> SOUTHERN INDIANA — There are a lot of similarities between the New Albany and Floyd Central girls’ golf teams.

Each have four returning players from their starting lineup from a year ago. They both play their home meets at Valley View Golf Club in Floyds Knobs, and the teams are preseason co-favorites to capture this year’s sectional title.

On paper, New Albany coach Rick Belcher says his defending sectional champion Bulldogs and Floyd Central should factor into the sectional title mix along with a solid Corydon Central team.

But if Belcher had to name the top sectional favorite today, he would have to pick the Highlanders because they return their No. 1 player in junior Eliza Hudson.

“I think it’s going to be neck-and-neck. But I see them having an edge with Eliza,” Belcher said. “I think they’re the team to beat.”

Both the Highlanders and the Bulldogs will be facing each other several times this season, whether it is in dual meets, triangular meets or 18-hole invitationals. In fact, they have already been paired in two tournaments this past week, which were the Fuzzy Zoeller Invitational at Covered Bridge Golf Club and the Seymour Invitational.

Floyd Central coach Lenny Hartlage expects scores from both the Highlanders and New Albany to be really close, and that each team’s Nos. 4 and 5 players will play a huge factor.

“I think it will come down to that fourth or fifth player,” Hartlage said. “After three players, each team’s score could be tied. So the fourth player could be the difference maker.”

Hartlage thinks New Albany will be a solid squad again this season. The Bulldogs’ four returning players were included in last year’s sectional fivesome in senior Bailey Biggs, junior Haley Roth and sophomores Franci Burton and Heidi Steinert.

New Albany also has freshman Chloe Watts, the sister of former standout New Albany boys’ golfers, Blake and Logan Watts. Belcher thinks Chloe Watts has the potential to be a strong player in the future. He also expects sophomore newcomer Madison Bogdon to crack the Bulldogs’ starting lineup.

The only player New Albany lost to graduation was last year’s No. 1 golfer, Holly Roth.

“New Albany ought to be good,” Hartlage said. “Heidi Steinert is a really good player and they also have Bailey Biggs and Franci Burton.”

Even though Holly Roth is no longer on his team, Belcher says the Bulldogs have huge goals this season, which includes repeating as sectional champions for the first time in program history.

“I think by the end of the season we should be shooting scores in the 330s,” Belcher said. “We’ve improved a lot when you consider we lost our No. 1 player. We’ll just see how we come together.”

Joining Hudson in the Highlanders’ collection of returning players are Morgan Stanley, Scarlett Hartlage and Ashley Dankovich. Floyd Central also welcomes in a talented freshman in Jessica Ingram.

“They are solid,” Belcher said. “What was huge for them is they didn’t lose a No. 1 player. They’ve worked hard and they’ve showed it.”

With continuous improvement, Lenny Hartlage thinks the Highlanders have the potential to qualify for the ultimate tournament in Indiana high school golf.

“If the girls keep working hard, we have a good chance to make state,” he said.