The Kosciusko golf team competed in an eight-team match at Pearl Municipal Course and a nine-team match at Dancing Rabbit in Philadelphia last week.
Kosciusko was the smallest school at Pearl, a 4A competing with six from 6A and one from 5A, but finished second with a team score of 341.
Brandon was first with 320. Oak Grove finished third with 349, followed by Northwest Rankin and Warren Central, both 357, Clinton 361, Neshoba Central (the 5A team) 369 and Pearl 386.
Jeremy Gibson led Kosciusko with an 80. Josh Gibson had 83, John Gant 87 and Karson Rutherford 91.
One day later at Dancing Rabbit, the Whippets were two strokes better on a tougher course with 339.
Coach Wylie Rhodes said it is the best team score in at least five years. “They have progressively gotten better in every match we have played this year.”
Josh Gibson led the Whippets with 78, the best individual score by a Kosciusko golfer in at least five years. Jeremy Gibson shot 80, Rutherford 90 and Gant 91.
West Lauderdale, the defending 4A state champion, was the team winner with 294, led by Will Thompson, medalist with a two-under par 70. “West Lauderdale is really strong,” Rhodes said. “They have five golfers and four of them are seniors.”
Choctaw Central was second with 316 and Bruce third at 330. Neshoba Central shot 348, Nanih Waiya 399, Choctaw County 413 and Newton County 477. With only three golfers, Union did not have a team score.
West Lauderdale and Choctaw Central are Kosciusko opponents in Region 4-4A.
A nine-hole match at Ackerman Country Club hosted by Choctaw County has been added to Kosciusko’s schedule March 20, the first school day after Spring Break. The next 18-hole match is March 27 at Starkville Country Club.
