The old saw in sports is; you get better when you play against better talent. And Knights head golf coach Mike Washington is putting his team up against some of the top talent in the state.

L.J. Frink/News-Herald File Photo. Havasu’s Pat McSweeney, pictured here chipping onto the green at the Courses at London Bridge Golf Club Sept. 12, shot a 5-over 41 Tuesday to help the Knights to a second place finish against larger 5A school in Avondale.

Playing up one conference against 5A schools, the Lake Havasu High School golf team finished second in four-team play at the par-36 Coldwater Golf Course in Avondale Tuesday.

Havasu scored a 217, eight stokes behind host Westview and ahead of Goldwater at a 223 and Deer Valley with a 230.

“We need everybody to be playing at the right time and that time is coming soon,” Washington said.

Brad Lester led the way for the Knights with a 4-over 40 followed by Pat McSweeney with a 41, Nick Masney with a 43, Blake Bradley with a 46 and Eric Gedalje with a 47.

All five scores are counted in 5A play.

“The greens were tough. That’s what got to Eric this trip. Eric was off his average; Blake was a couple strokes off his. But that’s golf. Now we’re trying to figure out our strengths,” Washington said.

The Knights have just the Kingman Invitational this weekend before the final five are selected for regional competition Oct. 23 and 27.

While Gedalje and Masney have been the leaders for the Knights all season long – playing consistent golf match-after-match – Washington said there’s “not a whole lot carved in stone. There’s still a whole lot that could happen in the next couple of weeks.”

You may contact the reporter at dbell@havasunews.com.