Anything you can do …
- Updated: May 10, 2021
White Plains girls follow boys lead, take first-round lead in 4A-5A; Webb leads Lady Wildcats with career-best 75
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
MOBILE – The White Plains girls golf team was still on the course by the time their boys were wrapping up their big day, but not to be upstaged, the Lady Wildcats carried on and grabbed the first-round in their tournament, too, setting up the potential for a big blue celebration Tuesday afternoon.
The Lady Wildcats put all three counters in the top 10 and shot 241 as a team to open a seven-shot lead over Northside in the Class 4A-5A girls tournament at RTJ-Magnolia Grove. Alexandria is third at 266, seven ahead of John Carroll.
On the other side of the golf course, the White Plains boys built a 20-shot lead over their field setting up the potential for a championship sweep.
“That sounds good; that’s the dream,” said Baylie Webb, who shot a career-best 75 on the Crossings course to lead the Lady Wildcats. “We both talked about how cool it would be to do it in the same year. I don’t think the guys have won one and we’ve wanted to come back and do it since the seventh grade. To win it both the same year would be amazing.”
Pulling off the double isn’t rare, although it hasn’t been done since 2018; Muscle Shoals swept 6A that year. Muscle Shoals (6A) and Providence Christian (3A-4A boys, 1A-3A girls) did it in 2017. And in 2016, the last time the White Plains’ girls won a blue trophy, Westbrook Christian swept 3A boys and 1A-3A girls.
“This is going to sound weird, but I hadn’t thought about that,” White Plains coach Chris Randall said. “You do your best to think about each team. I’ve been thinking how can we get everything we can get out of the boys and everything we can get out of the girls. It’s been each individual team to be the best you can possibly do and be, but if we win it (both) great.
“I’m sure the kids probably have talked about it, but I haven’t talked about it to the kids. It’s usually what does this team need to do today.”
Webb had three birdies in her round (3, 8, 16) and played the back nine even par. In fact, she played her last 12 holes in 1-under.
She is tied for third with Julie Waldo of Alabama Christian. Northside sister Ashlee and Erika Allen are running 1-2 after a 1-under 71 and even-par 72, respectively. The Lady Wildcats also counted Abby Gattis’ 81 (7th) and Isabel Rogers’ 85.
Rogers is tied for ninth with Alexandria’s Lauren Sechrest and another strong round at No. 3 will be a big factor for White Plains Tuesday. Alexandria also counted a 91 from Emma Ray (13th) and 93 Reagan Finley (14th).
“We’ve been feeling all year we had that in us and all three hadn’t put it together all the same day,” Randall said. “We wanted 240, it could’ve been better, but we’ll sleep on the seven-shot lead. I really think we could shave five or six off that.
“Northside will come after us. Those two sisters are special. We have to be where our feet are, be ready for that shot and not think of the last shot or the next hole, but focus on that shot. If they can do that, the girls can finish this off.”
And then maybe both teams can celebrate together.
Pleasant Valley is competing in the girls 3A tournament. The Lady Raiders are fourth after the opening round.
CLASS 4A-5A GIRLS
At RTJ-Magnolia Grove
Team scores
White Plains 241
Northside 248
Alexandria 266
John Carroll 273
Top 10 Individuals
Ashlee Allen, Northside 37-34—71
Erika Allen, Northside 38-34—72
Julie Waldo, Alabama Christian 40-35—75
Baylie Webb, White Plains 39-36—75
Yvette Gorden, Pike Road 40-37—77
Kaitlyn Shields, John Carroll 43-37—80
Abby Gattis, White Plains 44-37—81
Savannah Sandlin, Oneonta 39-45—84
Isabel Rogers, White Plains 46-39—85
Lauren Sechrest, Alexandria 43-42—85
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