Howell High School knew what Dawson Jones could do. The issue heading into the 2015 season was how solid the depth behind the Rebels senior was.
Howell’s top team goal for the year is to win the NJSIAA Central/South Jersey championship and qualify as a team for the first time in school history for the Tournament of Champions.
Jones has already been there himself, having won the state sectional twice and being runner up once during his brilliant career.
The University of Rhode Island bound Jones would like some company this year, and the results from the early season tournaments have been positive for the Rebels.
At the April 21 Monmouth County Tournament held at Charleston Spring Golf Course in Millstone, the Rebels finished fourth behind state powers Christian Brothers Academy (300), Manasquan High School (310) and Wall High School (313), and they tied with another state powerhouse, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, with a score of 313.
None of these teams are in Howell’s state section.
Jones, the defending champion, led the way, carding a 73 on the par-70 layout and tying for third place with St. Rose High School’s Kellen Jordan and CBA’s Jack Doherty.
The Colts’ Chris Gotterup shot an evenpar 70 to win the individual championship — one stroke better than his teammate, Sean Farren (71).
Behind Jones, Mike Stefanelli continued his fine season with a 79. Joe Aci was just one stroke back (80) and the fourth scorer, Noah Sloane (83), gave head coach Tim Hogan what he was looking for: a team average of under 80 per golfer. “We should really do well,” Jones said earlier this year when discussing Howell’s prospects for the season,
Howell is well on its way to fulfilling Jones’ assessment of his team.
The Rebels were the only team from the Freehold Regional High School District to qualify for the Shore Conference Tournament. Only the top eight teams advanced to the SCT, which was April 28 at Eagle Ridge in Lakewood. Freehold High School just missed in ninth place (337). Colts Neck High School (339) and Marlboro High School (351) were 11th and 12th, respectively.
Many individuals, however, were on their way to Lakewood.
The cutoff score was 83. Freehold Township High School sophomore Bobby Weise fired a 75 and finished ninth. Freehold’s Russell Herbert tied with Howell’s Stefanelli for 14th with his 79.
Freehold’s Chris Labarabara tied Auci for 20th (80). Colts Neck sent two to the Shore Conference Tournament, with Jack Zaleski and James Sodano both carding 82s.
At the conference tournament, Jones posted a 75 and tied for fourth with Christian Brothers Academy’s Sean Farran.
Stefanelli finished in a tie for 10th with Manasquan High School’s Mike Reilly, as both carded 80s.
Weise (84) and Herbert (85) finished in ties for 20th and 25th.
Howell was eighth (348).
While the long-term goal is the state sectional for Howell’s golfers, the Rebels are also focused on holding onto their Shore Conference A North Division championship. They are undefeated in dual meets (6-0), having beaten every public school the first time around.