Scranton Prep and Abington Heights continue to rule local golf.
The defending PIAA Class 2A state champion Cavaliers and the defending District 2 Class 3A champion Comets finished first and second, respectively, Aug. 17 in the Bob Simons Memorial Tournament, the early-season test of Lackawanna League boys golf teams and individuals.
The individual title came down to a three-way playoff among Scranton Prep players, as the Cavaliers posted an even-par 288 for their four-player team score.
Abington Heights won two of the four awards that went to the low score from each class, after the top three received their awards. The Comets had all six players shoot 78 or better while finishing second with a 299.
Lakeland put together a strong team effort, led by low senior Mikey Pisarcik’s even-par 72 to finish as the clear third in the 24-team field with a 308.
Scranton Prep’s Cole Powell, Brendan Bell and Bobby Stott shot the only under-par rounds with 71s.
Powell, the defending state Class 2A individual champion, then eagled the par-5 first hole to beat his teammates in the playoffs. Bell took second with a birdie, and Stott finished third.
Connor O’Malley-Kalinoski shot a 35 to go 1-under on the back nine to lead Abington Heights with a 74.
Sebastian Meyer shot 75, then beat Scranton Prep’s Matthew Haggerty in a playoff for low junior honors.
William Yoo and Cole Severs also shot 75s for Abington Heights, with Yoo beating his teammate in a playoff for low junior.
Logan Gallagher added a 76, and Ryan Boyd had a 78 to round out the Comets’ lineup.
Riverside’s Pat Lavelle was the low freshman with an 84.
Honesdale was fourth with a 319, followed by Holy Cross, 330; Mountain View, 335; Western Wayne, 338; Mid Valley, 340; Elk Lake, 341; Riverside, 342; Valley View, 342; Delaware Valley, 352; Blue Ridge, 355; North Pocono, 359; Dunmore, 360; West Scranton, 369; Wallenpaupack, 373; Lackawanna Trail, 380; Forest City, 387; Scranton, 391; Susquehanna, 403; Old Forge, 412 and Carbondale, 444.
The late Simons is the state’s all-time leader in golf coaching victories, all at Wallenpaupack.
