POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The 2023-24 season may not have gone how the Pearl River golf team wanted it to, but the Wildcats are entering the 2024-25 season feeling optimistic about their chances.
“Last year’s team put their heart and soul into it, but they were just a little bit too green,” head coach Coby Scarborough said. “I made a pact to myself that if we were going to do this, then I had to do a better job recruiting. I went out and got 12 new athletes who have a lot of golfing experience.
“I’m really excited about this team. This is the best recruiting class I’ve had, and they’ve come in and meshed. They’re a family and are making each other better. I have high expectations for this team. Hopefully, I can manage these guys better and get them where I think they need to be.”
In PRCC’s first season back in action during the 2021-22 season, the Wildcats qualified for the District tournament. PRCC followed that season up by having a pair of individuals qualify for the tournament in 2022-23. In 2024-25, Pearl River is hoping to get back to that level.
“I’ve told these guys that this isn’t an easy conference and that it might be the toughest in the country,” Scarborough said. “We can compete at this level, but we have to do it each and every day. I want to move the needle forward again and take another step as a program.”
The Wildcats will hit the links for the first time on Monday and Tuesday to compete in the MACCC preview at Tunica National.
“I’ve had a smile on my face all week knowing that the first tournament is right around the corner,” Scarborough said. “I’m really excited to get the year underway and get last season behind us. I’m ready to see where we are from last year to this year.”
ABOUT THE TEAM
The six players that will be at the first tournament will be Nathan Hickman (Picayune), Bo Ashley (Purvis), William Dickerson (Gautier), Jeremiah Cochran (Gautier; Covenant Christian), Henry Ros (Pascagoula) and Preston Leggett (Laurel; West Jones).
The Wildcats are expected to be led by Hickman, who helped lead the Maroon Tide to a 2021 MHSAA 5A State Championship and runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2023.
“Nathan is really good off the tee and getting onto the green,” Scarborough said. “His short game still needs some work, and he’s putting a lot of time into it. Nine times out of 10, he hits the score I expect him to. He has room for growth, and once he gets his short game dialed in, he has a chance to be really good.”
Ashley is an experienced golfer, coming to PRCC after a high school career that saw him lead Purvis to three consecutive District 7-4A championships.
“Bo is probably pound-for-pound the longest driver on the team,” Scarborough said. “His short game is really good. I know what I can get out of him. He’s extremely consistent, and I think he will be a big part of the team.”
Dickerson is another decorated member of the team. Before joining the maroon and gold, Dickerson helped Gautier take the 2023. MHSAA 5A State Championship, as well as a runner-up finish in 2024.
“Will is as steady as they get. He’s a 76 or 78 each time he’s out there,” Scarborough said. “He’s not flashy, but he gets it done. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being one of the best on the team when it’s all said and done.”
Cochran comes to PRCC as a surprise, walking on after recommendations from former Pearl River golfers.
“Jeremiah is a blessing. He’s a walk-on that the guys told me about last year, and he’s really impressive. He knocks the ball so far and can play really good golf. His last three qualifying rounds were 75 or better. I think we found a good one with Jeremiah.”
Ros will be another steady finisher for the Wildcats this season. In high school at Pascagoula, Ros was named to the 2024 North/South All-Tournament team.
“Henry is another one that is steady,” Scarborough said. “He can shoot as low as 74 and doesn’t shoot higher than an 80. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts to shoot par as the year goes along. I don’t think he knows what he’s capable of yet.”
Leggett will play the first tournament as an individual but is someone who could feature in the main five throughout the year.
“Preston puts the most time and effort into improving his game,” Scarborough said. “His qualifying rounds were back and forth, but they were near what I needed them to be. He’s got a lot of untapped potential. With some work and growth, he could be really good.”
Other members of the 2024-25 squad are Travis Bourland (Long Beach), Lake Fincher (Biloxi; St. Martin), Bryce Forrester (Hurley; East Central), Tyler Gruich (Gulfport), Jay Hamrick (Hurley; East Central) and Hunter Kuhn (Kiln; Hancock).
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