Even if it couldn’t quite make it to the top of the Salt City Athletic Conference Metro division standings, the West Genesee boys golf team would go to the Section III Class AA tournament at Radisson Greens on Wednesday in search of a familiar ending.
Back in 2017, the Wildcats did not claim regular-season honors, but more than made up for it by winning the sectional team crown, though that took place at the more familiar surroundings of Tuscarora Golf Club.
Before all this could happen, WG still had some league matches to play, including a Thursday showdown with Cicero-North Syracuse Blue at Northern Pines that proved as close as possible, but had the Wildcats take a 189-190 defeat to the Northstars.
Nick Bove, with a 34 for nine holes, led the individual race. C-NS Blue got in front thanks to Pat Cuddy and Andrew Brunozzi each shooting 36 and Jake Nardozza adding a 37.
Now it was WG’s turn as Tim Dipaola managed a 38, ahead of 39s from Lucius Allen and Kevin McDermott, with Joe Artini adding a 40. But with 40s from Liam Mussi and Austin Alberici, the Northstars held on by a single stroke.
WG had already defeated Syracuse 180-214 last Monday at Westvale, getting another 34 from Bove to lead the charge as Allen added a 35. Dipaola and Jack Gordon each shot 36 as Connor Barry contributed a 39 to help the Wildcats pull away. For Syracuse, Jon Kinane and Liam Murphy each shot 38.
Westhill still had a chance to win the OHSL Liberty American division regular-season title, and did so, thanks to a narrow 220-221 victory over Chittenango in last Tuesday’s match at Camillus Hills. The Warriors also beat Homer, who shot 226, in this three-team match.
Anthony Maglisco shot a 36, which proved a big key since his total was four shots ahead of the 40 from the Bears’ Tyrus Kelly as Mitch Riter shot 39 to pace Homer.
Brad Randall and Tyler Moscarito both had rounds of 42 for Chittenango to tie for third place as Tanner Smith shot 44 and Brendan Fraser had a 52.
Thus, the Warriors needed the exact scores that Maglisco’s teammates shot. Michael Britt managed a 44, with Luke Gilmartin adding a 46. It took rounds of 47 from Aidan Ryan and Andrew Corning to help the Warriors pull it out.
Before this, Westhill met Phoenix last Monday and prevailed 250-287 over the Firebirds.
Britt led all individuals with a 46 as Gilmartin finished with a 47. Though Phoenix’s Josh VanGorder had a 48, Ryan (49), Devon Young (53) and Michael Savage (55) claimed the next three spots for the Warriors.
