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Hernando Today

County Champs Face District Challenge

Staff photo by DAVE CASEY

The Hernando County champion Springstead Eagles boys’ golf team features, left to right: Head Coach Sonny Long, Kevin Hubbard, Ryan Kiely, Anthony Fiocca, Mike DeCroix, Chris Dipiano and Drew Taylor. Not pictured: Shane Murphy.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: October 13, 2008

Springstead High may have clinched its first county championship in recent memory last Thursday, but today the Eagles have bigger fish to fry.

The next two days will feature district tournaments involving county schools, starting today with the Class 2A, District 6 Tournament starting at 11:30 a.m. at Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in Summerfield.

Both Springstead and Central, the former county champion who finished second to the Eagles this last week, will participate.

The Bears are the two-time defending district champions, but only have one member (Palmer Berberette) who played in last year's tournament. Springstead finished third in 2007. The top three teams and top three individuals not on those teams will advance to the Region II Tournament next Monday.

"We're optimistic because I really like these kids," Springstead Head Coach Sonny Long said. "These kids, they're fighters. They'll give me their best shot. That's all I can ask, no matter what, and we'll take what we can get out of it."

Central Head Coach Gary Morton admits to having no clue what to expect today. He has a young team this year, and the Bears have struggled by their usually high standards.

"I think we've got a chance to go on," Morton said. "I don't think the district is real strong this year."

Tomorrow, Nature Coast Technical will host the 1A-9 Tournament at The Dunes Golf Club at Seville, with a noon shotgun start.

"We're seeded seventh, so we'll have to play great to get into the top three," Nature Coast Head Coach Tom Brown said. "There's a lot of competition in our district this year.

"I was surprised how many teams were 320-330. Usually 340 gets in but I don't think that will be the case this year. Hopefully we'll get some qualifying as individuals but I'm not even sure about that."

Hernando High and Hernando Christian Academy are in the field, as well.

"We should be able to knock off a couple strokes because (the county tournament) was a good eye-opener competition-wise," Hernando Head Coach Jessie Parkin said. "We really wanted to win. We thought we should be able to win. Now we're going to focus up on districts and hopefully we do what we're supposed to."

"For our younger guys, what I really want them to experience is that type of competition," HCA Head Coach Steve Adams said. "It's one thing to play a match where there are only nine holes and stroke maximums. But this is different. This is a true test of exactly how good you are."

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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