Monache six shooters down PHS

When a team has all six of its players shoot in the 40s, it’s virtually unbeatable. That’s what happened on Thursday at River Island as Monache and Porterville High battled for East Yosemite League supremacy as all six of the Marauder golfers shot in the 40s.

With that effort, Monache posted its low score of the year in tough conditions, beating PHS 224-241. Monache improved to 8-0 in the EYL while PHS fell to 7-1.

“I’d definitely take that every time, that’s for sure,” said Monache coach Chris Likewise about all of his players being in the 40s. “Everybody to shoot in the 40s like that, that’s always been our goal. Overall, it was a good team effort. I was pretty happy.”

Porterville’s Chad Branch and Billy McGinn actually posted the two lowest scores of the day as Branch broke 40 for the second time this year with a 39 and Billy McGinn fired a 41, which included a birdie on No. 7. But led by Brandon Swearingen, which tied McGinn with a 41, Monache was able to overcome those two scores.

“Our first two scores, I couldn’t ask for much more from them,” Porterville coach David Herrera said. “We didn’t have a solid round from everybody.”

Even though the conditions were tough, Herrera said it wasn’t that bad. “It was rainy, it was cold,” he said. “It really wasn’t very windy. The kids didn’t have much of a problem with the weather. It’s the same conditions for both teams. Monache adjusted very well.”

About Monache having six scores in the 40s, Herrera said, “It’s hard to beat a team like that. They’re depth is their strength. I know all of our guys can shoot in the 40s. It just didn’t happen today.”

Austin Margosian was also a standout, shooting a 42 for Monache. “Swearingen and Margosian played very well,” LIkewise said. “Both of them could have easily been in the 30s.”

Monache’s No. 1 golfer, Anthony Hernandez actually struggled a little bit, but rallied with birdies on No. 3 and No. 9 to shoot a 48. Also for Monache, T.J. Nichols birdied No. 3 on his way to shooting a 46, Austin Badders fired a 48 and Alex Ramirez added a 49.

For Porterville, Kyle Krumsick shot a 49, Zach Boudreaux fired a 55, Daniel Minter had a 57 and Bronson Duke added a 60.

“I think we have the potential to be in the low to mid teens,” said Likewise about his team breaking 220.