Bearcats second in district tourney

The Aledo Bearcats Black team finished second in the District 5-5A Tournament at Cross Timbers in Azle, qualifying once again for regional competition.

Courtesy photo

Aledo Black shot a two-day total of 658, trailing only Granbury Purple’s 639. Aledo Orange finished fifth with a score of 700.

Meanwhile, Braden Stokes of Aledo Black won the individual district championship, shooting an even-par 144. He opened with a 1-over-par 73 and followed with a 1-under-par 71.

The Bearcats and Pirates now advance to the 5A Region I Tournament at Lake Ridge Country Club April 13-14 in Lubbock. From there, the top three teams and top three individuals not on a qualifying team will move on to play at state April 27-28 at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown.

“It was super windy, but you’ve got to play the elements,” Aledo coach Brian Mourning said. “Credit to Granbury. They’ve been playing great lately.”

Stokes finished each of his rounds with a flurry. On the opening day he shot 5-under-par on his final four holes with an eagle and three straight birdies. On the second day he shot 3-under on the back nine.

“He saved us, especially on Day One,” Mourning said.

Also for the Bearcats Black, Evan Boukadoum shot 169, Christian Moll finished with a 175, Logan Lund posted a 178 and Maddox Jessup came in with a 179. The four lowest individual scores in each round comprise the team score.

Alec Dolman of Aledo Orange shot a 163 to place seventh individually.

Others competing for Aledo outside of the Black team included Rylan Haley, 174; Andrew Todey, 174; Cain Coggans, 174; Pierce Russom, 179; Tyler Anderson, 181; Ainsley English, 182; and Archer English, 183.

The Bearcats are seeking their first appearance as a team at state since 2023. Stokes, which was a part of that team as a freshman, also qualified individually in 2024.

Looking ahead to regionals, Mourning noted conditions may be much the same as Lubbock is known for its high winds.

“But it won’t be as long a course. Cross Timbers is long and that front nine is brutal,” he said. “We’re going to be hitting a lot of 3 irons and 4 irons off the tee.

“We’ve got to play boring golf this time of year. Just get it up on the green, get your par and be happy.”

The Ladycats were playing their District 5-5A Tournament at press time, also at Cross Timbers.

Aledo is moving up to Class 6A in the fall following the bi-annual University Interscholastic League realignment this past February.