By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Finally making a late home-course debut, during a fist-pump, thumbs-up round, No.16 Bedford North Lawrence stayed as hot as the conditions.
The No.16 Stars earned several positive signals from their head coach during their tour of the front nine at Otis Park. Home was sweet as BNL carded a 166-189 triumph over Martinsville on a sweltering Thursday afternoon.
Ellie Horton led the charge and produced the most fist pumps for quality shots as she posted a 3-over 40 that included two birdies. Kinleigh Root and Emma Endris added 41s at the top of the lineup.
“I’m proud of the team for getting another win in the heat,” BNL coach Kori Johnston said. “Ellie did a good job and earned medalist honors. She’s one we can pretty consistently count on for a good score, which is what you want out of a senior.”
Horton did her damage in the scoring zone, holes 5-7, which is where it should be done. She blasted a second shot from bunker trouble on the par-5 fifth, setting up her first birdie and the first fist of satisfaction. She came back with another double-bomb swat on her way up the sixth hole to set up a two-putt birdie.
Root tamed the toughest hole, the diabolical 8th, with a splendid approach from 150 yards to 15 feet for her lone birdie. Endris was consistent with five pars, and Sammie Nusbaum capped the team scoring with 44. Kadynn Canada, moved up in the lineup with Emma Voris sidelined by illness, fired a personal-best 46 with a birdie on the sixth.
“Incredibly proud of Kadynn for stepping up to the plate,” Johnston said. “She’s improving a ton this season and I know she has more in the tank.”
Maddie Martin and Jocelyn Mercer paced the Artesians with 44s.
BNL will compete in the prestigious Hall of Fame Tournament at The Legends in Franklin on Saturday.
“I’m excited to see what we can do,” Johnston said, “and how we’re stacking up against some of the best in the state.”
BNL 166, Martinsville 189
BNL – Kinleigh Root 41, Ellie Horton 40, Emma Endris 41, Sammie Nusbaum 44, Kadynn Canada 46, Jasmine Nguyen 53, Claire Edwards 56, Madi Crane 59
Martinsville – Fallyn Conway 49, Aslyn Haywood 52, Maddie Martin 44, Jocelyn Mercer 44, Olivia Hittel 55, Lilly Lam 53
