 2008 01:26 am            

TRIBUNE GOLF PREVIEW: Floyd thinking three-peat

Despite graduation losses, Floyd believes it can win HHC, sectional again

Despite losing three players to graduation, the Floyd Central girls’ golf team is confident it can accomplish everything it has done the past two years. That is to be both Hoosier Hills Conference and sectional champions.

“Our goal is to win sectional again,” Highlander head coach Mike Cason said. “We have the talent to do it, but we’re pretty inexperienced. We should be good by the end of the year.”

Cason will rely on returning starters Kristen Reed, a junior, and Janice Heffernan, a sophomore, to lead the Highlanders. Reed shot a 90 and Heffernan fired a 94 in Tuesday’s Fuzzy Zoeller Invitational at Covered Bridge Golf Club.

Junior Samantha Ford and sophomore Bethany Huber will also factor into the Floyd lineup.

The Highlanders will be tested by their tough schedule, especially at the start of the season. They start the season playing four 18-hole invitationals in a seven-day stretch.

“We face some good competition to start the season,” Cason said.

The Highlanders will be in familiar surroundings when they go for their third straight conference title. The HHC meet will be at Floyd’s home course, Valley View Golf Club, which will also host the Floyd Central Sectional.

“With conference being at home this year, it should be an advantage,” Cason said. “We have a good chance to win it again.”



NEW ALBANY

Second-year coach Rick Belcher is relying on his experienced players to rise to the occasion at New Albany this season.

The top three Bulldogs are seniors Kylia Sullivan, Abby Naville and Kelsey Jensen. Sullivan qualified for regional as an individual last season. Another senior who is expected to play a critical role is Shannon Cunningham.

“We have a lot of experience — I just hope it pans out,” Belcher said. “I’ve got four seniors and three of those will play consistently. Hopefully, I’ll see some improvement from last year.

“We should have a fairly good team. It’s just whether they show up and play or not.”

Junior Ashley Curry and freshman Holly Roth should also see some time in the New Albany lineup.

Belcher thinks Floyd and Jennings County will be the teams to beat in the HHC. He also expects Providence to be a formidable nonconference opponent.

“Our sectional and regional are usually always tough,” Belcher said. “Jennings County and Floyd Central are pretty good. They’re pretty solid.”



PROVIDENCE

The Pioneers face a major challenge in trying to replace Kristin Kemp, who was the team’s No. 1 player and leader. Kemp missed making the IHSAA State Finals by one stroke at last year’s Evansville North Regional.

Three seniors are expected to pick up the slack left by Kemp in Elisabeth Voelker, Alexis Hansford and Chelsea Koebel. Sophomores Jennifer McCallister and Clancy Hauber will complete the Pioneer lineup.

“We’ve got a pretty young team besides the seniors I’ve got,” second-year coach Micah Pangburn said. “I think we can at least get out of sectional. But it definitely hurts losing (Kemp).”

Providence has already played three invitationals this week and will play a fourth on Friday in Bedford. Pangburn thinks playing 18-hole tournaments at the start of the season will make his troops better down the road.

“We’re playing a lot of golf,” Pangburn said. “It’s good experience for them, especially for players like Clancy and Jennifer.”

Providence will play in several dual and triangular meets against area rivals Floyd, New Albany and North Harrison. The Pioneers will also compete in the Jasper Wildcat Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 23.

        

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