The Mill Creek boys and Lambert girls are among the teams who will defend their state titles when the GHSA golf championship begin around the state.
The championships will be contested over two days, with all schools competing over 36 holes for the second straight year.
Only two schools failed to qualify to defend their championships.
Class AAAAAAA boys at Sunset Country Club, Moultrie: The Mill Creek boys are loaded again. The Hawks have six players capable of shooting in the 70s, including Luka Karaulic is a Georgia Tech signee. The main competition should come from Lambert, led by freshman Myles Jones, and a deep Milton team. Others to watch include Brookwood, Peachtree Ridge, Hillgrove, Camden County, Lowndes and host Colquitt County.
Class AAAAAAA girls at Spring Hill Country Club, Tifton: Veteran Kate Owens leads an experienced Lambert team in search a second straight championship. Teamed with Rachel Burrell and Sharon Mun, the Longhorns are a handful. The biggest challenge may come from North Gwinnett, where area medalist Ahra Ko leads a strong team. Others to watch South Forsyth, Mill Creek, Colquitt County and East Coweta.
Class AAAAAA boys, at Jekyll Island -Pine: Johns Creek, behind the duo of Andy Mao and Nic Cassidy, are favored to win their third straight state championship. Throw in Devel Patel and Preston Topper (like Cassidy, a Georgia commit) and the Gladiators are quite formidable. It shouldn't be a runaway, however, with Greenbrier, Lakeside Evans and Gainesville and Cambridge also fielding deep teams. Area 1 champion Glynn Academy will get a few strokes for playing on a course with which it is quite familiar.
Class AAAAAA girls at Jekyll Island - Indian Mounds: Northview derailed defending state champion Johns Creek in the area tournament, but both are among the main contenders at the state meet. Northview, led by area medalist Diana Liu, and Johns Creek both have four good players in a tournament that takes the best three scores. Others to watch include Valdosta, Glynn Academy, Dalton and Gainesville.
Class AAAAA boys at Planterra Ridge, Peachtree City: Defending champion Starr's Mill, behind Mason Mayfield and Bryce Holloway, will be favored. Buford, led by Jackson Buchanan, won its area tournament by 22 and should contend. Statesboro, Wayne County, Ola and Carrollton are also in the mix.
Class AAAAA girls at Braelinn, Peachtree City: Starr's Mill is the heavy favorite to defend its title on a very familiar course. The Panthers are solid throughout the lineup and won the area tournament by 49 shots. The lineup of Mary Hunter, Liza Eubanks, Ellie Camp and Julia Schathauser has not missed a step all season. Others to watch are Veterans, Buford and Carrollton.
Class AAAA boys at Achasta Golf Club, Dahlonega: Look for defending champion Columbus and Marist to slug it out. Columbus has won two straight state titles and Marist had its streak of five straight titles snapped last year. Columbus has great depth, led by Ben Carr and Jonathan Parker. Marist is led by Jordan Secret and Matthew Larkin, who finished one-two at area. This tournament should be very competitive, with Woodward Academy, St. Pius, Richmond Academy and LaFayette in the hunt.
Class AAAA girls at Innsbruck, Helen: Defending champion Columbus won its area by 71 shots. Faith Scott and Mary Catherine McDaniel give the Blue Devils a great base. That sets up a showdown with Woodward Academy, one of the hottest teams all season thanks to play of Ayanna Habeel, Morgan Ellison and Teagan Fritts. Central Carroll, behind sisters Ainsley and Loralie Cowart, and North Oconee should also contend.
Class AAA boys at Catechee Golf Club, Hartwell: Westminster may be the favorite to wrest the title from defending champion Pierce County. The Wildcats are led by Sam Lape and Drew Lingle. Pierce County's Ty Metts and Zac Thornton are the class of South Georgia. Host Hart County is also expected to contend, along with Calhoun and Lovett.
Class AAA girls at Cateechee golf Club, Hartwell: Rutland, led by the Pyon sisters – Carrol, Eujin and Jenny – are favored to bring home the hardware. Bremen, Union County, Franklin County, Pierce County and defending state champion Calhoun are also in the mix.
Class AA boys at Applewood Golf Club, Keysville: The field appears to be wide open in this classification, where defending champion Model did not qualify. Metter, Dodge County, Gordon Central and Elbert County are the area champions in the field.
Class AA girls at Waynesboro Country Club: St. Vincent's Academy has the depth needed to knock off defending champion Vidalia. Pepperell and Metter are other contenders.
Class A Private boys at Heron Bay, Locust Grove: Defending champion First Presbyterian returns to defend its title in one of the state's most competitive classifications. But Brookstone, led by Walker Hinds, beat FPD in the area tournament and has been playing well all season against a very competitive schedule. Other major contenders include Prince Avenue Christian, which features UGA commit Will Kahlstorf and Reid Baker, Holy Innocents' and Darlington.
Class A Private girls at Heron Bay, Locust Grove: Only two scores are required in this classification, which gives the advantage to Darlington, King's Ridge and tiny Tallulah Falls. Holy Innocents' has the best player in Emma King and Brookstone also has depth. Defending champion Wesleyan qualified, but is not among the top contenders.
Class A Public boys at Double Oaks Golf Club, Commerce: Gordon Lee, which has four players who shoot in the 80s or better, is favored to defend its title.
Class A Public girls at The Preserve at Lake Oconee, Greensboro: Gordon Lee, led by area medalist MaCall Miller, and Commerce are the favores, but keep an eye on Lake Oconee Academy, which will be playing at home.
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