Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — This has become a habit for Chesapeake Panthers’ golfer Derek Lemley and it’s a habit he had no desire to quit.
Lemley took medalist honors with a 76 on rounds of 39 and 37 at the Division III district tournament last week to earn his third straight tournament appearance.
Lemley finished three shots ahead of Western freshman Broc Jordan who was the other individual state qualifier.
The Panthers’ senior will play Friday and Saturday at the NorthStar Golf Club in Sunbury.
Lemley was 18th among 72 golfers as a sophomore playing Ohio State Scarlet Golf Course. Last year he finished 14th in the 72-man field.
Chesapeake senior Justin Black had a 98 on rounds of 50-48. Junior Brock Holley shots 47-52 for a 99 total, sophomore Brandon Blair went 55-47 for a 102, and Liam Thacker finished with a 119 on a 57-62.
Coal Grove junior Trevor Deere tied for 10th overall with an 84 on rounds of 41 and 43. Sophomore Jed Whitworth shot a 53-42 for a 95, senior Ryan Malone shot 46-52 for a 98, junior Garrett Holiday had a 101 on rounds of 51 and 50, and freshman Jake Sites shot 107 on a 51-56.
West Union shot a 330 to win the team championship. North Adams was the runner-up with a 342 to qualify for the state.
Chesapeake was sixth overall at 375 and Coal Grove was seventh at 378.
In the boys’ Division II district at Crown Hill Golf Club in Circleville, Rock Hill Redmen junior Logan Reed led area golfers with an 83 on rounds of 41 and 42.
Ironton Fighting Tigers’ senior Mitchell Weisgarber finished tied for 31st with rounds of 46 and 44 for a 90 total.
Fairland Dragons’ sophomore Reece Bellville shot a 94 on rounds of 46-48 and teammate and fellow sophomore Mihkail Auxier shot 52-47 for a 99.
South Point Pointers’ senior Beau Taylor had a 103 as he shot 50 and 53.
Piketon won the team title with a 324 and New Lexington was next at 326.
The top two teams and two individuals not on the qualifying teams advance to the state tournament.
Coal Grove Lady Hornets Alex Gillette will play in the Division II state tournament this weekend on the Ohio State University Gray Course.