High school spring notebook
Chattahoochee golfer Gabby Gregory, daughter of Grayson boys coach Lenny Gregory, rebounded from a disappointing first nine holes with birdies on Nos. 11 and 12 at Summit Chase Golf Club and emerged low medalist. Her success helped the Cougars win the fourth annual Brookwood Invitational.
Gregory, Region 6-AAAAA medalist two years ago and Cole Mountain Classic medalist last season, said medalist honors in her first tournament this season made up for missing the Gwinnett Open because of a staph infection in her foot. She said she has gained confidence entering this weekend's Spartan Invitational at Lake Lanier.
"The two birdies really helped me get on track [after 41 on the front nine]," she said. "They definitely boosted my confidence for the rest of the round. This is definitely a good start, but there's a lot of room for improvement."
Runner-up North Gwinnett finished 17 shots behind Chattahoochee on the strength of Ellyn Kievet's third-place 85. Ashley Frier and Taylor Allen lifted Mill Creek and Brookwood into third and fourth, respectively, with scores of 89 and 83.
More golf
LSU signee Franco Castro, Region 6-AAAAA medalist last season, helped Alpharetta win the Canongate Eagle Watch Classic with a low round of 73. Contending with fast greens that created scores in the 80s, he shot 36 on the front nine and 37 on back, with birdies on the final two holes. Etowah's David Sullivan and South Forsyth's Austin Ujhelyi tied for second at 76, helping their teams into second and third, respectively.
Lacrosse
St. Pius, state quarterfinalists in 2006-08, began this week as the state's only unbeaten boys team. A 14-6 victory against Roswell improved the Golden Lions to 5-0 and 1-0 in Area 4 for Class A-AAAA teams. ... Marissa Hardy and Allie Ware combined for 30 goals as Milton's girls romped over North Forsyth 21-1 and Alpharetta 26-13 and improved to 5-0-1. The Eagles, state champions in 2005-08, entered games this week against Northview and Roswell averaging 20 goals a game.
Tennis
Defending Class AAAA champion Marist's girls, winners of 13 consecutive state titles from 1994-2006, are off to a hot start because of sophomore Mary Elizabeth Shutley. While starting the season 6-0, primarily at Nos. 2 and 3 singles, she shut out four opponents and lost only six games. ... Marist's No. 1 singles player, Shannon Murdy, who began this week 4-0 because of time away for junior tournaments, has lost only four games.
