CBA takes ECC team titles; regionals at GMGC Monday

By David Williams
Published in Sports on October 15, 2004 1:56 PM

• Print
• Email

Morgan Lane was clearly worried.

The Charles B. Aycock golfer was waiting patiently for her teammate Brooke Newell to finish her round in Thursday's Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference golf tournament at Walnut Creek Country Club.

Lane had finished her round and struggled enough for the Golden Falcons to lose the seven-stroke lead they held on conference runner-up Eastern Wayne. Aycock had actually extended their advantage after the first group came in, with tournament medalist Kelli Forbis shooting an 86 to Brittany Taylor's 90 for Eastern Wayne.

But that 12-stroke lead evaporated when Lane came in with 114 on her card, while Ashley Smith shot a 98 to move Eastern Wayne back into the lead.

With only the two lowest scores going toward the final score, Lane was fervently hoping that Newell's score would knock her own score out of the picture and put the title back into Aycock's trophy case.

Newell came off the 18th green as Lane rushed over to meet her. Squeals and hugs ensued.

Newell shot a 98 to make up 16 strokes and claim the conference team title as well as the tournament championship. Eastern Wayne took second in the tournament and overall with a 188 total.

Aycock coach Gary Hales praised his young team and noted their progress over the last three seasons. He has much to look forward to, as well -- team leader Forbis is just a sophomore.

West Carteret carded a 216 for third place in the tournament, while Southern Wayne's Jordan Hill (117) and Lynn Grantham (119) combined to post a 236 for fourth place. Both schools were third and fourth, respectively, in the regular-season standings as well.

Newell, Forbis, Taylor, Smith and West Carteret's Ami Paul were the only golfers to break 100 on the cloudy, but comfortable afternoon.

The all-conference selections -- based on a 105 average -- were Taylor, Smith and Heather Raczkowski of Eastern Wayne; Forbis, Newell and Lane of Charles B. Aycock; Hill of Southern Wayne; and Caroline Smith of West Carteret.

Twelve golfers moved into the field for Monday's 3-A eastern regional tournament, to be held at the Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course. Making the field was Taylor, Smith and Raczkowski of Eastern Wayne; Forbis, Lane and Newell for Aycock; Hill and Grantham from Southern Wayne; and Paul, Smith and Billie Giblin of West Carteret.

"Goldsboro is in great shape for the tournament," said Eastern Wayne coach Scott Waller, who is the regional tournament chair. "It should be a real good tournament for the girls."

The top finishers at the regional will go on to the state 3-A championship tournament Oct. 25-26.

The Falcons survived a tight showdown for the ECC regular-season title, denying Eastern Wayne its third straight crown. The Warriors did not leave the course empty-handed -- Taylor closed out the field as the ECC's individual medalist, shooting 424 for the season and beating her closest rival -- Forbis -- by 19 strokes.

Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference golf tournament

Walnut Creek Country Club

Charles B. Aycock 184 -- Kelli Forbis 86, Brooke Newell 98, Morgan Lane 114, Emily Styewart DNF.

Eastern Wayne 188 -- Brittany Taylor 90, Ashely Smith 98, Heather Raczkowski 105, Megan Sutton 117.

West Carteret 216 -- Ami Paul 99, Caroline Smith 117.

Southern Wayne 236 -- Jordan Hill 117, Lynn Grantham 119, Alyssa Bradshaw 124.

West Craven -- did not take part.