Led by Alex Harrell's 74, the Central-Phenix City Lady Red Devils finished third Tuesday at Lakewood Golf Course in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A Section 2 girls golf tournament to qualify for next week's sub-state tournament.

This will be Central's third straight trip to the sub-state, which this year will be at Moores Mill Golf Club in Auburn on Monday.

"I was proud of the way the girls played in the heat today," Central coach T.J. Carey said. "We missed second place by just three strokes. I look forward to the sub-state next week."

The top four teams from the sectional advanced to next week's tournament, as do the top four teams from Sectional 1. Only the top three teams from the sub-state will advance to the state tournament, which will be at Grand National in Opelika May 14-15.

"I feel we are one of the

six best teams in 6A in the state," Carey said. "The only problem is that four of the best six teams are in the south sub-state, and only three advance to the finals. We have our work cut out for us this week."

Central won a Class 6A state title in 2008. That team included Harrell, who was only a seventh-grader.

Harrell's 74 was the second-best score in the sectional. The junior, who will skip her senior season after signing with Auburn last month, finished just one shot behind Spain Park's Morgan Natale.

Central's Lena Lemieux finished with an 82, and Lindsey Davis shot a 98.

Tuesday at Lakewood Golf Course

Auburn (243)--Sarahanne Vaughn 80, Jessica Rouillard 81, Megan Heath 82

Spain Park (251)--Morgan Natale 73, Carolina Gurley 82, Jenna Pickering 97

Central (254)--Alex Harrell 74, Lena Lemieux 82, Lindsey Davis 98

Opelika (320)--Kaitlyn Aucoin 106, Brenda Silavanh 107, Lena Silavanh 107

Benjamin Russell (331)--Mackenzie Chapman 101, Jordan Jones 112, Alli Askew 118

Pelham (333)--Grayson Gladden 82, Emily Rames 119, Brittany Boyd 132

Prattville (334)--LeeAnn Cohen 90, Bree Hartz 104, Destiny Hamm 140

Playing as individuals--Taylor Grubbs, Gardendale, 93; Russell Hayden, Benjamin Russell, 93; Jessica Culey, Stanhope Elmore, 113; Bailee Schone, Wetumpka, 95; Carly Finley, Wetumpka, WD.