Warren Central’s reign as the MHSAA girls Class III state champion appears to be coming to an end.

Karley Whittington’s, however, is just getting started.

The Warren Central freshman shot a 6-under par 66 on Monday — her best round ever on her home course — to take a commanding seven-shot lead into today’s final round at the Class III state tournament at Clear Creek Golf Course

Whittington was seven shots ahead of D’Iberville’s Hannah Levi, and eight in front of Oak Grove’s Keista Elder. It’s a comfortable lead for the defending individual state champion, as well as a personal best.

Whittington’s previous low round at Clear Creek was a 71 at the Warren Central Invitational in March. She was scheduled tee off with the first group at 8:30 this morning.

Whittington also led Warren Central to the team title in 2014, but might need to go even lower today to keep that run going.

The top two scores count toward the team total, and the second-best WC golfer was Mia Wamsley with a 105. Jessica Hurley shot a 112.

Warren Central was still in fourth place with a team total of 171, but was 12 shots behind first-place Oak Grove.

Elder’s 74 and an 85 from Meredith Monroe had Oak Grove atop the team leaderboard, with St. Martin (160) and Tupelo (167) also in contention.

Madison Central was in fifth place, at 179.

A total of 17 teams from Classes 5A and 6A are competing in the tournament.