Coronado’s Chambers leads Class 4A state girls tourney

RENO — You never would have known Melanie Chambers shot one of the best rounds of her young high school career.

The Coronado freshman posted a 3-over-par 75 Monday to lead after one round at the Class 4A state girls golf championship at Hidden Valley Country Club, but by her stoic expression you might have thought it was a 13 over.

“I’m just waiting for teammates to get in so I can find out what they get,” Chambers said shortly after she turned in her scorecard.

Chambers, who is just 13 years old, is attempting to do what she couldn’t do during the Sunrise Region tournament: defeat Silverado and Tameka Demps.

So far both goals appear possible.

Chambers’ score helped Coronado to second place, one stroke behind Bishop Manogue.

Bishop Manogue has a team score of 356. Douglas is third at 360.

The tournament concludes with another 18-hole round today.

“I know she felt she left some out there,” Coronado coach Joe Sawaia said of Chambers’ performance. “The scores (today) across the board will all improve as they get a little more comfortable.”

Chambers leads the tournament by two strokes over Damonte Ranch’s Taylor Quienalty, who shot 77.

The Cougars were forced to settle for second place in their regional after Demps, who won a one-hole playoff to claim the individual title, helped propel Silverado to its second consecutive Sunrise title.

Demps posted an 8-over 80 on the first day of the state tournament, in part, because of lackluster putting.

“It wasn’t so bad on the front nine,” Demps said. “But on the back nine I just couldn’t putt. I’d hit the break wrong, I putted too low, it was just ridiculous.”

Silverado sits in fourth, 10 strokes back at 366.

Bishop Gorman is fifth at 371, led by Nichole Corpus-Massucci’s 78.

The greens sped up as the day went on.

In the morning they still were wet because of moisture left on the grass from near-freezing temperatures early Monday.