John Paul II opens 29-shot lead in SCISA golf finals; HHCA and Prep battle

No one would blame John Paul II golf coach Mark Waninger or his players for doing a double-take when the team scores were added up Monday at the SCISA Class 1-A golf championship. Or even pulling out their cellphone calculator to double-check.

Yes, that really is a 29-shot lead the Golden Warriors take into the final round at Coastal Carolina’s General Hackler Course in Conway.

“It’s a nice lead, but I’m not sure it’s a comfortable lead,” said Waninger, whose roster features a pair of sixth-graders and two more seventh-graders.

With Alex Thaller’s 1-over-par 73 also leading the individual battle, John Paul II posted a total of 336 to leave the rest of the field in the dust. Charleston Collegiate was next at 365.

There’s nothing comfortable, meanwhile, about Hilton Head Christian’s quest for a fourth consecutive Class 2-A crown. The Eagles and rival Hilton Head Prep figure to go down to the wire after completing the first day separated by just four strokes.

“Prep’s done a fabulous job,” Eagles coach Doug Langhals said. “They’ve got a great team, a great group of kids. Our kids have worked hard this year, but they’re going to have to finish strong to hold them off.”

In its first year of varsity competition, John Paul II has held its own in regular season tournaments against HHCA and Prep. Nonetheless, no one was prepared to see the gap between the Golden Warriors and the rest of the Class 1-A field.

“They are peaking,” Waninger said. “As young as they are, I don’t think it’s really sinking in. They know they played well, but they think they can play better.”

Behind Thaller, Andrew Swanson carded an 82, followed by Nic Richardson (88) and Sean Engler (93).

“I’m pumped for them,” Langhals said of the JP2 roster. “They’ve been improving all year.”

The Eagles, meanwhile, counted no round worse than 77 to reach Monday’s midway point with a team total of 299. Prep posted a 303, followed by a sizeable drop to third-place Palmetto Christian at 320.

After two years of sizeable romps, thanks to a roster that included such college-bound talent as Bryson Nimmer (Clemson) and J.D. Lehman (Louisville), this year figures to provide some drama.

“It will be a fun day,” said Prep coach Steven Moe.

HHCA’s R.J. Bartolomucci bounced back from a slow start to shoot 31 on the back nine, finishing at 1-under 71 that shared top individual honors with Prep’s Christian Garruppo and Nick Willis of Spartanburg Christian.

Anna Eddy added a 75 for the Eagles, with Matt Lehman carding a 76 and Danny Azallion 77. For Prep, Aidan McCloskey posted a 73 and Evan White a 78.

This story was originally published April 25, 2016 at 9:40 PM with the headline "John Paul II opens 29-shot lead in SCISA golf finals; HHCA and Prep battle."