SOUTH BEND - The IHSAA State Golf Tournament began in earnest Friday. And several local schools, including LaVille, set off to punch their ticket from the South Bend Riley Sectional at Erskine Park to the regional round. This sectional was loaded with team competiton, along with a solid core of individual representatives hoping to the next round. In the end, neither rain nor course conditions could stop the best the South Bend-area has to offer. South Bend Saint Joseph shot 303 to earn the top spot. Elkhart, the defending champs from 2025, was the runner-up with a team score of 306, and Trinity Academy South Bend shot 312 to claim third place. The top three teams advance to the Lake Central Regional June 11 at the Sandy Pines Golf Club in Demotte. The Lake Central Regional includes the top three teams from sectionals at Lake Central, LaPorte, Logansport, SB Riley, and Valparaiso, along with the top 3 golfers from a non-advancing team. LAVILLE GOLF Lucas Kreske, Adam Aschenbrenner, and Liam Stough represented the Lancers.Kreske, a freshman, and Aschenbrenner, a junior, were able to keep within striking distance all day with the lead pack, before settling for an 82 and 84 respectively.  In the end, Stough was within his average. "I think the sectional that we are in is great as there are schools we haven’t gotten to play that year and get to face them in sectionals to see how we stand against them," said Aschenbrenner, a three-time letterwinner.  "There is very good competition as you need to shoot a very good score to advance which really pushes and motivates me to be my best out there." The Lancer junior, like all the golfers, dealt with good playing conditions in the morning before increasing clouds turned into pop-up showers.  Some rain was heavy, forcing the administration to call golfers into the clubhouse. "I feel like I played pretty well going up against the competition that was in this sectional," noted Aschenbrenner, who averaged a tick over 47 per nine holes this season.  "Also I think I played pretty well with the conditions that day, as it was very wet and rainy towards the last few holes.  "I feel like going into the last few holes knowing that I was scoring pretty good compared to some and that I had a shot at moving on that really pushed me to slow down my game and really focus on the little things, which I can say worked out very well." He was only a handful of strokes from moving on to the regional round. Kreske, who was low-man for the Lancers under 42 per nine holes. "Heading into the tournament I was feeling nervous," admitted the LaVille freshman.  "I started my round off really well, even par through 6 holes. The rest of the round went bad and not how I wanted it to go. I was bummed when I realized I was only a couple shots off of qualification. "I know when I play my best I can go out there and compete with the best players, but an 82 after a good start to my round didn’t sit well. I think I let nerves kick in and affect my play. "He too, was just a handful of shots away from advancement.The entire LaVille High School golf team is expected to return next season, plus any newcomers. TOP 3 INDIVIDUALS Beyond South Bend Saint Joseph, Elkhart, and Trinity Academy, the top three individuals will advance.Corbin O'Hara (Penn) shot a 74, Alan Bishop (Mishawaka Marian) a 76, and Cooper Petty (Penn) a 77. The Lake Central Regional is set for play at June 11 beginning at 9:00 AM CT at Sandy Pines, Demotte, IN.