TBO Prep Sports Chamberlain
Help On The Horizon For Young Chamberlain Squad
ADAM ADKINS
Published: September 30, 2008
While the Chamberlain boys golf team can't seem to catch a break, two young Chiefs are weathering the storm of a difficult season and consistently are turning in solid rounds.Published: September 30, 2008
Sophomores Gary Buffington and Skyler Estes have been mainstays at the top of Coach Bill Workman's lineup, and both have been equally impressive through the first half of the season.
"They've been playing outstanding," Workman said. "They really push each other. They're both really good friends, but they're both really competitive and they take it really seriously. They've both gotten so much better from last year."
Buffington and Estes led the way for Chamberlain last week in a pair of tough losses. Buffington fired a 2-over 38 and Estes a 40 at Emerald Greens on Thursday in a six-stroke loss to Gaither. Two days earlier, Buffington and Estes each shot 1-over 36s at Babe Zaharias to help Chamberlain tie Riverview at 158, but the Chiefs lost in a sudden death playoff after Sharks standout Ian McConnell made birdie on the first extra hole.
There is some potential good news on the horizon for the Chiefs (3-6), however. Chamberlain will welcome back two suspended golfers this week, both of whom were expected to be solid contributors this season. That, and the surprising play lately of freshman Trevor Joseph, who has turned into a viable No. 3 scorer, could help turn things around a bit for the Chiefs.
"We just don't have that fourth person. I've got two kids in the mid- to high 30s, consistently, and then Trevor comes through in the 30s as well," Workman said. "Hopefully this week when I get these two kids back we'll start winning some matches."
BRIGHT FUTURE: While the Robinson boys are just 5-6 thus far, Coach Tom Fillion has plenty of reason to be optimistic about the future.
A quartet of freshmen - Ralph Caputo, Zubin Paul, Eric Silvers and Sarosh Tamboli - have shown good flashes for the Knights this season and are finding a way to contribute early.
Caputo turned in the Knights' lowest round, a 43, in their latest victory Thursday over Jefferson, while Paul was third on the team with a 50.
Seniors Anthony Saint and Danny Goff have been the Knights' most consistent players this season.
BLACK BACK: Gaither had arguably its best week of the season last week with victories over Jesuit, Hillsborough and Chamberlain, helping the Cowboys improve their record to 6-7 on the season.
Leading the way was Josh Black, who turned in scores of 40, 37 and 37 in the three victories.
"We got off to a slow start due to a tough schedule, my No. 1 player transferring to King Drew Kloppenburg and Josh Black starting the season in a cast with a broken wrist," Cowboys coach Jim Morrissey said via e-mail. "I'm hoping we continue to improve as we near districts."
BUCS SWEEP: In a matchup of four of Hillsborough County's top programs, the Berkeley Prep boys and girls teams swept Plant in a matchup Wednesday at the Eagles.
Berkeley Prep sophomore Blake Morris shot a 2-under 34 to help the Bucs edge the Panthers 157-158. Tyler Hagan led Plant with an even-par 36.
The girls match also was close, with the Bucs defeating the Panthers 176-190. Berkeley Prep's Kim Carpenter shot a match-low 2-over 38, while Gen King led Plant with a 40.
Berkeley Prep followed those impressive wins with a very good showing Thursday at the sixth annual Mustang Invitational at Seminole Lake Country Club.
The boys finished fifth in the 10-team, 18-hole event. Morris led the way with a 2-over 73, which was good enough to place second in the individual standings. The girls, meanwhile, finished second overall out of four teams at the same tournament, with Carpenter claiming third in the individual standings with a 4-over 75.
Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.