The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
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B-8 GSHS Spring Sports Preview Tuesday, March 28, 2023 South Gibson Star-Times Gibson Southern Boys Golf Titan boys golf team The 2023 Gibson Southern boys track team members are front row: (l to r) Anda Tothong, Mason Scheller, Lloyd Sellers, Daniel Thomas, Logan Dewig, Max Wahl, Way- lon Finney, Beau Rose, Isaac Pohl, Lucas Church, Daegan Schafer, Brody Klem, Keaton Richardville, Maddox Giles, Eli Maikranz and Johnathon Spindler; middle row: Al- ex Spindler, Noah Kuester, Wyatt Hall, Sean DeLong, Connor Wirey, Cooper Maurer, Landon Kiesel, Lucas Kissel, Hayden Pennington, Lucian Wicker, Devin Bane, Brock Fauquher, Nicholas Agee, Macade Chandler, Aiden Loveless, Isaac Fryman; back row: Brody Riggs, Max Wilson, Brodey Toy, Jackson Redding, Maddux Potts, Braxton Toy, Ethan Spindler, Sam Parmer and Wyatt McEllhiney. Not Pictured: Bobby Robinson, Isaac Douglas and Josiah Stroud. GS boys golf hoping to be first boys team to advance to state finals By Andy Heuring Gibson Southern's golf team advanced to the regional last year, but this year they are hoping to make history as the first boys team to advance to the state finals. It is more than just a dream. Why shouldn't it be? They have one of the best players in the state. Sophomore Peyton Blackard returns after a season of dominance in southern Indiana last year. He won all but two tournaments he played in last year. Prior to the state finals, he won the multiple team tournament at the Donald Ross Course at French Lick, the Old Capital tournament, the PAC at Sultan's Run and the sectional at Old Country Club of Vincennes. He also qualified for the state finals, shooting an even par 72 at Country Oaks to finish second individually in the regional. In the state finals he walked off the fifth hole on the second day at Prairie View tied for the lead. He would struggle to finish on the nearly 100 degree day, but still finished 12th in the state finals as a freshman. "I think he is the best player in the state," said Titan Head Coach Matt Reinbrecht, who had a front row seat to Blackard high school golf in southern Indiana last Spring. "I think the sky is the limit for him," said Reinbrecht of Blackard. Last year his one weakness against the best players in the state was his driving accuracy and length. Coach Reinbrecht said Blackard has shown improvement in that area just from being a year older and stronger. "He has probably added 25 to 30 yards off the tee and 10 yards with his irons," said Reinbrecht. "It was really his only weakness last year. When he was playing the top seniors and juniors in the state they were hitting 30 or 40 yards past him. He has closed the gap on that," said Reinbrecht. "I really believe he will be unsatisfied unless he brings home a state championship," said Reinbrecht. While Peyton is going to be at the top of any list, he isn't the Titans' only standout. Otte Droste, a junior, who transferred last year to Gibson Southern, was ineligible to play in meets. He practiced with the team and played in many of the matches, but his scores were unofficial and didn't count. They were also impressive. Coach Reinbrecht said Droste is an outstanding player who consistently shot under 40 last year and threatened to break par, but never quite got there. "He will probably step in to our number two role. He has a ton of potential. His upside is phenomenal. He crushes the ball off the tee. (He) just needs a little fine tuning with his game. I see him finishing in the top of a lot tournaments. But it will be hard to win anything with Peyton on his team," said Reinbrecht. "He is going to be a really good golfer." Gibson Southern returns two juniors, Dawson Maurer and Giles Mitchell, who played most of the varsity matches last year. Maurer is fresh off qualifying for the swim state finals for the second year in a row. Mitchell is a swimmer who gained valuable experience last year at the varsity level. "Both are really good athletes and Mitchell has a really good natural swing. It is just a matter of them both gaining experience in competition," said Reinbrecht. Maurer shot his best score of the year in the sectional, when he shot a 78 that was key for the Titans qualifying for the regional as a team. The talent pool doesn't stop there. Freshman William Redden has a ton of potential. He is one of a select few who has competed at Augusta National. Redden was a national finalist in the Drive, Chip and Putt competition and was one of 10 in his age group invited to Augusta to compete for the national championship. "He has a beautiful swing, but he still has a lot to learn," said Reinbrecht. "That is the big difference between these guys and Peyton. They don't have the experience Peyton has. It might take them until half way through the season for them to get rolling. If I can get them to believe in themselves, they could be really good," said Reinbrecht. The news could get even better for the Titans. Daymian Rij, who played number one on Evansville North state finals team has transferred to Gibson Southern. Ridge as a sophomore last year shot 71, one under par at the regional to win the individual title. In the state finals he shot 77, 76 to finish tied for 17th, four shots behind Blackard. As of now he is ineligible to play for the Titans this season, but is in the process of appealing his eligibility. Reinbrecht said Lucas Emory and Cole Martin both show good potential and have been working hard on their games. "It is just going to be tough with the line-up we have for someone else to break in," said Reinbrecht. Gibson Southern's schedule continues to add tough competition. This year instead of going to the Donald Ross tournament at French Lick they are going to participate in an early season tournament at Covered Bridge. They are returning to a tournament at Rock Hollow in Peru and new to the schedule is the Preview State Finals tournament at Prairie View, which is the site of the State Finals. "That is an honor to get to play in. They only invite 15 teams," said Reinbrecht. "I always ask our team what their goals are and I haven't done that yet, but my goal is to win the sectional and regional. There are going to be some tough teams in the regional, but I really think we can do it," said Reinbrecht.