Photo by Josh Hughes Marietta’s Justin Hartley follows through with a shot during Monday afternoon’s tri at South Hills Golf Club

PARKERSBURG — It was a hot and humid afternoon, but that didn’t stop Parkersburg South, Parkersburg and Marietta from battling it out Monday at the South Hills Golf Club.

The three schools brought out their 6-man teams (with the top four scores from each team counting toward the totals) to settle it on the par-36 back nine, as PHS and South had a close fight to the finish. To help both cases for the Patriots and Big Reds were two co-medalists.

For South, Mace Busch shot a 37. That was good enough to lead his team and lift them to a combined score of 156. Coach BJ Hess spoke of his team’s all-around effort.

“Yeah, Mace Busch co-medaled, which was awesome,” he said. “Dustin Corley had a 38, and our 6-guy Eli Reeves had a 41. You know you have a chance when your 6-guy shoots a 41.”

Although PHS came up a bit short at the end with a combined effort of 159, Daniel Wharton also shot a 37. He put some backspin on a fairway shot to the green to two-putt on his final hole of the day.

When he sank his final shot, Big Reds’ coach Don Snider was overheard saying, “Yeah, Hollywood is on a roll!”

Wharton earned the nickname “Hollywood” due to his clutch play, and Snider talked about his effort following the round.

“He is on a roll,” Snider said. “He shot a 77 the other day (at the Marion County Invitational) and shot a 37 today. He’s got his game going.”

Following Busch’s 37 was Zach Redmon with a 40 on the day. Reeves provided depth where the other teams could not, as he rolled in a 41. Cade Murray came to the clubhouse after shooting a 44. That 44 was still better than five others this afternoon. Not far behind him was Blake Snyder with a 46 to end things on a high note for Parkersburg South.

Wharton’s 37 was followed up with a 40 from both Molly McLean and TJ Davidson. Nicole Lincicome had a 42 on the day, as she wasn’t far off the pace set by her teammates. Logan King shot a 51 on the back nine, and Ethan Metz came in with a 58.

In total, the Marietta Tigers shot a 174. Justin Hartley and Joel Neville each shot a team-best 43 on the day.

AJ Caraham and Josh Sandford both shot 44s for their scores to qualify toward Marietta’s total. The close race from within Tiger golf continued, as Logan Offenberger ended the day with a 45, and JB Wharff came in with a 47.

These three teams aren’t done with each other yet, since they’ll be back at it again on Wednesday at the Parkersburg Country Club.

Contact Josh Hughes at jhughes@newsndsentinel.com