Breaking down the 2018 Jackson area high school golf season
West Tennessee had four boys teams and four girls teams reach the state tournament in three classifications in 2017. Can the same happen this year?
Here is a breakdown of what to know for the 2018 season:
Players to Watch
BOYS
Will Brown (TCA, Fr.) – Brown won the Small Class District 15 championship last year with a 2-over 73.
Bubba Davis (Hardin County, Sr.) – Davis had a strong junior season with a 36.9 average in nine-hole matches.
Zac Douglas (Lexington, Sr.) – Douglas has a chance to make a run at the Large Class state tournament as he steps into the No. 1 spot.
Colby Hughes (USJ, Sr.) – Hughes, a 2017 All-West Tennessee second-team member, played a key role in helping the Bruins back to state.
Garrett McCraw (TCA, Jr.) – McCraw was an All-West Tennessee second-team member last season as he helped the Lions reach the Small Class season tournament.
Jonathan Moore (McKenzie, So.) – Moore, an All-West Tennessee second-team member, tied for 31st at the Small Class state tournament.
Drake Norris (USJ, Sr.) – Norris already has had a hot start to the 2018 season with a win in the Kick-off Classic with a 72.
Blake Wolfe (Jackson Christian, Sr.) – Wolfe, a 2017 All-West Tennessee first-team member, averaged a 36.8 in nine-hole matches and a 75.2 in 18-hole matches.
GIRLS
Karlie Alexander (Milan, Jr.) – Alexander, an All-West Tennessee second-team member in 2017, reached the Small Class state tournament last year for the first time.
Sara Coley (Milan, So.) – Coley is posed to play a key role in trying to get the Lady Bulldogs back to the Small Class state tournament.
Maggie Glass (McKenzie, So.) – Glass won the Small Class District 14 and Region 7 individual titles last season. She finished 11th at the state tournament.
Claire Henson (USJ, Fr.) – Henson won the Kick-off Classic to start the 2018 season, and she finished in a tie for third at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes this week.
Emma Pierce (Hardin County, Sr.) – Pierce averaged an 88 last season as a junior.
Josie Wallace (TCA, Jr.) – Wallace, an All-West Tennessee second-team member in 2017, will try to lead the Lady Lions back to the Small Class state tournament.
3 big questions
1. USJ boys return seven seniors, so can those players lead the Bruins back to the Division II-A state tournament?
2. Will McKenzie boys and girls win the Small Class Region 7 titles once again to earn trips to the state tournament?
3. Lexington boys and McNairy Central girls lost key players after last season, so what team will represent West Tennessee in the Large Class state tournament this season?
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Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.