By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
June 4, 2002
The State Men's Bowling Championships head into the final week here at Dixie Bowl with the top four teams separated by just 79 pins.
In men's singles play, Joe Fortenberry holds a 17-pin edge over Meridian's C.W. Gray. Three others are within 30 points of Fortenberry.
The best single game of the tourney was rolled by Shannon Duplantis who bowled a perfect 300. Bo Edwards missed by a pin at 299. Gray had the third highest series (748) and was third in average at 249.3.
In doubles play, the weekend saw the fourth lead change in five weeks. Michael Howell and Larry Booker took over the lead with 1,491 pins. The team of Jason Loague and Kevin Hartigan is second just 18 points behind at 1,473.
The Biloxi pair of Howell and Booker each bowled over a 700 scratch series to total a 1,416. With the handicap, that moved the pair to 1,491 and into the lead.
Bill Heineck and Curtis Ladner are in third with 1,467 points while Charlie Hufford and Ben Edwards are in fourth at 1464. Cliff Smith and Dennis Phillips round out the top five at 1,462.
The Laurel team of Ken Boone and Andy Fiala, Jr., moved into eighth place with a 1,452. Boone had a 705 series while Fiala shot a 723.
The Greenwood couple of Martha and Keith Wiggins reached the top 10 for the first time with a 1,438 score. The Wiggins are in ninth place.
The top individual game in doubles was by Russell Harper who had a 299. Ben Edwards had the top series at 775.
In singles play, Fortenberry had a 742 series to stay in first at 820. Gray scored 692 and with an 111 handicap moved to 803. Brian Napolion was third at 796 followed by Jack Russell at 795 and Mitch Mitchell at 790 was in fifth.
In the team competition, defending champs Khurtz Keglers remain in first with 3,512 pins. Long Shots are second at 3,481. Bank First is third with 3,479. Payton Distributors are fourth at 3,433 and Window Shop is fifth at 3,409. Blind Luck is one pin behind Window Shop at 3,408.
The high scratch game of the week in the team competition was a 290 bowled by Russell Harper. Brian Begue had the highest series with a 776.