Knights lead 3A tourney

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
May 5, 2004
FOREST If today's second round of the MHSAA Class 3A State Golf Tournament is anything like Tuesday's opening round, there's going to be quite a dog fight at the top of the leaderboard.
West Lauderdale enters today's final round at Forest Country Club with a two-stroke lead over the Corinth Warriors and a four-stroke lead over Alcorn Central.
West shot a 313, Corinth came in at 315, and Alcorn Central at 317.
Par on the 6,088-yard course is 72. Each team is allowed five golfers, with the lowest four scores counting in the team total.
Even with its slight lead, West coach Jody Hurst thinks his team can do even better today.
Jarrod Moulds led West with a 77, but Shane Parker and Ross McWilliams were both close as they turned in 78s.
Perhaps the biggest boost by a Knight came from Michael Burton.
Corinth stayed close on the Knights' heels with a 315 total, thanks to a 74 from Curtis Butler, a 78 from Josh Webb, an 81 from Brandon Robbins, and an 82 from Carson Butler.
Alcorn Central is also very much in the hunt after shooting 317. The Bears got a 78 from Jared Hight, a 79 from Reid Bostick, and a pair of 80s from Chase Williams and Lee Boggs.
Purvis shot a 335 to enter the final round in fourth place.
The Tornadoes got a 79 from Joshua Wright, an 80 from Joshua Hill, an 87 from Matt Cobbert, and an 89 from Nick Smith.
Jess Dilley shot a 79 on his home course to lead the Forest Bearcats to a first-round 339. Teammate Zach Rushing fired an 81.
Cleveland was sixth after one round with a 342. The Wildcats got an 83 from Stuart Knighton and an 84 from Mark Roberts.
Carthage opened with a 354 with Jason Long's 74 leading the Tigers.
Franklin County shot a 360 with Chase Evans' 85 leading the Bulldogs.
Poplarville came in with a 366 with Ryan Merritt's 83 leading the Hornets.
Nettleton shot a first-day 380. Clay Finley led the Tigers with an 80.
North Pike brought up the rear with a 386. Leading the Jaguars was Jake Pigott's 84.