Middle Township High School sophomore Alex Hicks won the South-Central Group II individual championship Monday afternoon at Centerton Golf Club.

Hicks shot 1-under par 70 to win the event by one stroke. He made nine pars on the front nine before posting three birdies, four pars and two bogeys on the back nine. Hicks helped Middle Township to a fourth-place finish as a team. The Panthers scored 317, finishing behind Rumson-Fair Haven (309), Hopewell Valley (313) and Gloucester County Institute of Technology (316).

Hicks, along with the rest of the top five individuals and top two teams from the tournament, advances to the Tournament of Champions on May 18 at Burlington Country Club in Mt. Holly.

Hicks' teammate, freshman James Kelly, came within a stroke of advancing to the Tournament of Champions. Kelly shot 5-over 76. Other scorers for Middle included Ryan Burke (83) and Ernie Dion (88). Kyle McMullen, who injured his back during the round according to Middle coach Will Mendo, finished with a 91.

More coverage on Hicks' victory can found in this week's editions of the Gazette and Wildwood Leader.