This LaVille golf preview is compliments of Doug Griffiths, The Pilot News Sports Writer LAKEVILLE - LaVille High School’s boys golf team is hopeful the experience of a couple of key returnees pays dividends. Lancer coach Scot Shearer, who is in his second season guiding the team on the links, is looking for big things from juniors Adam Aschenbrenner and Liam Stough this season. Last year, Shearer had a young team that featured just one senior in Jalen Heilman. This year joining Aschenbrenner and Stough as returning letter winners is sophomore Caden Christy. That trio will be joined by senior Troy Szymanowski and freshman Lucas Kreske as a couple newcomers to watch. “In 2026, LaVille brings a year of experience for juniors Adam Aschenbrenner and Liam Stough, along with sophomore Caden Christy,” Shearer said. “Aschenbrenner spent last year as our No.1 golfer, while Stough and Christy helped us with depth. Freshman Lucas Kreske comes in with solid experience and has already made an impact for the Lancers.” Not surprisingly the Lancers are honing their skills to improve their short game in particular. “With putting being the most important part of our game, we are still working on playing around the green,” the Lancer boss said. “We want to improve in that area. We are not consistent in any one area yet, so each portion is important. We will work to be the best we can be.” Not helping matters has been the fact that Mother Nature has been her usual unpredictable self in March and early April. As a result, LaVille has only gotten to be outside to practice a few times. “Our guys are chomping at the bit to be outdoors more,” Shearer said. Hopefully things will dry out sooner rather than later so the Lancers will be able to get more outdoor work in on their game. The team’s home course is once again beautiful Swan Lake. Not many high school teams get the luxury of getting to practice let alone play their home matches on championship courses often described as “in Country Club condition.” ‘We appreciate the facilities that we are allowed to use,” Shearer said. “(Director of golf at Swan Lake) Chad Hutsell and his crew do a fine job of rotating the entire facility to provide all the schools an opportunity to work on their game. We want to be focused during the time we are on the course and improve each day.” LaVille will see some very good competition within the Indiana Northern State Conference. “LaVille is excited to participate in the INSC with some very good competition and to have the opportunity to travel around the area to play at some fine courses and see how we fare each night out,” Shearer said. One of the highlights of the Lancer schedule will be hosting the LaVille Invitational on June 2 at Swan Lake. Eight teams will participate in that with Goshen being the defending champions. Ten days earlier will be the INSC Championships at Pretty Lake, which is always a noteworthy event. The Lancers will play in a challenging 11-team sectional, which will be hosted by South Bend Riley and played on June 8 at Erskine Golf Course. It’s a challenging sectional to say the least with teams like Penn, South Bend St. Joseph, Trinity and Elkhart participating. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Shearer about the tough schedule his team faces. “If you can advance as a team and/or individually that is a solid accomplishment. “There are some great teams and individuals in this sectional.” Shearer expects his team to show signs of improvement throughout the season with the hope of playing its best golf down the stretch. “LaVille boys golf has had some very fine golfers that have moved forward in the state tournament,” he said. “Like everyone else, we want to be playing our best at the end of the year.” 2026 LaVille Golf Schedule April 15 v Jimtown @ Black Squirrel, 5pm April 23 v Tippy Valley/LaLumiere @ Swan Lake, 530pm April 27 v Knox @ Chesapeake GC, 530pm April 30 v Marquette Catholic/Elk. Christian Academy @ Michigan City South Course, 530pm May 6 v Plymouth/Culver @ Pretty Lake, 4:30pm May 9 v Marshall County Invitational @ Pretty Lake, 130pm May 12 v John Glenn @ Swan Lake, 5pm May 18 v Culver @ Maxinkuckee Country Club, 5pm May 19 v Rochester @ Swan Lake, 5pm May 20 v Bremen/Oregon-Davis @ Swan Lake 5pm May 23 v INSC Championships @ Pretty Lake, 130pm May 27 v Jimtown/New Prairie @ Bent Oak, 530pm May 30 v INSC Championships @ TBA (Rain Date) June 2 v LaVille Invitational @ Swan Lake, 10am June 8 v IHSAA South Bend Sectional @ Erskine, 9am June 11 v IHSAA Lake Central Regional @ Sandy Pines, TBA June 16-17 v IHSAA State Championships @ Prairie View GC, TBA