Skyhawks win in 2-day tiebreaker battle for girls’ golf title

Heather Cory

From left to right, Coronado’s Melanie Chambers and Green Valley’s Jordan Sala judge their next move on the green during the Sunrise Golf Tournament at Silverstone Golf Club on Tuesday.

By Jared Harmon

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 | 10:42 a.m.

Sunrise girls' golf regional championships

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It took a little longer than expected, but you won’t hear members of Silverado’s girls golf team complain.

The Skyhawks won a tie-breaker Wednesday against Coronado to capture the Sunrise Regional championship at the Silverstone Golf Club in Las Vegas.

The event was scheduled to conclude the previous day, but was continued the following morning because darkness prevented 13 golfers from finishing their round.

After all the scores were calculated, the two Henderson area school’s four golfers combined to tie at 351 on the par-72 course to force the tie-breaker.

That’s when Silverado’s Nicole Pagliero, the Skyhawks No. 5 golfer who fired a 107, became the hero. Coronado didn’t have a fifth golfer, making Pagliero’s 33-over-par good enough for the title.

Both teams advanced to the state tournament Monday and Tuesday at the Hidden Valley Country Club in Reno. Silverado is the defending state champion.

“I’m elated and extremely happy with the way we played,” Silverado coach Kevin Schwallie said.

The individual title also went to a tie-breaker when Silverado’s Tameka Demps and Coronado’s Melanie Chambers fired identical 79s. Demps won the tie-breaker hole when she fired a 1-over-par on hole No. 9 to edge Chambers by one stroke.

The victory capped a remarkable comeback for Demps who missed most of the season with a ligament tear in her hand.

“I was surprised that I did so well,” Demps said. “I didn’t know that I was winning (during the round) because I don’t like to look at the scorecard. I just try to stay focused.”

Silverado senior Brittany Rizzetto finished one stroke back at 80 and Schwallie gave her credit for keeping the team together during Demps’ absence.

“Her senior leadership has been huge,” the coach said. “She had to carry us for a while.”

Coronado rallied on the back nine holes to edge Green Valley High by 14 strokes for the second spot at state. The Cougars’ Emily Stephens shot an 87 and Mackenzie Schofield added an 88.

“It would have been to win the region, but to go to a tie-breaker is great,” Coronado coach Joe Sawaia said. “Everyone in the tournament blew up at least one hole, so we have a chance to win state if we can stay away from that big number.”

Green Valley had three qualify for the individual state tournament -- Kristen Shu, who fired an 82, Jordan Sala at 91 and Brittany Radke with a 92.

Basic’s Megan Schraf will also play at state after firing an 87 at regional.

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or jared.harmon@hbcpub.com.