After winning the Class I golf state championship a season ago, the goal for the Eupora Eagles was to repeat in 2024. Michael Knightís golf team returned a lot of firepower from last yearís squad and had high expectations as they were able to host this yearís championship at the Starkville Country Club. After falling behind in round one of the event, the Eagles battled back and were able to make a run before falling just short. The team finished Runners Up for the title this season and capped another great year of golf under Knight. ìThey battled all year. We had a good group of guys put in a lot of hard work,î Knight said. ìWe just came up a little short. When itís time to play, youíve got to score and we didnít score those two days, but overall we won a lot of matches and had a great year. ìLloyd Star was a really good opponent and Biggersville and Baldwyn had some good teams. When itís cold or windy, youíve got to get the ball in the hole and we didnít quite get it done.î Lloyd Star won the state title this season after shooting 659 in the two rounds. The Eagles finished 10 strokes back at 669 with their second round being 331, five strokes ahead of Lloyd Star. A 338 in round one compared to Lloyd Starís 323 was the difference. A total of 18 teams qualified for the state championship ranging from all over the state of Mississippi. Out of every player that contended in the event, Euporaís Jackson Knight had the greatest performance. The 9th grader shot a 72 in round one and a 74 in round two on the way to claiming the individual state title. It was a proud day for the Knight family but, most importantly for the entire squad. ìHe was really excited, and I was excited for him because he puts a lot of time and effort into it,î coach Knight said. ìTo see the hard work pay off was really exciting for him and weíre really looking forward to him the next three years. He putted really well. He didnít hit it as good the second day but he kept a cool head which isnít his strongest suit sometimes.î Jacksonís younger brother, Cameron, finished 11th in the state as an 8th grader while senior Landry Winter was 18th and junior Cole Cummings was 25th. Several key players will return for a chance at it again next year, but the Eagles are also losing some talent. Winter is moving on after this year and will be playing college baseball for East Central Community College. Jacob Surma also will be graduating and leaving a hole in the roster. Knight believes there will be some growing pains for his young squad next year, but the best is yet to come. ìWeíll be a little shorthanded next year, but in two or three years, weíre going to be coming back,î Knight said. ìWeíve got some young players next year that are figuring out how to put the ball in the hole but I think weíll be alright.î
