Defending champs take over tourney lead

By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
May 21, 2002
The Mississippi State Bowling Association Tournament concluded its third week of action with changes in the leaderboard in both team and doubles competition.
This weekend will be our biggest weekend of the tournament because it will be our annual meeting of the state officers," Copeland said. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday at the Best Western Motel at 9 a.m. Later that day at Dixie Bowl, the current MSBA President in Jackie Strange of Vicksburg will be inducted into the Mississippi State Bowling Hall of Fame.
Strange will join four area bowlers in the Hall of Fame including Copeland, Benard Hoy, Sonny Evans and Lloyd Bullock.
In week three, the big change came in the team competition where the defending state champion in the Khurtz Keglers of Hattiesburg surged back to the top. The team consists of Brian Begue, Todd Scallions, Mike Rose, Rodney Lott and Darryl Cooper fired a 3,512 to take the lead over Bank First out of Columbus who's at 3,479. Payton Distributors of Vicksburg is in third at 3,433 while Window Shop (3,409) and Graphic Arts (3,389) round out the top five.
Dixie Bowl is in seventh place at 3,366 and is the only local team in the Top 10. A total of 52 teams are entered in the event.
In singles play, Meridian's Chuck Gray moved into the top 10 at No. 5 with a 748 series. He is the only local bowler in the Top 10.
Brian Napolion continues to lead the pack of 220 entrants with 796 pins. Mitch Mitchell is second at 790 followed by Chad Flemming in third at 771.
The high game of the weekend went to Ron Benne of Ocean Springs who fired a 289. The high series was rolled by another Ocean Springs bowler in Brian Begue who had a 776. It also the highest scratch series to date besting the 775 of Ben Edwards of Tupelo.
In doubles play, Bill Heineck and Chris Ladner of Columbus moved into first place with 1,467 pins. Ladner, who has a 167-average, led the way with a 656 series.
David White and Earle White of New Albany are now in fifth at 1,458. Charlie Hufford and Ben Edwards are in second at 1,464 while Cliff Smith and Dennis Phillips are second at 1,462.
Meridian has two doubles teams in the Top 10. Alan Topcik and Ronnie Thomas are in seventh place at 1,435. Andrew Clayton and Marcus Fairley are in 10th at 1,422. There are 110 doubles teams in the field.