By By Mike Carson/The Meridian Star
Dec. 11, 2001
The 21st Annual Mississippi State Seniors Tournament is now in the books. While precise totals are not yet available over 150 Doubles teams and nearly 300 Singles took part in the championship. Going into the final weekend Tyrone McAlpine was leading not only his division, but the entire field with a 734. Could he hang on to claim the victory? Find out in next week's column when all the final standings should be compiled. Other local bowlers faring well in the tournament included M.A. Copeland, Bob Timms and Randell Palmer. Bowlers competed in five separate age divisions. Competitors included our own Jamie Hagwood, who at 94 is not only Meridian's oldest bowler, but also the oldest active bowler in the state.
Don't forget this weekend will feature the opposite end of the spectrum as our local youth bowlers compete in the Meridian YABA City Championship Tournament. All local junior bowlers between the ages of 7 and 21 are eligible. If your child is not yet entered and wishes to bowl contact Leon Fike or Candace Blackmon. Doubles and Singles will bowl Saturday at 10 a.m. and Team Event will bowl Sunday at 2:30 p.m. A banquet will be held Sunday after the Team Event for award presentations and the awarding of a scholarship. The entry fee is $25 per child and includes all three events.
In local league action several bowlers recorded multiple 700 Series in the last week to go along with some big games. Some of those with the hot hand included Leon Fike (278/747, 716), Johnnie Blackmon (277, 275/736), Andrew Clayton (267/711, 766), Mike Cothern (762, 729), Rodney Bounds (753, 725) and Robert Brown (276, 280/754). Ronnie Thomas took the high game for the week with a 10-in-a-row 285 effort. Congratulations go to Don Ray, who recorded his first career "7" with a 707 in the Hucklebuck league.
Not to be outdone, the Kemper County Flash, aka Janie Tisdale, scattered the pins for series of 600 and 626 to lead the ladies last week. Janie included games of 224, 246 and 270 during the week. Sue Kirkpatrick also carved another notch in her belt with a 221/605 set. Lou Timms and Sheila Dearman each showed hubbies Bob and Arthur what bowling is all about by firing games of 237 while Kathleen McDaniel added a 233. Other ladies shining bright included Pat James (227), Martha Bates (224) and Bettye Simmons (221).