"We have only three seniors on the team, but we have a few experienced juniors," said Prior Lake coach Mel Johnson. "The expectations for the team are to finish in the upper half of the South Suburban Conference."

Senior Chase Cooper is expected to lead the way for the Lakers. He led the team last year in the Section 2AAA tourney, but was nine shots off a state berth.

Prior Lake had its first SSC tourney April 14 in the cold at Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington. The Lakers finished eighth with a team score of 359.

Lakeville North won (311), followed by Lakeville South (325), Rosemount (345), Bloomington Jefferson (350), Eastview (352), Eagan (354) and Apple Valley (356). Burnsville was ninth (362), followed by Bloomington Kennedy (397).

Cooper led the Lakers with an 83. Junior Jason Grosklags had 89, while senior Davis Garborg had 93 and junior Kevin McKiernan shot 94. Junior Austin Gaffney shot 95 and senior Jon Schrope finished with 97.

Prior Lake's own 23-team invite was April 16 at The Wilds. But with the rain and light snow flurries, the entire 18-hole tourney was started, but not completed.

At sections last year, Prior Lake had just one score in the 70s in the 36-hole tourney. That came from Cooper (79). The Lakers ended up ninth in the team standings.

The Section 2AAA field is loaded with top programs, including Chaska, Eden Prairie, Edina, Bloomington Jefferson and Chanhassen. Eden Prairie is the defending state champion.

The Lakers won the Section 2AAA title in 2010 and ended up fifth at state.

Prior Lake's second conference tourney is April 21 at Valleywood Golf Course in Apple Valley at 3 p.m. The Lakers are in the East Ridge Invitational April 22 at Stoneridge Golf Course at 9 a.m.