Bears establish conference command

The New Bern girls golf team established command of the Coastal Conference on Tuesday, winning the first league match of the season with a score of 262.

The Bears were led by senior Caroline Ellington, who earned match-medalist honors with a 1-under-par score of 70 at the River Bend Golf and Country Club.

"I don't even know what to say about it myself," New Bern coach Dutch Overton said. "I'm just elated. That's an excellent score - solid score, anywhere, anytime."

New Bern's Tatum Briele placed second with a score of 80, while Havelock's Jennifer Crow guided the Rams to a fourth-place showing with a score of 84.

Crow placed seventh in the 1A/2A/3A portion of the state championships last season.

"She's capable of shooting a lot better than 84," Havelock coach Phil Buzzelli said. "She's capable of shooting a par round."

Rounding out the Havelock top-three scorers, senior Sharissa Dice finished with a 114, while freshman Emily Snell turned in a score of 123. Jamiliah Jones and Christina Rudd both carded rounds of 133.

"I'm encouraged," Buzzelli said. "We have a team that can go to regional, and we have a player that can qualify for state."

West Craven finished sixth with a score of 385. The Eagles were led by Tiffany Fairburn's score of 120. Emily Pate and Jessica Roadman finished with scores of 132 and 133, respectively.

The Eagles are fielding a team for the first time in several years this season. Although head coach Jeff Cannon is well aware there will be a development process, he is optimistic about what his team can accomplish in the future.

"We have eight girls that are very interested, and they're all vying for the five spots you play in high school," Cannon said. "We're enjoying practicing out here, and the girls are learning a lot."

Christina Kingsbury and Carlie Straub rounded out the Eagles' top-five with scores of 135 and 140, respectively.

New Bern's No. 3 player Brandy Stout shot a 112, while Jordan Overton and Katherine Barlow finished with scores of 117 and 119, respectively.

"We can play better," Overton said. "Caroline is playing as good as I've ever seen her play. The rest of the team has been a little inconsistent so far, but it's early."

West Carteret finished third in the match, while South Central placed fifth and Washington took seventh.

All Coastal Conference teams return to action on Tuesday at Washington.

Jess Huffman can be reached at (252) 635-5669 or at jhuffman@freedomenc.com.