The senior shot a two-day total of 2 under par 142 at the Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown.
It was Stokes’ third trip to state in four seasons and one of the best finishes ever for a player from Aledo.
One would never know the intimidation he felt trying out for the team as a freshman. Now, it is he who is doing the intimidating with rounds such as his opening 66 at state.
“I remember when he first came out he didn’t think he was going to make the team, and now he came within a few shots of winning it all,” Aledo coach Brian Mourning said.
Mourning noted a ringing endorsement Stokes, then a freshman, got from another Bearcat golfing great, Braylon Mahanay, who is now playing at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
“I asked him what he thought of Braden. He whispered to me, ‘He’s good,’” Mourning said.
Stokes will soon be playing in college himself as he has committed to the University of Texas at Tyler.
Stokes opened with a 6-under-par 66 and held a one-stroke lead as play began on the second day before finishing with a 76. The championship went to Austin Randall of Prosper Walnut Grove, who shot 137 (67-70) and also led his squad to the team championship with a 575 (285-290).
Gage Elizondo of College Station was second individually with a 139 (70-69) and Gray Gale of Highland Park was third at 140 (68-72). Highland Park had two of the top three teams, with the A team taking second with a 576 (288-288) and the B team placing third with a 592 (299-293).
But it was Stokes’ 66 that was the talk of the tournament, Mourning said.
“We had people coming up asking if he’s the kid who shot 66. They were following for several holes,” Mourning said.
Stokes’ opening round consisted of 10 pars, seven birdies and a bogey. It was on the back nine that he got hot, shooting 5 under par.
“Braden’s one of those guys, he gets a birdie and he can turn into three or four straight,” Mourning said.
As Stokes turns his attention to the college game, his high school legacy was cemented by his performance at state, Mourning said. In short, he’s one of the greatest ever to pick up a club as a Bearcat - although it appeared at first he might be picking up a baseball bat.
“My neighbor got him started in golf. He was a baseball guy,” Mourning said.
Stokes’ father, Jason Stokes, holds the Texas high school single-season home run record, hitting 25 for Coppell in 2000 on his way to being named Gatorade High School Player of the Year. He was drafted by the Florida Marlins and played several seasons in the minor leagues before injuries ended his career.
“I think Braden’s one of the best players ever to come through. He’s got some pretty big trophies in his case,” Mourning said.
Among those is one for winning the 2024 Fort Worth Junior Boys City Championship.
“Braden is going to be missed, no doubt,” Mourning said. “But I believe he’s going to do great in college. I can’t wait to see what he does at the next level.
“I’m thankful I had him for four years.”
Mourning will be back in Georgetown next week with another senior making a third appearance in four years. Emily Crick will compete in the Girls 5A State Tournament Monday and Tuesday, May 4-5.
“We do it all again next week, it’ll be like Groundhog Day,” Mourning said. “It’s so exciting to have two such great players like Braden and Emily finish their careers at this level.”
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