BAKERSFIELD - Lemoore High school senior Hillary Billingsley finished 14th at Monday's Central Section golf individual championships at the Rio Bravo Country Club, becoming the first LHS girl to qualify for the Southern California championships next week.

Billingsley shot a nine-over 81. Clovis High's Madchen Ly was medalist with a 74 on the par 72 course.

Billingsley, who's been playing with the Tigers since her sophomore year, had four birdies.

"My putting was good today ... I struggled with my drives and keeping the ball in a little," she said. "I'm really excited to be going on."

The SoCal tournament will be held next Monday at the SCGA Course in Murietta. The State tourney is Nov. 19 at the Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.

Hanford's Kayla Luis shot an 83, just missing a chance at advancing on a tiebreaker.

WATER POLO

Conway WYL's MVP

Hanford West senior Kevin Conway was named MVP and Hanford coach Vince Roeber coach of the year as the all-West Yosemite League boys water polo teams were announced on Sunday night.

First-team selections were Hanford's Josh Ornellas, Hanford's Tyler Johnson, Golden West's Chad Bean and Brian Collinwood, Chris Cussorrow of Redwood, Guillane Urtecho of Mt. Whitney and Ryan Murphy of El Diamante.

Second team picks include Brad Wright, Ryan Dias and Mike Conway of Hanford, Grayson Cardoza and Mike Downing of Hanford West, Craig Ritchie and Travis Hone of El Diamante, Mike Henrickson of Golden West, Austin Dollenberg of Mt. Whitney and Shane Leal of Lemoore.

Honorable mention picks include Ben Hoover, Davy Moroles and Christian Sook of Hanford; Mike Hostetler, Tor Gundmunsson Jon Wan and Spenser Williams of Hanford West; and Robbie Gladders, Joel Coeler and Grant Oliveira of Lemoore.

Hanford West opens the Central Section Division III playoffs tonight against Exeter. Game time is 5 p.m. at the Hanford West pool. Hanford has a first-round bye in the Division II playoffs and plays the winner of today's Fresno-Edison game at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at El Diamante High School.

(Nov. 10, 2009)