Sectional Golf Preview: red-hot Smithville enters postseason with momentum
No team comes into the postseason hotter than Smithville's golf team.
After picking up team victories at the Wayne County Athletic League Championships and then the annual State Farm Invitational this past weekend, the Smithies look poised to make a postseason run for the first time in nearly a decade.
Smithville won't be alone, however, as Division II Sectional at The Elms is loaded with local talent.
Standing in its way is a Waynedale team that took the overall WCAL title by a point and a host of individuals that could grab one of the three district spots up for grabs.
In D-III, Hiland is poised for another strong finish as it has one of the most balanced lineups locally.
Here's a preview of the boys and girls D-II/III sectionals involving area teams:
Boys
DIVISION II
River Greens Sectional
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 25
WHERE: River Greens Golf Course
AREA TEAM: West Holmes. OTHERS: Carrollton, Claymont, Coshocton, Edison, Indian Valley, Maysville, Meadowbrook, Morgan, Philo, Ridgewood, River View, Sandy Valley.
WHAT TO WATCH: A district qualifier last fall, the Knights's Trey Baker is looking to have a repeat performance in his final postseason journey. Teammate Grady Toye, who just missed qualifying a year ago, should also be in the mix as the sectional returns just three other players — Thad Cox (River View), Deagan Beaber (Indian Valley), Austen Gunn (Indian Valley) — that posted top-10 finishes in 2022.
AT STAKE: Top four teams and top four individual scores, not on a qualifying ream, advance to EagleSticks District on Oct. 2.
The Elms Sectional
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27.
WHERE: The Elms Country Club
AREA TEAMS: Chippewa, Orrville, Smithville, Triway, Waynedale. OTHERS: Canton South. Coventry, Fairless, Manchester, Marlington, Northwest, South Range, Springfield, West Branch.
WHAT TO WATCH: The one-two punch of Hunter Pertee and Gavin VonAlmen have been the key to a successful season for the Smithies this fall. A pleasant surprise has been the play of Owen Ward, who has overcome some midseason struggles to be a key part in some big late-season wins. Don't count out Waynedale, however, as coach Melinda Budd's team always finds a way to be successful in the postseason. Sophomore Jordan Miller has been among the top local players and will look to get the Golden Bears back to districts after a year hiatus. Triway's Tyler Snyder — the lone player from the Titans state team in 2021 — will look to advance individually, along with Chippewa's Dylan Braswell and Anthony Kish. Returnees Ryan Dinan of Coventry and Brady Hahn of Springfield battled it out in a three-hole playoff last season with Dinan emerging as medalist.
AT STAKE: Top three teams and top three individual scores, not on a qualifying ream, advance to Windmill Lakes District on Oct. 3.
Pine Hills Sectional
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27.
WHERE: Pine Hills Golf Course
AREA TEAM: Norwayne. OTHERS: Beachwood, CVCA, Elyria Catholic, Fairview, Firelands, Gilmour Academy, Holy Name, Keystone, Lutheran West, Orange, Ravenna, Woodridge.
WHAT TO WATCH: The Bobcats' Gavin Ferguson has been among the area's most consistent players this fall. It's that steadiness that could also help the senior make a district appearance. The task won't be easy, however, as Pine Hills is one of the toughest tracks of all the local sectional sites and the field is as strong as ever, too.
AT STAKE: Top three teams and top three individual scores, not on a qualifying ream, advance to Windmill Lakes District on Oct. 3. Gilmour Academy is among the teams to watch, led by returnee Charlie Tzefronis.
DIVISION III
Bunker Hill Sectional
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 26.
WHERE: Bunker Hill Golf Course
AREA TEAMS: Dalton, Hillsdale, Loudonville, Northwestern, Tuslaw. OTHERS: Andrews Osborne Academy, Black River, Columbia, Cornerstone Christian, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Kirtland, Lake Ridge Academy, Mapleton, Open Door Christian, Southeast, Wellington.
WHAT TO WATCH: This sectional makes the move across Medina County from Pine Hills to Bunker Hill this season. The competition, however, is the same, as Independence comes in with a veteran-laden team led by Mark Pillar and Liam Jenks. Both Dalton and Loudonville advanced as teams a year ago and, despite losing a chunk of those lineups to graduation, will look to recapture that postseason success. The Bulldogs have been led by Zach Brahler, Thad Weaver and Isaac Mori — both Brahler and Mori were members of that state-qualifying team a year ago — while Judah Layton has been the top player for Redbirds. Tuslaw could be in contention for one of those district positions as a team, led by Evan Back and Andrew Smith. Look for fellow locals Byron Bickel (Hillsdale) and Luke Walton (Northwestern) to compete for one of three individual spots up for grabs.
AT STAKE: Top three teams and top three individual scores, not on a qualifying ream, advance to Tannenhauf District on Oct. 5.
Cambridge Sectional
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27.
WHERE: Cambridge Country Club (60755 Southgate Road, Byesville, 43723)
AREA TEAM: Hiland. OTHERS: Bishop Rosecrans, Bridgeport (Ind.), Buckeye Trail, Catholic Central, Conotton Valley, Fort Frye, Frontier, Garaway, Malvern, Monroe Central, Newcomerstown, River, Shadyside, St. John Central Academy (Ind.), Strasburg-Franklin, Toronto, Tuscarawas Central Catholic, Tuscarawas Valley.
WHAT TO WATCH: On the heels of a runner-up finish at the Eastern District Open this past weekend, the Hawks look poised for another postseason run. Hiland has one of the most balanced lineups out there as Monty Coblentz, Jack Mast and Andrew Beun continue to lead the way. Fort Frye's Chatum Courson was medalist last year with a 73 and is expected to lead the way with returnees Zander Potts (Monroe Central) and Trace Gibson (Garaway).
AT STAKE: Top six teams and top six individual scores, not on a qualifying ream, advance to River Greens District on Oct. 2.
Girls
DIVISION II
Carroll Meadows Sectional
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 26
WHERE: Carroll Meadows Golf Course
AREA TEAMS: Hiland (Ind.), West Holmes (Ind.). OTHERS: Barnesville (Ind.), Beaver, Buckeye Trail, Carrollton, Claymont, East Liverpool (Ind.), Edison, Fort Frye, Frontier (Ind.), Garaway, Harrison Central (Ind.), Indian Valley, Malvern (Ind.), Martins Ferry, Meadowbrook, Minerva, Monroe Central (Ind.), Morgan, Newcomerstown (Ind.), Philo, Ridgewood, River, River View, Sandy Valley, Shadyside (Ind.), St. Clairsville, St. John Central Academy (Ind.), Strasburg-Franklin, Tuscarawas Valley, Union Local (Ind.), West Muskingum.
WHAT TO WATCH: West Holmes' Kenzie Woods recently wrapped up Player of the Year honors in the Ohio Cardinal Conference and now will turn her attention to a state-tournament run. That journey starts with a round at Carroll Meadows, a course where she finished tied for 10th at last season to earn one of the at-large bids. She comes in with a 78.3 average on the season. Hiland's Kylie Miller, who finished eight shots off of the final district spot as a freshman, should also be in the mix.
AT STAKE: Top six teams and top six individual scores, not on a qualifying ream, advance to Cambridge District on Oct. 4.
The Pines Sectional
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27
WHERE: The Pines Golf Club
AREA TEAMS: Chippewa, Dalton (Ind.), Hillsdale (Ind.), Norwayne (Ind.), Orrville (Ind.), Tuslaw (Ind.), Waynedale (Ind.). OTHERS: Brookfield (Ind.), Canton Central Catholic, Canton South, Columbia, East Canton (Ind.), Elyria Catholic, Fairless, Fairview, Field, Firelands (Ind.), Heartland Christian (Ind.), Jackson-Milton (Ind.), Keystone, Lake Center Christian (Ind.), Lake Ridge Academy, Mapleton, Northwest, Open Door (Ind.), Our Lady of Elms, St. Thomas Aquinas (Ind.), St. Vincent-St. Mary, Wellington, Woodridge.
WHAT TO WATCH: Orrville's Abby Ankeman earned the final district-qualifying position a year ago and is one a handful of top players back from the 2022 tourney. Dally Meek of Hillsdale missed advancing by a one shot and will be out for revenge in a field of talented players, including defending sectional team champ St. Vincent-St. Mary and the top returning player in the field in Delaney Kruger and Caitrin Coyle. Both Madison Wade (Dalton) and Grace Kirkhart (Chippewa) were also in the top-25 last season.
AT STAKE: Top four teams and top four individual scores, not on a qualifying ream, advance to Good Park District on Oct. 2.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Sectional Golf Preview: Smithville enters postseason with momentum
