A spot on the Section II team for next spring's New York State Tournament will be on the line for the 16 golfers who advanced from today's opening round of the Section II Class A-B-C-D state qualifier at Orchard Creek.

Mark Sabatino of Stillwater tied with the Albany Academy duo of Matt DeVito and Tim DiStefano with three-over-par 74s to share the first-round lead. Chad Murphy of Stillwater and Kyle Lewis of Saratoga Springs tied for second with 76. Sixteen players made the cut at 79 or lower, including defending sectional champion Ryan Simpson of Shenendehowa with a 77.

The final 16 will play Friday, beginning at 10 a.m. Only the top nine make the state team, and medalist honors also will be up for grabs.

Today's round was blustery and cold. To have so many players break 80 was quite an accomplishment.

Others who qualified for the final round are Taylor Bellmare of Hoosick Falls (77), Jon Farah of Niskayuna (77), Will Mallia of Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons (78), Seth Adams of CBA (79), Louis Walsh of Shenendehowa (79), Animesh Hajela of Shaker (79), Spencer Sautin of Spa Catholic (79), Justin Brock of Albany Academy (79), Jeremy Tobin of Guilderland (79) and DJ Tozier of Shenendehowa (79).