Stokes qualifies for state, Bearcats fourth at regionals

For a third consecutive year the Aledo Bearcats will be represented at the Class 5A State Golf Tournament. Sophomore Braden Stokes qualified individually from the Region I Tournament Monday and Tuesday, April 15-16 at Hillcrest Golf Course in Lubbock.

Stokes put together rounds of 75 and 76 for a 151 two-day total. He qualified as the second of three players not on one of the three qualifying teams, Burleson Centennial (610), Argyle (610) and Amarillo Tascosa (619).

The low medalist for the tournament was Argyle's Ethan Payne with a 147 (72-75).

Overall, Stokes was sixth individually. After Monday's round he was tied for ninth.

The 5A Boys State Tournament is April 29-30 at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown.

The Bearcats narrowly missed qualifying as a complete team for the first time since 2022. Their two-day total of 624 (310-314) was fourth.

The tournament featured good conditions on Monday, but Tuesday golfers had to battle winds of 35-plus miles per hour.

"We played better today than we did yesterday," Bearcats coach Brian Mourning said on Tuesday. "We had a couple of struggling scores yesterday, but kids fought back today to get within five (strokes) of going.

"Braden played really well both days. Glad to see him getting rewarded for his hard work."

Senior Jett Moore, who was tied for first after the opening day with an even-par 72,  came close to joining Stokes at state. He tied for the third medalist not on a qualifying team with a 153 after shooting 81 Tuesday.

"Heartbreaking for him to end his high school career. He has a great future ahead of him at Weatherford (College)," Mourning said or Moore.

Moore will be joining his former Aledo teammate Braylon Mahanay, a freshman this season with the Coyotes. Mahanay qualified for state individually last season and both were on the 2022 squad that competed in Austin.

Rounding out the Aledo scoring were junior Ethan Elmore, 158 (76-82); sophomore Gavin Beard, 166 (90-76); and junior Helton Mosiello, 168 (87-81). The four lowest individual scores in each round comprise the team score.

To qualify for the regional tournament, the Bearcats won the District 5-5A championship at Sugar Tree Golf Club by 23 strokes over Northwest.

Ladycats seeking return

The Aledo Ladycats were playing in the 5A Region I Tournament at Lake Ridge Country Club in Lubbock at press time. Like the Bearcats, they are coming off yet another district championship, winning the 5-5A title by 55 strokes over runner-up Granbury.

The Ladycats are playing for a fourth consecutive trip to state as a team and their 11th in 13 seasons - discounting 2020 when COVID-19 canceled the state tournament, but the Ladycats were projected top three in the state.