Boys’ Golf Preview: Revamped lineups revitalize city trio
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None of the Media City boys’ golf teams qualified for the CIF playoffs last season.
Burbank, Burroughs and Providence will look to head in the opposite direction in 2018. The Bulldogs, Indians and Pioneers will aim to challenge for league titles and to send athletes to the CIF Southern Section Individual Qualifier in May.
Providence is the last local team to win a league crown, having shared the the Liberty League in 2013.
Each team uses De Bell Golf Club as their home site and will seek to fortify their lineups with a blend of returners and newcomers looking to make a splash.
BURBANK
The Bulldogs enjoyed an impressive run in the Pacific League, tying for second with Crescenta Valley behind powerhouse Arcadia. Though Burbank didn’t have enough qualifying scores to advance to the postseason, the league placement has left Burbank second-year coach Doug Grimshaw encouraged about his team’s prospects.
“We definitely learned a lot about ourselves last year and we have a much better idea of what we need to do to take that next step,” Grimshaw said. “We have some more experience and I like the way we are looking.
“I think we have a chance to repeat a second-place finish in league. We have some first-year players, but we think they’ll do well, along with our returners.”
Burbank’s projected lineup will be freshmen J.J. Nakao and Kevin Kienlen and sophomores Hayden Chase, Nick Toczek and Brian McCarthy. Junior Devin Blazon and senior Adam Barnfather will compete for the sixth spot.
BURROUGHS
Burroughs finished fourth in the Pacific League last season under coach Greg Everhart. Like Burbank, Burroughs didn’t have enough qualifying scores to be a part of the playoff picture.
“Things are looking good,” said Everhart, a former All-Area Boys’ Golf Coach of the Year. “We lost a lot of seniors to graduation, including [All-Area selection] Louis D’Aquila, but we have a nice group that’s definitely capable of stepping in and filling those spots.
“We didn’t have enough qualifying scores last year and I don’t see that happening again this year. I feel like they are prepared to compete at the varsity level and it’s about building the program for the next several years.”
Burroughs’ lineup could be senior Andrew Cohen, juniors Jake Panikowski and Dylan Roy and sophomore Niko Coccio, a transfer from Burbank. A freshman contingent of Kodiak Hernandez, Ryan McGowan and Trey Sanchez will also look to crack the lineup.
PROVIDENCE
The Pioneers will complete in the revamped Liberty League, which will include Milken Community, Buckley and Santa Monica Pacifica Christian. Providence tied for second last season and Milken Community won league.
Several returners will be expected to pave the way for Providence.
“We have six or seven returners and we have a good group of talented players,” Providence coach Carl Light said. “It should be a nice mix, though I haven’t seen them hit a ball since last season.
“I think our league will be a little bit stronger with Milken Community being good and Buckley coming back after a few years in another league.”
The Pioneers will return senior Harut Sukunyang and junior Ruby Hong. They will be joined by sophomores Angel Dillarreal and Ethan Morgan.
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
