Jackson area high school golf: Who will be the best?
The 2017 high school golf season has already kicked off, but here is a look at what to expect in West Tennessee this season.
Three favored boys teams
• Lexington – The Tigers won the District 14 A-AA tournament last year, and they return all five players.
• USJ – The Bruins might have lost a large number of quality players over the past two years, but they have plenty of talent ready to step in and lead.
• Westview – The Chargers reached the Class A-AA state tournament last year, and they return four of the top five players from that team.
Three favored girls teams
• McNairy Central – With the addition of Karson Adkins, the Lady Bobcats now have two quality players that can lead this team to state.
• South Gibson – With players like Sally Tiger, Bentley Davis and Rachel Tiger, the Lady Hornets will be tough to beat in any given match.
• USJ – Shelby Hatchett and Frances New are gone, but Jill Yates and Carrie Beth Workman are ready to fill those shoes and keep the Lady Bruins as one of the best in West Tennessee.
Individual boys favorites
• Aubrey Bynum (Westview senior) – Bynum won the Region 7 A-AA tournament last year, leading the Chargers to the state tournament. He averaged a 78 in the postseason.
• Chad Driver (Bolivar senior) – Driver reached the Class A-AA state tournament last year and tied for 27th place while averaging a 79 in the postseason.
• Grayson Kirk (USJ senior) – Kirk is the leader of the Bruins this season, and he will try to keep them as one of the best in the state in Division II-A.
• Ethan Phillips (Lexington senior) – Phillips has been to the state tournament the past two seasons, and he should compete for the District 13 and Region 7 titles in the Large Division.
• Tucker Smith (USJ junior) – Smith has already played as the Bruins’ No. 1 this season. He won the opening tournament of the season with a 73.
Individual girls favorites
• Karson Adkins (McNairy Central freshman) – Adkins made the state tournament last year at Adamsville. She has transferred to try and dominate in the Large Division.
• Emily Hamm (McNairy Central senior) – Hamm has qualified for the Class A-AA state tournament the past two years, and she has won the last two District 14 A-AA titles.
• Rachel Tiger (South Gibson sophomore) – Tiger won the District 13 A-AA and Region 7 A-AA titles last season, and the goal is to win at least two more titles this season.
• Sally Tiger (South Gibson senior) – Tiger finished seventh in the Class A-AA state tournament last year. Even though they move to the Large Division, she should still be a contender.
• Jill Yates (USJ senior) – Yates played a key role in the Lady Bruins’ success last year, backing up the top two players that graduated, and now it is her turn to lead.
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Boys who could surprise this year
• Tanner Robinson (TCA junior) – Robinson reached the Class A-AA state tournament last year, and his ability to drive the ball puts him in a good position on any hole.
• Zac Douglas (Lexington junior) – Douglas has been a solid No. 2 for the Tigers for the past two seasons, and he could make a run at the District 13 title at the end of this season.
• Hayden Harris (McNairy Central senior) – Harris advanced to the region tournament last year with a fourth-place finish in the District 14 A-AA tournament.
• Tristan McClain (Chester County sophomore) – McClain came onto the scene last year and helped to keep the Eagles competitive with the best in the district.
• Anders Rider (McKenzie senior) – Rider is off to a good start this season, and he should compete well against the golfers in the Small Division.
• Grant Roberts (Dresden sophomore) – Roberts will try to follow in his brother’s footsteps and reach the Small Division state tournament with a solid postseason.
MORE: Depth an asset for USJ boys, South Gibson girls
Girls who could surprise this year
• Karlie Alexander (Milan sophomore) – Alexander missed the state tournament last year on a playoff hole. She wants to build from that for a strong season this year.
• Katie Lou Chase (Huntingdon junior) – Chase has qualified for the region tournament during her freshman and sophomore seasons. She wants to take the next step this year.
• Whitley Lovelace (Chester County senior) – Lovelace finished second in the District 14 A-AA tournament last year. She has the potential to win a title in her final season.
• Bentley Davis (South Gibson senior) – Davis finished in a tie for first place in the region tournament, and she is hoping to carry that momentum over into this season.
• Josie Wallace (TCA sophomore) – Wallace might be young, but she has already shown this season that she is going to be a contender for a spot in the state tournament.
• Carrie Beth Workman (USJ senior) – Workman is ready to step up her game and try to take the Lady Bruins back to state. She has played well in the early part of the season.
Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.