PRESTONSBURG — Martin County High School boys and girls golf teams took to the greens Aug. 21 for the All-A 15th Region Tournament at StoneCrest Golf Course in Prestonsburg. Two Cardinal golfers, Jake James and Jaylee Deskins, will advance to the state tournament Sept. 9.

James, Drew Wilson, Avery Duncan, Cole Damron and Dylan Hale were all competing to advance to the Boys All-A State Golf Tournament. Deskins, Kenadie Evans and Hannah Swartz were competing on the girls’ side.

Golfers may advance to the state tournament as a team or individual. To qualify for the All A State Tournament a team must win the tournament, while individuals must finish as one of the top 2.

James, a senior, carded an impressive 79, capturing the third position and clinching the final qualifying spot among the boys.

Meanwhile, Deskins, a junior, delivered a career-low, carding a 94 and securing second place for the girls division.

Both received plaques.

“I am really proud of our kids for the way they competed today,” Martin County coach Boo Newsome, an NAIA All-American golfer, remarked. “Jake and Jaylee played some great golf and got it done. This was a great experience for our team and we will use it to continue building the program.”

Newsome’s expertise in the All-A competition is not new. She clinched three consecutive All-A Regional titles at Sheldon Clark High School.

Shelby Valley earned the top team honors for the boys and girls.

Two individual qualifiers from each side will accompany Shelby Valley: Cam Roberts of Pikeville and James for the boys and Kaitlyn Stepp of Pikeville and Deskins for the girls.

The girls state tournament is set for Sept. 9 at the University Club of Arlington, while the boys will contend at Gibson Bay Golf Course.