The Carson High golf team overcame a tough start in brutal conditions to take second in its opening Sierra League tournament of the season on Tuesday at Sierra Sage at Stead.
Carson was edged out for first in the tournament with Reno finishing at 403 and Carson finishing at 408. They were followed by North Valleys (442), Douglas (445), South Tahoe (447) and Wooster (491).
The Senators had three golfers place in the top six. Matt Mitchell was fourth with a 79 and Tyson Roser and Kyle Bacon each tied for fifth with an 81. ALso for Carson Kyle Winters shot an 82, J.T. Cockerill fired an 85 and Brice Crook had an 88.
The tournament was held in 40-plus degree winds and rain, although the players received a little bit of a break as the wind and rain didn't always come at the same time.
"It was either very windy or it rained," Carson coach Rod Butler said. "The wind was changing directions. It made it really difficult for them."
"They played pretty solid,' said Butler about his team overcoming a slow start. "They guys held together. I was really happy with them."
Butler was also pleased with the play of Bacon, Crook and Mitchell who were playing in their first league match.
"He's a tough kid," said Butler about Mitchell. "He doesn't quit out there. He didn't give up out there and he kept working hard."
Two teams will advance to the NIAA 4A State Championships and earning a state berth looks to be as tough as ever. Along with Reno among the teams expected to be tough from the High Desert League are Galena and Fallon.
Reno had the top two players in Tuesday's tournament with scores of 73 and 76. "They could be extremely tough all year long," Butler said.
The next Sierra League tournament will be April 5 at Wild Creek while the High Desert League will hold a tournament at Eagle Valley. "That will really give us a chance to see how our scores rate with theirs," Butler said.
Carson will then hold its invitational on April 6 and 7.
