Arabians, Raiders again top area boys golf landscape

Apr. 1—The boys golf scene has shown vast improvement, with postseason advancement in each of the past three seasons.

That positive trajectory should continue in 2024, with a number of talented returning players as well as several area teams boasting quality newcomers.

Pendleton Heights and Shenandoah, both of which sent players to regional last season, will seek their third straight respective county titles.

Both the Arabians and the Raiders hope to advance in the postseason as teams after coming tantalizingly close to doing so last year, settling for three players instead. Shenandoah's Ryan Craig has graduated, but Sam Denny and Ryan Davis of Pendleton Heights are back.

Frankton was sixth at sectional and figures — along with Lapel — to be a team that could push the Arabians in the Madison County tournament.

Alexandria is coming off a CIC championship, Elwood looks to have expanded and improved its depth and Anderson hopes to build with a new coach and an injection of enthusiasm.

Here is a glance at area boys golf teams this spring:

ALEXANDRIA

Coach: Bruce Johnson (9th season); 2023: 10-4, CIC Champions; Key losses: Owen Harpe, Isaiah Fye; Key returning players: Spencer Hiser, Colton Eden, Brady Eden; Newcomers to watch: Eli DiRuzza, Jayce Alberts; Potential breakout: Micah Justus

ANDERSON

Coach: Charles Graybiel (1st season); Key returning players: Chris Greer, Travis Fisher, Nick Davis, Tyler Sroufe; Newcomer to watch: Andrew Smith; Potential breakout: Greer

DALEVILLE

Coach: Matt Wilson (3rd season); 2023: 9-9, won Tri Invitational; Key losses: Zach Cooper, Gatlin Elliot, Hunter Thompson; Key returning player: Trevor Swingley; Newcomers to watch: Noah Nixon, Will Cukrowicz; Potential breakout: Cukrowicz

ELWOOD

Coaches: Tom Austin (3rd season) and Will Dailey (2nd season); 2023: Improved 51 shots over course of season; Key losses: Zane Henry, Jayden Reese, Isaac Wright; Key returning players: Beau Brandon, Braxton Dailey, Anthony Pan; Newcomers to watch: Luke Groover, Aden Nichols, Ayden Belcher, Owen Hinchman; Potential breakout: Groover

Outlook: Dailey said the team goal is to place in the top three at both the Central Indiana Conference and Madison County tournaments.

FRANKTON

Coach: Jeff Bates (13th season); 2023: CIC runner-up; Key loss: Carson Ward; Key returning players: Liam Baker, Jace Scott, Christian Knauer, Kaden Key; Newcomers to watch: Jett Hiatt, Reid Utterback, Ryder Shepherd; Potential breakout: Scott, Hiatt

Outlook: "The Eagles are positioned to make a run at the conference, (Madison) County and sectional tournaments this season," Bates said.

LAPEL

Coach: Ryan Jackson (4th season); Key losses: Jacob Erwin, Tyler Lutz, Grant Humerickhouse, Clayton Baker; Key returning players: Kaden Suchocki, Bryson Hall, Gavin Hutton, Nathan Hobbs; Newcomers to watch: Owen Garber, Maverick Beeson; Potential breakout: Cale Paddock, Crawford Douglas

MADISON-GRANT

Coach: David Mooney (2nd season)

PENDLETON HEIGHTS

Coach: Hunter Cook (3rd season); 2023: Madison County champions; Key loss: Cohen Gray; Expected to return: Sam Denny, Ryan Davis, Hayden Fox, Vance Jarvis

SHENANDOAH

Coach: Troy McKee and Bruce Stanley (1st season); 2023: MEC and Henry County champions; Key loss: Ryan Craig; Key returning players: Landon Harter, Cohen Shores, Case Morehouse, Christian Bell; Newcomers to watch: A.J. Demick, Coy Price, Nathan House; Potential breakout: Bell

Outlook: "We are going from six players last year to 15 this year," Stanley said. "This has created great competition for this season for our top five players. We have several players with the ability to be in the top five competing for firing on all cylinders when sectional rolls around."

Contact Rob Hunt at rob.hunt@heraldbulletin.com or 765-640-4886.