The Desert Vista boys golf team was determined to change its luck in the state tournament.
After finishing as state runner-up three years running, the Thunder to get over that hump and took a big step toward that goal on Monday.
Desert Vista enters Tuesday second and final round at Aguila Golf Course in Laveen with a seven-shot lead over defending champion Brophy with Desert Mountain eight back.
Junior Matthew Liringis is the first-day leader at 7-under 65 with Mountain Pointe senior Austin Fletcher tied for second with Desert Mountain's Ian Hagener at 3-under 69.
The Thunder are in position to win its first state because junior Randy Ross is tied for fourth at 2-under 70 and the rest of the team, including Colton Estevez and Brant Jolly, are all tied at 3-over 75.
The Pride was unable to match that consistency as Ben Harden is second on the team at 8-over 80 while three others are at 84.
Desert Vista tees off at 8:30 a.m. in the final group on Tuesday.
Contact writer: (480) 898-7915 or JSkoda@ahwatukee.com. Follow him on Twitter @JSkodaAFN.
