By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – In the span of a few holes, the Noblesville boys golf team went from anxious to champion.
The Millers won a tight sectional at Harbour Trees on Monday. Host Noblesville overcame a tough set of opponents, eventually claiming its 18th sectional title by scoring a team total of 310.
Defending champion Fishers finished second with a 315, while Hamilton Southeastern placed third with a 316. All three teams qualified for the Muncie Central regional, which is Thursday at The Players Club in Yorktown.
The Millers were in a battle with the Tigers and the Royals, as well as Tipton, which finished fourth with a 324. But Noblesville finished the tournament strong, and that made the difference.
“There was a point with three or four holes left that I was hoping we were going to make it out,” said Millers coach Gary Deakyne. “And then the guys turned it on late in the round and made some birdies and the next thing you know we’re sectional champions.”
Will Perkins led the Millers with a score of 73, his total included four birdies. Alex Peck followed with a 76, making one birdie, with Brady Mangin scoring a 78 and getting one birdie. Rory Bushong also made one birdie.
“It’s special when you’re supposed to win, but it’s even more special when you win when you’re not supposed to,” said Deakyne. “And we beat two really good teams today in Fishers and Southeastern and we’ll have to deal with them at the regional, too.”
Deakyne called the sectional victory “an exciting win and we’re really happy and we’re thankful for everybody here at Harbour Trees” for giving them the opportunity to compete at the sectional.
Fishers had a pair of solid scores lead the way. Connor McMillan finished with a 74, collecting three birdies along the way. Eli Toon was next in line with a 75, including two birdies. Ryan Witt and Jonathan Ash both had one birdie.
Southeastern was a close third, but the Royals had the meet medalist. Cole Starnes finished with a one-under par 70, starting the day by going three under on the front nine with a 32, a total that included three birdies.
Starnes said that he has carded a nine-hole scores of 31 in tournaments, so Monday’s round was “close to my best,” he said.
“It was pretty good,” said Starnes. “I was putting well, hitting the ball straight.”
Lane Zedrick carded a 79 for Southeastern, including two birdies. Vijeet Akala also made a birdie.
Hamilton Heights tied for fifth place with a 355. Garret James was the Huskies’ low man with an 84, making one birdie. Vincent Harley and Ethan Millsaps both had one birdie.
AT HARBOUR TREES
Team scores: Noblesville 310, Fishers 315, Hamilton Southeastern 316, Tipton 324, Hamilton Heights 355, Pendleton Heights 355, Lapel 368, Frankton 392, Alexandria 403, Anderson 418, Elwood 422, Daleville 459.
Medalist: Cole Starnes (HSE) 32-38=70.
Noblesville scores: Will Perkins 39-34=73, Alex Peck 38-38=76, Brady Mangin 39-39=78, Rory Bushong 43-40=83, Drew Decker 43-43=86.
Fishers scores: Connor McMillan 35-39=74, Eli Toon 37-38=75, Ryan Witt 41-42=83, Jonathan Ash 41-42=83, Owen Munkholm 43-44=87.
Other Southeastern scores: Lane Zedrick 38-41=79, Tyler Marcinko 40-42=82, Vijeet Akala 38-47=85, Jordan Huxford 43-42=85.
Heights scores: Garrett James 43-41=84, Nathan Cox 45-43=88, Vincent Harley 46-42=88, Lance Jones 47-48=95, Ethan Millsaps 53-47=100.
Westfield also won a close sectional on Monday.
The host Shamrocks edged out three other solid teams to win the sectional title at Ulen Country Club in Lebanon. Westfield scored a 297, followed by Guerin Catholic with a 300 and Carmel with a 301. All three teams advance to the Lake Central regional, which takes place Thursday at Sandy Pines in Demotte.
The ‘Rocks had all five of their players score in the 70s. Jake Cesare led the way with a 72, followed by Will Harvey with 74 and Nolan Hall with 75.
Westfield coach Josh Bryant said he was “really proud” of his team’s overall effort.
“They kept their heads high and really competed all day in very tough conditions,” said Bryant. The coach said the Shamrocks played holes 12 through 15 “really well and that ended up being the difference for us.”
Bryant said his team is excited for the opportunity to return to Sandy Pines. “The course is very tight off the tee in some areas but that should play into one of our strengths this year which has been driving accuracy,” he said.
Westfield won its sixth sectional championship in school history and its first since 2016.
The Golden Eagles had the meet medalist at Ulen: Connor McNeely scored a 69 to earn top honors, including a 31 on the back nine. Jacob Modleski was next for Guerin Catholic with a 74 and Leo Wessel carded a 75.
The Greyhounds’ Patrick Michael was the individual runner-up with a score of 71. Owen Sander was next in line with a 75.
Sheridan had a team total of 438; Parker Williams led the Blackhawks with a 100. University’s Andrew Gipson played as an individual, scoring a 123.
AT ULEN COUNTRY CLUB
Team scores: Westfield 297, Guerin Catholic 300, Carmel 301, Zionsville 305, Lebanon 341, Western Boone 382, Bethesda Christian 406, Sheridan 438, Frankfort 440.
Medalist: Connor McNeely (GC) 38-31=69.
Westfield scores: Jake Cesare 34-38=72, Will Harvey 38-36=74, Nolan Hall 40-35=75, Cam Kooi 38-38=76, Alec Cesare 39-40=79.
Other Guerin Catholic scores: Jacob Modleski 37-37=74, Leo Wessel 38-37=75, Zach Thieme 46-36=82, Scotty Smith 42-41-83.
Carmel scores: Patrick Michael 36-35=71, Owen Sander 38-37=75, Ryan Jones 41-36=77, Joseph Armfield 42-36=78, Kent Fujita 43-41=84.
Sheridan scores: Parker Williams 50-50=100, Grant Ferren 51-52=103, Tyler Garner 59-51=110, Zach Phillips 65-60=125, Riley Stapleton 65-62=127.
University score: Andrew Gipson 62-61=123.