Scranton Prep Clinches Second Consecutive State Golf Title

Scranton Preparatory School emerged victorious in the PIAA Class 2A golf championships, securing its second consecutive state title with a remarkable performance on October 11, 2023. Competing under challenging weather conditions on the White Course at Penn State University, the Cavaliers set a new state tournament record by shooting a combined score of 6-under 282. This impressive score surpassed the previous record of 284, held by Peters Township.

Leading the charge for Scranton Prep was sophomore Brendan Bell, who achieved an outstanding round of 4-under 68, marked by four birdies and 14 pars. Bell’s performance was critical in securing an eight-stroke victory over Cathedral Prep, as his team faced intense competition.

“After last year, they knew that it was going to be hard to repeat, and a lot of the kids were going to be gunning for our team,” said Scranton Prep coach Christi Dorece. “They worked really hard in the offseason, played in many tournaments, and took lots of lessons. They didn’t take it lightly, that’s for sure.”

Bell’s round was marked by consistency. He began with five consecutive pars before birdieing the par-5 sixth hole. “I putted very well,” Bell mentioned, reflecting on key moments during his round. He highlighted two crucial par saves on the first and fourth holes, both achieved with 12-foot putts. Bell’s back nine was particularly strong, where he recorded a score of 3-under 33, including birdies on the par-5 10th, par-5 13th, and par-4 17th.

Coach Dorece praised Bell’s achievement of a second consecutive bogey-free round, describing it as “unbelievable.” She noted the significance of maintaining composure under pressure, especially in a competitive setting.

Other notable performances from Scranton Prep included Cole Powell, who won the individual state title the previous day, contributing a 2-under 70. Ben Boyanoski and Guy Rothery added scores of 1-under 71 and 1-over 73, respectively. Freshman Bobby Stott completed the scoring for the team with a 5-over 77, demonstrating resilience after a challenging start that included a quadruple bogey.

The camaraderie among the team members played a significant role in their success. “They all root for each other and are there for one another,” Dorece noted, emphasizing the healthy competition that drives each player to improve.

In the girls’ Class 2A tournament, Madelyn Bevan led Tunkhannock to a sixth-place finish with a score of 85. Meanwhile, in the Class 3A boys tournament, Meyer Sebastian from Abington Heights shot 1-under 71, helping his team secure an eighth-place position.

The results from the competitions reflect the high level of talent within Pennsylvania’s high school golf community, as many players delivered impressive individual performances while competing against strong teams.

As the season concludes, the Cavaliers’ triumph not only cements their legacy within the sport but also sets a benchmark for future competitors in Pennsylvania high school golf.