By MARTY JAMES martyjames.sports@gmail.com

Nick DeBellis was the co-individual low medalist, firing an even-par 72 at Wildhorse Golf Club in Davis on Wednesday, and the Napa Valley College men's golf team finished in second place in a Big 8 Conference-North Division tournament.

Napa Valley's 379-team score was highlighted by five players in the Storm's lineup posting scores in the 70s.

DeBellis and Jacob Dredge of Sierra College-Rocklin tied for medalist honors, each with 72s.

DeBellis chipped in for an eagle during his round.

"He was really just driving the ball well and was playing with confidence," said Napa Valley coach Bob Freschi.

It was the 10th tournament of the Big 8 Conference-North Division spring season. The Storm has won six Big 8 Conference North Division tournaments so far. Sierra took first place with a 376-team score. San Joaquin Delta College-Stockton was third with a 405-team score. Modesto Junior College was fourth with a 408-team score.

It was a big turnaround for Napa Valley after taking third place on Monday with a 412-team score in a Big 8 Tournament at Turlock Golf & Country Club.

"They really responded well from our practice on Tuesday (at Chardonnay Golf Club & Vineyards in American Canyon)," said Freschi. "They played solid golf. We thought we had what it took to come in first place and clinch the conference, but we just came up short. We can't control what the opponents do, and Sierra got us (Wednesday). But we played really well. We put ourselves in good spots.

"It was a good scoring day. We did our part."

Napa Valley played very well.

Matthew Commander carded a 3-over-par 75.

It was Anthony Guiomar with a 4-over-par 76.

Markus Nanpei had a 5-over-par 77 and Tyler Momono had a 7-over-par 79.

Also, for the Storm, it was Brayden Dixon with an 82.

"I'm just really proud of the guys and the ability to get back and understand what it takes to play good golf within our system and be disciplined and have a good time doing it," said Freschi.

Napa Valley will be looking to clinch the Big 8 North Division title when it returns to tournament play on April 22 at Elkhorn Golf Club in Stockton. It's the Big 8 Conference's 11th North Division tournament.

"We're a team. Everybody takes turns of going low. But now it's to the point where we need everybody to be consistent and go below their scoring average," said Freschi. "And with the weather the way it's been, I think that will also contribute to playing better golf.

"We've played in some tough conditions over the last couple of months. And now it's warming up and it's firming up and getting a little bit more roll. Instead of having a tough 7-iron in, you're coming in maybe with a wedge or a 9-iron. So those things make a difference as well, I think for the whole field."

Freschi is looking for the Storm to take advantage of the conditions.

"Our ball striking ability, from 1 through 8, hopefully use it to our advantage and believe in it and just execute when the time comes," said Freschi.

* Marty James is a freelance writer who makes his home in Napa. He retired on June 4, 2019 after spending 40 years as a sports writer, sports editor and executive sports editor for the Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa County. He is a 1979 graduate of Sacramento State and a member of the California Golf Writers & Broadcasters Association. He was inducted into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section

Hall of Fame in 2016, the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.