ECC golf race heating up

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 14, 2008 1:50 PM

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Never underestimate home field advantage.

Eastern Wayne had not been playing its best golf heading into Monday's home match at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course. But when the final scores rolled in, a day on their local links was just what the doctor ordered.

The Warriors, led by Jasmine Reeves' medalist round of 3-over par 39, carded a first-place team total of 144 in the final regular-season, Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference match.

"That is more like what we are capable of shooting," said Warriors head coach Scott Waller. "I have been telling them all year that we could be right in it, and today they settled down and played some good golf."

Reeves all but locked up ECC player-of-the-year accolades.

"She played well, but it could have been even better," Waller said. "She had three three-putts ... without those she would have shot even par."

Fellow Warriors Hannah Grantham shot a 50 and Sydney Stocks fired a personal best round of 55 to cap the Warriors' scoring.

Eastern Wayne's victory tightened the race for the ECC championship. Southern Wayne carried a six-stroke lead into Monday's tournament, but Wilson Hunt -- again -- cut into the lead. Hunt fired a 148, compared to 150 for the Saints.

"It's closer than I would like it to be," said Saints head coach Michael Wiggs. "We entered today ahead by six and I was hoping we could pull away to about a 11-12 stroke lead."

Taylor Reaves paced Southern Wayne with a 46. Darian Edwards fired a 49 and Taylor Scott carded a 55.

The Saints will now have to try to protect their four stroke lead at Hunt's home course -- Willow Springs Country Club -- in the 18-hole conference championship match on Wednesday.

"We have to go up there and play well," said Wiggs. "We have seen that course a couple times already this season, which should help us, but we know we have to play relaxed and play smart."

Neither Wilson Beddingfield or C.B. Aycock had enough participants to register a team score on Monday. The Golden Falcons' Lauren Larison shot a 57, while teammate Jessie Stewart carded a 71.

The final ECC meet begins a string of 18-hole matches to finish the season. The N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A eastern regional is next Monday at GMGC. The top four teams advance to the state championship.

"You never know what can happen if you play well," said Waller. "If we can shoot like we did today, we could have a chance to be one of those four teams that gets to move on."