WESSON – Coach Ken Beesley, Jr., was hoping his NatchezCathedral golf team could maintain their lead in the second roundof the Class 2A State Tournament. Beesley’s hopes came trueWednesday afternoon at the Wolf Hollow Golf Club as Cathedralcruised to the state title with a 652 team total for two days and36 holes.

Booneville’s Blue Devils were second and 12 strokes back at 664.Loyd Star’s Hornets were third at 666. Loyd Star, fourth afterTuesday’s opening round, made a second round surge which saw theHornets improving their first day’s total by 14 strokes.

Directing Loyd Star’s rally was sophomore Jody Britt who shot acareer-best, 2-over-par 74. Britt birdied No.s 15, 16 and 17,nearly getting a fourth straight bird on the difficult, par-4 18th.His 140-yard approach shot from across the lake came to rest 10feet from the hole.

“My ball landed near a dead spot and I had to putt through it,”said Britt. “It lipped out on me. I had two other putts for birdiewhich hit the lip.”

Britt said he had an extra incentive yesterday. “I told my daddyI needed a new set of irons. He said, “If you win medalist, we’llsee about those new irons.”

Scott Armstrong of Baldwyn was match medalist. The talentedjunior had a 2-round total of 77-72-149 for tournament medalisthonors. Britt had a 159 after shooting 85 the first day.

Sharing second place in the medalist chase were Daniel Boles ofClarkdale and Stephen Hollingsworth of Cathedral at 151.

Freshman Leland Hinton of Wesson was fourth at 153. He shot 79the first day and 74 the second, getting birdies on the first andlast holes of the second round.

Cathedral, led by Hollingsworth, got a 79-81-160 from MarkCarter. Tyler Crisp shot 83-87-170, Josh Ford 92-81-173 and WylerMurray 90-92-182.

“Jody has a lot of ability,” said Loyd Star coach Ricky Myers.”He had only played in three tournaments this year,” due to hisinvolvement with the Loyd Star baseball team where Britt playssecond base.

“I’m pleased with our effort,” said Myers. “We have a youngteam.”

Junior Trent Maddox led Loyd Star with a 2-day total of79-80-159. Britt shot 85 the first day and improved by 11 strokes.Eighth graders Blake Windham (85-85-170), Josh Wright (85-85-170)and Dylan Britt (92-94-186) rounded out the scoring.

In Class 1A, the West Union Eagles flew to the championship witha 2-day total of 680, led by tournament medalist Brady Brock whoshot 76-83-159. Biloxi Mercy Cross, the defending state champion,was second at 704. Vicksburg St. Aloysius was third at 709.

B.J. McNeal of Myrtle led the individual entrants with a scoreof 83-84-167.

CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT

Team scores: Natchez Cathedral 328-324-652, Booneville332-332-664, Loyd Star 340-326- 666, Gulfport St. John 336-332-668,Baldwyn 342-336-678, Clarkdale 344-342-686, Bruce 343-345-688,Sumrall 381-387-768.

Individuals: Leland Hinton, Wesson 79-74-153; Trey Easter,Hatley, 82-88-170; Daniel Hunt, Ackerman, 88-89-177; Nick Payne87-91-178; Adam Doyle, Hatley, 92-87-179; Craighton Hardy, St.Andrew’s 92-91-183; Ann Herring, Winona, 97-92-189.

CLASS 1A STATE TOURNAMENT

Team scores: West Union 333-347-680; Biloxi Mercy Cross355-349-704; Vicksburg St. Aloysius 337-372-709, Greenville St.Joseph 377-340-717; Smithville 393-379-772; East Union404-403-807.

Individuals: B.J. McNeal, Myrtle, 83-84-167; Chad Moore,Jumpertown, 91-89-180; Brett Tice, Wheeler, 94-87-181; MattKnighton, Myrtle, 97-99-196, Ray Harper, Union, 104-100-204; JoshMcKinnion, Noxapater, 98-106-204.