Bexley High School was represented on the final weekend of the Division II boys golf season by senior Grant Murphy, who tied for 34th of 72 competitors in the state tournament held Oct. 12 and 13 at Ohio State's Scarlet Course.

Murphy shot a combined 174 (88-86) to tie Logan Beechy of Newton Falls as Cameron Willis of Eaton won the individual title with a 151.

"It was a good experience," Murphy said. "It's something that's really tough for other people to do and I'm glad I got there. I didn't play as I may have liked, but it's something I'll remember forever and it was just awesome."

Dayton Oakwood won the team title (639).

Murphy advanced to state by being the top-finishing individual (75) on a non-qualifying team in the district tournament Oct. 3 at Granville Golf Course.

The Lions finished fourth (321) in the 12-team district tournament as the top two advanced to state.

"Being a senior, getting to the state tournament was the ideal going away party for me," Murphy said. "It's something everyone dreams about doing and I got to do it, which is great. I had a great season myself and played really well.

"As a team, we were amazing. We did come up short, but we were there until the end, that's for sure."

As Murphy expected, he said the greens on the Scarlet Course were difficult.

"I struggled with my putting a lot," he said. "They made those greens and pin positions ridiculously hard, that's for sure.

"I thought I hit the ball well, I just didn't help myself at all with my putter and wedges."

Girls tennis season ends at district

Singles players Sierra Humphrey and Caroline Phillips and the doubles team Maddie Copp and Hallie Wirthman all lost in the first round of the Division II district girls tennis tournament Oct. 12 at Columbus School for Girls.

Humphrey lost to Hartley's Rachel Morales 6-0, 6-0 and Phillips lost to Centennial's Niki Stearns 6-1, 6-4.

Copp and Wirthman lost to CSG's Mary Anne Click and Tiffany Lau 6-3, 6-1.

"None of them had played at the district," coach Shelby Cheses said. "It was pretty exciting because it was their first time. The doubles team was seeded at sectionals and they lived up to it. They've kind of come together more as the season has come to an end and become better doubles players."

Bexley finished 7-5 overall and 4-1 in the MSL-Cardinal/Ohio Division. The Lions finished second in the league with 34 points, behind Columbus Academy (45) and ahead of Granville (21), Grandview (18), Fisher Catholic (4) and Whitehall (3).

Becca Landon and Phillips were first-team all-league, while Humphrey, Carly Levy and Hien Ta were on the second team and Copp and Wirthman were honorable mention.

Humphrey, Landon and Levy are seniors, and Copp plans to graduate in the spring as a junior.

Expected to be back are freshman Sammi Levy and Phillips and Wirthman, both juniors.

"We should have a good crew of incoming freshmen from our middle school team," Cheses said. "In the last few years they've been doing better and better."

After five consecutive seasons of having someone compete in the state tournament, Cheses didn't have anyone advance to the final weekend. But she said it still was a strong season.

"It was rewarding," she said. "It was a year of change and transition, but hopefully in the upcoming years we'll be back. It is difficult with the quality of players we have in central Ohio to get one of only two spots to state (from district)."

Field hockey team set for tournament

Coach Kara Hardesty's field hockey team got a test that could be a hint of what was to come in the postseason when it lost to Watterson 1-0 on Oct. 8.

"We played a great game and held them off until 12 minutes were left in the second half," Hardesty said. "They have only allowed two goals all year, so their defense is tough. We did get some shots off, but they were aimed straight at the goalie."

The Lions defeated Lancaster 3-1 on Oct. 11 behind goals from Katie Barno, Grace Rosenthal and Ellie Williams.

They finished the regular season 8-4-4 overall and 7-3-1 in the Central Ohio Field Hockey League.

The Lions played host to Olentangy in the first round of the district tournament Oct. 17.

"We didn't play Olentangy (during the regular season), but we did scrimmage them," Hardesty said. "I think the home-field advantage will help us, as they are used to playing on grass.

"If we play consistently and use our speed, we have the potential to go deep in the tournament."

The winner advanced to play Thomas Worthington or Olentangy Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Football team awaits Licking Valley

The football team dropped to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the MSL-Ohio with a 42-24 home loss to Heath on Oct. 12.

Andre Stewart ran for a 26-yard touchdown and threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Greg Miller, and Jacob Old added a 2-yard touchdown run.

The Lions play Friday, Oct. 19, at Licking Valley.

The Panthers defeated Columbus Academy 21-17 at home Oct. 12 to improve to 5-3 and 4-1.

Drew McArtor scored twice, including an 11-yard run with 2:45 to play to take the lead.

Devin Carr caught a 29-yard scoring pass from Grant Berger.

Bexley finishes the season at home against Whitehall on Oct. 26.