From staff reports

MONROE  —  Salisbury High golfers are tied for third after Monday’s first round of the 2A State Championships at Stonebridge.

It was a disappointing day for the young Hornets, who had hoped to contend.

“Our worst round of the year,” coach Josh Brincefield said. “I think the pressure got to them a little bit.”

Pine Lake Prep shot 292  to take the lead. Seaforth shot 294. Salisbury and Newton-Conover are 27 shots off the pace at 319.

John McCoy was the individual leader through 14 holes, but gave a few shots back coming down the stretch and finished  fifth on the leaderboard at 72.

The other scorers for the Hornets were Jackson Sparger (81), Bo Brincefield (83) and Sam Goodman (83). Jacob Trainor shot 86.

Salisbury is playing without Warren Fesperman,  who suffered a broken arm over the weekend playing basketball in his driveway.

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SOUTHERN PINES — In the 3A State Championships at Longleaf,  East Rowan’s Jaden Sprinkle shot 1-under 71 and is tied for seventh after the first round.

East’s Landon Merrell also is in the field as an individual and shot 75. West Rowan’s Tyler Kepley shot 78 in the first round.

Sprinkle is five shots off the pace. Terry Sanford’s Ethan Paschal shot 6-under 66. Two golfers shot 67.

Northwest Cabar