Petal shot 301 Wednesday to take the lead in the first day ofthe Class 4A State Golf Tournament at the Brookhaven Country Club.Brookhaven is currently No. 10 in the 15-team field with a 338.

Match medalist was Patrick Gaddy of Long Beach with 69 on theday. Match play concludes today.

“Everyone that came here today is pleased with the way we haverun it,” said Brookhaven golf coach Steve Huey. “We expect a lotcooler weather tomorrow.”

Following Petal in scoring are West Jones 313, Long Beach 318,Pontotoc 319, DeSoto Central 320, Stone 327, Kosciusko 329,Saltillo 330, Itawamba 333, Brookhaven 338, Neshoba Central 339,St. Martin 340, Terry 344, Northeast Jones 364 and Cleveland366.

Austin Mills led Brookhaven with 79 followed by Brandt Hintonwith 80, James Michael Patti with 86, Tucker Brady with 93 andGrant Nations with 95.

“The only way we can go is up,” stated Huey of the Panthersperformance Wednesday. “I expect them to progress.”