Cal High falls in tiebreaker Sixth-man carries Miramonte

SAN LEANDRO --The East Bay Athletic League magic number was six heading into the North Coast Section South Qualifier at Monarch Bay Golf Club.

After all, it had two teams earn automatic berths at last week's league meet and another four earn at-large berths for an unprecedented six schools in the 20-team event. But Monday it was a different kind of six that dashed the EBAL's hopes of making more history.

Miramonte used its sixth golfer's score to edge California by one stroke and claim the 10th and final team bid to next Monday's NCS Tournament of Champions at Franklin Canyon in Hercules.

In high school golf, only five of the six scores count, but Miramonte caught a break thanks to the tiebreaker.

The Matadors and Grizzlies both finished the 18-hole round with a team score of 417, but Miramonte advanced with its sixth golfer score. The Matadors' Cole Speers shot an 88, one stroke better than California's Ryan Smith.

"I felt really bad shooting an 88," said Speers, his worst 18- hole round of the season. "But it feels good to know I was the tiebreaker, and we won. It's nice to know I sort of counted."

The top 10 teams and 12 individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the NCS TOC. Five of the six EBAL teams qualified to the TOC.

Mat Miller carded a 1-under 70 to help Foothill win the NCS South Qualifier with a 375.

Cameron McGregor shot a 75 to help Alhambra finish seventh with a 403 and advance to its first NCS TOC since 1997 when it won it all.

In the individual competition, Berkeley's Adam Moreno-Hunt finished tied with six other golfers for the 12th and final individual berth, but birdied the first playoff hole to advance.

"The tee shot wasn't bad, it was the putting," said Moreno-Hunt about the pressure. "I saw everyone missing, and that made it tough for me."

Moreno-Hunt had the closest tee shot and had to wait for the six other golfers to putt before he had a chance at his birdie attempt. All six golfers missed their birdie tries on the 149-yard par-3 10th before Moreno-Hunt ended the suspense with his 2-foot putt.

Arroyo, Bishop O'Dowd, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Granada, Las Lomas, Liberty and Piedmont also had individual golfers advance to the TOC.

Also on Monday, Athenian finished seventh at the NCS North qualifier with a 421 at Rooster Run in Petaluma to qualify for the TOC. Dan Bernhard had an 80 to lead the Owls. Berean Christian shot 433 to miss the cut by one.

c2008 ANG Newspapers. Cannot be used or repurposed without prior written permission.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.