Roche, Monache get best of Panthers

Monache’s top three golfers provided the difference in its 279-295 win over Porterville, Tuesday night.

No. 2 golfer, senior Daley Roche, was the medalist, shooting a match-high 52 while No. 1, junior Jackie Ramirez, shot a 54 on the par-36 course.

Sophomore No. 3 Devon Meridith was close behind with a 55.

Porterville’s top golfer, junior Mina Hassanshahi, was just behind Roche with a 53 and sophomore teammate Lauren Miller shot a 56, but no other Panther broke 60 on the nine-hole course at River Island Country Club.

Monache coach Tony Grande didn’t think his team was at its best in the rivalry match, but saw his top three girls come through when it mattered.

“I knew it was gonna be close because Porterville’s improved and we’ve improved,” Grande said. “Daley and Jackie are hitting over 200 yards on almost every drive and I had four out of five girls get under 60.”

The fourth was No. 4 Quincy Randhawa, shooting a 58.

Cayla Hildreth (60) and Kim Leyva (63) rounded out the varsity results.

The Panthers’ No. 2 and 4 players, senior Dedra Devine and junior Jacquelyn Forrester carded 61s while sophomore No. 5 player Summer Davis tallied a 64.

Freshman Kasandra Garfield shot a 75, but her’s and Leyva’s score did not count toward the team total as only the top five scores are turned in for each team.

Monache improved to 7-1 (6-1 EYL) with the win. Its only loss came to defending league champion Tulare Western, which returns its entire 2008 lineup.

The Marauders will tangle with Granite Hills at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, with Porterville traveling to Western.