Parrott Academy won’t be able to defend its state 2A boys golf title, but it does have the opportunity to go back-to-back.
The Patriots will take part in the eight team NCISAA state 3A golf championships Monday and Tuesday at Bryan Park in Greensboro.
Parrott Academy, a 3A school this year, won the 2A title a year ago for its fifth boys golf championship in school history.
The Patriots expect to see some tough competition at the 3A level, but that isn’t deterring them from focusing on winning their sixth state championship overall.
“It’s going to be tough, it really is,” coach Rickie Killinger said. “We’ve got the talent, it’s just a matter of us going to compete and perform.”
Parrott golf has dominated the prep school landscape over the last decade.
Since their first state title in 2002, the Patriots have finished at least third in every state championship tournament, including three second-place finishes and one tied-for-first finish in 2011 that ended in second place after losing in a playoff.
Leading Parrott this year is senior Jack Sides. Sides, who has signed with High Point University, is the reigning High School Invitational champion, EPIC player of the year and leads the team in scoring average at 72.0. Riley Davis, a senior headed to UNC Pembroke, is averaging 73.6 while senior James Stroud is averaging a 79.1.
Freshman Wes Simmons, who is being recruited by several Division I schools, Killinger said, is second on the team in scoring average at 72.6. He shot a 66 at Prestonwood Country Club to win the Eastern Plains Independent Conference individual title.
Matt Simmons, the older brother of Wes Simmons, is averaging a 78 while Walt Killinger, a first-year player, rounds out the six-man team.
That six-man team set a school record with a 275 at the EPIC championships.
Sides (43rd), Davis (38th) and Wes Simmons (26th) are ranked in the top 50 among junior golfers statewide.
“Junior golf programs at local country clubs are producing good players. We’ve just been fortunate enough to get those golfers,” Killinger said. “A lot of the credit has got to go to their parents, instilling in them that ability at a young age and helping them to get better throughout the years.
“Golf is a tough game, and you don’t get to have the success that we’ve had without working at it.”
Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.