By RICHIE HALL
sports@readthereporter.com
YORKTOWN – The name of the postseason golf game is “Survive and Advance,” and that’s what Noblesville and Hamilton Southeastern did on Thursday.
Both the Millers and the Royals finished in the top three at the Yorktown regional, which took place at The Player’s Club. Noblesville placed second with a score of 296, followed by Southeastern with 297.
Pendleton Heights won the regional championship, scoring 294 for the Arabians’ first-ever regional title, as well as the first regional crown for any Madison County school since Anderson won in 1996. All three schools are headed to the IHSAA state finals, which begin Tuesday at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.
The Millers used their depth and consistency to secure their ticket to state. Jackson Mahan was Noblesville’s low man, finishing with a one-under par 71 that tied him for fourth individually.
Tyler Marucci scored 73, followed by Dustin Turpin with 74. JT Kelley’s 79 and Lance Decker’s 84 rounded out the Millers’ scoring. Noblesville advanced to state for the fifth straight year and the 27th time in program history.
“We played very well to start and we struggled a little bit coming down the stretch,” said Millers coach Gary Deakyne. “We got a few things we’re going to clean up before next Tuesday and Wednesday and play well to survive and advance. That’s what we always say, get through, and once you’re through, you never know what can happen.”
Mahan agreed that the team played well enough to advance.
“I think we all did,” he said. “A couple guys were a little disappointed with how they played, but we all played good enough just to get through.”
“Jackson’s really starting to play well, Turp’s bringing it on and my younger guys are playing well as well,” said Deakyne. “And T-Mar is always there. Marucci, he’s a staple that you can always count on. We feel good going into next week.”
Southeastern also put together a consistent effort, with all five of its golfers scoring lower than 80. Brody Colburn led the Royals with 73, while Mattingly Upchurch and Dane Starnes both scored 74. Zach Kinzer totaled 77 and Blake Babb scored 79.
“Super proud of the guys,” said HSE coach David Young. “I think about Zach, who took a 10 on his fifth hole of the day and was able to play three under everything after that as a freshman. That’s just so great for him to be able to bounce back and not let that define his round.”
Young also praised Colburn, crediting him with being able to “come through and lock it up and keep the score where we needed it to be.”
The Royals advanced to state for the eighth consecutive year and the 16th time overall.
“We are perennial contenders there and if we just keep our heads and make really good decisions on the golf course, it can be anybody’s tournament,” said Young.
Fishers had two individuals compete at the regional. Evan Back scored 78 and Kaiden Sullivan scored 85.
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