By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
SEHS girls’ golf team places sixth at state
SEHS Girls' Golf Team
The South Effingham girls’ golf team placed sixth at the state tournament at Indian Mound on May 23. Members of the team are Cayla Tasney, Alyssa Marburger, Hannah Smith, Hillary Smith and Ansley Adkins. (Submitted photo.)

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald


GUYTON – South Effingham junior Hillary Smith shot a career-best 83 during her second round at the Indian Mound golf course on Jekyll Island to help the Mustangs' girls to a sixth-place finish at the Class 6A Girls Golf State Championships.

SEHS finished with a team score of 273-277 550 during the two-day, 36-hole tournament which concluded May 23.

Smith, who battled with sickness, had a 93 on the first day but her sizzling second round pushed her to a team-leading score of 176. Cayla Tasney was second for the Mustangs with a 183 followed by seniors Alyssa Marburger and Hannah Smith (both at 195) and sophomore Ansley Adkins' 234.

"It was a good end to the season after (disappointment) at area (championship)," said Beth Goggin, who co-coaches the team with her husband Pete Goggin.

At the Area 1-6A championships, South fell just one shot short of finishing second and automatically qualifying for state. By placing third, however, the Mustangs advanced to Sectionals and still made state (much like a wild-card team in pro sports makes it to the postseason) with another third-place finish.

The top four teams at Sectionals, along with the top two teams from four different areas, made the 12-team state field.

At Sectionals, a one-day, 18-hole tourney at the Mirror Lake Golf Club in Villa Rica, Tasney led the way for the Mustangs with a 93. Hillary Smith shot a 94 and Marburger had a 106 for a team total of 293.

The top three golfers' scores contribute to the team score.

Effingham County's girls placed fourth at area and also made Sectionals, but finished seventh with a score of 316 and failed to make state. Natalie Altman shot a 98 to lead the Rebels.



Lacrosse

ECHS' Strickland earns area goalie-of-year honor

Effingham County junior Faith Strickland recorded a 7.5 goal against average (per game) and had a 0.654 save percentage to earn Class 5A-6A Area 7 Goalie-of-the-Year honors recently.

Strickland's teammates Caleigh Eubanks (attack) and Ava Deloach (defense) captured first-team, all-area honors as well as Strickland.

Audrey Ubernosky (midfield), Megan Coleman (attack), Mackenzie Brown (attack) and Morgan Coleman (midfield) made all-area second team.

And Alaina Garcia (goalie), Olivia Morgan (midfield) and Rachel Franks (defense) were honorable mention all-area.

The ECHS girls set a school record with nine wins this spring and advanced to the Class 5A-6A state tournament.